in cheeks of most of them. The captain had a word of exhortation and
advice for each, and many felt the solemn importance of his words.

The good captain was the first to die, and the doctor feared that ere
long several others would sink under the disease from which they
suffered. A deep gloom settled on most of the crew, but there was light
and brightness in old Andrew's cabin, which he endeavoured to shed
abroad. That light came from within. It arose from his firm faith in
God's loving mercy and protecting providence. "Do not despair, mates,"
he said, over and over again. "God has thought fit to take our good
captain, who has changed this cold bleak scene for one of brightness and
glory in that better land aloft there, where there is room for each one
of us too, if we will consent to become the subjects of the being who
rules there; but He may not think fit as yet to call us there, though we
are His subjects here below. If He does not want us, he will find the
means of carrying our ship in safety home."

Month after month passed by; though suffering from hunger, and intense
cold from want of fuel, the crew held out. The ice began to move much
earlier in the year than had been expected. A strong gale sprung up
from the northward--huge masses of ice rose and fell around the ship--
now as they crashed away, an open channel appeared ahead. Sail was set,
though not without difficulty, as few were able to go aloft. The water,
too, as the ship began to move, rushed in through many a leak, and the
pumps were set to work. Now it seemed as if she was again about to be
imprisoned--then once more the ice broke away, and she continued her
course. But of her whole crew, scarcely six were fitted for work. Many
were sick in bed, unable to move; others could just crawl to the pumps,
and work them with their feeble arms. The brave doctor, who had
retained his strength, exerted himself to the utmost--now standing at
the helm, now assisting in making sail, now taking a turn at the pumps,
in addition to his duties among the sick. Archy, who had also retained
his strength, felt no little satisfaction on finding that he was of as
much use as his older shipmates.

At length the ship was free; but alas, many of the poor fellows who had
hitherto held out, sank quickly under the fatal disease from which they
had long been suffering. One by one they sank, till ten had died
besides the captain.

The voyage home was almost as t