The tempest howled for many hours more. Then at last it grew almost calm,
and the sun shone out on the pure white snow.

"I know what to do now," said Tom. "Let us find our way to the beach. The
boat may be there, you know."

But long before they reached the shore they beheld a wondrous sight, for
as far as the eye could reach there was no water to be seen, only huge
icebergs covered with dazzling snow, all gently moving up and down with
the swelling waves beneath. The noise made by these great bergs as they
ground their sides together was deafening.

But there were no signs of the boat, and no ship was to be seen. The
_Valhalla_ had either been crushed to atoms or been driven out to sea.
Tom clung to the last hope, and even told his sisters that she was sure
to return for them soon. He would not get downhearted.

"This is a queer business, Frank," he said with a light laugh, which had
no sound of fun in it however; "but we must do the best we can till they
come back. Eh, Frank?"

"Yes, of course."

But Pansy was clinging to Aralia, quietly crying.

"Well, Frank, we must live in the cave for a little, and so we had better
get everything in, and be as jolly as we can."