They had already lost one of their companions from the effects of scurvy; and now, when six dreary years had nearly passed, another was taken from among them.  It chanced on the 15th of August 1749, while they were lamenting their poor companion, that they descried a vessel.  Who can describe the tumults of their feelings, the fluttering of their hearts?  Their fate hung upon a chance.  Oh, if she would come to relieve them! oh, if they could pass once more those rude barriers of ice, and cut through those interminable waves again!  But she might pass on, and leave them to a fate rendered still more miserable by the fallacious gleam of hope.  With trembling haste they ran hither and thither, and almost flew to light the signal-fires of distress along the hills, and now to the beach, to wave the rude flag, formed of a reindeer’s skin fastened to a pole.  What agitating hopes and fears were crowded into that space of time, as the vessel made her way through the waters!  The signals of distress were seen—­were heeded!  She comes! she comes! and now she anchors near the shore.  What a day of joy and thankfulness!  But the delight of the poor mariners may be more easily conceived than described.  Their bargain with the master of the ship—­a Russian vessel—­was soon made:  they were to work for him on the voyage, and they agreed to pay eighty rubles on landing.  He took them on board with all their possessions, consisting of two thousand pounds of the lard of the reindeer in the hides of those animals, and of the white and blue foxes, and the skins of the ten white bears that they had destroyed.  They also took with them their bow and arrows, and all the implements which they had manufactured.  These were deposited in a bone box, made with great ingenuity, with no tool but their knife.  We have in these men a very remarkable example of the energy which can sustain in the most trying circumstances, and the ingenious skill which can furnish expedients, even in a region so destitute of resources.  It may well teach us to trust in that good Providence which is indeed a present help in trouble.

They reached Archangel on the 28th of September 1749.  What happy meetings may have been anticipated!—­what calamities may have been dreaded during that voyage!—­How may it have fared with those who were left?  Will they all be there, to greet with a joyful welcome?  What if Alexis’ wife, worn out by suspense and anxiety, should have sunk into an early grave?—­or if one among their children should have died?—­or if the three should all have been swept away?  The approaching sail had been seen; and the one who for years had clung to a forlorn-hope, was again at the water’s edge.  Alexis stood on the deck.  Affection is quick-sighted; he was instantly seen and known by his wife!  All was forgotten—­all but that he was there.  The distance between them, the waves that separated them, were unheeded!  Uttering a wild cry of joy, she rushed forward to clasp him in her arms.  She sprang into the water—­a little time, and she was extricated.  She was insensible when taken up.  When she came to herself, she was in her husband’s arms!—­their children were about them!  What tears of joy were shed!—­what prayers of thankfulness were offered up!