Protected from wind and wave by the island already mentioned, the ice between the latter and the shore withstood the force of the tempest the longest. At the northern end of the protected channel lay the _Bumble Bee_, and while stationary in the ice, the storm failed to rouse the occupants. The sudden veering of the wind, however, changed the flattened surface into a boiling cauldron. Tumultuously, the ice, worn thin by the prolonged thaw, was broken into fragments, and the little ship, frozen solid at her moorings for the whole of the winter, was suddenly cast loose upon the waters.
Latimer and his wife were both roused by the lurch of the boat. As an old seaman, he knew at once what had happened. The rudder, too, was gone, and he called loudly for assistance. At the same moment the women screamed, for the boat tossed like a cockle shell beneath them.
"Be easy, now," cried Latimer. "Don't make fools of yourselves! This ain't the first sail the _Bumble Bee_ ever made."
"If it ain't the first, it's the last," retorted his wife, fiercely.
"Bet your bottom dollar she'll make many another yet. Hello, Bateese! Ketch this rope when I throw it."
"Hold on, wait a meenit," and Bateese ran to a pile of young beeches that had been cut as pike poles for building.
"That 'tarnal Frenchman," muttered Latimer. "The rudder's broken, and we'll drift out of reach before he's back again."
"Tie loop on rope," he yelled as he hurried back. "Den we catch heem wid pole."
"Here's one for ye," and with tremendous effort Latimer threw out the line again. As it uncoiled the end fell between fragments of ice ten feet from the shore.
"Dere, I tole you. Him no reach de bank, but nevare min', we catch heem all de same." And stretching out to his utmost he hooked the fork of the beech into the open end of the cable and drew it in. Being taut, there was barely enough to reach the shore.
"Give us more rope," shouted Bond. Another yard was paid out.
"Not another inch to spare," cried Latimer.
But the men had got hold of it and were pulling with all their might. Still, the force of the current was a match for them, and it was not until reinforced that they succeeded in drawing the boat in and lashing it to a tree.