But, for my own part, I had rather fight, and take an even chance of being killed, than be taken prisoner, and spend five months below decks." "Fight it is, then!" exclaimed the captain doggedly.
By this time the boat was pulling up the channel to the north of the ice-field, within a mile of us.
"We might crowd sail, and stand away to the north of the islands here," I argued.
"Yes; but we don't know how this roadstead ends farther on," replied Raed.
"It may be choked up with ice or small islets," said Kit.

"In that case we should run into a trap, where they would only have to follow us to be sure of us.

We might abandon the schooner, and get ashore; but that would be nearly as bad as being taken prisoner--on this coast." "Here's clear sailing round this ice-field," remarked the captain.

"My plan is to keep their ship on the opposite of it from us.

If they give chase, we'll sail round it." "But how about their boat ?" demanded Wade.
"We must beat it off!" exclaimed the captain determinedly.
"Then we've not a moment to lose!" cried Raed.--"Here, Donovan! help me move the howitzer to the stern .-- Kit, you and Wash and Wade get up the muskets and load them.