e."

Just then the sun rose from his watery bed with glorious refulgence in
an unclouded sky. I looked back, to judge how far we had got from the
iceberg. Truly if it had appeared beautiful when we were on it, doubly
so it did appear now, glittering in the beams of the sun; some parts of
alabaster whiteness, and the rest tinged with hues of gold and pink and
most transparent blue. It was an object well calculated to attract the
eyes of a stranger.

A cry from my companions made me turn my head. The barque's sails were
shivering, as she luffed up to the wind. Directly after a boat was seen
to be lowered, and quickly being manned, it pulled towards us. Then
indeed our hearts rose to our bosoms, and we shouted with joy. Poor
Tom, from the great revulsion of feeling, was nearly fainting and
falling off the raft, had we not supported him. Still we paddled on,
and the boat seemed to fly towards us. She was quite close to us, when,
in our joy we waved our paddles above our heads, and gave way to another
shout.

"Hillo, who have we here?" exclaimed a voice from the boat. "What,
mates, we didn't see you!"

Such was the case; they had seen our signal, but had overlooked us. The
surgeon of the ship, never having before seen an iceberg, was gazing at
it with his glass, and was the first to remark our handkerchiefs; and
not being able to make out what they were, he had directed to them the
captain's attention. He was in the boat, and assisted to help us off
our raft.

Once on board and safe, the strength which had hitherto supported us,
gave way, and we sunk down to the bottom of the boat, overpowered with
various emotions. I trust and believe that we were all of us grateful
to Heaven for our wonderful preservation.

The boat towed our raft alongside, as it was too valuable for firewood
to be lost. We were hoisted on board, unable to help ourselves, and
were received by the master, officers, and crew with the greatest
kindness and attention. The surgeon ordered us at once to be put into
warm hammocks, while some warm liquid was poured down our throats, which
soon restored us. However, no one questioned us about our adventures
till we were more completely recovered.

Two events occurred which ought to have increased, if they did not, our
sense of gratitude for our preservation. Scarcely had our feet touched
the deck of the barque than a strong breeze sprang up, which sent her at
the rate of some seven knots