ent, it will soon be
sparkling with brightness."

The two friends made their way along the deck to the forecastle, where
they found the officers who were stationed there eagerly looking out.
One declared that he saw land ahead. "If it is, daylight will soon show
it," observed another. While the discussion was going on, the sea
seemed on a sudden to go down, and the ship glided on in comparatively
smooth water.

"It may or may not be land ahead," exclaimed the master; "but I tell you
what--we are under the lee of a large field of ice, and it is a mercy we
did not run on it in the dark. See, there! What do you think of that?"

Stretching far round in the eastern horizon, appeared a white line,
clearly marked on the dark ocean. All hands were now called and set to
work to get up jury-masts. Every one worked with a will, from the
smallest boy on board. No time was to be lost. The soldiers were
summoned on deck to lend a hand in pulling and hauling. Gradually the
light increased, and, as it did so, the work went on more rapidly.
Willy had but little time to look about him, but he could not help every
now and then glancing towards the east, which was now illuminated by a
rich, ruddy glow, extending far and wide, gradually melting into a
yellow tint, that again vanished in the dark-blue sky overhead.
Presently the sun itself rose out of the ocean, at first like a fiery
arch, till, springing rapidly upwards, the whole circle appeared in
view. Just then he turned his eyes to the right. He could not refrain
from uttering an exclamation of astonishment; for there appeared, not a
mile away to the westward, what seemed like a vast island of alabaster,
covered with countless edifices--towers and columns, and embattled
walls, glowing with numberless brilliant and varied hues. Colonel
Morley, who had just then come on deck, observed it also, and pointing
it out to the commander, hastened below to summon his wife and daughters
to witness the beautiful spectacle. Commander Newcombe's countenance
did not show that he was as pleased with the sight as the colonel had
apparently been. Casting an anxious glance round, he summoned the
first-lieutenant to his side, who seemed to be holding earnest
conversation with him. Willy, who had gone aft on some duty, heard the
latter remark, "We are embayed, sir, there is no doubt about it. All we
can hope for is a breeze from the southward to get out again." Willy
heard no more.

"