Overhead the sun shone serenely; occasional fleecy clouds drifted before the southerly breeze, and the light glinted and sparkled on the million facets of the new pressure-ridges.

The day passed slowly.

At 7 p.m.very heavy pressure developed, with twisting strains that racked the ship fore and aft.
The butts of planking were opened four and five inches on the starboard side, and at the same time we could see from the bridge that the ship was bending like a bow under titanic pressure.

Almost like a living creature, she resisted the forces that would crush her; but it was a one-sided battle.

Millions of tons of ice pressed inexorably upon the little ship that had dared the challenge of the Antarctic.