certainly this was the only phrase that could describe the horror of
the situation. But there was nothing for it but to keep scudding. Had
any attempt been made to heave to, she would have been smashed to atoms
and no more would have been heard of her. It was only by great care in
steering and having the proper amount of sail set that she was kept
above water. An error in judgement or the neglect of a single point in
the handling would have sealed her fate. By the 20th of the month she
had got so far north there was little or no daylight; the biting cold
was frightful, and there was no prospect of betterness. The long winter
nights were spent in pumping, steering and keeping a look out (though
it was assumed she was long since out of the track of vessels and no
land was near), and the only lights to be seen were the flash of the
curling spray dancing on the top of tempestuous billows.

It was during the forenoon of February 21, just after a snow cloud had
rushed past, the crew were both surprised and cheered to observe a
barque a little on the starboard bow, heading north under two
close-reefed topsails. She was low in the water, and making heavy
weather of it. The crew were seen in the mizen rigging, frantically
waving. A tattered flag was flying beside them, but its nationality
could not be discerned. It was impossible to render the assistance that
was so eagerly sought for, but even if it had been possible it was too
late, for a sea was seen to break right over her stern, and in a few
minutes there was another added to the long list of North Atlantic
tragedies. Amongst the wreckage passed was a boat full of water, and
oars floating on each side of her. Whether this belonged to the latest
victim of the remorseless waves or not, no one could tell, though some
of the crew thought it might. This melancholy incident was not likely
to improve the spirits of the little band of indomitable workers, but
they knew if they had to be saved from the same fate they must not give
way to sentimental weakness.

The following day the force of the hurricane broke, and on the 24th she
had reached 65 degrees north. There were indications of a change of
wind. The sky had cleared so that the stars could be seen, and there
was a brightness in the N.N.W. that omened the wind coming from that
direction. At midnight the change came. Orders were given to let the
reefs out of the topsails, but it took a considerable time to do this
as the reef