n, or they run
their bows against a wreck, or the butt-end of a tree or log of timber;
some are burned; some run against icebergs, or fields of ice; and some
are ill put together, or rotten, and spring leaks, and so go down: but
to my mind the greater number are lost from the first cause I have
spoken of. You'll find out in time, Jack, all the perils to which a
seaman is exposed, as well as the hardships I once before spoke to you
about." I did not think at the time how true Peter's words would come.

We were nearly a mile from the wreck, I suppose, when night came on; but
the captain took her bearings by the compass, that he might know in what
direction to look for her should he be able to make sail before the
morning. I had got pretty well accustomed to the tumbling about by this
time, but I could scarcely sleep for thinking of the poor fellows on the
wreck. The night passed away without any change in the weather. When
morning came all hands were looking out for the wreck; but we all looked
in vain. There was the leaden sky, the dark-green foaming sea, but not
a spot on it to be observed far as the eye could reach. Before noon the
wind once more moderated, and making all sail we stood over the place
where, by our captain's calculations, the wreck would be found. Not a
sign of her was to be seen. It was too certain that she must have gone
down during the night.

Every day seemed to have its event. We were again on our proper course,
though the sea was still running high, when towards evening an object
was seen floating ahead of us, just on the lee-bow. We were at no great
distance, little more than half a mile or so, when first seen, so that
we were not left long in doubt as to what it was. "A raft!" said one;
"A piece of a wreck," said another; "Some casks," said a third.

"Whatever it is, there is a man upon it," exclaimed Peter; "and,
messmates, he's alive! Steady you," he added, looking at the man at the
wheel. "Keep her away a little," he said, addressing Mr Gale, who had
charge of the deck.

The news of what was seen at once spread below, and all hands were soon
on deck on the look-out. The man was alive, and saw us coming, for he
waved a handkerchief to attract our notice, lest he might not have been
observed. We waved to him in return, to keep up his spirits. As we
approached, we saw that the man was dressed as a sailor. He was seated
on a grating, made more buoyant by several pieces of spa