cult, often through deep snow, into which they
sank up to their middles. They looked in vain for trace of any of their
lost shipmates. They were already entombed beneath the glittering snow,
not to be again seen till the warm sun of the spring should expose them
to the gaze of passers by. They at length reached the ship, and climbed
up through a main-deck port. How silent and melancholy seemed the
deserted ship, lately crowded with active busy human beings never more
again destined to people its decks.

They looked into the cabins and selected a few articles they had before
forgotten, taking some articles from the cabins of their messmates which
they thought might be valued. On the main-deck the injuries which the
ship had received were not so apparent.

"Would it be possible to save her?" exclaimed Devereux. "If she could
be buoyed up with empty casks and got off into deep water, we might
patch her up sufficiently to run her over to Yarmouth Roads. I would
rather see her bones left there than here."

"Anything you like I am ready for," said O'Grady, and Paul repeated the
sentiment.

"I do not mean to say that we can do it by ourselves; but if we can form
a good plan to place before the captain, perhaps he will let us have the
rest of the people to carry it out," said Devereux. "However, before we
begin, let us have some food. I am very hungry after our walk, and I
daresay you all are."

All hands agreed to this; there was no lack of provisions. Some time
was occupied in the meal, and then they set to work to make their
survey. As they wished to be exact, and to ascertain the number of
casks on which they could depend for floating the ship, the business
occupied a longer time than they had expected. They had nearly
completed their plans when Paul, looking through one of the ports, saw
the water rushing by with great rapidity, carrying with it large blocks
of ice capable of overwhelming anybody they might have struck. The tide
had turned, it was too evident, some time, and their retreat to the
shore was cut off. Paul reported the circumstance to Devereux. There
was no doubt about the matter. They stood at the gangway gazing at the
roaring torrent, full of masses of ice leaping over and grinding against
each other. No one but a madman would have ventured to cross it. It
seemed doubtful if even a boat could live in such a turmoil of waters.
If the flood ran up thus strong, what might be the effects o