404 SHIP RIGHTS. [CHAP. VI. 



After 2 h a. m., July 14th, many became so 

 fagged and drowsy that, in spite of the energetic 

 remonstrances of the first Lieutenant, they worked 

 mechanically, with their eyes shut ; and there- 

 fore, anxious as I was that all should be accom- 

 plished before a change of weather or other con- 

 tingency should interfere, and though ten feet 

 only were wanting to unite the fore and aft line, 

 I gave direction that all should quit the ice, and 

 He down for two hours. It was remarked, about 

 that time, that the ship had righted a few inches, 

 but still no one could move about the deck with- 

 out holding on by the ropes to windward. The 

 people had crept under the shelter of the deck 

 to escape from the chilling air of the morning 

 (for filmy ice was forming on the sea) ; the 

 officers were dispersed about the deck above ; and 

 I was contemplating the languid action of those 

 whose turn it was to take the pumps, and more 

 particularly, three or four jaded forms, stretched 

 out in death-like slumber on the lee side — when, 

 suddenly, there was a sensible yielding beneath 

 the feet, with the grating sound of breaking ice, 

 and, before a word could be spoken, the liberated 

 ship righted entirely ; while broken spars, the 

 bent saw, and the massy berg, were all in com- 

 motion together. Quick as they could spring, 

 the crew jumped on deck, and I know not how 

 many cheers commemorated the joyful occasion. 



