first-lieutenant, that he hoped the gale would not last long, as
otherwise they might be driven in among the ice, which would be found in
heavy packs to the south-east. "With a moderate breeze we might reach
New Zealand in ten days or a fortnight," he observed. "I trust we can
keep the old ship afloat till then."

"Chisel thinks the injuries very severe, though," said the
first-lieutenant; "still, with the aid of the soldiers, we can keep the
pumps going without difficulty, and we may be thankful that we have them
on board."

All day long the "Ranger" ran on, the wind and sea rather increasing
than in any way lessening. Night once more approached, but no sign
appeared of the gale abating. The soldiers relieved each other bravely
at the pumps. Had it not been for them, the seamen well knew that the
ship must have gone down; for though they might have worked them well,
their strength must in time have given in. Mrs Rumbelow continued her
kind ministrations to the women and children below; she had a word, too,
for the seamen and soldiers, who were allowed half-a-watch at a time to
take some rest. "You see, laddies," she observed, "how you can all help
each other. If the ship is to be kept afloat, and our lives saved, it
will be by all working together with a will; you soldiers, by labouring
at the pumps, and the sailors by taking care of the ship. If all do
their duty there's he fear, boys. I only wish people could learn the
same in the everyday concerns of life--the world would get on much more
happily than it does."

While the sea continued rolling and the ship tumbling about, there were
no hopes of getting up jury-masts. That night was even more trying than
the previous one. It was not quite so dark, for now and then the clouds
cleared away, and the bright stars shone forth; but still it was
impossible to say whether some big iceberg might not be ahead, or
whether the ship might not be driven into the midst of a field of ice,
which would be scarcely less dangerous. All night long she ran on
before the gale. It would be hopeless to attempt bringing her on a wind
while the storm continued, and yet she was running into unknown dangers.
Before, when she almost ran into the iceberg, she had had her masts
standing, and was under easy steering canvas; now, with her after-masts
gone, should an iceberg rise in her course, it would be scarcely
possible for her to escape it.

Not a single officer of the ship, a