5thCLASS_97_185_jg:Layout 1 5/3/12 17:46 Page 147


Slowly, slowly, the boat swung closer and closer to Henry’s ice floe, but every time we were about to make contact, the ice floe drifted tantalizingly away again. It was like trying to catch an ice cube in a sink with wet fingers. I can’t, I thought. I can’t do it. I’m too tired. It won’t do what I want. ‘Just keep coming,’ yelled Henry. ‘You are getting closer. You are. Just don’t lose your nerve, don’t panic and don’t tire.’ My arms were taut as iron rods by now with the effort of paddling, and the constant evasive action of the ice floe was beginning to wear me down, but Henry’s shouts kept me concentrated on what I was doing. Eventually, I felt the umiaq make contact with the ice with a gentle bump. The mild impact propelled the boat back again, but with the next paddle we made contact again, like a currach nosing in to a harbour wall. On the third impact, Henry’s outstretched arm brushed mine, and on the fourth attempt, he took a flying, floundering leap and landed in the umiaq like a huge, thrashing fish. The boat rocked dangerously with the impact, and hit off the ice floe several times, but I steadied it by bracing my feet against the sides, and gradually it settled on the water. Henry scrambled off the floor and, keeping his body bent to prevent overturning the boat, he managed to sit down. ‘Hey, Henry!’ He looked smaller than himself, and his body was shaking, shaking, his face white and thin.


Is Henry younger or older than Tyke? Why do you think this? 147


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