tance from
the ship. Once more the boat approached them at a rapid rate, dragged
on by the whale. It was evident she was in great distress, and that her
crew dreaded the fate they themselves had suffered. Suddenly she
stopped--the line had been cut. Would they turn away? No, the crew
bend to their oars--the boat-steerer stands up and waves. They are
seen--help will come to them. Again the cheer.

"Let us thank God, for He has sent yonder boat to our assistance," said
Andrew.

CHAPTER SIX.

RESCUED!--ON BOARD THE "LAPLANDER" WHALER, WHICH IS NEARLY FULL, AND
EXPECTS SOON TO RETURN HOME.--MAX INKSTER TRIES TO UNDERMINE ARCHY'S
GOOD RESOLUTIONS, BUT THE LATTER REMEMBERS THAT "A FRIEND IN NEED IS A
FRIEND INDEED."--SAIL FOR HOME.--A TEMPTING CHANNEL APPEARING, IT IS
ENTERED, BUT THE SHIP IS NIPPED, AND THE "LAPLANDER" IS ABANDONED.--
ESCAPE TO THE FLOE WITH ONLY A FEW CLOTHES AND PROVISIONS, WHEN A PLAN
IS FORMED FOR REACHING THE COAST OF GREENLAND.

The boat had some distance to pull before a spot could be found where
she could safely approach the ice on the lee side of the floe.

Max and the two other men, regardless of their almost dead companions in
the hut, were hurrying down towards her, when Andrew called them back.
"Shame on you," he exclaimed. "Would you leave the poor fellows to
perish for the sake of sooner putting food into your own mouths? Come,
help them along, they want it more than we do."

The men thus summoned, returned and assisted Andrew and Archy, who were
dragging their nearly insensible shipmates over the ice. At length they
reached the edge, and were cordially welcomed by the crew of the boat,
who made all speed to return to their ship the "Laplander." She was
almost full, they said, and they hoped soon to return home.

The rescued men, on being lifted on board, were at once put under the
doctor's care,--for even Andrew and Archy, who had hitherto held out so
bravely, felt all their strength leave them directly they reached the
boat. They, however, in a couple of days were sufficiently recovered to
go on deck and mix with the crew.

Archy found the "Laplander" a very different vessel to the "Kate." The
captain was a bold brave seaman, but he was nothing else. There were no
Sunday services, no prayer-meetings, no lending library of religious
books, but there was much swearing and ungodliness among the crew.

Max, who quickly forgot the fearful danger in which he had been pl