ve across to the floe, with the
tents and provisions, and forming a new encampment, go on with the work
of preparing the sledges. Frequently as they went backwards and
forwards, they looked out for the return of the party who had gone in
pursuit of the mutineers. The latter had got far out of sight before
they could have been overtaken. What had become of the pursuers no one
could say. Some supposed that the two parties had united and gone on
together, while others fancied that they had fought, and that those who
had been defeated had been left alone on the ice, while the victors had
pushed on with the boats.

The whole day was occupied in moving to the new encampment, and it was
nearly dark before their tents were erected and other preparations made
for passing the night. The wind had latterly increased greatly, and
clouds had been collecting to the north. Scarcely had they got under
shelter when the snow began to fall heavily, and the sharp wind swept
across the icy plain with terrific force.

"Archy, we may be thankful that we are not with those poor fellows who
deserted us," observed Andrew as they sat together round the fire in
their tent. "It will be a mercy if any of them escape even if they
reached the open water before nightfall, and it's my opinion that they
will not have done that."

"They deserve their fate, whatever it may be," growled out one of the
men.

"Ah, friend, we all deserve far more than we receive," said Andrew. "If
God was to treat us according to our merits, the best of us could only
look for punishment. Let us pray that He will have mercy on them as
well as on us. Oh, mates, I wish you could all understand the great
love which God has for us poor sinners. We exposed ourselves of our own
free choice to the danger and hardship we have to endure, but He in His
mercy offers us free salvation and eternal happiness for our souls. He
gave Jesus Christ to suffer instead of us, and it's our own fault if we
do not accept His precious gift. All He asks us to do is to trust to
His love, and believe that Jesus died for us and that His blood washes
away all our sins."

Several of Andrew's companions listened with deep earnestness to his
words, and on that bleak floe, and amid those arctic snows, believed to
the salvation of their souls.

All night long the wind swept by them, the snow fell faster and faster,
but they heeded not the tempest. A bright light had burst upon them,
and they