But the wall of ice on top the bank, and extending down into the falling water, remained.
The tail of the ice-run passed, and for the first time in six months Daylight saw open water.

He knew that the ice had not yet passed out from the upper reaches of the Stewart, that it lay in packs and jams in those upper reaches, and that it might break loose and come down in a second run any time; but the need was too desperate for him to linger.
Elijah was so far gone that he might pass at any moment.

As for himself, he was not sure that enough strength remained in his wasted muscles to launch the boat.

It was all a gamble.

If he waited for the second ice-run, Elijah would surely die, and most probably himself.