n on deck flew to
his post. In another instant the stout ship would have been a helpless
wreck, foundering under the base of a huge iceberg. There was no space
to spare. Foaming, roaring seas were seen dashing against its sides as
the toiling frigate ploughed her way past it, near enough, Mr Martin
said, to heave a biscuit on it. Some minutes passed before any one
breathed freely; the danger had been so great and terrible that it was
difficult to believe that it had passed away.

"You deserve well of us, Ben; and, depend on it, the captain and Mr
Charlton are not likely to overlook what you have done," said Mr
Martin. "Though I had my eyes wide open, I did not see the berg till
some seconds after you had sung out; and in a touch-and-go matter, a few
seconds makes all the difference whether a ship is saved or lost."

There was great danger as the ship sailed on, with the seas on her side,
of their breaking on board, and she was therefore once more kept away
before the wind. The watch was called, and Ben turned in. All those
now on deck kept their eyes very wide open, watching for another
iceberg, which it was likely they might meet with. Ben in his hammock
slept soundly; he had prayed, and commended himself and all with him to
his heavenly Father's protection. "If the ship should sink, I may awake
and find myself with Him; but why should I fear? He will, I know,
receive me graciously, and I shall meet my dear father and brothers with
Him." And with such thoughts the Christian sailor boy dropped asleep.

For several days the ship ran on, the captain hauling up gradually to
the north as the weather moderated. Her course was then somewhat
easterly, and after some time a report ran through the ship that land
might any hour be seen on the starboard bow; that is to say, on the
right side. It was said that, on such occasions, the person who first
discovered land often received the reward of a sovereign, or half a
sovereign; and when Ben heard this, he became very anxious to obtain it.
He had been the first to see the iceberg, why should he not be the
first to see land? He was afraid, however, that his chance was small,
as he had his duties in the gun-room to attend to, and he could seldom
get away long enough at a time to go to the masthead. Still he
determined to try. One thing struck him as very wonderful, that, after
sailing on so many weeks, and not having once seen land, the officer
should be able to tell