berg
again, or will she sail off in an opposite direction?"

Those who have been placed in a similar position to the one in which we
were, can alone truly comprehend to the full the intensity of our
feelings. We could scarcely breathe--we could scarcely speak. All our
thoughts were concentrated in that one point; our very being seemed
wrapped up, as it were, in it. The night had passed slowly away; but
still more slow did the light of day seem to creep over the world.

I said we were for some time silent. At last Andrew answered my
question by saying, "The first thing we must do, shipmates, is to climb
up to the top of the berg, and spread out our red handkerchiefs; so as
to show a broad face to those on board yonder vessel. As soon as the
sun is high enough, we'll try and light a fire, and the smoke may be
seen by them; but if not, then we must trust ourselves to the raft, and
try to paddle up to her. Perhaps we may reach her before a breeze
springs up; but perhaps not. Yet I don't think it will get up till
noon."

"But why not get on the raft at once?" I urged; for I had more
confidence in it than he had.

"Because if we do, we may not be able to return to the iceberg, which we
should wish to do if we miss the ship," he answered. "But on that point
I will agree to what you all wish. What do you say, Tom?--you are the
youngest, and should speak first."

"I say, then, let us try the raft," said Tom, who fancied even that he
could swim to the ship.

"And so do I," I added.

"And I," exclaimed Terence, eagerly. "We'll drive her up to the ship in
no time."

"Then, shipmates, the sooner we are off the better," we all cried out
together.

Terence and I climbed up to the top of the berg, and spread out our
handkerchiefs between two upright spars, and we thought they could not
fail of being seen. Andrew and Tom, meantime, were filling the iron pot
with water, collecting some of our seal flesh, and otherwise getting our
raft ready. Securing one end of our rope to a point of ice, we eased
the raft carefully down into the sea. To our satisfaction it floated
well alongside, but it required great caution not to upset it as we
stepped upon it. We at once saw that Andrew had good reason for not
wishing to trust to it; for no sooner were we on it, than, calm as the
sea was, the water washed completely over it, and, had we not placed two
planks across it to sit on, we should have been wet through directly.
W