nearly noon
`` No , Regnie ; we are fifty miles from any land now , and I think about one third of the way across to the Magdalen Islands . Still , I should like to take an observation , and see where we are ; and we may not have such a calm spell again for two or three days . '' Pulling off to the berg , they found the shelf on which lay the dead seal , and climbing the ice-cliff , they saw spread out before them a strange and pleasing spectacle . The fog had lifted , for it was now nearly noon , and although some rain still fell , the eye could see the broken ice-pack seamed with channels , and scarred with pools of varying size , for at least eight miles in any direction . Regnar started , turned to his companion , and seizing his shoulder with convulsive energy , pointed to the east . A long ribbon of black vapor hung over the ice , low down on the horizon , and beneath it towered the topsail of a brigantine , going free before the wind . -LSB- Illustration -RSB- `` It is a sealing steamer , boring out of the pack , '' said Regnar .