eed; the crew
began to haul in the line, the first was got in. They were already in
the hopes of again wounding the animal mortally before she could once
more sound, when inspired with a mother's instinct to do her utmost for
the preservation of her young one, she again darted forward. A large
floe appeared ahead, out of which arose several hummocks. The whale
made rapid way towards it. The crew pulled with might and main, still
hoping to reach her before she could dive below the ice. In vain were
all their efforts. Still she went on. She reached the edge of the
floe. It was possible she might turn or make her way along it, rather
than venture with her young one below its surface, where they might be
unable to find an opening for breathing. Again she stopped; as Andrew
had expected. The crew continued to haul in the line, when once more
she moved on, and it was necessary to secure it round the bollard.

"She is ours," cried Andrew; "she will not venture under the ice." The
crew bent to their oars, hoping in another instant to be up with her,
when, with a sudden start, she dashed forward. With great presence of
mind Andrew cut the line, just in time to prevent the boat from being
dragged under the floe, but not sufficiently soon to save her bows from
being stove. The water came rushing in through the fearful rent that
had been made. The crew leaped out on the ice, old Andrew seizing
Archy, who, bewildered at the occurrence, had sat still. Already the
boat was half full of water, and not without great difficulty she was
hauled up on the ice, against which the sea was beating violently, and
several articles were washed out of her. Archy had instinctively
clutched a bucket by his side, to which he held when he was dragged out.
It contained a tinder-box and powder flask.

There the whole party stood on the exposed floe by the side of their
shattered boat. They looked around. Neither the ship nor the boats
were to be seen, while the thick mist, which came driving over the
ocean, concealed even some of the nearest icebergs from view. Two or
three of the men loudly expressed their anxiety. Max's countenance
exhibited the alarm he felt. Old Andrew alone preserved his usual
equanimity.

"My lads," he said, "I'll allow we are in bad case, but don't let us
give way to despair. We must do our best to repair the boat; and if the
ship does not come to look for us, we must set out to look for her."

The injuri