98 THE WORLD OF ICE.

Then there was a momentary silence of breathless
expectation. The two men seemed about to meet
with a shock that would annihilate both, when Mivins
bounded to one side like an indiarubber ball. O'Riley
shot past him like a rocket, and the next instant went
head foremost into the pool of water.

This unexpected termination to the affair converted
the intended huzzah of the men into a yell of mingled
laughter and consternation as they hastened in a body
to the spot; but before they reached it, O’Riley’s head
and shoulders reappeared, and when they came up he
was standing on the margin of the pool blowing like
a walrus.

“Oh! then, but it 7s cowld!” be exclaimed, wring-
ing the water from his garments. “Och! where's the
ball? give me a kick or Pl freeze! so I will.”

As he spoke the drenched Irishman seized the ball
from Mivins’s hands and gave it a kick that sent it
high into the air. He was too wet and heavy to fol-
low it up, however, so he ambled off towards the ship
as vigorously as his clothes would allow him, followed
by the whole crew.