[10 On page 284 of his works, Hall writes: "From the
top of Providence Berg, a dark fog was seen to the north,
indicating water. At 10 a. m. three of the men (Kruger,
Nindemann and Hobby) went to Cape Lupton to ascertain if possible
the extent of the open water. On their return they reported
several open spaces and much young ice -- not more than a day
old, so thin that it was easily broken by throwing pieces of
ice upon it."]

By what miracle we escaped being dashed to utter destruction, I
do not know. I remember our little craft creaked and groaned, as
if its joints were breaking. It rocked and staggered to and fro
as if clutched by some fierce undertow of whirlpool or maelstrom.

Fortunately our compass had been fastened with long screws to a
crossbeam. Most of our provisions, however, were tumbled out and
swept away from the deck of the cuddy, and had we not taken the
precaution at the very beginning to tie ourselves firmly to the
masts of the sloop, we should have been swept into the lashing
sea.

Above the deafening tumult of the raging waves, I heard my
father's voice. "Be courageous, my son," he shouted, "Odin is the
god of the waters, the companion of the brave, and he is with us.
Fear not."

To me it seemed there was no possibility of our escaping a
horrible death. The little sloop was shipping water, the snow was
falling so fast as to be blinding, and the waves were tumbling
over our counters in reckless white-sprayed fury. There was