"I daresay you are right, Dicey," sighed Peter; "but it's very terrible. I had no thought, when we left England, that we should get into such a scrape as this. For what I see, we may all be drowned, or be driven on those fearful icebergs, and be frozen to death before many days are over." "Very true, Peter. I have been thinking the same; but it is our duty to struggle to the end--first to try and save the ship, and then our own lives." Matters did not mend as the day advanced. Again and again the carpenter sounded the well, and reported that the water had rather increased than diminished. The after-part of the deck was now scuttled, so that more provisions and stores could be got up and hove overboard. The pumps continued to be worked as energetically as at first, but still the water gained on them, till it reached the orlop-deck. The fearful condition of the ship could no longer be concealed from the people. Even the most sanguine began to lose heart. Many cast wistful glances at the boats. Notwithstanding this, the commander kept them labouring at the pumps, still hoping against hope that the wind and sea might go down, and that the ship might be kept afloat. At length, however, some of the crew showed signs of giving in. Willy saw several of them steal off to hide themselves away, but he instantly followed and drove them up again; they grumbled, but obeyed. "What's the use of working when we shall have to go to the bottom in a few hours?" exclaimed one. "I only wish we had a chance of getting to the spirit room," cried another. "A short life and a merry one for me." "You should be ashamed of yourselves," cried the young midshipman. "Are you men with souls, and do you wish to die like dogs?" The seamen, astonished at a mere boy thus addressing them, felt ashamed, and returned to their duty. Others, however, soon afterwards were seen behaving in the same manner. Willy, falling in with Mr Bolland, reported what he had observed. "We will soon put a stop to that," observed the boatswain, seizing a rope's end. He was not long in hunting out the fellows. The water continuing to rise, the poor women and children were now collected on the poop cabins.