d circulating freely, made him feel better able to endure the
cold than before.

When at length they returned to the hut, they found the remaining pieces
of wood burning, and that in a short time they would be left without any
fire.

"If you had followed my advice it would have been better for us all,"
observed Andrew.

The men made no reply; they all appeared to have fallen into a state of
stupor, and to have become indifferent to their fate. Andrew and Archy
sat down to rest, and to enjoy the warmth of the fire, anxiously
watching the last few pieces of wood as they were gradually consumed.
The embers which they scraped together afforded them heat for some time
longer--then, by degrees, those died out.

"It is our duty to hold out while we can, boy," said Andrew, when the
last spark of the fire was extinguished. "Come and take another run."

Archy felt very weak and faint from want of food, still he endeavoured
to exert himself. Again they visited the top of the hummock, but still
no sail was to be seen. The sea tumbled and foamed, and the surrounding
masses of ice ground and crashed against each other, and the floe on
which they were appeared to have decreased in size, while huge blocks,
thrown up by the waves, rested on its weather side. Even Andrew was
unable to run backwards and forwards as fast as before, and again they
sought shelter within the hut. No questions were asked them; indeed
most of their companions appeared to be asleep. Andrew in vain tried to
arouse them. Archy felt that he, too, should like to lie down and go to
sleep; but from doing this Andrew used every effort to prevent him, and
in a short time proposed that they should take another ran to the top of
the hummock. With difficulty Archy followed him.

For some time the old man stood looking round in every direction, then
his eyes rested on a particular spot to the northward, and Archy saw him
raise his hands as if in prayer.

"Lad," he said suddenly, "look between those two icebergs. What do you
see?"

Archy gazed with beating heart. "A sail! a sail!" he exclaimed.

"Yes--of that there's no doubt," said Andrew, calmly, "and may God
direct her course towards us. She is at present standing this way; but
should a whale be seen, she may steer in a different direction." They
anxiously watched the approaching ship for some minutes.

"We will tell our companions," said Andrew--"the news will rouse them if
they are not too far g