t held his breath, for no one knew what was
next to happen. We were terribly near to it. The sea, as it dashed up
the sides of the icy rock--for there was no doubt it was an iceberg--
came toppling back in showers of foam, and deluging our decks. As the
ship heeled over to the breeze, her mainyard, I verily believe, grazed
the iceberg. Had she been a few feet nearer to it, perhaps, I may say,
a few inches, I do not believe that the gallant little sloop or any one
on board would ever again have been heard of. The watch below had been
called, and they came tumbling up in a great hurry, not knowing what was
the matter. I could tell by the exclamations of a few near me that they
wished themselves anywhere but where they were. The dear little ship
flew on, and in another minute the iceberg was left astern. Then a
cheer from all hands arose, and I believe many returned sincere, though
silent, thanks to Him who had so mercifully preserved us. We hauled our
wind and stood to the northward, for we had no fancy to encounter
another of those big ice mountains in that dark night, not but what we
knew that even then we might still run against one. You see, our sailor
philosophy is to do our very best, and then not to trouble our heads
more than we can help as to what are to be the consequences. When the
excitement had calmed down, inquiries were made as to who had seen the
iceberg, and so promptly given the order to `port the helm,' through
which the ship had undoubtedly been saved. Jim Holdfast, when he heard
the inquiries made, was in a great fright, thinking that he was going to
be punished, or well rowed at all events; and he never would have
confessed that he had ventured to give the order, had not I gone to him
and insisted on his coming forward, and saying how he had seen the
iceberg, and had known that, unless what he had ordered was done, the
ship would be lost. The next day the sea went down, and we were able
before night to haul up permanently on our course for Valparaiso, the
capital of Chili. Well, after breakfast I got Jim to come aft with me
to the captain, who, with most of the officers, was on the quarter-deck.

"`I've found the culprit, sir,' said I. `Here's the man who first
discovered the iceberg, though he had never seen one before, and--'

"`And gave the order which saved the ship, and all our lives,' said the
captain, interrupting me, and smiling pleasantly. `Holdfast, my man,
you did a most se