And now they came to the edge of the pack , and beyond it they could see Shiny Wall looming , through mist , and snow , and storm . But the pack rolled horribly upon the swell , and the ice giants fought and roared , and leapt upon each other 's backs , and ground each other to powder , so that Tom was afraid to venture among them , lest he should be ground to powder too . And he was the more afraid , when he saw lying among the ice pack the wrecks of many a gallant ship ; some with masts and yards all standing , some with the seamen frozen fast on board . Alas , alas , for them ! They were all true English hearts ; and they came to their end like good knights-errant , in searching for the white gate that never was opened yet . But the good mollys took Tom and his dog up , and flew with them safe over the pack and the roaring ice giants , and set them down at the foot of Shiny Wall . `` And where is the gate ? '' asked Tom . `` There is no gate , '' said the mollys . `` No gate ? '' cried Tom , aghast . `` None ; never a crack of one , and that 's the whole of the secret , as better fellows , lad , than you have found to their cost ; and if there had been , they 'd have killed by now every right whale that swims the sea . '' `` What am I to do , then ? '' `` Dive under the floe , to be sure , if you have pluck . '' `` I 've not come so far to turn now , '' said Tom ; `` so here goes for a header . '' `` A lucky voyage to you , lad , '' said the mollys ; `` we knew you were one of the right sort . So good-bye . '' `` Why do n't you come too ? '' asked Tom . But the mollys only wailed sadly , `` We ca n't go yet , we ca n't go yet , '' and flew away over the pack .
So Tom dived XXXXX the great white gate which never was opened yet , and went on in black darkness , at the bottom of the sea , for seven days and seven nights .
by like of on over that through to under upon