t once
to persuade the young ladies to eat a portion of the delicacies which
she had received. She was at length successful. "And now, marm," she
added, "just a thimbleful of rum; it will do you good, I'm sure. I am
not in favour of ladies taking to ardent spirits, but, just now, we may
be thankful for some to cheer our hearts and keep out the cold."

Night was now coming on, and though the weather had slightly improved,
Harry could not but feel that the danger of scudding on in the darkness
was greater than in the day-time. As yet he had been unable to alter
his course, and steer more to the northward. The boat was still in the
latitude where icebergs might be encountered, and at night they might
not be seen in time to be avoided, "We must commit ourselves to God's
keeping, and do our best," Harry thought to himself. "Surely I ought to
ask those with me to join in a prayer for our protection. My friends,"
he said aloud, "we know not what may happen this night; and I trust all
will join in asking God to look after us, and in returning thanks to Him
in having preserved us thus far."

"That they will, sir!" exclaimed Mrs Rumbelow; "and I am sure, too,
that all will pray heartily that those we left on board the ship may be
preserved likewise."

Harry invited Captain Twopenny to act the part of chaplain; but as both
he and Dr Davis declined, he felt that he ought to do so himself.
Engaged, however, in the arduous task of steering, he could not
sufficiently collect his thoughts for the purpose. While still doubting
what to do, Mrs Morley appeared from beneath her tent, and in a firm,
clear voice offered up a prayer to Him who rules the stormy ocean for
their own safety, as also for that of those in the other boat and on
board the ship. All joined heartily; and as the noble lady was seen
lifting up her eyes towards heaven, with her hands clasped, no one could
doubt that she was indeed speaking to Him who hears and answers prayer.

"Now, friends, I am sure that there are many here who can join in a hymn
to our merciful Father and Friend," exclaimed Mrs Rumbelow. "The young
ladies will lead you, for I have often heard them singing on a Sunday
evening, and it has done my heart good to listen."

The Miss Morleys, who had risen with their mother and the other women,
without requiring a second invitation gave utterance, with their sweet
voices, to that beautiful hymn, which ends--

"O God, our help in ages past,