26 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



termination of the cliff. Here we remained 

 stationary for some seconds, and with little 

 prospect of being removed from this peri- 

 lous situation ; but we were once more ex- 

 tricated by the swell from this ledge also, 

 and carried still farther along the shore. 

 The coast became now more rugged, and 

 our view of it was terminated by another 

 high projecting point on the starboard bow. 

 Happily, before we had reached it, a light 

 breeze enabled us to turn the ship's head to 

 seaward, and we had the gratification to 

 find, when the sails were trimmed, that she 

 drew off the shore. We had made but 

 little progress, however, when she was vio- 

 lently forced by the current against a large 

 iceberg lying aground. 



Our prospect was now more alarming 

 than at any preceding period ; and it would 

 be difficult for me to pourtray the anxiety 

 and dismay depicted on the countenances of 

 the female passengers and children, who 

 were rushing on deck in spite of the endea- 

 vours of the officers to keep them below, 

 out of the danger which was apprehended 



