Having concluded, he said:

"My lads, through the great mercy of Heaven we have been all, except
one, spared through the trials and anxieties of a long and dreary
winter, and are now, I trust, about to make our escape from the ice that
has held us fast so long. It becomes me at such a time to tell you
that, if I am spared to return home, I shall be able to report that
every man in this ship has done his duty. You have never flinched in
the hour of danger, and never grumbled in the hour of trial. Only one
man--our late brave and warm-hearted comrade, Joseph West--has fallen in
the struggle. For the mercies that have never failed us, and for our
success in rescuing my gallant friend, Captain Ellice, we ought to feel
the deepest gratitude. We have need, however, to pray for a blessing on
the labours that are yet before us, for you are well aware that we shall
probably have many a struggle with the ice before we are once more
afloat on blue water. And now, lads, away with you on deck, and man the
capstan, for the tide is about full."

The capstan was manned, and the hawsers were hove taut. Inch by inch
the tide rose, and the _Dolphin_ floated. Then a lusty cheer was given,
and Amos Parr struck up one of those hearty songs intermingled with
"Ho!" and "Yo heave ho!" that seem to be the life and marrow of all
nautical exertion. At last the good ship forged ahead, and, _boring_
through the loose ice, passed slowly out of the Bay of Mercy.

"Do you know I feel quite sad at quitting this dreary spot?" said Fred
to his father, as they stood gazing backward over the taffrail. "I
could not have believed that I should have become so much attached to
it."

"We become attached to any spot, Fred, in which incidents have occurred
to call forth, frequently, our deeper feelings. These rocks and stones
are intimately associated with many events that have caused you joy and
sorrow, hope and fear, pain and happiness. Men cherish the memory of
such feelings, and love the spots of earth with which they are
associated."

"Ah, Father, yonder stands one stone, at least, that calls forth
feelings of sorrow."

Fred pointed, as he spoke, to Store Island, which was just passing out
of view. On this lonely spot the men had raised a large stone over the
grave of Joseph West. O'Riley, whose enthusiastic temperament had
caused him to mourn over his comrade more, perhaps, than any other man
in the ship, had carved the name and date of