18/41 But the wall of ice on top the bank, and extending down into the falling water, remained. 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. As for himself, he was not sure that enough strength remained in his wasted muscles to launch the boat. If he waited for the second ice-run, Elijah would surely die, and most probably himself. |