Whatever the captains thought, they had the good taste to keep
it to themselves. Indeed, Power, the senior captain in the regiment,
was suspected of having a leaning toward the colonel's sentiments. No
one, however, could say that he was slow or soft: he was known to have
done several gallant acts, and was a first-rate officer, a keen
sportsman, and proficient in all athletic exercises. It was whispered
that Power was the only man likely to succeed with either the Miss
Morleys, though, as far as was observed, he paid them no particular
attention; indeed, he was not looked upon as a marrying man. He was the
only unmarried captain on board. Captain Gosling had left his wife at
home; and Mrs Twopenny was in delicate health, and generally kept her
cabin. She has not before been mentioned. There were no other ladies
on board, but there were several soldiers' wives, with their children,
though, altogether, there were fewer women than are generally found in a
troop-ship.

A calm unusual for these latitudes had prevailed for several days. Now
and then a light wind would come from the northward, just filling the
sails, but again dying away; now the ship glided slowly over the smooth
water; now she remained so stationary that the chips of wood swept
overboard from the carpenter's bench floated for hours together
alongside.

Peter Patch asked Willy whether he did not think that the fate which
befell the ship of the Ancient Mariner was likely to be theirs.

"I hope not," said Willy; "particularly if the icebergs, which they say
are not far off, should get round us, we should find it terribly cold."

"But we should not die of thirst, as the crew of that unfortunate ship
did," observed Peter; "that's one comfort."

"Very cold comfort, though," said Willy, who now and then ventured on a
joke, if only Peter and some other youngster were within hearing.

CHAPTER FIVE.

"ICEBERG AHEAD!"

A GALE SPRINGS UP--A DARK NIGHT--SOUND OF BREAKERS--SHIP RUNNING ON AN
ICEBERG--THE "RANGER" SCRAPES ALONG THE BERG--PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE--
ENSIGN HOLT'S ALARM--THE CARPENTER REPORTS A LEAK--THE CHAIN-PUMPS
RIGGED--THE "RANGER" ON HER BEAM-ENDS--THE MASTS CUT AWAY--RUNNING
BEFORE THE GALE--ALL HANDS AT THE PUMPS--THE WEATHER MODERATES--PREPARE
TO RIG JURY-MASTS.

Once more a strong breeze had sprung up from the westward, and the ship
was making good way through the water.

Though it was the summer time in the southern hemisphere, t