nd, and the
deck of the ship, hitherto only gently undulating, began to be tossed
about with a motion more rapid than pleasant. As they drove on, the
land opened out, and appeared on either hand; so that they found that
they were at the entrance of an estuary, or the mouth of a wide river.
But the sea rolled in very heavily, and they feared, if it increased,
that the ice round the ship would break up. Still there would be ample
warning given, and they dreaded no immediate danger. The raft and boat
were both got ready. Should the ship sink, the former would in all
probability float, and afford them a refuge should the boat be unable to
live.

"And now all our preparations are made, we'll pipe to dinner," said
Devereux.

And the whole party sat down to a not unsubstantial meal round the cabin
stove. Dinner was over. It had been somewhat prolonged, for there was
nothing to do, and they had been talking of by-gone days, and fighting
their battles over again. It was time, however, to look out to see what
progress they had been of late making. It was O'Grady's watch, and when
he opened the cabin door to go out, he saw a mass of smoke eddying round
in the fore-part of the deck. His companions soon joined him to
ascertain beyond a doubt that the ship was on fire. It might still be
overcome. But the fresh water had been started; there was only ice
alongside, and the pumps were choked. The party made a rush towards the
fire, in the hopes of beating it out; but they were soon convinced that
it had gained hold of the ship, and that no efforts they could make to
extinguish it would avail. How it had originated there was no time to
consider. Probably some coal jerked out of the galley-fire had found
its way below, and had ignited some of the stores. The flames now burst
forth, and spread rapidly--bursting through the hatchways and ports, and
soon enveloping the whole of the fore-part of the ship. The party were
now exposed to even a more terrible danger than any they had
anticipated. Their raft would no longer avail them. Their entire
dependence must be on their frail boat. Still till the last moment they
were unwilling to leave the once stout ship which had so long been their
home.

"We must go, my lads," exclaimed Devereux, with a sigh, as the flames,
fanned by the wind, rapidly approached the quarter-deck. "One good
thing is, that should she drive on shore, and the French be in the
neighbourhood, they will