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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/45192-0.txt b/45192-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f560e7f --- /dev/null +++ b/45192-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6750 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 45192 *** + +Transcriber's Note: Minor typographical errors have been corrected +without note. Irregularities and inconsistencies in the text have +been retained as printed. + +Words printed in italics are marked with underscores: _italics_. Words +printed in bold are marked with tildes: ~bold~. + + + + [Illustration: "NO USE, LADS! THE BOAT HAS BEEN SWEPT AWAY" + (See page 37)] + + + + +Among the Esquimaux + +OR + +Adventures under the Arctic Circle + + +BY + +EDWARD S. ELLIS, A.M. + +AUTHOR OF "The Campers Out," Etc., Etc. + + +PHILADELPHIA +THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY +1894 + + +COPYRIGHT 1894 BY THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAP. PAGE + + I TWO PASSENGERS ON THE "NAUTILUS" 7 + + II A COLOSSAL SOMERSAULT 16 + + III AN ALARMING SITUATION 27 + + IV ADRIFT 38 + + V AN ICY COUCH 46 + + VI MISSING 55 + + VII A POINT OF LIGHT 64 + + VIII HOPE DEFERRED 73 + + IX A STARTLING OCCURRENCE 82 + + X AN UGLY CUSTOMER 91 + + XI LIVELY TIMES 99 + + XII FRED'S EXPERIENCE 108 + + XIII THE FOG 117 + + XIV A COLLISION 126 + + XV THE SOUND OF A VOICE 135 + + XVI LAND HO! 144 + + XVII DOCAK AND HIS HOME 153 + + XVIII A NEW EXPEDITION 162 + + XIX A WONDERFUL EXHIBITION 171 + + XX THE HERD OF MUSK OXEN 180 + + XXI CLOSE QUARTERS 189 + + XXII FRED'S TURN 198 + + XXIII IN THE CAVERN 207 + + XXIV UNWELCOME CALLERS 216 + + XXV THE COMING SHADOW 225 + + XXVI WALLED IN 234 + + XXVII "COME ON!" 243 + +XXVIII A HOPELESS TASK 251 + + XXIX TEN MILES 260 + + XXX THE LAST PAUSE 269 + + XXXI ANOTHER SOUND 278 + + XXXII THE WILD MEN OF GREENLAND 287 + +XXXIII CONCLUSION 301 + + + + +AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX + + + + +CHAPTER I + +TWO PASSENGERS ON THE "NAUTILUS" + + +The good ship "Nautilus" had completed the greater part of her voyage +from London to her far-off destination, deep in the recesses of +British America. This was York Factory, one of the chief posts of the +Hudson Bay Company. + +Among the numerous streams flowing into Hudson Bay, from the frozen +regions of the north, is the Nelson River. Near the mouth of this and +of the Hayes River was erected, many years ago, Fort York, or York +Factory. The post is not a factory in the ordinary meaning of the +word, being simply the headquarters of the factors or dealers in furs +for that vast monopoly whose agents have scoured the dismal regions to +the north of the Saskatchewan, in the land of Assiniboine, along the +mighty Yukon and beyond the Arctic Circle, in quest of the fur-bearing +animals, that are found only in their perfection in the coldest +portions of the globe. + +The buildings which form the fort are not attractive, but they are +comfortable. They are not specially strong, for, though the structure +has stood for a long time in a country which the aborigines make their +home, and, though it is far removed from any human assistance, its +wooden walls have never been pierced by a hostile bullet, and it is +safe to say they never will be. Somehow or other, our brethren across +the northern border have learned the art of getting along with the +Indians without fighting them. + +The voyageurs and trappers, returning from their journeys in canoes or +on snow-shoes to the very heart of frozen America, first catch sight +of the flag floating from the staff of York Factory, and they know +that a warm welcome awaits them, because the peltries gathered amid +the recesses of the frigid mountains and in the heart of the land of +desolation are sure to find ready purchasers at the post, for the +precious furs are eagerly sought for in the marts of the Old and of +the New World. + +It is a lonely life for the inhabitants of the fort, for it is only +once a year that the ship of the company, after breasting the fierce +storms and powerful currents of the Atlantic, sails up the great mouth +of Baffin Bay, glides through Hudson Strait, and thence steals across +the icy expanse of Hudson Bay to the little fort near the mouth of the +Nelson. + +You can understand how welcome the ship is, for it brings the only +letters, papers, and news from home that can be received until another +twelvemonth shall roll around. Such, as I have said, is the rule, +though now and then what may be termed an extra ship makes that long, +tempestuous voyage. Being unexpected, its coming is all the more +joyful, for it is like the added week's holiday to the boy who has +just made ready for the hard work and study of the school-room. + +You know there has been considerable said and written about a railway +to Hudson Bay, with the view of connection thence by ship to Europe. +Impracticable as is the scheme, because of the ice which locks up +navigation for months every year, it has had strong and ingenious +advocates, and considerable money has been spent in the way of +investigation. The plan has been abandoned, for the reasons I have +named, and there is no likelihood that it will ever be attempted. + +The "Nautilus" had what may be called a roving commission. It is easy +to understand that so long as the ships of the Hudson Bay Company have +specific duties to perform, and that the single vessel is simply +ordered to take supplies to York Factory and bring back her cargo of +peltries, little else can be expected from her. So the staunch +"Nautilus" was fitted out, placed under the charge of the veteran +navigator, Captain McAlpine, who had commanded more than one Arctic +whaler, and sent on her westward voyage. + +The ultimate destination of the "Nautilus" was York Factory, though +she was to touch at several points, after calling at St. John, +Newfoundland, one of which was the southern coast of Greenland, where +are located the most famous cryolite mines in the world, belonging, +like Greenland itself, to the Danish Government. + +There is little to be told the reader about the "Nautilus" itself or +the crew composing it, but it so happened that she had on board three +parties, in whose experience and adventures I am sure you will come to +feel an interest. These three were Jack Cosgrove, a bluff, hearty +sailor, about forty years of age; Rob Carrol, seventeen, and Fred +Warburton, one year younger. + +Rob was a lusty, vigorous young man, honest, courageous, often to +rashness, the picture of athletic strength and activity, and one whom +you could not help liking at the first glance. His father was a +director in the honorable Hudson Bay Company, possessed considerable +wealth, and Rob was the eldest of three sons. + +Fred Warburton, while displaying many of the mental characteristics of +his friend, was quite different physically. He was of much slighter +build, not nearly so strong, was more quiet, inclined to study, but as +warmly devoted to the splendid Rob as the latter was to him. + +Fred was an orphan, without brother or sister, and in such straitened +circumstances that it had become necessary for him to find some means +of earning his daily bread. The warm-hearted Rob stated the case to +his father, and said that if he didn't make a good opening for his +chum he himself would die of a broken heart right on the spot. + +"Not so bad as that, Rob," replied the genial gentleman, who was proud +of his big, manly son; "I have heard so much from you of young Mr. +Warburton that I have kept an eye on him for a year past." + +"I may have told you a good deal about him," continued Rob, earnestly, +"but not half as much as he deserves." + +"He must be a paragon, indeed, but, from what I can learn, my son, he +has applied himself so hard to his studies while at school that he +ought to have a vacation before settling down to real hard work; what +do you think about it, Robert?" + +"A good idea, provided I take it with him," added the son, slyly. + +"I see you are growing quite pale and are losing your appetite," +continued the parent, with a grave face, which caused the youth to +laugh outright at the pleasant irony. + +"Yes," said the big boy, with the same gravity; "I suffer a great loss +of appetite three or four times every day; in fact, I feel as though I +couldn't eat another mouthful." + +"I have observed that phenomenon, my son, but it never seems to attack +you until the table has been well cleared of everything on it. Ah, my +boy!" he added, tenderly, laying his hand on his head; "I am thankful +that you are blessed with such fine health. Be assured there is +nothing in this world that can take its place. With a conscience void +of offense toward God and man, and a body that knows no ache nor pain, +you can laugh at the so-called miseries of life; they will roll from +you like water from a duck's back." + +"But, father, have you thought of any way of giving Fred a vacation +before he goes to work? You know he is as poor as he can be, and can't +afford to do nothing and pay his expenses." + +"The plan I have in mind," replied the father, leaning back in his +chair and twirling his eyeglasses, "is this: next week the 'Nautilus,' +one of the company's ships, will leave London for York Factory, which +is a station deep in the heart of British America. She will touch at +St. John, Greenland, and several other points on her way, and may stop +several weeks or months at York Factory, according to circumstances. +If it will suit your young friend to go with her, I will have him +registered as one of our clerks, which will entitle him to a salary +from the day the 'Nautilus' leaves the dock. The sea voyage will do +him good, and when he returns, at the end of a year or less, he can +settle down to hard work in our office in London. Of course, if Fred +goes, you will have to stay at home." + +Rob turned in dismay to his parent, but he observed a twitching at the +corners of his mouth, and a sparkle of the fine blue eyes, which +showed he was only teasing him. + +"Ah, father, I understand you!" exclaimed the big boy, springing +forward, throwing an arm about his neck and kissing him. "You wouldn't +think of separating us." + +"I suppose not. There! get along with you, and tell your friend to +make ready to sail next week, his business being to look after you +while away from home." + +And that is how Rob Carrol and Fred Warburton came to be +fellow-passengers on the ship "Nautilus" on the voyage to the far +North. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +A COLOSSAL SOMERSAULT + + +The voyage of the "Nautilus" was uneventful until she was far to the +northward in Baffin Bay. It was long after leaving St. John that our +friends saw their first iceberg. They should have seen them before, as +Captain McAlpine explained, for, as you well know, those mountains of +ice often cross the path of the Atlantic steamers, and more than once +have endangered our great ocean greyhounds. No doubt numbers of them +were drifting southward, gradually dissolving as they neared the +equator, but it so happened that the "Nautilus" steered clear of them +until many degrees to the north. + +The captain, who was scanning the icy ocean with his glass, apprised +the boys that the longed-for curiosity was in sight at last. As he +spoke, he pointed with his hand to the north-west, but though they +followed the direction with their eyes, they were disappointed. + +"I see nothing," said Rob, "that looks like an iceberg." + +"And how is it with you, Mr. Warburton?" asked the skipper, lowering +his instrument, and turning toward the younger of the boys, who had +approached, and now stood at his side. + +"We can make out a small white cloud in the horizon, that's all," said +Fred. + +"It's the cloud I'm referring to, boys; now take a squint at that same +thing through the glass." + +Fred leveled the instrument and had hardly taken a glance, when he +cried: + +"Oh! it's an iceberg sure enough! Isn't it beautiful?" + +While he was studying it, the captain added: "Turn the glass a little +to the left." + +"There's another!" added the delighted youth. + +"I guess we've struck a school of 'em," remarked Rob, who was using +his eyes as best he could; "I thought we'd bring up the average before +reaching Greenland." + +"It's a sight worth seeing," commented Fred, handing the glass to his +friend, whose pleasure was fully as great as his own. + +The instrument was passed back and forth, and, in the course of a +half-hour, the vast masses of ice could be plainly discerned with the +unaided eye. + +"That proves they are coming toward us, or we are going toward them," +said Rob. + +"Both," replied Captain McAlpine; "we shall pass within a mile of the +larger one." + +"Suppose we run into it?" + +The old sea-dog smiled grimly, as he replied: + +"I tried it once, when whaling with the 'Mary Jane.' I don't mean to +say I did it on purpose, but there was no moon that night, and when +the iceberg, half as big as a whole town, loomed up in the darkness, +we hadn't time to get out of its path. Well, I guess I've said +enough," he remarked, abruptly. + +"Why, you've broken off in the most interesting part of the story," +said the deeply interested Fred. + +"Well, that was the last of the 'Mary Jane.' The mate, Jack Cosgrove, +and myself were all that escaped out of a crew of eleven. We managed +to climb upon a small shelf of ice, just above the water, where we +would have perished with cold had not an Esquimau fisherman, named +Docak, seen us. We were nearer the mainland than we dared hope, and he +came out in his kayak and took us off. He helped us to make our way to +Ivignut, where the cryolite mines are, and thence we got back to +England by way of Denmark. No," added Captain McAlpine, "a prudent +navigator won't try to butt an iceberg out of his path; it don't pay." + +"It must be dangerous in these waters, especially at night." + +"There is danger everywhere and at all times in this life," was the +truthful remark of the commander; "and you know that the most constant +watchfulness on the part of the great steamers cannot always avert +disaster, but I have little fear of anything from icebergs." + +You need to be told little about those mountains of ice which +sometimes form a procession, vast, towering, and awful, that stream +down from the far North and sail in all their sublime grandeur +steadily southward until they "go out of commission" forever in the +tepid waters of the tropic regions. + +It is a strange spectacle to see one of them moving resistlessly +against the current, which is sometimes dashed from the corrugated +front, as is seen at the bow of a steamboat, but the reason is simple. +Nearly seven-eighths of an iceberg is under water, extending so far +down that most of the bulk is often within the embrace of the counter +current below. This, of course, carries it against the weaker flow, +and causes many people to wonder how it can be thus. + +While the little group stood forward talking of icebergs, they were +gradually drawing near the couple that had first caught their +attention. By this time a third had risen to sight, more to the +westward, but it was much smaller than the other two, though more +unique and beautiful. It looked for all the world like a grand +cathedral, whose tapering spire towered fully two hundred feet in air. +It was easy to imagine that some gigantic structure had been submerged +by a flood, while the steeple still reared its head above the +surrounding waters as though defying them to do their worst. + +The other two bergs were much more enormous and of irregular contour. +The imaginative spectator could fancy all kinds of resemblances, but +the "cold fact" remained that they were simply mountains of ice, with +no more symmetry of outline than a mass of rock blasted from a quarry. + +"I have read," said Fred, "that in the iceberg factories of the north, +as they are called, they are sometimes two or three years in forming, +before they break loose and sweep off into the ocean." + +"That is true," added Captain McAlpine; "an iceberg is simply a chunk +off a frozen river, and a pretty good-sized one, it must be admitted. +Where the cold is so intense, a river becomes frozen from the surface +to the ground. Snow falls, there may be a little rain during the +moderate season, then snow comes again, and all the time the water +beneath is freezing more and more solid. Gravity and the pressure of +the inconceivable weight beyond keeps forcing the bulk of ice and snow +nearer the ocean, until it projects into the clear sea. By and by it +breaks loose, and off it goes." + +"But why does it take so long?" + +"It is like the glaciers of the Alps. Being solid as a rock while the +pressure is gradual as well as resistless, it may move only a few feet +in a month or a year; but all the same the end must come." + +The captain had grown fond of the boys, and the fact that the father +of one of them was a director of the company which employed him +naturally led him to seek to please them so far as he could do so +consistent with his duty. He caused the course of the "Nautilus" to be +shifted, so that they approached within a third of a mile of the +nearest iceberg, which then was due east. + +Sail had been slackened and the progress of the mass was so slow as to +be almost imperceptible. This gave full time for its appalling +grandeur to grow upon the senses of the youths, who stood minute after +minute admiring the overwhelming spectacle, speechless and awed as is +one who first pauses at the base of Niagara. + +Naturally the officers and crew of the "Nautilus" gave the sight some +attention, but it could not impress them as it did those who looked +upon it for the first time. + +The second iceberg was more to the northward, and the ship was heading +directly toward it. It was probably two-thirds the size of the first, +and, instead of possessing its rugged regularity of outline, had a +curious, one-sided look. + +"It seems to me," remarked Rob, who had been studying it for some +moments, "that the centre of gravity in that fellow must be rather +ticklish." + +"It may be more stable than the big one," said Fred, "for you don't +know what shape they have under water; a good deal must depend on +that." + +Jack Cosgrove, the sailor, who had joined the little party at the +invitation of the captain, ventured to say: + +"Sometimes them craft get top-heavy and take a flop; I shouldn't be +s'prised if that one done the same." + +"It must be a curious sight; I've often wondered how Jumbo, the great +elephant, would have looked turning a somersault. An iceberg +performing a handspring would be something of the same order, but a +hundred thousand times more extensive. I would give a good deal if one +of those bergs should take it into his head to fling a handspring, but +I don't suppose--" + +"Look!" broke in Fred, in sudden excitement. + +To the unbounded amazement of captain, crew, and all the spectators, +the very thing spoken of by Rob Carrol took place. The vast bulk of +towering ice was seen to plunge downward with a motion, slow at first, +but rapidly increasing until it dived beneath the waves like some +enormous mass of matter cast off by a planet in its flight through +space. As it disappeared, two-fold as much bulk came to view, there +was a swirl of water, which was flung high in fountains, and the waves +formed by the commotion, as they swept across the intervening space, +caused the "Nautilus" to rock like a cradle. + +The splash could have been heard miles away, and the iceberg seemed to +shiver and shake itself, as though it were some flurried monster of +the deep, before it could regain its full equilibrium. Then, as the +spectators looked, behold! where was one of those mountains of ice +they saw what seemed to be another, for its shape, contour, +projections, and depressions were so different that no resemblance +could be traced. + +"She's all right now," remarked Jack Cosgrove, whose emotions were +less stirred than those of any one else; "she's good for two or three +thousand miles' voyage, onless she should happen to run aground in +shoal water." + +"What then would take place, Jack?" asked Fred. + +"Wal, there would be the mischief to pay gener'ly. Things would go +ripping, tearing, and smashing, and the way that berg would behave +would be shameful. If anybody was within reach he'd get hurt." + +Rob stepped up to the sailor as if a sudden thought had come to him. +Laying his hand on his arm, he said, in an undertone: + +"I wonder if the captain won't let us visit that iceberg?" + + + + +CHAPTER III + +AN ALARMING SITUATION + + +The boldness of the proposition fairly took away the breath of the +honest sailor. He stared at Rob as though doubting whether he had +heard aright. He looked at the smiling youth from head to foot, and +stared a full minute before he spoke. + +"By the horned spoon, you're crazy, younker!" + +"What is there so crazy about such an idea?" asked Fred, as eager to +go on the excursion as his friend. + +Jack removed his tarpaulin and scratched his head in perplexity. He +voided a mouthful of tobacco spittle over the taffrail, heaved a +prodigious sigh, and then muttered, as if to himself: + +"It's crazy clean through, from top to bottom, sideways, +cat-a-cornered, and every way; but if the captain says 'yes' I'll take +you." + +Rob stepped to where the skipper stood, some paces away, and said: + +"Captain McAlpine, being as this is the first time Fred and I ever had +a good look at an iceberg, we would be much obliged if you will allow +Jack to row us out to it. We want to get a better view of it than we +can from the deck of the ship. Jack is willing, and we will be much +obliged for your permission." + +Fred was listening breathlessly for the reply, which, like Rob, he +expected would be a curt refusal. Great, therefore, was the surprise +of the two when the good-natured commander said: + +"The request doesn't strike me as very sensible, but, if your hearts +are set on it, I don't see any objection. Yes, Jack has my permission +to take you to that mass of ice, provided you don't stay too long." + +"He's crazy, too!" was the whispered exclamation of the sailor, who, +nevertheless, was pleased to gratify his young friends. + +The preparations were quickly made. Fred had heard that polar bears +are occasionally found on the icebergs which float southward from the +Arctic regions, and he insisted that they ought to take their rifles +and ammunition along. Rob laughed, but fortunately he followed his +advice, and thus it happened that the couple were as well supplied in +that respect as if starting out on a week's hunt in the interior of +the country. + +When Jack was urged to do the same he resolutely shook his head, and +then turned about and accepted a weapon from the captain, who seemed +in the mood for humoring every whim of the youths that afternoon. + +"Take it along, Jack," he said; "there may be some tigers, leopards, +boa-constrictors, and hyenas prowling about on the ice. They may be on +skates, and there is nothing like being prepared for whatever comes. +Good luck to you!" + +Rob placed himself in the bow of the small boat, and Fred in the +stern, while the sailor, sitting down near the middle, grasped the +oars and rowed with that long, steady stroke which showed his mastery +of the art. There was little wind stirring, and the waves were so +slight that they were easily ridden. The sea was of a deep green +color, and when the spray occasionally dashed over the lads it was as +cold as ice itself. By this time the iceberg had drifted somewhat to +the southward, but its progress was so slow as to suggest that the two +currents which swept against it were nearly of the same strength. Had +it been earlier in the day it would probably have remained visible to +the "Nautilus" until sunset. + +Meanwhile, a fourth mass rose to sight in the rim of the eastern +horizon, so that there seemed some truth in Rob's suggestion that they +had run into a school of them. They felt no interest, however, in any +except the particular specimen before them. + +How it grew upon them as they neared it! It seemed to spread right and +left, and to tower upward toward the sky, until even the reckless Rob +was hushed into awed silence and sat staring aloft, with feelings +beyond expression. It was much the same with Fred, who, sitting at the +stern, almost held his breath, while the overwhelming grandeur hushed +the words trembling on his lip. + +The mass of ice was hundreds of feet in width and length, while the +highest portion must have been, at the least, three hundred feet above +the surface of the sea. What, therefore, was the bulk below. Its +colossal proportions were beyond imagination. + +The part within their field of vision was too irregular and shapeless +to admit of clear description. If the reader can picture a mass of +rock and _débris_ blown from the side of a mountain, multiplied a +million times, he may form some idea of it. + +The highest portion was on the opposite side. About half-way from the +sea, facing the little party, was a plateau broad enough to allow a +company of soldiers to camp upon it. To the left of this the ice +showed considerable snow in its composition, while, in other places, +it was as clear as crystal itself. In still other portions it was dark +or almost steel blue, probably due to some peculiar refraction of +light. There were no rippling streams of water along and over its +side, for the weather was too cold for the thawing which would be +plentiful when it struck a warmer latitude. + +But there were caverns, projections, some sharp, but most of them +blunt and misshapen, steps, long stretches of vertical wall as smooth +as glass, up which the most agile climber could never make his way. + +Courageous as Rob Carrol unquestionably was, a feeling akin to terror +took possession of him when they were quite near the iceberg. He +turned to suggest to Jack that they had come far enough, when he +observed that the sailor had turned the bow of the boat to the right, +though he was still rowing moderately. + +He was the only one that was not impressed by the majesty of the +scene. Squinting one eye up the side of the towering mass, he +remarked: + +"There's enough ice there to make a chap's etarnal fortune, if he +could only hitch on and tow it into London or New York harbor; but +being as we've sot out to take a view of it, why we'll sarcumnavigate +the thing, as me cousin remarked when he run around the barn to dodge +the dog that was nipping at his heels." + +The voice of the sailor served to break the spell that had held the +tongues of the boys mute until then, and they spoke more cheerily, but +unconsciously modulated their voices, as a person will do when walking +through some great gallery of paintings or the aisles of a vast +cathedral. + +They were so interested, however, in themselves and their novel +experience that neither looked toward the "Nautilus," which was +rapidly passing from sight, as they were rowed around the iceberg. Had +they done so, they would have seen Captain McAlpine making eager +signals to them to return, and, perhaps, had they listened, they might +have heard his stentorian voice, though the moderate wind, blowing at +right angles, was quite unfavorable for hearing. + +Unfortunately not one of the three saw or heard the movement or words +of the skipper, and the little boat glided around the eastern end of +the mountainous mass and began slowly creeping along the further side. + +"Hello!" called out Rob, "there's a good place to land, Jack; let's go +ashore." + +"Go ashore!" repeated the sailor, with a scornful laugh; "what kind of +a going ashore do you call that?" + +While there was nothing especially desirable in placing foot upon an +iceberg, yet, boy-like, the two friends felt that it would be worth +something to be able to say on their return home that they had +actually stood upon one of them. + +Inasmuch as the whole thing was a fool's errand in the eyes of Jack +Cosgrove, he thought it was well to neglect nothing, so he shied the +boat toward the gently sloping shelf, which came down to the water, +and, with a couple of powerful sweeps of the oars, sent the bow far up +the glassy surface, the stoppage being so gradual as to cause hardly a +perceptible shock. + +"Out with you, younkers, for the day will soon be gone," he called, +waiting for the two to climb out before following them. + +They lost no time in obeying, and he drew the boat so far up that he +felt there was no fear of its being washed away during their absence. +All took their guns, and, leaving it to the sailor to act as guide, +they began picking their way up the incline, which continued for fully +a dozen yards from the edge of the water. + +"This is easy enough," remarked Rob; "if we only had our skates, we +might--confound it!" + +His feet shot up in the air, and down he came with a bump that shook +off his hat, and would have sent him sliding to the boat had he not +done some lively skirmishing to save himself. Fred laughed, as every +boy does under similar circumstances, and he took particular heed to +his own footsteps. + +Jack had no purpose of venturing farther than to the top of the gentle +incline, since there was no cause to do so; but, on reaching the +point, he observed that it was easy to climb along a rougher portion +to the right, and he led the way, the boys being more than willing to +follow him. + +They continued in this manner until they had gone a considerable +distance, and, for the first time, the guide stopped and looked +around. As he did so, he uttered an exclamation of amazement: + +"Where have been my eyes?" he called out, as if unable to comprehend +his oversight. + +"What's the matter?" asked the boys, startled at his emotion, for +which they saw no cause. + +"There's one of the biggest storms ever heard of in these latitudes, +bearing right down on us; it'll soon be night, and we shall be catched +afore we reach the ship, lads! there isn't a minute to lose; it's all +my fault." + +He led the way at a reckless pace, the youths following as best they +could, stumbling at times, but heeding it not as they scrambled to +their feet and hurried after their friend, more frightened, if +possible, than he. + +He could out-travel them, and was at the bottom of the incline first. +Before he reached it, he stopped short and uttered a despairing cry: + +"No use, lads! the boat has been swept away!" + +Such was the fact. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +ADRIFT + + +Jack Cosgrove, of the "Nautilus," was not often agitated by anything +in which he became involved. Few of his perilous calling had gone +through more thrilling experiences than he, and in them all he had +acquired a reputation for coolness that could not be surpassed. + +But one of the few occasions that stirred him to the heart was when +hurrying to disembark from the iceberg, in the desperate hope of +reaching the ship before the bursting of the gale and the closing of +night, he found that the little boat had been swept from its +fastenings, and the only means of escape was cut off. + +There was more in the incident than occurred to Rob Carrol and Fred +Warburton, who hastened after him. He had been in those latitudes +before, and the reader will recall the story Captain McAlpine told to +the boys of the time Jack was one of three who escaped from the +collision of the whaling ship with an iceberg in the gloom of a dark +night. + +Had it been earlier in the day, and had no storm been impending, he +could have afforded to laugh at this mishap, for at the most, it would +have resulted in a temporary inconvenience only. The skipper would +have discovered their plight sooner or later, and sent another boat to +bring them off, but the present case was a hundred-fold more serious +in every aspect. + +In the first place, the fierce disturbance of the elements would +compel Captain McAlpine to give all attention to the care of his ship. +That was of more importance than the little party on the iceberg, who +must be left to themselves for the time, since any effort to reach +them would endanger the vessel, the loss of which meant the loss of +everything, including the little company that found itself in sudden +and dire peril. + +What might take place during the storm and darkness his imagination +shuddered to picture. Had the boat been found where he left it a short +time before, desperate rowing would have carried them to the +"Nautilus" in time to escape the full force of the storm. That was +impossible now, and as to the future who could say? + +The rowboat, as will be remembered, was simply drawn a short distance +up the icy incline, where it ought to have remained until the return +of the party. Such would have been the fact under ordinary +circumstances, for the mighty bulk of the iceberg prevented it feeling +the shock of any disturbance that could take place in its majestic +sweep through the Arctic Ocean, except from its base striking the +bottom of the sea, or a readjustment of its equilibrium, as they had +observed in the case of the smaller berg. It might crush the "Great +Eastern" if it lay in its path, but that would have been like a wagon +passing over an egg-shell. + +In leaving the boat as related, the stern lay in the water. Even then +it would have been secure, but for the agitation caused by the coming +gale. That began swaying the rear of the craft, whose support was so +smooth that it speedily worked down the incline and floating into the +open water instantly worked off beyond reach. + +The boys knowing so little what all this meant and what was before +them, were disposed to make light of their misfortune. + +"By the great horned spoon, but that is bad!" exclaimed Jack, pointing +out on the water, where the boat was seen bobbing on the rising waves, +fully a hundred yards away, with the distance rapidly increasing. + +It seems as if in the few minutes intervening, night had fully +descended. The wind had risen to a gale, and, even at that short +distance the little craft was fast growing indistinct in the gathering +gloom. + +"It isn't very pleasant," replied Rob, "but it might be worse." + +"I should like to know how it could be worse," said the sailor, +turning reprovingly toward him; "I wonder if I can do it." + +The last words were uttered to himself, and he hastily laid down his +gun on the ice by his side. Then he began taking off his outer coat. + +"What do you mean to do?" asked the amazed Fred. + +"I believe I can swim out to the boat and bring it back," was the +reply, as he continued preparations. + +"You musn't think of such a thing," protested Rob; "the water is cold +enough to freeze you to death. If you can't reach it, you will have to +come back to us, with your clothing frozen stiff, and nothing will +save you from perishing." + +"I'll chance that," said Jack, who, however, continued his +preparations more deliberately, and with his eye still on the receding +boat. + +He was about to take the icy plunge, in the last effort to save +himself and friends, when he stopped, and, straightening up, watched +the craft for a few seconds. + +"No," said he, "it can't be done; the thing is drifting faster than I +can swim." + +Such was the evident fact. While the vast mass of ice, as has been +explained elsewhere, was under the impulse of a mighty under-current, +the small craft was swept away by the surface current which flowed in +the opposite direction. + +Even while the party looked, the boat faded from sight in the gloom. + +"I can't see it," said Rob, who, like the others, was peering intently +into the darkness. + +"Nor I either," added Fred. + +"And what's more, you'll never see it again," commented Jack, who +began slowly donning his outer garments; "younkers, I've been in a +good many bad scraps in my life, and more than once would have sworn I +was booked for Davy Jones' locker, but this is a little the worst of +'em all." + +His young friends looked wonderingly at him, unable to understand the +cause of such extreme depression on the part of one whom they knew to +be among the bravest of men, and in a situation that did not strike +them as specially threatening. + +"Don't you think this iceberg will hold together until morning?" asked +Rob. + +"It'll hold together for months," was the answer, "and like enough +will travel hundreds of miles through the Gulf Stream before it goes +to nothing." + +"Then we are sure of a ship to keep us from drowning." + +"I aint meaning that," said Jack, who was rapidly recovering his +equanimity, though it was plain he was strongly affected by the woful +turn the adventure had taken. + +"And," added Fred, "Captain McAlpine knows where we are; he will +remain in the neighborhood until morning--" + +"How do you know he will?" broke in Jack, impatiently. + +"What's to hinder him?" asked Fred, in turn, startled by the abrupt +question; "he knows how to sail the 'Nautilus,' and has taken it +through many gales worse than this." + +"How do you know he has?" + +"Gracious, Jack, I don't know anything about it; I am only saying what +appears to me to be the truth." + +"I don't want to hurt your feelings, lads, but I can't help saying you +don't know what you're talking about. A couple of young land lubbers +like you don't see things as they show themselves to one who was born +and has lived all his life on the ocean, as you may say. I don't mean +to scare you more than I oughter, but you can just make up your minds, +my hearties, that you never was in such a fix as this, and if you live +to be a hundred years old you'll never be in another half as bad." + +These were alarming words, but, inasmuch as Jack did not accompany +them with any explanation, neither Rob nor Fred were as much impressed +as they would have been had he explained the grounds for his extreme +fear. What they saw was an enforced stay on the iceberg until the +following day. Although in a high latitude, the night was not +unusually long, and, though it was certain to be as uncomfortable as +can well be imagined, they had no doubt they would survive it and live +to laugh at their mishap. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +AN ICY COUCH + + +By this time the sailor felt that he had forgotten himself in the +agitation caused by the loss of the boat. Although he might see the +dark future with clearer vision than his young friends, it was his +duty to keep their sight veiled as long as he could. Time enough to +face the terrors and their direful consequences when the possibility +of avoiding them no longer existed. + +It will be recalled that when the little party stepped out from the +small boat upon the iceberg they did so on the side farthest from the +"Nautilus," so that all view of the ship was shut off, and neither +Captain McAlpine nor any of his crew could observe the action of Jack +and the boys. + +The skipper had warrant for supposing that such an experienced sailor +as the one in charge of the lads would be quick to notice the +threatening change in the weather, and would make all haste to return. +Inasmuch as he had failed to do so, the party must be left to +themselves for the time, while the commander gave his full attention +to the care of the ship--a responsibility that required his utmost +skill, with no slight chance of his failure. + +The storm or squall, or whatever it might be termed, was one of those +sudden changes, sometimes seen in the high latitudes, whose coming is +so sudden that there is but the briefest warning ere it bursts in all +its fury. + +By the time our friends reached the spot where they expected to find +their boat it was almost as dark as night. This darkness deepened so +rapidly, after losing sight of the craft, that they were unable to see +more than fifty feet in any direction. Fortunately, before leaving the +"Nautilus," they had donned their heaviest clothing, so that they were +quite well protected under the circumstances. Had they neglected this +precaution they must have perished of the extreme cold that followed. + +Accompanying the oppressive gloom was a marked falling of the +temperature, and a fierceness of blast which, so long as they were +exposed to it, cut them to the bone. The gale, instead of blowing in +their faces, swept along the side of the iceberg. They had but to +withdraw, therefore, only a short distance when they were able to take +shelter behind some of the numerous projections, and save themselves +from its full force. + +All at once the air was full of millions of particles of snow, which +eddied and whirled in such fantastic fashion that when they crouched +down they were so blinded that they could not see each other's forms, +although near enough to clasp hands. + +This lasted but a few minutes, when it ceased as suddenly as it began. +The air was clear, but the gloom was profound. They could see nothing +of the raging ocean, nor of a tall spire-like mass of ice, which +towered a hundred feet above their heads, within a few yards of them, +and which had attracted their admiration on their first visit. + +It was blowing great guns. The sound of the waves, as they broke +against the solid abutment of ice, and were dashed into spray and +spume, was like that of the breakers in a hurricane. Inconceivable as +was the bulk of the berg, they plainly felt it yield to the resistless +power of the ocean. It acquired a slow sea-saw motion, more alarming +than the most violent disturbance they had ever known on the +"Nautilus" in a storm. The movement was slight, but too distinct to be +mistaken. + +For some time the three huddled together, under the protection of the +friendly projection, and no one spoke a word. They had laid down their +guns, for there was no need of keeping them in their hands. The metal +was so intensely cold that it could be noted through the protection of +their thick mittens, and they needed every atom of vitality in their +shivering bodies. They pressed closer together and found comfort in +the mutual warmth thus secured. + +The sky was blackness itself. There was no glimpse of moon or friendly +star. They were adrift on an iceberg in darkness and gloom in the +midst of a trackless ocean. Whither they were going, when the +terrifying voyage should end, what was to be the issue, only One knew. +They could but pray and trust and hope and await the end. + +It is a curious feature of this curious human nature of ours that the +most hopeless depression of spirits is frequently followed by a +rebound, as the highest spirits are quickly succeeded by the deepest +dejection. Our make-up is such that nature reacts, and neither state +can continue long without change, unless the conditions are +exceptional. Were it otherwise, many a strong mind would break down +under its weight of trouble. + +The three had remained crouching together silent and motionless for +some minutes, no one venturing to express a hope or opinion, when Rob +Carrol suddenly spoke, in the cheeriest tones. + +"I'll tell you what we'll do, fellows." + +"What's that?" asked Fred, quick to seize the relief of hearing each +other's voices. + +"Let's start a fire." + +"A good idee," assented Jack Cosgrove, falling into the odd mood that +had taken possession of his companions; "you gather the fuel and I'll +kindle it. It happens I haven't such a thing as a match about me, but +I'll find a way to start it." + +"Rob and I have plenty, but, if we hadn't, we could rub some pieces of +ice together till the friction started a flame." + +"The Esquimaux have another plan," added Rob. "They will trim a piece +of ice in the form of a convex lens and concentrate the sun's rays on +the object they want to set on fire. Why not try that?" + +"I am afraid there isn't enough sunlight to amount to anything," +replied Fred, craning his head forward and peering through the gloom, +as if searching for the orb of day. + +"That isn't the only way of getting up steam," remarked Jack, who, +just like his honest self, was striving to dispose of his body so as +to give each of the boys the greatest possible amount of warmth; "I +know a better one." + +"Let's hear it." + +"Race back and forth along the side of the berg till we start the +blood circulating; nothing like that." + +"Suppose we should slip, Jack?" + +"Then you'd flop into the sea; it's a good thing to take a bath when +your blood is heated too much." + +"If there was only a footpath where we could do that, it would be a +good plan," observed Rob, "but, as it is, we shall have to huddle +together till morning, when I hope Captain McAlpine will send a boat +after us." + +The boys noticed that Jack made no reply to this. They expected an +encouraging response, but he remained silent, as though he was +considering difficulties, dangers, complications, and perils of which +they could form no idea. + +Meanwhile the gale raged with resistless fury. There was no more fall +of snow, but the wind was like a hurricane. The most vivid idea of its +awful power was gained when the friends, far removed from the water's +edge, and at no small elevation above it, felt drops of spray flung in +their faces. + +The thunder of the surges, shattered into mist and foam against the +adamantine side of the iceberg, was so overpowering that, had not the +heads of the three been close, they would not have heard each other's +voices. The see-sawing of the colossal mass was more perceptible than +ever, and caused them to think, with unspeakable dread, of the +possibility of the berg breaking apart, or overturning like the other, +in the effort to preserve its equilibrium. + +The gale whistled around and among the projections of the ice with a +weird, uncanny sound, alike and yet different from that heard when it +moans through the network of ropes and rigging of a great ship. The +question was whether such a vast volume of wind, impinging against the +thousands of square feet of ice, would not affect the course and speed +of the mass. If the hurricane drove in the same direction as the +controlling current, it ought to be of much help. If opposed, it might +check it; if quartering, it might make a radical change in its course. + +All these speculations were in vain, however, and, as has been said, +there was nothing to be done, but to wait and trust in the only One +who could help them, and who had been so merciful in the past that +their faith in His goodness and protecting care could not be shaken. + +"My lads," said Jack, when the silence which followed their brief +conversation had lasted some minutes, "there's only one thing to do, +and that's to make ourselves as comfortable as we can where we are." + +"Isn't that what we are doing?" asked Rob. + +"Of course it is, but I didn't know but what you was trying to conjure +up some other plan. If so, give it up, say your prayers, and go to +bed." + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +MISSING + + +It is at such times that a person realizes his helplessness and utter +dependence on the great Father of all. Too much are we prone to forget +such dependence, when all goes well, and too often the prayer for help +and guidance is put off until too late. + +It was a commendable trait in all three of the parties whose +experience I have set out to tell that they never forgot their duty in +this all-important matter. Rob and Fred were full of animal life and +spirits, and the elder especially was inclined, from this very excess +of health and strength, to overstep at times the bounds of propriety, +but both remembered the lessons learned in infancy at the mother's +knee, and never failed to commend themselves to their heavenly parent, +not only on waking in the glad morning, but on closing their eyes at +night. + +Jack Cosgrove had one of those impressionable natures, tinged with +innocent superstition, which is often seen in those of his calling. +His faith possessed the simplicity of a child, and, though many of his +doings might not square with those of a Christian, yet at heart he +devoutly believed in the all-protecting care of his Maker, and was +never ashamed, no matter what his surroundings, to call upon Him for +help and guidance. + +And so, as the three pressed closer together, adjusting themselves as +best they could to pass the long, dismal hours ere the sun would shine +upon them again, they were silent, and all, at the same time, communed +with God, as fervently and trustfully as ever a dying Christian did +when stretched upon his bed of mortal illness. + +Had they possessed a blanket among them they could have spread it upon +the ice, lain down upon it, and, wrapping it as best they could, +passed the night with a fair degree of comfort. That, however, was out +of the question. They, therefore, seated themselves under the lee, as +may be said of the mass of ice, which protected them against the gale, +their bodies pressed as closely together as well could be, and in this +sitting posture prepared to go to sleep, if it should so prove that +the blessing could be won. + +One can become accustomed to almost anything. An abrupt change from +the comfortable cabin of the "Nautilus" to the bleak situation on the +iceberg would have filled them with a dread hardly less trying than +death itself; but they had already been in the situation long enough +to grow used to it. The ponderous swaying of the frozen structure, the +thunderous dash and roar of the waves against its base, the screaming +of the gale and the darkness of the arctic night; all these were +sounds and sensations which in a certain sense grew familiar to them +and did not disturb them as the hours passed. + +It cannot be said that an icy seat or rest forms the most comfortable +support for the body, whose warmth is likely to melt the frozen +surface, but the thick clothing of the party did much to avert +unpleasant consequences. Had Jack or Rob or Fred been alone, the +penetrating cold most likely would have overcome him, but as has been +shown, the mutual warmth rendered their situation less trying than +would be supposed. + +When an hour had passed, with only an occasional word spoken, Jack +addressed each of the boys in turn by name. There was no response, and +he spoke in a louder tone with the same result. + +"They're asleep," he said to himself, "and I'm glad of it, though the +sleep that sometimes comes to a chap in these parts at such times is +the kind that doesn't know any waking in this world. I've no doubt, +howsumever, that they're all right." + +With a vague uneasiness, natural under the circumstances, he passed +his hands over their faces and pinched their arms, as if to assure +himself there was no mistake. + +The boys were so muffled up in their thick coats and sealskin caps +that were drawn about their ears, behind which the collars of their +coats were raised, that only the ends of their noses and a slight +portion of their cheeks could be felt. He removed his heavy mitten +from one hand, and, reaching under the protecting covering about the +cheeks and neck, found a healthy glow which told him all was well, +and, for the time at least, he need feel no further anxiety, so far as +they were concerned. + +"Which being the case," he added, drawing on his mitten again, and +making sure their coverings were adjusted, "I'll take a little trip +myself into the land of nod." + +But this trip was easier thought of than made. His rugged body, with +its powerful vitality, would have soon succumbed to drowsiness, could +his mind have been free of its distressing fear for the two young +friends under his charge. But, though he had said little, he knew far +more than he dare tell them. He had shown his alarm on discovering the +loss of the boat, but though some impatient expressions escaped him, +he did not explain what was in his mind. + +His belief was that before morning should come the "Nautilus" would be +driven so far from her course that she would be nowhere in sight, and, +towering as was the iceberg in its height and proportions, it would be +invisible from the deck of the ship, or, if visible, could not be +identified among the others drifting through the icy ocean. Well +aware, too, he was of the terrific strength of the gale sweeping +across the deep, he trembled for the safety of the "Nautilus" and +those on board, hardly less than he did for himself and friends. The +hurricane was resistless in its power, and would drive the ship +whither it chose like a cockle-shell. Icebergs were moving hither and +thither through the darkness, less affected by the wind and waves than +the vessel, and a collision was among the possibilities, if not the +probabilities. + +Inasmuch as the "Nautilus" was likely to go down under the fury of the +elements, or, if she rode through it, was certain to be too far +removed to be of help to the three, the question to consider was what +hope of escape remained to the latter. + +Although vessels penetrate Baffin Bay and far into the Arctic Ocean, +they are so few in number that days and weeks may pass without any two +of them gaining sight of each other. A shipwrecked sailor afloat in +the South Sea, on a spar, was as likely to be picked up by some +trading ship as were Jack and his companions, by any of the whalers or +ships in that high latitude. + +And then, supposing they did catch sight of some stray vessel, who of +the captain and crew would be looking for living persons on board an +iceberg? Why would they give the latter any more attention than the +scores of the mountainous masses afloat in their path and which it was +their first care to avoid? + +If a ship should pass so near to them that they could make their +signals seen there would be hope; but the chances of anything of that +kind were too remote to be regarded. + +Such being the outlook, where was there ground for hope? They were +beyond sight of the Greenland coast, and were doubtless drifting +farther away every hour. Nothing in the nature of succor was to be +hoped for from land, and the brave-hearted Jack was obliged to say to +himself that, so far as human eye could see, there was none from any +source. Cold, starvation, and death seemed among the certainties near +at hand. + +And having reached this disheartening belief, he closed his eyes and +joined his young friends in the land of dreams. + +Having sunk into slumber, the sailor was likely to remain so until +morning, unless some unexpected circumstance should break in upon his +rest, and it did. + +It was Rob Carrol, who, probably because of his cramped position, +first regained consciousness. As his senses gradually came back to +him, and the thunder of the surges and the shrieking of the gale broke +in upon his brain, he stretched his benumbed limbs and yawned in an +effort to make his situation more comfortable. + +It struck him that there had been a change in their relative positions +while asleep. Not wishing to awake his companions, he carefully +shifted his limbs and body, so as not to disturb them. While doing so, +he extended his hand to touch them. + +He groped along one figure, which he knew at once was Jack, but he +felt no other. With a vague fear he straightened up, leaned over, and +hastily extended his arms about him, as far as he could reach. The +next moment he roughly shook the shoulder of the sailor, and called +out in a husky voice: + +"Jack! Jack! wake up! Fred is gone!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +A POINT OF LIGHT + + +Jack Cosgrove was awake on the instant. Not until he had groped around +in the darkness and repeated the name of Fred several times in a loud +voice would he believe he was not with them. + +"Well, by the great horned spoon!" he exclaimed, "that beats +everything. How that chap got away, and why he done it, and where he's +gone to gets me." + +"I wonder if he took his gun," added Rob, stooping over and examining +the depression in the ice, where the three laid their weapons before +composing themselves for sleep; "yes," he added directly after, "he +took his rifle with him." + +As may be supposed, the two were in a frenzied state of mind, and for +several minutes were at a loss what to do, if, indeed, they could do +anything. They knew not where to look for their missing friend, nor +could they decide as to what had become of him. + +One fearful thought was in the minds of both, but neither gave +expression to it; each recoiled with a shudder from doing so. It was +that he had wandered off in his sleep and fallen into the sea. + +Despite their distress and dismay, they noticed several significant +facts. The wind that blew like a hurricane when they closed their +eyes, had subsided. When they stood up, so that their heads arose +above the projections that had protected them, the breeze was so +gentle that it was hard to tell from which direction it came. It would +be truth to say there was no wind at all. + +Further, there was a marked rise in the temperature. In fact, the +weather was milder than any experienced after leaving St. John, and +was remarked by Rob. + +"You don't often see anything of the kind," replied the sailor; +"though I call something of the kind to mind on that voyage in these +parts in the 'Mary Jane,' which was smashed by the iceberg." + +But their thoughts instantly reverted to the missing boy. Rob had +shouted to him again and again in his loudest tones, had whistled +until the echo rang in his own ears, and had listened in vain for the +response. + +The tumultuous waves did not subside as rapidly as they arose. They +broke against the walls of the iceberg with decreasing power, but with +a boom and crash that it would seem threatened to shatter the vast +structure into fragments. There were occasional lulls in the +overpowering turmoil, which were used both by Rob and Jack in calling +to the missing one, but with no result. + +"It's no use," remarked the sailor, after they had tired themselves +pretty well out; "wherever he is, he can't hear us." + +"I wonder if he will ever be able to hear us," said Rob, in a choking +voice, peering around in the gloom, his eyes and ears strained to the +highest tension. + +"I wish I knew," replied Jack, who, though he was as much distressed +as his companion, was too thoughtful to add to the grief by any words +of his own. "I hope the lad is asleep somewhere in these parts, but I +don't know nothing more about him than you." + +"And I know nothing at all." + +"Can you find out what time it is?" + +That was easily done. Stooping down so as to protect the flame from +any chance eddy of wind, Rob ignited a match on his clothing and +looked at his watch. + +"We slept longer than I imagined, Jack; day-break isn't more than +three or four hours off." + +"That's good, but them hours will seem the longest that you ever +passed, my hearty." + +There could be no doubt on that point, as affected both. + +"Why, Jack," called out Rob, "the stars are shining." + +"Hadn't you observed that before? Yes; there's lots of the twinklers +out, and the storm is gone for good." + +Every portion of the sky except the northern showed the glittering +orbs, and, for the moment, Rob forgot his grief in the surprise over +the marked change in the weather. + +"This mildness will bring another change afore long," remarked Jack. + +"What's that?" + +"Fogs. We'll catch it inside of twenty-four hours, and some of them +articles in this part of the world will beat them in London town; +thick enough for you to lean against without falling." + +As the minutes passed, with the couple speculating as to what could +have happened to Fred Warburton, their uneasiness became so great that +they could not remain idle. They must do something or they would lose +command of themselves. + +Rob was on the point of proposing a move, with little hope of its +amounting to anything, when the sailor caught his arm. + +"Do you see that?" + +The darkness had so lifted that the friends could distinguish each +other's forms quite plainly, and the lad saw that Jack had extended +his arm, and was pointing out to sea. The fellow was startled, as he +had good cause to be. + +Apparently not far off was something resembling a star, low down in +the horizon and gliding over the surface of the deep. Now and then it +disappeared, but only for a moment. At such times it was evidently +shut from sight by the crests of the intervening waves. + +It was moving steadily from the right to the left, the friends, of +course, being unable to decide what points of the compass these were. +Its motion in rising and sinking, vanishing and then coming to view +again, advancing steadily all the while, left no doubt as to its +nature. + +"It's the 'Nautilus'!" exclaimed Rob; "Captain McAlpine is looking for +us." + +"That's not the 'Nautilus'," said Jack; "for she doesn't show her +lights in that fashion. Howsumever, it's a craft of some kind, and if +we can only make 'em know we're here they'll lay by and take us off in +the morning." + +As the only means of reaching the ears of the strangers the two began +shouting lustily, varying the cries as fancy suggested. In addition, +Jack fired his gun several times. + +While thus busied they kept their gaze upon the star-like point of +light on which their hopes were fixed. + +It maintained the same dancing motion, all the while pushing forward, +for several minutes after the emission of the signals. + +"She has stopped!" was the joyful exclamation of Rob, who postponed a +shout that was trembling on his lips; "they have heard us and will +soon be here." + +Jack was less hopeful, but thought his friend might be right. The +motion of the star from left to right had almost ceased, as if the +boat was coming to a halt. Still the sailor knew that the same effect +on their vision would be produced if the vessel headed either away +from or toward the iceberg; it was one of these changes of direction +that he feared had taken place. + +Up and down the light bobbed out of sight for a second, then gleaming +brightly as if the obscuring clouds had been brushed aside from the +face of the star, which shone through the intervening gloom like a +beacon to the wanderer. + +"Yes, they are coming to us," added Rob, forgetting his lost friend in +his excitement; "they will soon be here. I wonder they don't hail us." + +"Don't be too sartin, lad," was the answer of the sailor; "if the boat +was going straight from us it would seem for a time as though she was +coming this way; I b'lieve she has changed her course without a +thought of us." + +They were cruel words, but, sad to say, they proved true. The time was +not long in coming when all doubt was removed. The star dwindled to a +smaller point than ever, seemed longer lost to view, until finally it +was seen no more. + +"Do you suppose they heard us?" asked Rob, when it was no longer +possible to hope for relief from that source. + +"Of course not; if they had they would have behaved like a Christian, +and stood by and done what they could." + +"Ships are not numerous in this latitude, and it may be a long time +before we see another." + +"The chances p'int that way, and yet you know there's a good many +settlements along the Greenland coast. It isn't exactly the place I'd +choose for a winter residence--especially back in the country--but +there are plenty who like it." + +"In what way can that affect us?" + +"There are ships passing back and forth between Denmark and Greenland, +and a number v'yage to the United States, and I'm hoping we may be run +across by some of them--Hark!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +HOPE DEFERRED + + +A hoarse, tremulous sound came across the ocean. There was no +mistaking its character; it was from the whistle of a steamer, the one +whose light led them to hope for a time that their rescue was at hand. +It sounded three times, and evidently the blasts were intended as a +signal, though, of course, they bore no reference to the two persons +listening so intently on the iceberg. + +"That was the last thing I expected to hear in this latitude," +remarked Rob, turning to his companion. + +"I don't know why," replied Jack; "they have such craft plying along +the Greenland coast. What's more, I've heard that same whistle before +and know the boat; it's the 'Fox'." + +"Not the 'Fox' I have read about as having to do with the Franklin +expedition?" said the youth, in astonishment. + +"The identical craft." + +"You amaze me." + +Those of my readers who are familiar with the history of Arctic +exploration will recall this familiar name. It was the steam tug in +which sailed the party that succeeded in finding traces of the +ill-fated Franklin expedition of near a half century ago. It afterward +came into the possession of the company that owns the cryolite mine at +Ivigtut, and is now used to carry laborers and supplies from +Copenhagen to that place. While at Ivigtut, it is occasionally +employed to tow the Greenland ships in and out of the fiord. + +Ah, if its crew had only heard the shouts and signals of the couple on +the iceberg, how blessed it would have been! But its lights had +vanished long ago, and, if its whistle sounded again, it was so far +away that it could not reach the listening ears. + +The restlessness of the friends, to which I have referred, now led +them to attempt a search, if it may so be called, for the missing +Fred. This of necessity was vague and blind, and was accompanied with +but a grain of hope. Neither had yet referred to the awful dread that +was in their thoughts, but weakly trusted they might find the poor +fellow somewhere near asleep or senseless from a fall. + +Morning was still several hours distant, but the clearing of the air +enabled them to pick their way with safety, so long as they took heed +to their footsteps. + +"I will go down toward the spot where the boat gave us the slip," said +Jack, "and I don't know what you can do, unless you go with me." + +"There's no need of that; of course I can't make my way far, while the +night lasts, but I remember that we penetrated some way beyond this +place before camping for the night; I'll try it." + +"Keep a sharp lookout, my hearty, or there'll be another lad lost, and +then what will become of Jack Cosgrove?" + +"Have no fear of me," replied Rob, setting out on the self-imposed +expedition. + +He paused a few steps away and turned to watch the sailor, who was +carefully descending the incline, at the base of which they had +landed. + +"I hope he won't find Fred, or rather that he won't find any signs of +his having gone that way," said Rob to himself with a shudder. + +As the figure of the man slowly receded, it grew more indistinct until +it faded from sight in the gloom. Still the youth looked and listened +for the words which he dreaded to hear above everything else in the +world. + +Jack Cosgrove received a good scare while engaged on his perilous +task. He was half-way down the incline, making his way with the +caution of a timid skater, when, like a flash, his feet flew from +under him, and, falling upon his back, he slid rapidly toward the +waves at the base of the berg. + +But the brave fellow did not lose his coolness or presence of mind. +His left hand grasped his rifle, and, throwing out his right, he +seized a projection of ice, checking himself within a few feet of the +water and near enough for the spray from the fierce waves to be flung +over him. + +"This isn't the time for a bath," he muttered, carefully climbing to +his feet and retreating a few paces; "it would have been a pretty hard +swim out there with my heavy clothing, though I think I could manage +it." + +After all, what could he hope to accomplish by this hunt for Fred +Warburton? If he had wandered in that direction and fallen into the +sea, he had left no traces that could be discovered in the gloom of +the night. He could not have gone thither and stayed there that was +certain. + +The sailor having withdrawn beyond the reach of the waves, sat down in +as disconsolate a mood as can be imagined. A suspicion that Rob might +follow caused him to turn his head and look over his shoulder. + +"I don't see anything of him, and I guess he'll stay up there; I hope +so, for Jack Cosgrove isn't in the mood to see or talk with any one +'cepting that lad which he won't never see nor talk to agin." + +Convincing himself that he was safe against a visit from the elder +youth, the sailor bowed his head, and, for several minutes, wept like +one with an uncontrollable grief. + +When his sorrow had partially subsided, he spent a brief while with +his head still bowed in communion with his Maker. + +"I don't know but what the lad is luckier than me or Rob," he added, +reviewing the situation in his mind; "for we've got to foller him +sooner or later. It isn't likely that any ship will come as nigh to +this thing as the 'Fox' did awhile ago, and I can't see one chance in +ten thousand of our being took off. We haven't a mouthful of food, +and there's no way of our getting any. After a time we will have to +lay down and starve or freeze to death, or both. Poor Fred has been +saved all that--" + +He checked his musings, for at that moment a peculiar sound broke upon +his ear. It resembled that caused by the exhaust of a steamer at low +pressure. One less experienced than he would have been deceived into +the belief that such was its source, but Jack did not hold any such +false hope for a minute even. He understood it too well. + +It was made by a whale "blowing." One of those monster animals was +disporting himself in the vicinity of the iceberg, and the sailor had +heard the same sound too often to mistake it. + +Shifting his position so as to bring him nearer the sea, he stooped +and peered out in the gloom, in the direction whence came the noise. +There was enough starlight for him to trace the outline of the +mountainous waves, as they arose against the sky, though they were +dimly defined and might have misled another. + +While gazing thus, a huge mass took vague form. It was the head of a +gigantic leviathan of the deep, which for a moment was projected +against the sky and then sank out of sight with the same noise that +had attracted Jack's notice in the first place. + +The blowing was heard at intervals, for several minutes, until the +distance shut it from further notice. + +"I wonder if Rob noticed it," the sailor asked himself; "for if he +did, he will make the mistake of believing the 'Fox' has come to take +us off, and we're done with this old berg." + +But nothing was heard from the youth, and the sailor remained seated +on the shelf of ice, a prey to his gloomy reflections. He had made up +his mind to stay where he was until the coming of day, when the +question of what was to be done would be speedily settled. + +Meanwhile, he wanted no company but his own thoughts. He had kept up +with the elder youth, and carefully withheld his fears and beliefs +from him. He felt that he could do so no longer. The farce had been +played out, and the truth must be spoken. + +It was impossible to note the passage of time. Jack carried no watch, +but each of the boys owned an excellent timepiece. He probably fell +into a doze, for, when he roused himself once more, he saw that the +night was nearly over. + +"I wonder what Rob is doing," he said, rising to his feet, stretching +his arms, and looking in the direction where he expected to see his +friend; "I hope nothing hain't happened to him." + +This affliction was spared the sailor, for while he was peering +through the increasing light, he caught sight of the figure of Rob +making his way toward him. + +"Hello, Jack, have you found anything?" + +"No; have you?" + +"I think I have; come and see." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +A STARTLING OCCURRENCE + + +As may be supposed, Jack Cosgrove was all excitement on the instant. +He had not expected any such reply, and he was eager to learn the +cause. As he started forward, he instinctively glanced down in quest +of evidence that Fred had passed there. There was none so far as he +could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been +able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, +and some of them more than once. + +"What is it?" he asked, as he reached his friend. + +"It may mean nothing, but a little distance beyond where we camped the +ice is broken and scratched as though some one has been that way." + +"So there has, we were there yesterday afternoon." + +"I haven't forgotten that, but these marks are at a place where we +haven't been, that is unless it was Fred." + +"How did you manage to find them in the dark?" + +"I didn't; I groped over the ice as far as I could, and then sat down +and waited for day. I must have slept awhile, but when it was growing +light I happened to look around, and there, within a few feet of me, +on my right hand, I noticed the ice scratched and broken, as though +some one had found it hard work to get along. I was about to start +right after him, when I thought it best to tarry for you. It is now so +much lighter that we shall learn something worth knowing." + +Even in their excitement they paused a few minutes to gaze out upon +the ocean, as it was rapidly illumined by the rising sun. Before long +their vision extended for miles, but the looked-for sight was not +there. On every hand, as far as the eye could penetrate, was nothing +but the heaving expanse of icy water. + +Whether they were within a comparatively short distance of Greenland +or not, they were not nigh enough to catch the first glimpse of the +coast. + +Several miles to the eastward towered an iceberg, apparently as large +as the one upon which they were drifting. Its pinnacles, domes, +arches, plateaus, spires, and varied forms sparkled and scintillated +in the growing sunlight, displaying at times all the colors of the +spectrum, and making a picture beautiful beyond description. + +To the northward and well down in the horizon, was another berg, +smaller than the first, and too far off to attract interest. A still +smaller one was visible midway between the two, and a peculiar +appearance of the sea in the same direction, Jack said, was caused by +a great ice field. + +Not a ship was to be seen anywhere. Their view to the southward was +excluded by the bulk of the iceberg, on which they were floating. + +"There's nothing there for us," remarked Rob with a sigh. + +"You're right; lead the way and let's see what you found." + +It took them but a few minutes to reach the place the lad had in mind, +and they had no sooner done so than the sailor was certain an +important discovery had been made. + +Where there was so much irregularity of shape as on an iceberg, a +clear description is impossible; but, doing the best we can, it may be +said that the spot was a hundred feet back from where the three +huddled together with an expectation of spending the night until +morning. It was only a little higher, and was attained by carefully +picking one's way over the jagged ice, which afforded secure footing, +now that day had come. + +Adjoining the place, from which the party diverged to the left, was a +lift or shelf on the right, and distant only two or three paces. It +was no more than waist high, and, therefore, was readily reached by +any one who chose to clamber upon it. + +It is no easy matter to trace one over the ice, but the signs of which +Rob had spoken were too plain to be mistaken. There were scratches, +such as would have been made by a pair of shoes, a piece of the edge +was broken off, and marks beyond were visible similar to those which +it would be supposed any one would make in clambering over the flinty +surface. + +Jack stood a minute or two studying these signs as eagerly as an +American Indian might scrutinize the faint trail of an enemy through +the forest. + +"By the great horned spoon!" he finally exclaimed; "but that does look +encouraging; I shouldn't wonder if the chap did make his way along +there in the night, but why he done it only he can tell. Howsumever, +where has he gone?" + +That was the question which Rob Carrol had asked himself more than +once, and was unable to answer. The ice, for a distance of another +hundred feet, looked as if it might be scaled, but, just beyond that, +towered a perpendicular wall, like the side of a glass mountain. There +could be no progress any farther in that direction, nor, so far as +could be judged, could any one advance by turning to the right or +left. + +There must be numerous depressions and cavities, sufficient to hide a +dozen men, and it was in one of these the couple believed they would +find the dead or senseless body of their friend. + +"Jack," said Rob, "take my gun." + +"What for?" + +"I'll push on ahead as fast as I can; I can't wait, and the weapon +will only hinder me." + +"I've an idee of doing something of the kind myself, so we'll leave +'em here. I don't think they'll wash away like the boat," he added, as +he carefully placed them on the shelf, up which they proceeded to +climb. + +But Rob was in advance and maintained his place, gaining all the time +upon his slower companion, who allowed him to draw away from him +without protest. + +"There's no need of a chap tiring himself to death," concluded Jack, +as he fell back to a more moderate pace; "he's younger nor me, and it +won't hurt him to get a bump or so." + +Rob was climbing with considerable skill. In his eagerness he slipped +several times, but managed to maintain his footing and to advance with +a steadiness which caused considerable admiration on the part of his +more sluggish companion. + +He used his eyes for all they were worth, and the signs that had +roused his hope at first were still seen at intervals, and cheered him +with the growing belief that he was on the right track. + +"But why don't we hear something of him?" he abruptly asked himself, +stopping short with shuddering dread in his heart; "he could not have +remained asleep all this time, and, if he has been hurt so as to make +him senseless, more than likely he is dead." + +The youth was now nearing the ice wall, to which we have referred, and +beyond which it looked impossible to go. The furtive glances into the +depressions on his right and left showed nothing of his loved friend, +and the evidences of his progress were still in front. The solution of +the singular mystery must be at hand. + +Unconsciously Rob slowed his footsteps, and looked and listened with +greater care than before. + +"What can it mean? Where can he have gone? I see no way by which he +could have pushed farther, and yet he is not in sight--" + +He paused, for he discovered his error. The path, if such it may be +termed, which he had been following, turned so sharply to the right +that it could not be seen until one was upon it. How far it penetrated +in that direction remained to be learned. + +Rob turned about and looked at Jack, who was several rods to the rear, +making his way upward with as much deliberation as though he felt no +personal interest in the business. + +"I'm going a little farther, Jack, but I think we're close upon him +now. Hurry after me!" + +"Ay, ay," called the sailor, in return; "when you run afoul of the lad +give him my love and tell him I'm coming." + +This remark proved that he shared the hope of Rob, who was now acting +the part of pioneer, and it did not a little to encourage the boy to +push on with the utmost vigor at his command. + +The sailor was somewhat winded from his unusual exertions, and, +believing there was no immediate need of his help, sat down for a few +minutes to regain his breath. + +"He'll yell the moment he catches sight of anything, and he can do +that so well that he don't need any help from me--by the great horned +spoon! what's the meaning of that?" + +Rob Carrol, who had been out of sight but a few seconds, now burst to +view again, the picture of terror. He was plunging toward the sailor +with such desperate haste that he continually stumbled and bruised +himself. But he instantly scrambled up again, glancing in mortal +fright over his shoulder, and barely able to gasp as he dashed toward +the sailor: + +"O Jack! we're lost! we're lost! Heaven help us!" + + + + +CHAPTER X + +AN UGLY CUSTOMER + + +Rob Carrol had good cause for his panic. Full of high hope, he hurried +along the ice between crags which shut him out of sight, for the time, +from Jack Cosgrove, who was resting himself after his hard climb. The +youth was thinking of no one and nothing else, except his friend Fred +Warburton, who had vanished so mysteriously the night before. + +The signs in the icy track he was following convinced him that he was +close upon the heels of his chum, who could not have wandered much +farther in advance. His hope was tinged with the deepest anxiety, for +it was impossible to account for Fred's long absence and silence, +except upon the theory that some grievous injury had befallen him. + +The searcher's nerves were strung to the highest point, and he was +pushing forward with unabated vigor, when his heart almost stood +still, as he caught a peculiar sound among the masses of ice. + +"That's Fred," he concluded; "he's alive, thank God!" and then he +called to his friend: + +"Fred! Fred, old fellow, where are you? Speak, I beg of you." + +The words were trembling on his lips, when what seemed to be a huge +pile of snow just in advance, arose from the ice and began swinging +toward him. + +Paralyzed for the moment by the amazing sight, and wondering whether +his senses were not betraying him, Rob stood motionless, as if rooted +to the spot. + +But the next minute that same mass of snow assumed more definite +shape, and an unmistakable growl issued from somewhere within the +interior. + +That was enough. Rob knew what it was that was sweeping down upon him +like a young avalanche. He had almost stumbled over a huge polar bear, +ravenous and fierce with hunger, and with a courage that made him +afraid of neither man nor beast. + +He must have been half asleep when roused by the approach and the +voice of the lad. Opening his great eyes, he saw before him a fine +breakfast in the shape of a plump lad, and he proceeded to go for him +with a vim and eagerness that would not be denied. + +It was about this time that Rob whirled on his heel and started on the +back track, with all the desperate hurry at his command. It will be +remembered that he had no gun with him, he and Jack having left the +weapons on the ice a considerable distance away. Both were without any +means of defense, unless the sheath knife which the sailor always +carried may be considered a weapon, and the only possible hope for +them was to secure their rifles before the monster secured them. + +When the lad's frenzied cry broke upon Jack, he sprang from the seat +where he had been resting, and stood staring and wondering what it all +could mean. He saw the boy's cap fly from his head, and he noted his +terrified glances behind him. The next moment the polar bear plunged +into sight, and the sailor grasped the situation. + +Even then he failed to do the wisest thing. Instead of realizing that +but one course could save them, and that was by dashing back to the +guns, he hastily drew his knife and awaited the coming of the brute +with a view of checking his attack upon the lad. + +It was more creditable to Jack's chivalry than to his sagacity that he +should do this thing. + +Even Rob, despite his extreme fright, saw the mistake his friend was +making, and called to him: + +"Quick, Jack! Get the guns and shoot him!" + +"I shouldn't wonder now if that was a good idea," reflected the +sailor, shoving his knife back, and whirling about to do as urged. + +The situation was so critical that even his sluggish blood was +stirred, and he never moved so fast as he did for the succeeding +seconds. Indeed, it was altogether too fast, for he fell headlong with +such violence that he was partially stunned, and by the time he +regained his feet Rob was upon him. + +Meanwhile the polar bear was making matters lively. He was hustling +for his breakfast, and he kept things on the jump. He was at home amid +the snow and ice, and, with little effort, got forward faster than the +fugitives possibly could; he was overhauling Rob hand over hand. + +To continue his flight, even for the brief remaining distance, was to +insure his certain death. Rob saw him, and, when the ponderous beast +was almost upon him, he made a desperate leap from the icy path, +landing on his hands and knees several feet to the left, and instantly +scrambling up again. + +The manoeuvre was so unexpected by the pursuer that he passed +several paces beyond before he could stop. Turning his head, with his +huge jaws so far apart that his red tongue and long white teeth +showed, he prepared to continue his pursuit of the lad who had escaped +him for the moment by such an exceedingly narrow chance. + +But it so happened that Jack Cosgrove just then was also climbing to +his feet from his thumping fall, and, being but a short way from the +brute, he drew his attention to himself. + +The bear's appetite was in that rugged state that he was not +particular as to whether his meal was made from a boy or full-grown +man, and, since the latter was within most convenient reach, he +shifted his design to him. + +"By the great horned spoon!" muttered the sailor, quick to see how +matters had turned; "but it's Jack Cosgrove that is to have all this +fun to himself, and he's enjoying it." + +The single recourse still presented itself; nothing could be done to +check the furious beast until one of the rifles was turned against +him, but it did seem for a time as if fate itself was fighting in +favor of the brute. + +Jack's tumble and flurry had so mixed him up that the rifles were +forgotten, until he took several steps on his flight, when he recalled +the fatal oversight, and hastily turned to rectify it; but the +precious moments wasted made it too late. The bear was actually +between him and the weapons, and, to attempt to reach them, except by +a roundabout course, was to fling himself into the embrace of those +resistless claws. + +He was too wise to attempt it. The first thing to do was to get +himself out of reach of the terror that was bearing down upon him with +the certainty of death. + +"If there was only a tree that I could climb," he reflected, leaping, +tumbling, and laboring forward as best he could; "he couldn't nab me, +but I don't see any tree, and that chap's hungry enough to eat a +stewed anchor." + +In the fearful hurry and panic some moments passed before Rob Carrol +comprehended the abrupt change in the plan of campaign. At the moment +he expected to feel the claw of the brute, he looked back and saw he +was pressing Jack hard. Furthermore, the latter, instead of hurrying +for the guns, was drawing away from them. + +That was a bad outlook, but it suggested to the youth that the chance +had come for him to do something effective. + +He lost no time in seizing the chance. He turned again in his course, +and moved around toward the spot where the weapons had been left near +at hand. Could he have been sure of a few minutes there would have +been no trouble in managing it, but events were going with such a rush +that there was not a spare second at command. + +The guns being near and lower in elevation than themselves, were in +plain sight. Rob saw the barrels and the iron work gleaming in the +morning sunlight, so that he could make no mistake in locating them, +but his attention was so riveted on the prizes that he paid no heed to +his footsteps, or, rather, he paid less heed than was necessary. + +He was within fifty feet, and was counting upon the quickness with +which he would end the sport of the brute when he discovered that he +was on the brink of an irregular depression in the ice. He tried +desperately to check himself or turn aside, but it was beyond his +ability and over he went. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +LIVELY TIMES + + +Rob's fall was not far, and his heavy clothing saved him from the +bruises that otherwise might have disabled him. He stared about him +and saw that he had fallen into a rough depression of the ice from six +to eight feet in depth, and of about the same diameter. + +"Here's a go," he reflected; "I wonder whether the bear will follow me +here, but he's giving his full attention to poor Jack, and won't hunt +for me until he is through with him." + +It was characteristic of the lad that, knowing the imminent peril of +his friend, he should feel more anxious about him than himself. All +thought of the missing Fred was shut out for the moment. + +The first thing for Rob to do was to get out of the hole into which he +had fallen. He did not wait, but, throwing off his outer coat, flung +it upon the edge of the depression, and then, leaping upward, caught +the margin with his mittened hands. As I stated at the beginning, he +was a fine athlete, but the task was almost impossible. The purchase +was so slight that when he put forth his strength and attempted to +draw himself upward, his mittens slipped, as though they were oiled. + +Then he snatched off the mittens, threw them upon his coat, and again +made the attempt; he failed as before. + +"I've got to stay here while the bear kills poor Jack," was his +despairing thought; "I can do nothing, when, if I were up there, I +could lay hold of one of the guns and save him." + +The reflection was so bitter that he could not rest. Walking rapidly +around the depression, he jumped upward at every step or two and +repeated the effort. Failure followed failure, and he was once more in +despair. + +Again he made the attempt, and his hand struck a knob-like projection, +which afforded just the purchase wanted. Grasping it with all his +might, he quickly drew himself upward, and was once more on what might +be considered the surface proper of the iceberg. + +At the moment of climbing into sight he heard the report of a gun. + +"Ah, Jack has managed to reach his rifle, and has given the brute a +shot--no, he hasn't, either!" + +To his unbounded amazement, he saw the sailor fleeing and dodging for +life, with the bear still at his heels. But he had no gun in his hand, +and, casting his eye below him, Rob observed both weapons lying where +they were placed by the owners a short time before. + +Who had fired that gun whose report he just heard? + +It was an absorbing question, indeed, but there was no time just then +to give it a thought. Rob was much nearer the rifles than either Jack +or the bear, and he now hastened thither, taking care that his last +mishap was not repeated. + +From what has been told it will be understood that Jack Cosgrove found +no time for the grass to grow under his feet. He had pulled himself +through many a narrow peril, but he was sure he was never quite so +hard pressed as now. He tried dodging and sudden turns in the line of +his flight, and doubtless saved himself more than once by such means; +but the discouraging fact was ever with him that his relentless enemy +could travel tenfold faster and better than he over the ice, and +sooner or later was certain to run him down unless turned aside by +some one else. + +Jack naturally wondered what had become of Rob, who was so active only +a short time before. His furtive glances showed him nothing of his +friend, but he had no chance to speculate, nor did he call upon him +for help, as the lad had appealed to him but a short time before. + +The sorely pressed fugitive drew his knife to be prepared for the +final struggle that was at hand. He had met polar bears before, and he +knew what such a conflict meant. + +He was wise enough, too, not to postpone the struggle until his own +strength was exhausted by running. He whirled about, when the brute +was no more than ten feet distant, and grasping his knife by the tip +of the blade, drove it with all the vicious fury at his command +straight at the head of the bear. + +The sailor was an adept at this species of throwing, and had often +given exhibitions of his skill on shipboard. It was not to be expected +that he could kill such a gigantic animal by flinging his sheath knife +at him, but it sped so true and with such power, that, striking his +neck, it inflicted a deep wound, sinking so deep, indeed, that it +remained in the wound. + +At this juncture the rifle, whose report Rob heard, was fired. The +sailor supposed, as a matter of course, that Rob discharged it, for +there could be no doubt the bear was the target. The bullet struck him +near the junction of the left leg, and there could be no mistake about +his being hit hard. He uttered a peculiar whining moan, stopped for +the moment, and then resumed his pursuit with such a marked limp that +his progress was perceptibly decreased. + +Seeing his own advantage, Jack was wise enough to use it. In his +desperation he had deprived himself of his only weapon, and he was +defenseless. But with a limping bear lumbering after him, and with the +short respite he had gained, he fancied he could hold his own in a +foot-race. So he wheeled and went at it again. + +By this time, and, indeed, a minute before, Rob had reached the spot +where the two guns lay, and with both in his grasp he set off in hot +haste to overtake the brute. He meant to get so near that when he +fired there could be no miss. + +To his exasperation, he stumbled and came within a hair of going into +the very hole from which he had extricated himself with so much +difficulty. But he escaped, and finding neither weapon injured, he +resumed his pursuit, cheered by the apparent fact that the bear was no +longer able to gain upon the fugitive. + +Jack had run as close to the edge of the iceberg as possible, and to +venture nearer would be at the imminent risk of going into the icy +sea. He perforce turned, and sped in the direction of the lad, who was +hastening to his help. + +This suited Rob, for there was no call for him to continue his +pursuit, since the bear was approaching "head on." The youth stopped +as soon as he saw the change, and prepared to close matters. + +The opening could not have been better, and, dropping one rifle at his +feet, Rob steadied himself and took careful aim at the beast. He +pointed the gun not at his head, but at a point just below, hoping to +reach his heart. + +He saw the snowy coat stained crimson from the wound made by Jack's +knife, and he limped heavily. + +"Look out you don't hit me!" called the panting sailor, whose grim +humor showed itself at the most inopportune times. + +"Get out of the way, then!" called Rob, in turn; "you're right in +front of me." + +Jack dodged to one side, being at the moment about midway between his +friend and pursuer, and less than twenty feet from either. + +The next instant the lad pulled trigger. + +But the bear did not stop, and showed no evidence of having been so +much as harmed. + +"You missed him, you lubber! Let me have the other gun, and show you +how to bring down game." + +There was no time for any such proceeding, and, dropping the +discharged weapon, Rob instantly stooped and caught up the second. + + [Illustration: JUST THEN THE REPORT OF ANOTHER GUN SOUNDED + + (See page 106)] + +Just then another gun sounded from a point higher up the berg, and the +huge brute stopped. He seemed dazed, and, half-rearing on his +haunches, picked at the wound, as though he fancied a splinter was +there, which he could draw from his flesh. + +"He's going to attack us with the knife!" called Jack, who saw that +the danger was over; "and I shouldn't wonder if he knows how to do it +better than you can manage your gun." + +"Keep out of the way, Jack, and I'll finish him." + +Rob had brought the second weapon to a level, and the opening was, if +possible, more favorable than before. + +Again he pulled trigger, and this shot did the business. The monster, +one of the largest and fiercest of his species, went down in a +helpless mass, and expired before their eyes. + +"Hello, you chaps would be in a pretty scrape if it wasn't for me!" + +Jack and Rob turned toward the point whence the voice came and saw +Fred Warburton hastening toward them with his smoking rifle in hand. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +FRED'S EXPERIENCE + + +Both Jack Cosgrove and Rob Carrol could have shouted with joy at the +sight of the missing boy, and the sound of his voice. More than once, +during the stirring minutes that they were trying to save themselves +from the irrestrainable bear, they thought of the shot that was fired +by neither of them, and which, therefore, they naturally attributed to +their friend. + +The second shot left no doubt of its source, and here now was the +youth hurrying down from some point near where the brute had come, +laughing like his own natural self. + +It need not be said that his hand was shaken heartily by the sailor +and his companion, and that he was overwhelmed with questions as to +his singular action. + +The story of Fred was curious, and yet it had been partially +discounted by his chum. + +It was not to be supposed that he would leave the comparative comfort +he enjoyed when huddled close to his friends without good cause, and +in that case he would have notified them of his intention, to save +them from alarm. + +The experience of the day disturbed him, and caused him to dream +dreams of the most vivid nature. Several times, during the preceding +years, he had walked in his sleep, and his departure from the camp, as +they called it, was as unknown to himself as to his friends. + +It was evident that he managed the business with great skill, since +neither of the others was disturbed. He picked up his gun and went off +in the direction followed by Rob, clambering farther up the side of +the iceberg than was supposed possible. + +"I think," said Fred, "that I can read the cause for what I did while +unconscious. You remember we had much to say about the 'Nautilus' +being driven out of sight by the gale, and I recall that, before going +to sleep, I wondered whether we could not climb to a higher portion of +the berg and signal to them. + +"I suppose that was what set my mind and muscles to work when +unconscious, and impelled me to try what I never would have tried with +my full senses about me. + +"When I came to myself I was in a cavity in the ice, where the +protection against the gale was much better than our camp. It was a +regular bowl or hollow, which would have been just the place for us +three. But daylight had come, the weather was so moderate that I did +not suffer from cold, and there was nothing, therefore, to be feared +from that cause. + +"As you may suppose, it took me sometime before I could recall myself, +but I was not long in suspecting the truth. I was so comfortable in +the position involuntarily assumed that I lay still while pondering +matters. When ready, I was on the point of rising, when I heard a +slight noise on the ice above me. + +"'That's Jack or Rob,' I thought; 'they are looking for me, and I will +give them a scare.' + +"I lay still, expecting one of you to pass so close that you would +discover me, but though I could follow the movement by sound, and +though the object passed close to me it was not quite close enough to +be seen, I rose softly to my feet and peered over the edge of the +cavity in which I was resting. + +"Well, Rob was startled when he stumbled over that polar bear, but he +was no more frightened than I, when I discovered that instead of it +being one of you, it was that frightful brute which had swung by +within a few feet of where I lay. + +"You can see the curious shape of matters. The bear had come from some +point beyond where I lay, and, making his way down the ice, had now +placed himself between me and you. The only means of my reaching you +was by passing close to him. That meant a fight to the death. + +"I noticed his tremendous size, and from what I have heard they are +among the most dangerous beasts in the world--" + +"You're right there, my hearty," interrupted Jack; "if there was ever +any doubt in my mind, which there wasn't, it was settled by that +little scrimmage awhile ago." + +"I had my gun, and, at first, was half-disposed to take a shot, but +the chance was a poor one, for he was walking straight away, and it +was impossible to do more than sound him. That would render him +furious and cause him to attack me. Our rifles were not repeating +ones, and before I could get another charge ready, he would be upon +me, and it might be that several well-aimed shots would be necessary +to finish him." + +"You had good sense," said Rob; "he would have made mince-meat of you +in a fight." + +"You must remember that while I could see the bear from where I peered +over the edge of the ice, I could not catch the first sight of you. +The brute seemed to be following some sort of a path, while the masses +of ice were so piled upon both sides and beyond him that all farther +view was shut off. + +"While I was watching the enormous white body swinging along, it +stopped, and then to my dismay, he turned about and started back. + +"'He's coming for me!' was my conclusion, 'and now there will be a row +sure.' + +"I braced myself to receive him, but, inasmuch as he had not yet seen +me, and, inasmuch as he had once passed my shelter, without +discovering me, there was hope that he would do the same again. So +'Brer rabbit, he lay low,' and I listened for him to go by. As soon as +he was at a safe distance, I intended to climb out and hurry to you. +We three ought to be enough for him, and I had no fear but that you +might manage him between you without my help." + +"That was my opinion at that time," added Fred, with a twinkle of his +eye, "but it isn't now. While I was crouching there I heard you +calling me. You can understand why I didn't answer. I preferred to +remain mum so long as that bear was between me and you and coming +toward me." + +"We did a lot of shouting last night," said Rob. + +"That's the first I knew of it. But the minutes passed without the +bear being heard. I listened as intently as I knew how, but no sound +reached me. + +"'I wonder if he intends to promenade back and forth,' was my thought, +as I ventured to peep out once more, with great caution; 'this is +getting interesting.' + +"Well, I was surprised when I saw him. He was less than a dozen yards +off, and lying down, with his head still turned away from me. His +action was just as if he had learned that his breakfast was going to +come up that path, and he intended to wait until it walked into his +arms." + +"And that is pretty nearly what I did," said Rob, with a smiling +glance at the carcass. + +"His head being still away I dared not fire, nor would it have done +for me to call to you or answer your signals. It was plain to me that +he had no suspicion that the choicest kind of meal was right near him, +and it wouldn't have been wise for me to apprise him of the fact; it +might have made things unpleasant all around. + +"You needn't be told what followed. I watched him a few minutes, +during which he was as motionless as the iceberg itself, and then I +settled down to await developments. + +"While seated, of course I saw nothing of him, and the first notice I +received of what was going on was when I heard Rob shouting. I sprang +out of my shelter, and, as you will remember, saved you both from +being devoured by the monster. Isn't he, or, rather, wasn't he a big +fellow?" added Fred, stepping over to the enormous carcass and +touching it with his foot. + +"He's the biggest I've ever seen," assented Jack, "and I'm thankful +that we got off as well as we did. It's no use of denying that your +shots helped us through." + +"Possibly, but it was Rob after all who wound up the business," Fred +hastened to say, lest he might be thought of wishing to take undue +credit to himself. + +"There's worse eating, too, than bear meat." + +It was Jack who made this remark, and the others caught its +significance. They were thus provided with the means of living for a +long time on the iceberg, and might hope for some means of rescue in +the course of a week or two. + +Rob was about to make some characteristic reply, when the sailor +pointed out to sea. + +"Do you obsarve that?" he asked. "It's just what I was afeared of, and +I don't like it at all." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE FOG + + +It will be recalled that when Jack and Rob awoke, during the preceding +night, they noticed a marked change in the temperature, and the sailor +prophesied an unwelcome change in the weather. Following the direction +pointed by him, his friends saw what he meant. The rise had caused one +of those fogs that have been fatal so often to ships off the banks of +Newfoundland, and which frequently wrap the southern coast of +Greenland in a mist as impenetrable as that which overshadows at times +the British metropolis. + +"You see," added Jack, "it might be that some whaler or other vessel +is cruising in these latitudes, and will come close enough for us to +observe 'em and they us, provided the sun was shining, but, the way +matters are turning out, they might pass within a biscuit's toss 'out +either of us knowing it." + +"Well," was the philosophical comment of Fred, "we have so much to be +thankful for that I can't complain over a small matter like that." + +"It may be a bigger matter than you think, but I'm as thankful as you, +all the same." + +"Gracious!" exclaimed Rob, with a sigh; "I'm hungry." + +"There's your supper." + +Both boys, however, shook their heads, and Rob replied: + +"I'm not hungry enough to eat raw bear's meat." + +"It's a thousand times better than starving to death." + +As the sailor spoke, he walked to the carcass and withdrew his knife +from the wound. + +"You'll come to it bime-by; I've seed the time when I was ready to +chaw up a pair of leather breeches, but that isn't half as bad as +being in an open boat under the equator, with not a drop of water for +three days." + +"We can never suffer from that cause so long as this iceberg holds +out. How is it with you, Fred? Are you ready for bear steak?" + +"I would be too glad to dine on it, if there was some means of cooking +it, but that is out of the question. I think I'll wait awhile." + +"I'll keep you company," remarked Jack, who felt no such repugnance +against the primitive meal, but was willing to defer the feast out of +regard for them. + +The party watched the fog settling over the sea, until, as the sailor +had told them it would do, it shut out all vision beyond a hundred +feet or less. + +"I would give a good deal to know one thing," said Fred, after several +minutes' silence, as he seated himself, "and that is just where we +are." + +"I can tell you," said Rob. + +"Where?" + +"On an iceberg in the Greenland Sea." + +"I am not so sure of that, my hearty," put in Jack; "there's no doubt, +of course, that we're on the berg, but I wouldn't bet that we're +drifting through the Greenland Sea." + +"Why, the 'Nautilus' was so far north when we left it, and this +iceberg was moving so slowly that we couldn't have gone as far as all +that." + +Jack saw that his meaning was not understood. + +"What I was getting at is this: Of course, when them bergs slip off +into the ocean, most of them start southward for a more congen'l +clime, but all of 'em don't do it by any means. There is a current off +the western coast of Greenland which runs toward the North Pole, and +we may be in that." + +"But this extends so far down that it must strike the other current, +which flows in the opposite direction." + +"That may and may not be, and it may be, too, that if it does, the +upper current is the stronger. I've been calling to mind the bearing +of the ship and berg, and I've an idee we're going northward. Bime-by +the berg may change its mind and flop about and start for New York or +South America, but I don't believe it's doing so now." + +This was important information, provided it was true, and there was +good reason to believe that Jack Cosgrove knew far better than they +what he was talking about. + +"Then if we keep on we'll strike the North Pole," remarked Rob, +gravely. + +"Yes, if we keep on, but we're pretty sure to stop or change our +course before we get beyond Davis Strait or Christianshaab or Ivignut. +Anyway, this old berg will keep at it till she fetches up in southern +waters." + +The words of Jack had opened a new and interesting field for +discussion. Its ending had not been thought of by the boys in their +calculations; and, despite their faith in their more experienced +companion, they believed he was mistaken. They had never heard of +anything of the kind he had mentioned, and it did not seem reasonable +that such a vast mass, after heading southward, should change its +direction. Even though it was drifting north when first seen, it must +have started still farther north in order to reach the latitude where +first observed. + +By this time all hope of being rescued by the "Nautilus" had been +given up, unless some happy accident should lead it to come upon the +iceberg. The party, therefore, began considering other means of escape +from their unpleasant quarters. + +As is well known, there are a number of Danish settlements scattered +along the west coast of Greenland, the bleak, desolate eastern shore +being inhabited only by wandering Esquimaux. It might be that the berg +would sweep along within sight of land, and the friends would be able +to attract the attention of some of the native fishing boats, or +possibly larger craft. It was a remote hope, indeed, but it was all +they saw before them. At any rate, the polar bear had provided them +with the means of postponing starvation to an indefinite period, for +there was enough meat in his carcass to afford nourishment for many +days to come. + +"I wonder whether there are more polar bears on this craft?" remarked +Rob, rising to his feet and looking around as if he half expected to +discover another of the monsters making for them. + +"Little danger of that," replied Jack, "and it's so mighty seldom that +any of 'em are fools enough to allow themselves to be carried off like +this one did that I never dreamed of anything of the kind. It does +happen now and then, but not often, though you may read of such +things." + +"I suppose he would have stayed here until he starved to death," was +the inquiring remark of Fred. + +"He might and he might not; when he had got it through his skull that +there was nothing to eat on the berg he would have plunged into the +sea and started for land, provided it was in sight, and he would have +reached it, too. When he landed he would have been hungry enough to +attack the first saw-mill he came to, and I wouldn't like to be the +first chap he met." + +"I don't see how he could have been fiercer than he was." + +"He meant business from the first; and, if he had caught sight of you +when you lay asleep in that cavity in the ice he would have swallowed +you before you could wake." + +"Well, he didn't do it," replied Fred, with a half-shudder and laugh, +"so what's the good of thinking about it? Rob, it strikes me," he +added, with a quizzical look at the boy, "that raw bear's meat might +not be so bad after all." + +"Of course it isn't!" Jack was quick to say, springing to his feet and +stepping forward, knife in hand. + +It was evident from the manner in which he conducted the business that +he had done it before. He extracted a goodly-sized piece from near the +shoulder, and dressed it as well as he could with the only means at +command. + +Rob had hit upon what might be called a compromise. When one of the +three slices, into which the portion was divided, was handed to him, +he struck match after match from the rubber safe he carried, and held +the tiny flame against different portions of the meat. + +Anything like cooking was out of the question, but he succeeded in +scorching it slightly, and giving it a partial appearance of having +seen the fire. + +"There!" he exclaimed, in triumph, holding it aloft; "it's done to a +turn, that is the first turn. It's cooked, but it's a little rare, +I'll admit." + +Meanwhile, Fred imitated him, using almost all the matches he +possessed. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +A COLLISION + + +Jack scorned everything of the kind, and he ate his piece with as much +gusto as if it had passed through the hands of a professional cook. +The boys managed to dispose of considerable, so that it may be said +the little party made a fair meal from the supply so unexpectedly +provided them. + +The primitive meal finished, the three friends remained seated and +discussed the future, which was now the all-important question before +them. + +"How long is this fog likely to last?" asked Fred. + +"No one can answer that," replied Jack; "a brisk wind may drive it +away, a rain would soon finish it, or it may go before colder weather, +or it may last several days." + +"Meanwhile we can do nothing but drift." + +"That's about all we can do any way," was the truthful remark of the +sailor; "we'll make the bear last as long as we can." + +"I think he will last a good while," observed Rob, with a +half-disgusted look at the carcass; "it will do when there's nothing +else to be had, but I never can fancy it without cooking." + +At that moment they received a startling shock. A peculiar shiver or +jar passed through the iceberg, as though from a prodigious blow that +was felt through every part--an impossible occurrence. + +"What can that mean?" asked the lads, in consternation. + +"By the great horned spoon!" was the reply of the frightened Jack; "I +hope we won't feel it again." + +"But what is it?" + +"The berg scraped the bottom of the sea just then. There it goes +again!" + +A shock, fully as violent as before, went through and through the vast +mass of ice. It lasted only a second or two, but the sensations of the +party were like those of the housekeeper who wakes in the night, to +feel his dwelling swaying under the grasp of the earthquake. + +None needed to be told of the possible consequences of drifting into +shallow water. If the base of the iceberg, extending far down into the +depths of the ocean, should strike some projecting mountain peak of +the deep, or a plateau, the berg was liable to overturn, with an +appalling rush, beyond the power of mind to conceive. In such an event +there was no more chance of the party saving themselves than there +would be in the crater of a bursting volcano. + +Well might they look blankly in each other's faces, for they were +helpless within the grasp of a power that was absolutely resistless. + +They sat silent and waiting, but, as minute after minute passed, +without the shock being repeated, hope returned, and they ventured to +speak in undertones, as though fearful that the sound of their voices +would precipitate the calamity. + +"That satisfies me I was right," said Jack, compressing his lips and +shaking his head. + +"In what respect?" asked Fred. + +"We're drifting toward the North Pole, and we are not far from the +Greenland coast." + +"But are there not shallow places in the ocean, hundreds of miles from +land, where such a great iceberg as this might touch bottom?" + +"Yes, but there are not many in this part of the world. The thing may +swing out of this current, or get into another which will start it +southward, but I don't believe it has done it yet." + +"Sailing on an iceberg is worse than I imagined," was the comment of +Rob; "I'm more anxious than ever to leave this; it isn't often that a +passenger feels like complaining of the bigness of the craft that +bears him over the deep, but that's the trouble in this case." + +"If the capsize does come," said Jack, "it will be the end of us; we +would be buried hundreds of fathoms under the ice." + +"There can be no doubt of that, but I say, Jack, isn't there something +off yonder? I can't make it out, but it seems to me that it is more +than the fog." + +While the three were talking, Fred Warburton was seated so as to face +the open sea, the others being turned sideways and giving no heed to +that point of the compass. + +It will be remembered that at this time they were inclosed in the +all-pervading fog, which prevented them seeing as far as the length of +the mountain of ice on which they were seated. Turning toward the +water and peering outward, they saw the cause of the boy's question. +The vapor itself appeared to be assuming shape, vague, indistinct, +undefined, and almost invisible, but nevertheless perceptible to all. + +The sailor was the first to see what it meant. Leaping to his feet he +emitted his favorite exclamation: + +"By the great horned spoon! it's another berg!" + +With awful slowness and certainty the mass of fog disclosed more and +more distinctly the misty contour that had caught the eye of Fred +Warburton. At first it was like a pile of denser fog, rolling along +the surface of the sea, but the outlines became more distinct each +moment, until the form of an iceberg was clearly marked in the wet +atmosphere. + +The new one was much smaller than that upon which they were afloat, +but it was of vast proportions for all that, enough to crush the +largest ship that ever floated, as though it were but a toy in its +path. + +But the fearful fact about its appearance was that the two bergs were +approaching each other, under the influence of adverse currents! + +A collision was inevitable, and the boys contemplated it with hardly +less dismay than they did the overturning of the larger one a short +time before. + +"This is no place for us!" called out Jack, the moment after his +exclamation; "let's get out!" + +He started up the path from which the polar bear had come, with his +young friends at his heels. They did not stop until they could go no +farther, when they turned about and shudderingly awaited the +catastrophe that was at hand. + +Their withdrawal from the edge of the iceberg to a point some distance +away dimmed their vision, but the smaller berg was easily +distinguished through the obscurity. + +The two continued to approach with a slowness that could hardly have +caused a shock in a couple of ships, but where the two masses were so +enormous the momentum was beyond calculation. + +The frightful crisis was not without its grim humor. The boys braced +themselves against the expected crash as if in a railway train with a +collision at hand. They lost sight of the fact that no force in nature +could produce any such sudden jarring and jolting as they apprehended. + +The two bergs seemed to be lying side by side, within a few inches +really, but without actually touching. + +"Why don't they strike?" asked Rob, in an awed whisper. + +"There it comes!" exclaimed Fred; "hold fast!" + +The smaller berg was seen to sway and bow, as if that, too, had swept +against the bottom of the sea, and it was shaken through every part. + +But amazing fact to the lads! they felt only the slightest possible +tremor pass through the support upon which they had steadied +themselves against the expected shock. + +The smaller berg acted like some monster that has received a mortal +hurt. It seemed to be striving to disentangle itself from the fatal +embrace of its conqueror, but was unable to do so. Nearly conical in +shape, a peak rose more than a hundred feet in air, ending in a +tapering point almost as delicate as a church spire. + +The crash of the immense bodies caused the breaking off of this icy +monument a couple of rods from the top, and the mass, weighing many +tons toppled over and fell upon the larger berg with a violence that +shattered it into thousands of fragments, bits of which were carried +to the feet of the awed party. Then, as if the smaller one saw that it +was idle to resist longer, it began moving with the larger, which +forced it along its own course as a tug pushes a floating chip in +front of it. + +The danger was over, if, indeed, there had been any danger. It was a +minute or two before the boys comprehended it all, but when Rob did, +he sprang to his feet and swung his cap over his head. + +"Hurrah for our side! We beat 'em hands down!" + +"I fancy it is quite safe to count on our keeping the right of way," +added Fred, whose mental relief at the outcome was as great as his +companion's. "I thought we would be tumbled about when the two came +together, as if we were in an overturned wagon, but I can understand +now how that could never be." + +"But wait till we butt against an iceberg bigger than ours," said Rob, +with a shake of his head. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE SOUND OF A VOICE + + +For hours the fog showed no signs of lifting. The three remained +seated near the carcass of the polar bear, discussing the one question +that had already been discussed so long, until there really seemed +nothing left to say. + +Not long after the collision between the icebergs a singular thing +took place. It was evident that the two were acted upon each by a +diverse current, but the preponderating bulk of the greater was not +disturbed by the smaller. The latter, however, as if anxious to break +away from its master, began slowly grinding along the face, until, +after awhile, it swung clear and gradually drifted out of sight in the +misty vapor. + +"She will know better than to tackle one bigger than herself," was the +remark of Rob Carrol, "which reminds me that if there should happen to +be a bigger iceberg than this floating around loose we sha'n't be in +any danger." + +"And why not?" + +"Because being so big it will be under the influence of the same +current as this and going in the same direction, so there won't be +much chance of our coming together." + +"Unless the big one should overtake us," suggested Fred. + +"Even then it would find it hard to run over us, so there isn't much +to be feared from that; what I do dread is that we shall strike some +shallow place in the sea that will make this thing turn a somersault." + +"It would be a terrible thing," said Fred, unable to drive it from his +thoughts. + +"Is it possible for the berg to strike something like that and stick +fast, without shifting its centre of gravity?" + +The question was addressed to Jack Cosgrove, but he did not attempt to +answer until the last clause was explained to him. + +"Oh! yes; that has been seen many times. A berg will ground itself +just like a boat, and stay for days and weeks until a storm breaks it +up, or it shakes itself loose. I don't believe if we do strike bottom +again that there's much danger of capsizing." + +"Why didn't you tell us that before?" asked Rob, reprovingly; "we +might have been saved all this worry." + +"It's only guesswork, any way, so you may as well keep on worrying, +for, somehow or other, you seem to enjoy it." + +"I think there is a thinning of the fog," remarked Fred, some time +later. + +"A little, but not much; it's growing colder, too; we'll run into keen +weather afore reaching the Pole." + +"I shouldn't wonder if it came pretty soon. Hello!" added Rob, looking +at his watch; "it is past noon." + +"Do you want your dinner?" asked Jack, with a grin. + +Both lads gave an expression of disgust, the elder replying: + +"I can stand it for twenty-four hours before hankering for another +slice of bear steak, and I shouldn't be surprised if Fred feels the +same way." + +"You are correct, my friend." + +"Ah, you chaps can get used to anything!" was the self-complacent +remark of the sailor, as he assumed a comfortable attitude on the ice. + +While the boys talked thus, Jack was carefully noting the weather. He +saw with pleasure that the fog was steadily clearing, and that, before +night, the atmosphere was likely to be wholly clear again. That fact +might avail them nothing, but it was a thousand-fold better than the +mist, in which they might drift within a hundred feet of friends +without either party suspecting it. + +From what has been told, it will be understood that no one of the +three built any hope of a rescue by the "Nautilus." The violent gale +had driven her miles away, and a search on her part for this +particular iceberg would be like the hunt of one exploring party for +another that had been lost years before. + +But it was not to be supposed that Captain McAlpine would quietly +dismiss all care concerning the lads from his mind. One of them was a +son of a leading director of the Hudson Bay Company, and the other was +a favorite of the son and his father. For the skipper to return to +London at the end of several months with the report that he had left +them on an iceberg in the Greenland Sea would be likely to subject him +to unpleasant consequences. + +The most natural course of the captain, as it seemed to the sailor, +after making the best search he could, was to put into some of the +towns along the coast, and organize several parties to go out in +search of them. + +"He is no fool," thought Jack, as he turned the subject over in his +mind without speaking, "and he must have took the bearings of the ship +and the berg as I did. He won't be able to keep track of us, but he +will know better than to sail exactly in the wrong direction, as most +other folks would do. Yes," he remarked to his friends, as he looked +off over the sea, "the weather is clearing and the fog will be all +gone before night." + +This was gratifying information, though neither youth could tell +precisely why it should give them special ground for hope. + +You will understand one of the trials of the boys when adrift on the +iceberg. The latter was moving slowly, and, though in a direction +different from the surface current, yet it was barely perceptible. No +other objects were in sight than the berg itself, which gave the +impression to the passengers that it was motionless on the vasty deep. +You know how much harder it is to wait in a train at a station than it +is in one in motion. If they could have realized that the berg was +actually moving, no matter in what direction, the relief would have +been great. As it was, they felt as though they were simply waiting, +waiting for they knew not what. + +The afternoon was more than two-thirds gone when the last vestige of +the fog vanished. The sun shone out, and, looking off to sea, the +power of the eye itself was the only limit to the vision. + +Without explaining the meaning of his action, Jack Cosgrove made his +way down the path to the place where they had spent most of the +preceding night, and climbing upon a slight elevation, stood for a +full minute looking fixedly off over the sea. He shaded his eyes +carefully with his hand, and stood as motionless as a stone statue. + +"He either sees or expects to see something," said Rob, who, like his +companion, was watching him with much interest. + +"He is so accustomed to the ocean that his eyes are better than ours," +said Fred. + +"I can't make out anything." + +Suddenly Jack struck his thigh with his right hand and wheeled about, +showing a face aglow with feeling. + +"By the great horned spoon, I knowed it." + +"What have you discovered, Jack?" + +"You chaps just come this way," he said, crooking his stubby +forefinger toward them, "and put yourself alongside of me and take the +sharpest squint you can right over yonder." + +Doing as directed, they finally agreed, after some hard looking, that +they saw what seemed to be a long, low, white cloud in the horizon. + +"That's Greenland," was the astonishing reply; "I don't know what +part, but it's solid airth with snow on it." + +This was interesting, indeed, though it was still difficult to +understand what special hope the fact held out to them. + +It seemed to grow slightly more distinct as the afternoon advanced. +Since it was hardly to be supposed that the iceberg was approaching +land, this was undoubtedly caused by the contour of the coast. + +When night began closing in the party fired their guns repeatedly, +thinking possibly the reports might attract notice from some of the +natives fishing in the vicinity. The chance, however, was so +exceedingly slight that they made preparations for spending the night +as before--that is, huddled together against the projecting ice. There +was hardly a breath of air stirring, though the temperature continued +falling. + +"I hear it!" exclaimed Fred, starting to his feet, within five minutes +after seating themselves as described. + +"What's that?" asked the amazed Rob; "are you crazy?" + +"Listen!" + +They did so. There was no mistake about it. They caught the sound of a +vigorously moved paddle, and, had any doubt remained, it was +dissipated by the loud call in a peculiar voice, and with an odd +accent: + +"Holloa! holloa! holloa!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +LAND HO! + + +The boys could hardly credit their senses. Just as they had settled +themselves to spend another long, dismal night on the iceberg, the +sound of a paddle broke upon their ears, followed, the next moment, by +a hail in unmistakable English. + +"It's Captain McAlpine or one of the men!" exclaimed Rob, breaking +into such a headlong rush down the incline that it threatened to +precipitate him into the sea before he could check himself. + +Fred was at his heels, and Jack tumbled against him. He knew that that +voice was no Caucasian's. Despite the English word, he recognized it +as belonging to a native Esquimau. + +"We're coming!" called back Jack, in turn; "just hold on a few minutes +and we'll be there--by the great horned spoon!" + +He bumped flat on his back, and shot down the incline so fast that he +knocked the heels from under Fred, and the two, impinging against Rob, +prostrated him also, the three shooting forward like so many sleighs +going down a toboggan slide. + +"Never mind, lads; we'll stop when we strike water," called the +sailor, so pleased that he recked little of the consequences. All the +same, however, each exerted himself desperately to stop, and, barely +succeeded in doing so, on the very edge of the incline. + +Then they perceived one of the long, narrow native boats, known as a +kayak, drawn up alongside the wharf, as it may be called, with the +Esquimau in the act of stepping out. + +He contemplated the sight in silent wonderment, for, it is safe to +say, he had never been approached in that fashion before. + +Jack was the first to recover the perpendicular, and he impulsively +reached out his mittened hand to the native, who was clad in furs, +with a short jacket and a hood, which covered all his head, excepting +the front of his face. + +"How do you do, my hearty? I never was so glad to see any one in my +life as I am to see you." + +"Glad to meet you," replied the Esquimau, somewhat abashed by the +effusive greeting; "where you come from?" + +"From the iceberg," and then reflecting that this good friend was +entitled to a full explanation, the sailor added: + +"We visited this berg, yesterday, from the ship "Nautilus;" our boat +was carried away before we knew it, and the gale drove the ship so far +out of her course that we haven't seen a thing of her since. How came +you to know we were here?" + +"Heard gun go off--didn't know where it be--hear it again--then know +it here--then come to you." + +"Were you ashore?" + +"Started out to fish--you go ashore with me?" + +"You can just bet we will; your kayak is strong enough to take us all, +isn't it?" + +"If sit still--make no jump," was the reply of the native, who was +plainly pleased at the part of the good Samaritan he was playing. + +"These are my friends, Rob Carrol and Fred Warburton," said Jack, +introducing the lads, each of whom shook the hand of the native, whom +they felt like embracing in a transport of pleasure. + +Since the native had come out for the purpose of taking them off, +there was no delay in embarking. The long boat, which the Esquimau +handled with such skill, was taxed to carry the unusual load, and Jack +suggested that he should wait till the boys were taken ashore, when +the native could return for him, but their friend said that was +unnecessary, and, inasmuch as the land was fully three miles distant, +the task would have been a severe one. The sea was not ugly, and the +Esquimau assured them there would be no trouble in landing them +safely, if they "dressed" carefully and guarded against any sudden +shifting of position. + +All understood the situation too well to make any mistake in this +respect, and, in a few minutes, everything was in readiness. The +native sat in the middle of the boat and swayed his long paddle with a +dexterity that aroused the admiration of his passengers. It was not +the kind of paddling to which Jack Cosgrove was accustomed, though he +could have picked it up with readiness, and he was just the one to +appreciate work of that kind. + +Rob was nearest the prow, and, as the craft whirled about and headed +toward land, he caught a shower of spray which was dashed over his +clothing and in his face. That, however, meant nothing, and he gave no +heed to it. Immediately the craft was skimming over the waves at a +speed of fully five knots. + +The occasion was hardly one for conversation, and Rob cautiously moved +sideways and turned his head, so as to watch the advance. The weather, +as will be remembered, was perfectly clear; the stars were shining and +he could see for a considerable way over the water. + +It was trying to the nerves of so brave a lad as he to observe a huge +wave rushing like a courser straight toward them and looking as if +nothing could save the boat from swamping; but, under the consummate +handling of its owner, it arose to meet the wall of water and rode it +easily. Then, as it plunged into the trough on the other side, it +seemed as if about to dive into the depths of the sea, but immediately +arose again with inimitable grace and readiness. + +Then, perhaps, would follow a short distance of comparatively smooth +water, quickly succeeded by the plunging and rising as before. + +All at once the surface became smooth. Before Rob could guess its +meaning something grated against the front of the kayak and slid along +the side, followed by another and another. The native slowed his +paddling and pushed on with extreme care. + +He had entered a field of floating ice, through which it was necessary +to force his way with all caution. This was proven by the many turns +he made, and it was then that his skill showed in a more striking +light than before. + +He sat facing the prow and was obliged to look over the head of Rob +and along each side of him. His quick eye took in the size and contour +of the drift ice, and, hardly checking his own progress, he shot to +the right, then to the left, turning so quickly that the bodies of his +passengers swayed under the sudden impulse, but all the time he +continued his advance, apparently with undiminished speed. + +Meanwhile Jack Cosgrove, from his seat at the rear, was looking still +farther ahead in the effort to gain sight of the welcome land, which +never was so dear to him as when on the iceberg. Once he fancied he +caught the twinkle of a light so low down that it was on shore, but it +vanished quickly and he believed he was mistaken. + +It was not long, however, before his penetrating vision discovered +that for which he was yearning. The unmistakable outline of the coast +arose to view, rising gradually from the edge of the water until lost +in the gloom beyond. It was white with snow, as a matter of course, +the depth probably being several feet. The sight of any considerable +portion of Greenland free of its snowy mantle would be a sight, +indeed. + +The floating ice continued all the way to land, and the closer the +latter was approached the more difficult became the progress. But the +native was equal to the task. He had been through it too often to +hesitate more than a few seconds when some larger obstacle than usual +interposed across his path. It was very near land that the greatest +peril of all was encountered. The kayak glided over a cake of ice, the +Esquimau believing it would pass readily underneath the craft and out +beyond the stern, but its buoyancy was greater than he supposed, and +it swayed the boat with such force that it came within a hair of +capsizing. + +"All right!" he called, cheerily, righting the craft with several +quick, powerful strokes of his paddle. Then he shot between two other +enormous cakes, wedged his way through a narrow passage, and the prow +crunched into the snow that came down to the water's edge. + +"Here we are, and thank the Lord!" called out Rob, leaping with a +single bound upon the solid earth; "I feel like giving three cheers, +for if ever Providence favored a lot of scamps, we are the ones." + +Fred followed as the kayak turned sideways, so as to permit all to +step out, but Jack paused, opposite the native, and peered into his +face. Something in the Esquimau's voice struck him as familiar. + +"What's your name?" he asked, still scrutinizing him as closely as he +could in the gloom. + +"Docak," was the reply. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +DOCAK AND HIS HOME + + +"By the great horned spoon, I suspected it! Docak, I'm mighty glad to +see you; I'm Jack Cosgrove, and put it there!" + +The native was not so demonstrative as his English friend, but he +certainly was as delighted and surprised to meet him in this +extraordinary manner as was the sailor to meet him. + +They shook hands heartily, and Docak indulged in his peculiar laugh, +which was accompanied by little, if any noise, but was indicative of +genuine pleasure. + +The reader will recall that this was the second time Docak had rescued +Jack Cosgrove, the other instance having occurred a number of years +before, when Captain McAlpine's ship was destroyed by collision with +an iceberg. + +"You're my guardian angel!" was the exclamation of the happy sailor; +"I might have known that if anybody was to save us you was the chap to +do it. Come up here, boys, and shake hands with Docak ag'in, for he's +one of the best fellows living." + +Rob and Fred were only too glad to do as invited, and cordial +relations were at once established. + +"Is your home where it was when I was here last?" Jack asked. + +"Yes, off dere," replied Docak, turning about and pointing inland; +"not far--soon get dere." + +Jack gave a low whistle expressive of astonishment. + +"Now, lads," he said, addressing the youths, "I rather think you'll +own that Jack Cosgrove knows a thing or two about icebergs." + +"I think Fred and I have also learned something, but what are you +driving at?" + +"We're well up toward Davis Strait, and there's more than a hundred +miles of Greenland coast to the south of us. That old berg has struck +a bee line for the North Pole, but it won't reach there, eh, Docak?" + +"No; soon turn around--go back." + +"Now, isn't that one of the strangest things you ever heard of, lads? +The place where the 'Mary Jane' went down, afore that berg, three +years ago, was mighty nigh the very spot where Docak found us. I +remember he brought us ashore in his kayak--" + +"Dis same boat," interrupted the native with a grin, perceptible in +the twilight. + +"There you are, and, if he keeps on, I'll begin to think that one of +you chaps is Captain McAlpine himself, and the other Bill Hardin, who +was saved with us." + +"It is a most remarkable coincidence," said Fred, and Rob added that +he had never read or heard anything like it. + +But it occurred to Docak that he was not acting the part of hospitable +host, by keeping his friends standing on the edge of the sea, while +the reminiscences went on. He stooped and drew his boat far up the +bank. The tide was at its height, so there was no fear of its playing +the trick our friends had suffered. Then he turned about and started +inland, the others following in Indian file. + +He was treading a path, a foot or more deep in the snow, and worn as +hard as a rock. The ascent was gentle, and a hundred yards from the +shore he arrived at the entrance to his home, where a surprise awaited +the boys. + +When seen for the first time the hut of the Esquimaux suggest the sod +houses common on the Western plains of our country, except that the +homes of the far North are entered by means of a burrow. Where such +frightful cold reigns for months every year the first consideration +with the native is to secure protection against it; everything is +sacrificed to that. + +The walls are of alternate layers of stone and sod, and are about +three feet in thickness. The highest clear space within is from four +to five feet. The building contains an entry-way, a kitchen, and a +living room. The entry is four or five yards in length, two feet or +less wide, and no more than a yard in height. It will thus be seen +that even a small boy would have to stoop to pass through it, while +the interior of the hut itself will not allow a full-grown Esquimau to +stand erect. To this fact may be attributed in some degree the stoop +shoulders so common among the men. + +Half-way between the beginning of the entry and the main rooms was an +opening leading to the kitchen. This was small, shaped like a +bee-hive, and with a hole at the apex for the escape of the smoke. The +floor was bare ground, the hearth consisting of a number of stones +placed close together, on which the iron kettles sat, while the fire +of driftwood burned beneath. The height of the kitchen is less than +that of the main room, so that only the women can stand erect in the +highest portion. + +When the weather is very severe the cooking is done in the main room, +by means of the big oil-lamp, while the thick walls and the heavy furs +of the inmates enable them to laugh at the raging blizzard outside. + +It was along such a passage as the one described that Docak led the +way, followed by Jack Cosgrove, Rob, and Fred, each trailing his +rifle, and happy beyond measure that everything with them had turned +out so well. + +The main room into which the little party entered was about four yards +square. It had a board floor and a ceiling--luxuries not generally +found in the native homes except in the settlements. The walls were +furred off and ceiled, and the spaces closely stuffed with moss. The +wall on the right of the main room had a single window with twelve +panes of glass. + +The main room was the most interesting part of the structure. Along +the front of the window ran a wooden bench, near the end of which, +toward the entrance, stood a Danish stove. In the corner beyond the +other end of the bench was a table. To the left of that was the +lamp-stand, directly opposite to which on the other side of the room +was a second and shorter bench. + +The whole left-hand side of the room, as you entered, consisted of a +platform, about six feet long. It was elevated a foot above the floor, +the side next to the wall being a few inches higher. At night it was +covered with feather beds, which are rolled back during the day, so +that the front may be used for other purposes. The lamp used in the +Esquimau houses is simply a large, green stone, with a hollow scooped +in the top. This contains seal oil, a piece of moss serving as a wick. + +It may be well to tell you something in this place about the dress of +the Esquimaux, referring now to those who live near the settlements, +most of whom are of mixed blood. In the interior, and, along the east +coast of Greenland, are met the wild natives, who are muffled in the +thickest furs, and bear little resemblance to the class to which Docak +and his acquaintances belonged. + +These men wore jackets, trousers, moccasins, and generally +undershirts, drawers, and socks. The rule is for them to go +bareheaded, though a hat or cap is frequently seen. The clothing, +except the moccasins, is made from woolen or cotton stuff, bought off +the Danish Governor. + +The jacket is of gingham, with sleeves and a hood that can be drawn +over the head, and fitted in place by drawing and tying a string that +passes under the chin. When venturing out in his kayak, or in severe +weather, Docak, like most of his friends, wore a jacket and hood +combined. This was of sealskin, with the leather side out. The +trousers are constructed of the same material with the hair out. +Sometimes they are lined with sealskin, with the hair in. + +The moccasins are well-shaped sealskin boots, reaching nearly to the +knees. When the socks are not woolen, the hair is turned toward the +skin. The mittens are of seal leather, with no hair on either side, +and are much inferior to many of our own country, for purposes of +warmth and comfort. + +The Esquimau women are shorter of stature than the men, and walk with +short, mincing steps, showing a stoop similar to their husbands. They +have small hands and feet, with faces that any one would pronounce +good looking. They comb their hair to an apex, which, if the woman is +married, is tied with a blue ribbon; if a widow, with black; and if a +maiden, with green. + +The females generally wear collars of beads, with lace-work patterns +and vivid colors. The waist is generally of woolen stuff, and here the +same fondness for bright colors displays itself. It has no buttons, +and is donned and doffed by passing over the head, and is fastened at +the waist with a belt. Then come a pair of short trousers of sealskin, +which are tastefully ornamented. Below these are the long-legged +moccasins, also ornamented by the deft handiwork of the native owners. +The dress of the children is the same as the parents. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +A NEW EXPEDITION + + +Docak had no children, the single son born to him ten years before +having died in infancy. His wife was about his age, and had noticeably +lighter skin and bright brown eyes. It was evident that she had more +white blood in her veins than her husband, who was of mixed breed. + +Docak did not knock before entering. His wife was trimming the lamp at +the moment, and looked around to see whom he had brought with him. She +must have felt surprised, but, if so, she concealed all evidence of +it. She smiled in her pleasant way, showing her fine white teeth, and +said in a low, soft voice, "Con-ji-meet," which is the native word for +welcome. + +Her first curiosity was concerning the boys, with whom she shook +hands, but, when she turned to the grinning Jack, she made no effort +to hide her astonishment, for he had addressed her by name. + +"Crestana, I guess you haven't forgot Jack Cosgrove?" + +"Oh! oh! oh! dat you--much glad! much glad!" she said, laughing more +heartily than her husband had done. + +She was very vivacious, and, though she could not speak the English +tongue as well as he, she made it up by her earnestness. + +"So glad--much glad--whale kill vessel ag'in? Docak bring no ice? +Where capen? How you be? Crestana glad to see you--yes, heap much +glad." + +"By the great horned spoon," said Jack, holding the small hand of +Crestana in his hearty grasp, and looking around at the others with +one of his broadest grins; "the women are the same the world over; +they can talk faster than a Greenland harrycane, and when they're glad +they're glad all over, and clean through. Docak, you're a purty good +chap, but you aint half good enough for such a wife as Crestana, and +that reminds me we're as hungry as git out." + +The wife evidently thought the sailor was a funny fellow, for she +broke into merry laughter again, and, disengaging her hand, hurried +into the kitchen, where she had been busying herself with her +husband's supper. + +The visitors, knowing how heartily welcome they were, seated +themselves on the benches, doffed their heavy outer clothing, and made +themselves as much at home as if in the cabin of the "Nautilus." They +leaned their rifles in the corner near the table, alongside of the +long muzzle-loader and several spears belonging to Docak. + +A large supply of dry driftwood was piled near the window, and from +this the native kept such a glow in the stove that the whole interior +was filled with grateful warmth. + +In the course of a few moments Crestana bustled in, her pretty teeth +showing between her lips as she chatted with Jack and her husband. She +drew the table out near the middle of the room, and quickly brought in +some fish, "done to a turn." She furnished coffee, too, and the three +guests who partook of her hospitality insist to this day that never in +the wide world will they ever taste such fragrant coffee and such +delicately-flavored fish as they feasted upon that night in Docak's +hut. But we must not forget that they had the best sauce ever +known--hunger. + +The meal was enlivened by lively conversation, in which Jack managed +to tell the story of the mishap that had befallen himself and +companions. She showed less interest in the boys than in the sailor, +though, as may be supposed, Rob and Fred were charmed with her +simplicity and good-nature. She placed spoons, knives and forks, cups, +saucers, and plates before them, and there was a neatness about +herself and the room which added doubly to its attractiveness, and did +much to enlighten the youths about these people, whom they supposed to +be barely half civilized. + +When the meal was finished, and the wife occupied herself in clearing +away things, Docak brought out a couple of pipes, filled with tobacco, +and offered one each to Rob and Fred. They, declining with thanks, he +did the same to Jack, who accepted one, and a minute later the two +were puffing away like a couple of veteran devotees of the weed. + +The boys felt some curiosity to learn how it was that Docak, whose +manner of living proved that he knew the ways of the more civilized +people among the settlements, made his home in this lonely place, far +removed from all neighbors. They could not learn everything that +evening but they ascertained it afterward. + +Docak had lived awhile in Invernik, and then took up his residence at +Ivigtut, where he lived until four or five years before Rob and Fred +met him. It was in the latter place he married Crestana, and it was +there that his only child died. + +The loss of the little one made him morose for awhile, and he got into +a difficulty with one of his people, in which, in the eyes of the law, +Docak was wholly to blame. He was punished, and, in resentment, he +withdrew to a place on the west coast, about sixty miles north of the +famous cryolite mines. There he lived, alone with his wife, as +serenely contented as he could be anywhere. He made occasional visits +to Ivigtut, to Invernik, Julianshaab, and other settlements, but it +was only for the purpose of getting ammunition and other supplies +which could be obtained in no other way. + +Docak was not only a skilled fisherman, but, what is rare among his +class of people, he was a great hunter. He was sometimes absent for +days at a time in the interior, traveling many miles on snow-shoes, +forcing his way over the icy mountains and braving the Arctic blasts +that had driven back many a hardy European from his search for the +North Pole. + +While he was absent his wife went about her duties with calm +contentment, where a more sensitive person would have gone out of her +mind from very loneliness and desolation. + +Our friends having effected their escape from the iceberg, it was time +to decide what next should be done. + +The most obvious course was to go to Ivigtut, where they could obtain +the means of returning to England, most likely by way of Denmark, and +possibly might hear something of the "Nautilus," if she had survived +the gale which caused her to part company with Jack and the boys. + +The kayak was strong enough to carry them, and Docak could make the +voyage in a couple of days. This Rob and Fred supposed would be the +plan adopted, but the native put another idea into their heads which +caused in a twinkling a radical change of programme, and brought an +experience to the two of which neither dreamed. + +While Docak and Jack sat beside each other on the longer bench, +smoking and talking, the native frequently cast admiring glances at +the rifles leaning against the wall in the corner. Finally he rose, +and, walking over, examined the three weapons, taking up each in turn +and holding it so the light from the lamp fell upon it. He was most +struck with Rob's, which had more ornamentation than the others. It +was a modern loader, but not a repeater. + +"He berry good," he remarked, setting it down again in the corner and +resuming his place on the bench beside his friend; "why you not go +hunting with me 'fore go to Ivigtut?" + +Jack saw the eyes of the boys sparkle at the suggestion. Why not, +indeed, go on a hunting excursion into the interior before they +returned to the settlement? What was to prevent? It would take but a +few days, and there is royal game to be found in Greenland. + +Docak explained that this was the time of the year when he was +accustomed to indulge in a long hunt. Twelve months before he had +brought down some animals rarely ever encountered in that portion of +the country, and he was hopeful of doing the same again, when he could +have his friends to help. + +So the matter needed only to be broached to be settled. The whole +party would go on a hunt, and they would start the following morning, +returning whenever they deemed best, and then making their way to +Ivigtut at a leisurely rate, set about their return home, if that +should be deemed the best course. + +The warmth and smoke in the room led the boys to decide to step +outside a brief while, to inhale the crisp air, and, inviting Fred to +follow, Rob sprang up and hurried in a stooping posture through the +long entry-way. Fred stopped a minute in the road to peep through the +opening into the kitchen, where the thrifty housewife was busy. + +She smiled pleasantly at him, and he might have lingered had he not +heard the voice of his friend. + +"Hurry out, Fred! Here's the most wonderful sight you ever saw. Quick, +or you will lose it!" + +Fred lost no time in rushing after Rob, whose excitement was fully +justified. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +A WONDERFUL EXHIBITION + + +Unto no one, excepting him who journeys far into the Northland, is +given it to view such an amazing picture as was now spread out before +the enraptured gaze of Rob Carrol and Fred Warburton. In Northern +Siberia, the Scandinavian Peninsula, the upper portion of the American +Continent, and the Arctic Sea, the traveler learns in all its +wonderful fullness of glory the meaning of the Aurora Borealis or +Northern Lights. + +The boys had had partial glimpses of the scene on their voyage through +the Greenland Sea, and there were flickerings of light which caught +their eye on the trip from the iceberg to the mainland, and the short +walk to Docak's hut, but it was during their short stay in the rude +dwelling that the mysterious scene-shifters of the skies unfolded +their magnificent panorama in all its overwhelming grandeur. + +Radiating from a huge nucleus, which seemed to be the North Pole +itself, shot the streamers of light, so vast in extent that their +extremities struck the zenith, withdrawing with lightning-like +quickness, and succeeded by others with the same celerity and +displaying all the vivid hues of the rainbow. + +At times these dartings resembled immense spears, and then they +changed to bands of light, turning again into ribbons which shivered +and hovered in the sky, with bewildering variation, turning and +doubling upon themselves, spreading apart like an immense fan, and +then trembling on the very verge of the horizon, as if about to vanish +in the darkness of night. + +At the moment the spectators held their breath, fearing that the +celestial display was ended; the streamers, spears, bands of violet, +indigo, blue, orange, red, green, and yellow, with the innumerable +shades, combinations, and mingling of colors, shot out and spread over +the sky like the myriad rays of the setting sun. + +This continued for several minutes, marked by irregular degrees of +intensity, so impressive in its splendor that neither lad spoke, for +he could make no comment upon the exhibition, the like of which is +seen nowhere else in nature. + +But once both gave a sigh of amazed delight when a ribbon, combining +several vivid colors, quivered, danced, and streamed far beyond the +zenith, with a wary appearance that suggested that some giant, +standing upon the extreme northern point of the earth, had suddenly +unrolled this marvelous ribbon and was waving it in the eyes of an +awestruck world. + +One of the most striking features of those mysterious electrical +phenomena known as the Northern Lights is the absolute silence which +accompanies them. The genius of man can never approach in the smallest +degree the beauties of the picture without some noise, but here nature +performs her most wonderful feat in utter stillness. The panorama may +unfold, roll together, spread apart again with dazzling brilliancy and +suddenness, but the strained ear catches no sound, unless dissociated +altogether from the phenomenon itself, such as the soft sighing of the +Arctic wind over the wastes of snow, or through the grove of solemn +pines. + +There were moments when the effulgence spread over the earth, like the +rays of the midnight sun, and the lads, standing in front of the +primitive dwelling of the Esquimau, resembled a couple of figures +stamped in ink in the radiant field. + +For nearly an hour the rapt spectators stood near the entrance to the +native dwelling, insensible to the extreme cold, and too profoundly +impressed to speak or stir; but the heavens had given too great a +wealth of splendor, brilliancy, color, and celestial scene-shifting to +continue it long. The subtle exchange of electrical conditions must +have reached something like an equipoise, and the overwhelming beauty +and grandeur exhausted itself. + +The ribbons and streamers that had been darting to and beyond the +zenith, shortened their lightning excursions into space, leaping forth +at longer intervals and to a decreasing distance, until they ceased +altogether, displaying a few flickerings in the horizon, as though +eager to bound forth again, but restrained by a superior hand with the +command, "Enough for this time." + +Fred drew a deep sigh. + +"I never dreamed that anywhere in the world one could see such a sight +as that." + +"It is worth a voyage from home a hundred times over, and I don't +regret our stay on the iceberg, for we would have been denied it +otherwise." + +"If there are any people living near the North Pole, it must be like +dwelling in another world. I don't see how they stand it." + +"I believe that the Northern Lights have their origin between here and +the Pole," said Fred; "though I am not sure of that." + +"The magnetic pole, which must be the source of the display, is south +of the earth's pole, and I suppose that's the reason for the belief +you mention. But it is enough to fill one with awe, when he gazes on +the scene and reflects that the world is one great reservoir of +electricity, which, if left free for a moment by its Author, would +shiver the globe into nothingness, and leave only an empty void where +the earth swung before." + +"I pity the man who says, 'There is no God,' or who can look unmoved +to the very depths of his soul by such displays of infinite power." + +"There are no such persons," exclaimed Rob, impatiently; "they may +repeat the words, because they think it brave and smart before their +companions, but they don't believe themselves. It is impossible." + +"Why didn't we think to tell Jack and Docak, that they might have +enjoyed the scene with us?" + +"The native Esquimaux see it too often to care about it. It is hard to +understand how any one can become accustomed to it, but we know it is +so. As for Jack, he must have looked upon it many times before, when +he was in this latitude. Gracious! but it has become cold," added Rob, +with a shiver. + +"It isn't any colder than it has been all the evening, but we forgot +about it while the exhibition was going on." + +The boys turned about, and, ducking their heads, made their way along +the long entry, quickly debouching into the warmth and glow of the +living room, where Docak and the sailor, having laid away their pipes, +were talking like a couple of old friends who had not seen each other +for years and were exchanging experiences. Crestana had finished her +work in the kitchen and joined them. She was sitting on the shorter +bench, and, like a thrifty housewife, was engaged in repairing some of +her husband's bulky garments, with big needles and coarse thread. + +She looked up with her pleasant smile, as the boys entered, their +bodies shivering and their teeth chattering from the extreme cold. + +"You chaps must have found it mighty pleasant out-doors," remarked the +sailor. + +"Ah! Jack, if you had been with us, you would have seen a sight worth +a journey around the world." + +"What was it? Another polar bear, or two of them?" + +"The Northern Lights, and O--" + +"The Northern Lights," interrupted their friend, with a sniff of +disgust; "is that all?" + +The boys looked at him, too horrified to speak. + +"I'll own that they are rather purty, and the first two or three times +a chap looks onto 'em he is apt to hold his breath, and rub his eyes, +but, when you've seed 'em as often as me, it'll get to be an old +story. Besides Docak and me had more important bus'ness to talk +about." + +"What was that?" + +"This hunting trip; it's all fixed." + +"When do we start?" + +"To-morrow morning. There's no saying how long we'll be gone, and I've +told him that it doesn't make any difference to us, so we get back +some time this year." + +"Can we travel without snow-shoes?" + +"Luckily we can, for Docak has only two pair. This fog and a little +rain we've had have formed a crust on the snow hard enough to bear a +reindeer, so that we can travel over it as easy as if it were solid +ice. The only thing to be feared is another deep fall of snow afore we +can get back. That would make hard traveling, but then a hunter must +take some risk and who cares? We may see sights and meet fun that will +last us a lifetime." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +THE HERD OF MUSK OXEN + + +One of the most interesting animals found in the frozen regions of the +North is the musk ox, his favorite haunt being on the mainland of the +Continent in the neighborhood of the Arctic circle, though he is +occasionally met in Greenland. + +The fact that the animal has no muzzle has led some naturalists to +separate him from the ox species and give him the name of Ovibos. He +is smaller in size than his domestic brother, very low on his legs, +and covered with a wealth of wool and dark brown hair, which, during +the cold weather, almost touches the ground. A whitish spot on the +back is called the saddle, though it is not to be supposed that it is +ever intended for that purpose. + +One of the most striking features of the musk ox is his horns, which +sometimes weigh fifty or sixty pounds. They are flattened at the base, +the flat sides turned outward, and form a sort of shield or protection +for the face. + +At certain seasons he is one of the most odoriferous animals in +creation. During the spring the musky odor is so strong that it can be +detected on the first knife thrust into his body. At other seasons it +is hardly perceptible, and the eating is excellent. + +Although his legs are so short he can travel swiftly, and shows a +facility in climbing mountains that no one would suspect on looking at +the animal the first time. It suggests the chamois in this respect. He +feeds on lichens during a part of the year, and on grass and moss +during the rest. + +Some distance back of the native Esquimau's hut, the land inclined +upward, becoming quite rough and mountainous not far from the coast. + +It was among these wild hilly regions that a herd of musk oxen, +numbering eleven, were browsing one afternoon, with no thought of +disturbance from man or beast. Perhaps the last should be excepted, +for the oxen are accustomed to herd together for the purpose of mutual +protection against the ravening wolves who would make short work of +one or two of them, when detached from the main herd. But it is not to +be supposed that the thought of bipedal foes entered their thick +skulls, for the Esquimau is not a hunter as a rule, and confines his +operations to fishing in the waters near his home. + +The herd referred to had gradually worked their way upward among the +mountains, until they reached a plateau, several acres in extent. +There a peculiar swirling gale had, at some time or other, swept most +of the space quite clear of snow, and left bare the stubby grass and +moss, which, at certain seasons, formed the only sustenance of the +animals. + +It was a lucky find for the oxen, for in the far North, with its ice +and snow, it is an eternal battle between the wild animals and +starvation, the victory not infrequently being with the latter. It was +rare that the oxen found food so plentiful, and they were certain to +remain there, if permitted, until hardly a spear was left for those +who might come after them. + +The largest ox of the party was grazing along the upper edge of the +plateau, some rods removed from the others. He had struck a spot where +the grass and moss were more abundant, and he was putting in his best +work. + +Suddenly he caught a suspicious sound. Throwing up his head, with the +food dripping from the motionless jaws, he stared in the direction +whence it came, possibly with the fear of wolves. + +Instead of seeing one of the latter he descried an object fully as +terrifying in the shape of a young man, clad in thick clothing from +head to foot, and with a rifle in his hands. The name of this young +man was Fred Warburton, and he had reached this advantageous spot +after long and careful climbing from the plain below. He was studying +the creatures closely, now that he had succeeded in gaining a nearer +view, for, on the way thither, Docak had told him much concerning +them, and they had become objects of great interest. + +Fred was alone, and had spent several minutes in surveying the brutes +before he coughed with the purpose of attracting attention for a few +seconds. Then, slipping his mitten from his right hand, the lad +brought his rifle to his shoulder and sighted at the animal. + +He had forgotten to inquire at what part to aim, but it seemed to him +that the head was the most vulnerable, and he directed his weapon at a +point midway between the eyes and near the centre of the forehead. + +At the very instant of pressing the trigger the ox slightly lowered +his head, and, instead of boring its way through the skull, the bullet +impinged against the horny mass above, and glanced off without causing +injury. + +Fred was startled when he observed the failure, for his friends were +too far away to give him support, and it was necessary to place +another cartridge in the chamber of his weapon before it could be +used. He proceeded to do so, without stirring a foot, and with a +coolness which no veteran hunter ever excelled. + +But if Fred stood still the musk ox was very far from doing so. + +One glance only at the youth was enough, when, with a snort, he +whirled about, galloped a few paces, and then wheeled with marked +quickness, and faced the young hunter again. While engaged in this +performance his snortings drew the attention of his companions, who, +throwing up their heads, galloped to him, and the whole eleven +speedily stood side by side, facing the point whence the attack had +come. + +They were of formidable appearance, indeed, for, with lowered heads, +they pawed up the earth and began cautiously advancing upon the boy, +who had his cartridge in place and was ready for another shot. But +instead of one musk ox he was confronted by eleven! + +"My gracious!" he said to himself; "this is a larger contract than I +thought of. If they will only come at me one at a time I wouldn't +mind. I wonder where the other folks are?" + +He glanced right and left, but nothing was to be seen of Rob or Jack +or Docak. It looked as if a line of retreat should be provided, and he +ventured a glance to the rear. + +He saw a mass of rocks within a hundred yards, against which a good +deal of snow had been driven, and he concluded that that was the only +available refuge, with no certainty that it would prove a refuge at +all. + +"Being as I shall have to fetch up there to save myself, and being +that those beasts can travel faster than I, it wouldn't be a bad idea +to begin edging that way now." + +He would have been glad to whirl about and dash off, reserving his +shot until he reached the rocks, but for his belief that such an +attempt would be fatal to himself. Nothing encourages man or animal so +much as the sight of a flying foe, and he was sure that he would +instantly have the whole herd at his heels, and they would overhaul +him too before he could attain his shelter. + +It was a test of his nerves, indeed. There were eleven musk oxen, +heads lowered, eyes staring, with low, muttering bellows, pawing and +flinging the dirt behind them, while they continued advancing upon the +motionless lad, who, having but one shot immediately at command, +sought to decide where it could be sent so as to do the most good. + +The fellow at which he fired was the largest of the herd, and it was +plain to see that he was commander-in-chief. Upon receiving the shot +on his horns he had summoned his followers about him, and no doubt +told them of the outrage and whispered in their ears the single word +"Vengeance." + +It naturally struck Fred that the single shot should be directed at +the leader, for possibly, if he fell, the others would be thrown into +a panic and scatter. At any rate, it was the only hope, and, without +waiting a tenth part of the time it has taken us to tell it, he +brought his rifle to a level and aimed at the big fellow. + +The distance was so short that there was no excuse for repeating his +blunder, or, rather, accident. He sighted the best he knew how, and, +while the fellow was still pawing and advancing, let fly, hitting him +fairly between the eyes. + +The lad paused just long enough to learn that his shot was effective, +when he whirled on his heel, without waiting for more, and ran as he +never ran before. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +CLOSE QUARTERS + + +At this moment, when it would be thought that the incident was at its +most thrilling crisis, it assumed a ludicrous phase, at which any +spectator must have laughed heartily. + +Fred, as I have said, made for the protecting rocks, with all the +energy of which he was capable. On the way thither he dropped one +mitten, then his gun flew from his grasp, and a chill passed through +his frame, at the consciousness that he had lost his only means of +defense; but he dared not check himself long enough to pick it up, for +in fancy he heard the whole ten thundering after him and almost upon +his heels. + +The distance to travel was short, but it seemed twice its real extent, +and he feared he would never reach it. He was running for life, +however, and he got over the ground faster than would be supposed. +Panting and half-exhausted, he arrived at last, and darted +breathlessly behind the rugged mass of boulders. + +His heart almost gave way when he found it what he feared; a simple +pile of stones, partly covered with snow, but presenting nothing that +could be used for protection. The only portion was the top, but that +was too high for him to climb the perpendicular sides. + +It was at this moment he cast a terrified glance behind him, and +uttered the single exclamation: + +"Well, if that doesn't beat all creation!" + +What did he see? + +The whole ten musk oxen scampering in the opposite direction, +apparently in as great a panic as himself. + +The truth of it is the musk ox is one of the most cowardly animals in +existence. All the pawing of dirt, the bellowing, and threatening +advance upon an enemy is simply "bluff." At the first real danger he +takes himself off like the veritable booby that he is. + +As soon as Fred could recover his wind he broke into laughter at the +thought of his causeless scare. He might as well have stood his ground +and fired into them at his leisure. + +"I'm glad Rob didn't see me," he reflected as he came from behind the +rock and set out to regain his lost weapon and mitten; "he would have +had it on me bad--" + +A shiver ran through him, for he surely heard something like a chuckle +that had a familiar sound. + +He looked around, but could discover no cause for it. + +"No; it wouldn't have done for him or Jack to have had a glimpse of me +running away from the oxen that were going just as hard from me--" + +"Hello, Fred, where's your gun?" + +It was Rob Carrol and no one else, who stepped into sight from the +other side of the rocks and came toward him, shaking so much with +mirth that he could hardly walk. + +"What's the matter with you?" demanded Fred, savagely; "you seem to +find cause for laughter where no one else can." + +"O Fred! if you only could have seen yourself tearing for the rocks, +your gun flying one way, your mitten another, your eyes bulging out, +and you too scared to look behind at the animals that were going still +faster right from you, why you would have tumbled down and called it +the funniest sight in the world." + +"If I had seen you with your life in danger I wouldn't have stopped to +laugh, but would have gone to your help." + +"So would I have gone to yours, but the trouble was your neck wasn't +in danger, though I guess you thought it was." + +"Why didn't you fire into the herd?" + +"What for? They were too far off to take the chances of bringing them +down, and you had killed the leader." + +"Why, then, didn't you yell to me to stop my running?" + +"I tried to, but couldn't for laughing; then, too, Fred, it wasn't +long before you found it out yourself. If, when we get home, you want +to enter the races as a sprinter, I will back you against the field. I +tell you, old fellow, you surpassed yourself." + +By this time the younger lad had rallied, and saw that his exhibition +of ill-temper only made him ridiculous. He turned toward his companion +with a smile, and asked, in his quaint way: + +"What'll you take, Rob, not to mention this to Jack or any of the rest +of our friends?" + +"I'll try not to do so, but, if it should happen to drop from me some +time, don't get mad and tear your hair." + +"Never mind," said Fred, significantly; "this hunt isn't finished yet, +and I may get a chance to turn the laugh on you." + +"If you do, then I'll make the bargain." + +"Perhaps you will, but that will be as I feel about it. But, I say, +did you ever know of any such cowardly animals as the musk ox? If +they had gone for me, where would I have been?" + +"I doubt whether they could have caught you, but they are stupid +cowards, who don't know their own strength." + +"I wonder whether they always act this way." + +"Most of the time, but not always. I heard Docak telling Jack how he +once put two bullets into a bull, which kept on for him like a steam +engine. He flung himself behind a lot of rocks, just as you did, when +the beast was right upon him. He struck the stones with such force +that he shattered his horns and was thrown back on the ground like a +ball. Before he could rise his wounds overcame him, and he gave it up, +but it was a narrow escape for the Esquimau." + +"It might have been the same with me," added Fred, who could not +recall, without a shudder, those few seconds when he faced the leader +with his herd ranged alongside of him; "but all's well that ends well. +Where are Jack and Docak?" + +As if in answer to the question the reports of the guns broke upon +their ears at that moment, and they saw the two hunters standing on +the lower edge of the plateau, firing into the terrified animals that +were almost upon them. Instead of turning to run, as Fred had done, +immediately after firing, they quietly held their places and began +coolly reloading their pieces. + +There was good ground for their self-confidence. Their shots were so +well aimed that two of the oxen tumbled to the ground, while the +others, whirling again, came thundering in the direction of the rocks, +near which the lads were watching them. + +"That sight is enough to scare any one," remarked Fred. + +"If you want to turn and run again," said Rob, "I'll pick up your gun +and both of your mittens, if you drop them." + +"Don't fret yourself; if I can beat you when you had that polar bear +at your heels no beast could overtake me." + +"The difference between that and this was that the brute was at my +heels, while your pursuers were running the other way. However, we'll +drop the matter, old fellow, since I have had all the fun I want out +of it. It may be upon me next time." + +"I hope it will, and, if so, I won't forget it; but, Rob, this begins +to look serious." + +Although the youths were in plain view, the musk oxen continued their +flight straight toward them. Unless they changed very quickly or the +lads got out of the way a collision was certain. + +"You may stay here if you think it smart," said Fred, a second later, +"but I don't." + +Despite the exhibition he had made of himself a few minutes before he +moved briskly toward the rocks, behind which he whisked like one who +had no time to waste. + +To show him how causeless was his alarm, Rob raised his gun, and, +taking a quick aim at the foremost, let fly. + +"That'll settle them!" he called out; "see how quickly they will turn +tail." + +But they did not adopt this course as promptly as Rob expected. He had +struck one of them, but without inflicting much hurt. There is a +latent courage in every beast, which, under certain stress, can be +aroused to activity, and this shot had done it. + +Rob stood his ground for an instant or two. Then he awoke to the fact +that his shot was not going to turn a single one of the eight musk +oxen from his course. They thundered toward him like so many furies, +and were almost upon him before he realized that he had already waited +too long. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +FRED'S TURN + + +At the moment Rob Carrol wheeled to run the foremost of the musk oxen +was upon him. + +This animal was the largest of the herd, after the fall of the leader, +whose place he had undoubtedly taken by the unanimous wish of the +survivors. + +Perhaps he was eager to prove to his companions his worthiness to fill +the shoes of the late lamented commander, for, although one of the +most dreaded of enemies stood directly in his path, and had just +emptied his gun at him, he charged upon him like a cyclone. + +Meanwhile, Fred Warburton, having darted behind the rocks, lost no +time in slipping another cartridge in his gun. He would have assumed +any risk before permitting harm to come to his friend, but, somehow or +other, he yearned for the chance of saving him from just such a +disaster as was now upon him. + + [Illustration: THE OX BOUNDED DIRECTLY OVER HIS BODY + + (See page 199)] + +Had Rob started a moment sooner he would have escaped, but in his +desperate haste he fell headlong, and the ox bounded directly over his +body, fortunately, without touching him. + +The other animals were unequal to the draught upon their courage, and +diverged sharply, some to the right and the rest to the left, circling +back over the plateau on whose margin Jack Cosgrove and Docak were +waiting until they came within certain range. + +"Fred, fire quick! my gun's unloaded!" called Rob from where he lay on +the ground; "don't wait a second or it'll be too late!" + +Fred did fire, sending the bullet with such accuracy that it wound up +the business. Precisely the same catastrophe, described by the +Esquimau to the sailor took place. The ox, coming with such desperate +speed, was carried forward by its own terrific momentum. It may be +said that he was dead before he could fall; he certainly was +unconscious of what he was doing, for he crashed against the rocks, as +if driven from an enormous catapult and then collapsed, in a senseless +heap, with his flat horns smashed and broken to fragments. + +Fred Warburton saw that his "turn" had arrived, and he made the most +of it. Rob had been merciless to him, and he was now ready to pay him +off in his own coin. + +"I wouldn't lie down there, Rob," he said, gravely, "for the ground +must be cold." + +"It does seem rather chilly--that's a fact," replied his friend, who, +knowing what was coming, slowly climbed to his feet; "I didn't think +of that when I lay down." + +"What made you lie down at all?" + +"You see I noticed that the creature didn't mean to turn about and +travel the other way as yours did; there was the difference. Then I +knew, too, that he must be tired from running so hard, and it struck +me as a kind thing to do to serve as a rug or carpet for him." + +"You did so, and no mistake. If I'm not in error," continued Fred, +with a quizzical expression, "I heard you call out a minute ago +something about my hurrying up and firing so as to save your life." + +"I say anything like that! What put such an idea in your head? It must +have been the echo of your voice, when you were running away from the +ox that was running away from you." + +And Rob assumed an expression of innocent surprise that would have +convinced any one else than Fred of his mistake. + +"It is singular, but no doubt I am in error," said he, resignedly. "It +must have been some one else that sprawled on the ground, and begged +me to shoot quick or he was a goner; it must have been another +vaunting young man, who looked up so pityingly, and was too scared to +try to get on his feet until I shot the ox for him, just as I did the +polar bear, when another minute would have finished him; but I'd like +to see that other fellow," added Fred, looking around, as if in quest +of him. + +"I'll help you search," said Rob, in the same serious manner; "and as +soon as I run across him I'll introduce you two. You'll be congenial +to each other. Until then suppose we let the matter rest." + +"I won't promise that," returned Fred, following up his advantage; "it +depends on whether certain other matters are referred to." + +Rob now laughed outright and offered his hand, which his friend +readily took. + +The words were uttered hurriedly, for it was hardly the time or place +for conversation. The popping of rifles was renewed from another part +of the plateau, and several other musk oxen had tumbled to the ground. +A half-dozen survivors managed to get it through their heads that they +had enemies on both sides, and, seeing an opening, they plunged +through it and were seen no more. + +The boys devoted some minutes to inspecting the two animals that had +fallen by the rifle of Fred Warburton. They were a couple of the +largest specimens of their kind, but the description already given +renders anything like a repetition unnecessary. + +Although it was the favorable season of the year, the youths detected +a slight musky odor exhaling from the bodies, which was anything but +pleasant. + +Docak and Jack were observed approaching across the plateau. Both were +in high spirits over the success that had marked this essay in hunting +the musk ox, and the Esquimau assured them that despite the odor to +which they objected, he would furnish them with one of the best +suppers they had ever eaten. The lads, however, could not feel quite +assured on that point. + +It may as well be stated in this place that the spot where the animals +were shot was about thirty miles inland from the home of Docak, and +a great many leagues south of Upernavik, the most northernmost +settlement on the Greenland coast. It is beyond this quaint Arctic +town, in the neighborhood of Melville Bay, that the musk ox has his +true _habitat_. There, although the animals are diminishing in +number, he may be found by any one who chooses to hunt for him. + +The fact that Docak had met them so far south was extraordinary, and, +up to the previous year, he had never known of such a thing, nor did +he believe there were any besides this particular herd within hundreds +of miles of the spot, nor that they were likely ever to be seen there +again. + +It took our friends two days and a part of a night to reach this +portion of the Arctic highlands. They had looked for foxes, reindeer, +ptarmigan, hares, and other game on the way, but failed to run across +any game until they came upon the musk oxen. Had not the Esquimau been +thoughtful enough to bring a lunch of cold fish, they would have +suffered from hunger. As it was, all felt the need of food, and the +prospect of a dinner upon the game at their feet was inviting, indeed. + +The Esquimau would not have bothered with the cooking had he been +alone, but, out of deference to his friends, he prepared to make a +meal according to their tastes. + +Inasmuch as so much game had been bagged, they could afford to be +choice. They cut the tongues from the animals, together with some +slices from the tenderest portion of their bodies, and had sufficient +to satisfy all their appetites and leave something over. + +No better place for camping was likely to be found than these hills, +but a shelter was desirable, and Docak set out to lead the way further +among them. His manner showed that he was familiar with the section, +for he did not go far before he came upon the very place for which +Fred Warburton longed when making his desperate flight from the bull +that he supposed was at his heels. + +It was a cavern among the rocks, as extensive as his own living room +at home, and approached by an entrance, which if not so extended as +his own entry, was of still less dimensions, causing them to stoop and +creep for part of the way. + +"Me be here 'fore," said he; "like de place?" + +"I should say we did," replied the pleased Rob, echoing the sentiments +of his friends; "but we shall need some fuel to cook the food and keep +warm, and wood isn't very abundant in this part of the world." + +"We git wood," was the rather vague reply, whose meaning was not +understood until they had penetrated into the cavern, which was +lightened by a crevice on one side of the entrance. This permitted +enough daylight to enter to reveal the interior quite plainly. It took +the boys a few minutes to accustom their eyes to the gloom, but when +they did so they were no less pleased than surprised at what they saw. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +IN THE CAVERN + + +That which the astonished visitors looked upon was a pile of wood at +one side of the cavern big enough to build a roaring fire that would +last for hours. This place must have formed the headquarters of Docak +when indulging in the occasional hunts that are anything but popular +among the coast natives. + +The Esquimau did not carry lucifer matches with him, but, on the other +hand, he was not forced to use the primitive means common among +savages. He possessed a flint and tinder such as our forefathers used +and are still popular in some parts of the world. + +But Rob and Fred did not exhaust their supply of matches in trying to +scorch the bear steak on the iceberg, and when everything was ready to +start the blaze they did so with little trouble. The smoke bothered +them at first, but it gradually wound its way through the opening, so +that breathing became quite comfortable. + +Docak cooked the tongues with a skill born of long experience. There +was just the faintest trace of musk, but not enough to interfere with +the vigorous appetites, which could afford to disregard trifles. The +meal proved to be what he had promised--one of the most grateful they +had ever eaten. + +There was a good deal left after the supper was finished, and this was +laid aside for future contingencies, since the experience of their +approach to this spot taught them to be prepared for an extended +deprivation of food. Indeed, the native Esquimau sometimes goes for +days, apparently with no craving in that direction, though it must be +there all the same. When he finally secures nourishment, he stuffs +prodigiously--so much so indeed that a civilized person would die of +gluttony. He calmly waits, however, until able to hold a little more, +when he resumes cramming the food down his throat, keeping it up until +at last he is satisfied. Then he sleeps, hour after hour, and, on +waking, is ready to resume his frightful gormandizing. + +By the time the meal was finished the long Arctic night began closing +in. Looking through the crevice on the side, and the entrance, they +saw that the day was fast fading. The air was as clear as crystal and +very cold. The boys had no extra garments to bring with them, but +Docak, despite his cumbrous suit, carried the fur of a polar bear that +he had shot a couple of years before. This was not only warm, but had +the advantages over many pelts of being vermin proof. + +When traveling over the snow Docak had a way of using this extra +garment, like a shawl, so that his arms were free. It was now spread +upon the solid rock, and, though it was not extensive enough to wrap +about the forms of the four, it furnished a couch for all, as they lay +with their bodies near together, and it was most welcome indeed. + +It might seem that our friends ran an imprudent risk in venturing this +far from the coast without snow-shoes; for, in the event of a thaw, +the work of traveling the thirty miles would tax their endurance to +the utmost. The snow was several feet deep on a level, and was drifted +in places as high as a house. Who could make his way through instead +of over this? + +But all misgivings on that score were ended by Docak telling his +friends there would be no thaw for days, weeks, and, perhaps, not for +months. It was more likely to be the other way. + +The surface, as I have intimated, was as easily walked upon as the +floor of a house. So long as it remained thus there was no need of +snow-shoes or anything like artificial help. + +The fire made it so cheerful and the warmth was so pleasant that it +was decided to keep it going for an hour or two, and then let it die +out after they fell asleep. There would be considerable fuel left for +morning, and the blaze was not really necessary, unless the weather +should take one of those appalling plunges during which a red-hot +stove seems to lose all power. + +As was Docak's custom, when staying in an inclosed place like this, he +sauntered out doors before lying down to slumber, in order to take a +look at the weather and the surroundings. The life of the Esquimaux +makes them wonderfully skillful readers of impending changes of +temperature. Signs which are invisible to others are as intelligible +to them as the pages of a printed book to us. + +The native remained absent a considerable while, until his friends +began speculating as to the cause. + +"Maybe he has caught sight of another of those musk oxen, and wants to +bring him down," suggested Rob. + +"There is no call to do that when so many of them lie on the frozen +ground, where they will keep for months unless the wolves find them." + +"They'll be pretty certain to do that," continued Rob; "but then he +may have caught sight of a bull, and both may want to try a race by +starting in opposite directions and seeing which can travel first +around the world." + +"That would be a sight worth seeing," Fred hastened to say, "unless he +fell down and bawled for some one to come to his help, after firing +his gun and missing the game by about a rod." + +Jack Cosgrove looked wonderingly at his young friends, puzzled to know +what this curious talk meant. To him there was no sense in it. Rob and +Fred thought they had ventured as far upon forbidden ground as was +prudent, so they veered off. + +While they were talking Docak reappeared. His feet were heard on the +crust of the snow for several seconds before he was visible, for there +was no call to guard against noise. + +As he straightened up in the cavern he stood a moment without +speaking. Then, stepping to the wood, he threw a number of sticks on +the blaze, causing an illumination that made the interior as light as +day. + +Jack was better acquainted with the native's moods than the boys could +be expected to be, and the first sight of the honest fellow's +countenance by the added light told him he was troubled over +something. Evidently he had made some unpleasant discovery. + +"He'll let me know what it is," concluded the sailor, deeming it best +not to question him; "I can't imagine what would make him feel so +uneasy, but he's got something on his mind--that's sartin." + +Docak was on the point of speaking more than once, but some impulse +led him to close his lips at the moment the all-important matter was +about to become known. He probably would have kept it to himself +altogether had not a question of Rob given him an opportunity too +inviting to be resisted. + +"Which course will we take to-morrow, Docak?" + +"Dat way--we trabel fast as can, too." + +The astonishment of the three may be understood when they saw him +point directly toward his own home--that is, in the direction of the +seacoast, and over the course they had just completed. + +Their purpose when they set out was to penetrate at least double the +distance in the interior, and now he declared for a withdrawal. + +Not only that, but the manner of the native proved that he considered +the crisis imminent, and that no time was to be lost in carrying out +his unexpected decision. + +Jack knew him so well that he was right in deciding that his hesitancy +of manner was caused by his doubt whether he should insist upon his +friends starting at once, or allow them to defer it until morning. + +"What's the trouble, Docak?" asked the sailor, now that the subject +was broached; "I never saw you look so scared--" + +At that moment the dismal cry of a wolf reached their ears, quickly +followed by others. The gaunt creatures that seem born ravenously +hungry, and always remain so, had scented the rich feast that awaited +them on the plateau, and were hurrying thither from all directions. +Soon nothing would be left but the bones of the game brought down by +the rifles of the hunters. + +Rob and Fred naturally concluded the moment these sounds were +identified that it was because of them the native was frightened, he +having discovered them before the rest; but Jack knew it was from some +other reason. He saw nothing alarming in the approach of a pack of +wild animals. The four were well armed, they had a fire, were in a +cavern, and could stand off all the wolves in Greenland for a time at +least. + +"No, it isn't that," muttered the sailor; "but if he doesn't choose to +tell I sha'n't coax him." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +UNWELCOME CALLERS + + +Within the following fifteen minutes it seemed as if a thousand wolves +had arrived on the plateau, and were fighting, feasting, snarling, and +rending the bodies of the musk oxen to fragments. They were far enough +removed from the cavern for the inmates to hear each other readily, +while discussing the curious occurrence. + +The boys could not contemplate a visit from the ravening beasts with +the indifference of their companions. To them it seemed that the +brutes would be rendered ten-fold fiercer by their taste of blood, and +would not stop until they had devoured them. + +"Do you think they will visit us?" asked Rob of Docak. + +The latter was standing in the middle of the cavern, in the attitude +of listening. He nodded his head, and replied: + +"Yes--eat ox--den come here." + +"If that is so I think we ought to prepare for them," suggested Fred, +who shared the nervousness of his friend. + +"How can we prepare more than we're prepared now?" asked Jack; +"they've got to come in that opening one at a time, and it will be fun +for us to set back here and pick 'em off." + +"Provided they don't crowd in so fast that we can't do it." + +"With four guns, I reckon we oughter take care of ourselves." + +"Dere fire, too," remarked the Esquimau, jerking his head in the +direction of the flames. + +"Ah, I forgot that," said Rob, with a sigh of relief, recalling the +dread which all animals have of fire. Indeed, he felt certain at the +moment that the burning wood would prove far more effective than their +weapons in keeping off the wolves. + +It would be supposed that the bodies on the plateau were enough to +keep the brutes occupied for a long time, and to afford them a meal +sufficient to satisfy them for the night; but who ever saw a wolf when +not ravenously hungry? They howled, and snarled, and fought, and +pressed around the carcasses in such numbers that, when only the bones +remained, it may be said that their appetites were but fairly whetted, +and they were more eager than ever after additional prey. + +Fully a score, in their keenness of scent, had been quick to strike +the trail of the surviving musk oxen that had fled from the hot fire +of the hunters. The scent was the more easily followed since a couple +of the animals had been wounded, and there can be little doubt that +all fell before the ferocity of their assailants, though the musk ox +makes a brave fight ere he succumbs to those cowardly creatures. + +Darting hither and yon, with their pointed snouts skimming over the +ground, it was not Long before several struck the footprints of the +party that had taken refuge in the cavern. A dozen or, perhaps, a +score would not have dared attack them had they not been inflamed by +the taste of food already secured. As it was, they were aroused to +that point that they were ready to assail any foe that could help to +satisfy their voracity. + +"Here they come!" exclaimed Rob Carrol, springing to his feet, with +rifle ready. + +"Yes--dey come--dat so." + +While the native was speaking he stood motionless, but with inimitable +dexterity brought his gun to a level, and, apparently without any aim +at all, let drive into the pack crowding toward the entrance to the +cavern. + +No aim was necessary, for the wolves pressed so close that no one +person could fail to bring down one at least of them. + +Amid the snarling and growling rang out a single sharp yelp, which +proved that some member of the pack was "hit hard." Whether struck +mortally or not made no difference, for the moment blood appeared upon +him his comrades fell upon him with unspeakable ferocity and tore him +limb from limb. + +The shot had the effect, too, of driving them away from the entrance +for a brief while, but they speedily returned, crowding so far forward +that their eyes, lank jaws, and noses showed plainly in the reflection +of the firelight. + +It was evident that the shot of the Esquimau produced no permanent +effect upon them. It may have been, indeed, that they wished for a +second that it might afford them the pretext for feasting upon another +of their fellow-citizens. + +But the fire was burning brightly, and they dreaded that. So long as +it was going and the hunters kept close to the flame, they were safe +against the fangs of the wolves. + +"That's too good a chance to be lost," remarked Rob, discharging his +rifle among the animals. + +Fred was but a moment behind him, so that two, if not more, of the +brutes were slain and afforded an appetizer for the rest. Docak had +lost no time in ramming another charge into his gun, while Jack +Cosgrove held his fire, as if expecting some emergency, when a quick +shot was likely to be necessary. + +"It don't strike me as a good thing for all our guns to be empty at +the same time," was his sensible remark, "so s'pose we take turns in +banging into 'em." + +"Dat right--dat good," commented the Esquimau, and the boys promised +to follow the suggestion. + +The scene at this time was striking. Looking toward the entrance to +the cavern, nothing could be observed but the fronts of the fierce +animals, all fighting desperately to get at the opening, all eager +beyond expression to reach the serene hunters within, but restrained +by the glowing fire beyond, to which they dared not go. + +Quick to note their dread of this element, the boys became more +composed, though both could not help thinking how it would be if there +were no fire. The fuel if judiciously used was sufficient to last +until daylight, by which time the courage of the brutes would ooze +away to that extent that they would be likely to withdraw. + +But the party could not spend all their time in the cavern, and, if +attacked on the open plain, it would require the hardest kind of +fighting to beat off their assailants. + +"But what is the use of speculating about the future?" Rob asked +himself, as, seeing that it was his turn, he drove another bullet +among the brutes, doubling up one like a jack-knife, while his +comrades proceeded to "undouble" him in the usual style. + +"Suppose," said Fred, "we should keep this up until we killed a +hundred, wouldn't the rest have enough to eat by that time?" + +"No," replied Jack, who had seen the animals before; "the rest of 'em +would be as hungry as ever after eating 'em. You may keep the thing +going till there is only two left, and then shoot one of 'em; the +other will gulp him down in a dozen mouthfuls, and then lick his chops +and whine for more." + +Docak looked at his friend and grinned at this graphic illustration of +the voracity of the lupus species. + +However, it was quite clear that our friends were wasting a good deal +of ammunition, which might be needed before their return. So they +seated themselves on the floor of the cavern near the fire, that was +kept going with moderate vigor, and exchanging a few words now and +then as the turmoil permitted, they sent a shot into the pack, when +some of the foremost ventured to thrust their snouts too far into the +cavern. + +"If they only had sense enough to combine into one rush," said Fred, +"they could wipe us out in a twinkling." + +"That's just what they would do if it wasn't for the fire," was the +reply of his friend; "but it does seem to me that they must get tired +after awhile." + +"I can't detect any signs of it yet. Let me try something." + +Catching a brand from the fire, Rob whirled it about his head until it +was fanned into a roaring blaze, when he hurled it right among the +howling horde. + +The scampering that followed was laughable. In a second or two not a +wolf was visible, and only the smoking torch lay on the ground where +it had fallen just outside the entrance. + +It was expected they would soon return, and some of them did sneak +back within a short distance, but the smoldering brand was a terror to +them so long as it held any life, and they waited until it was utterly +extinguished before venturing closer. + +Meanwhile, Docak showed such disquiet and concern over something else +that Jack Cosgrove, well knowing it must be serious, determined to +force him to an explanation, for he had racked his brain in vain to +think what grisly dread was looming in front of them. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +THE COMING SHADOW + + +Docak, the Esquimau, had no wish to affect any mystery as to the cause +of his misgiving. He had not mentioned it of his own accord, because +he was debating in his mind which of two courses to adopt: to remain +longer in the cavern or to set out at once for his home on the coast. +It may be said that except for the appearance of the wolves he would +have insisted that the start should be made without delay, and pushed +with the utmost vigor until their destination was reached. + +But this was not to be thought of under the circumstances. To venture +outside the cavern was to invite an instant attack by the brutes who +were in that state that they possessed a daring foreign to their +nature. + +Docak explained that an alarming change of weather was at hand. He +knew the signs so well that there was no mistake on his part. As he +had promised, it was not in the nature of a thaw or rising +temperature, but may be explained by that expressive word with which +the reader is familiar--blizzard. + +Whoever has gone through one of those frightful visitations will never +forget it. That one of a few years ago was so general throughout our +country that the memory must remain through life with us. + +But a blizzard in the Arctic regions is a terror, indeed. It meant in +the present instance a snowstorm that might last for days, a hurricane +of wind, and a temperature of such fearful cold that would consume +almost like fire. + +With several feet of snow on the surface of that which now covered the +ground, and too fine to bear the weight of the lightest animal, with +the air white with billions of particles, eddying, whirling, and +flying hither and thither, so that one could not see a step in +advance--with the gale careering like a demon across the snowy +wastes--the strongest hunter might well shrink from attempting a +journey one-tenth of that which lay between them and the coast. + +When Jack suggested that Docak might be mistaken, he shook his head so +decisively that it sent a chill through the boys, who were watching +his dusky countenance and listening to his words. Such a man spoke +that whereof he knew. He would hold out hope, if he had justification +for doing so, but he saw none. + +That the blizzard was at hand, that it was already careering from the +far North and must speedily arrive, was as good as demonstrated. The +only chance that Docak saw was that it might prove of shorter duration +than he feared. If it should last no more than twelve or possibly +twenty-four hours, they might struggle through it, without serious +consequences, but if beyond that (as he was almost certain it would +be), there was little hope. + +However, since they must stay where they were until the following +morning, preparations were made for spending the night, which, it will +be borne in mind, was by no means as long as many which they have at +certain seasons in the high latitudes. + +It was decided that Rob should sit up until midnight and then awake +Fred, who, after standing guard for several hours, would arouse Jack +to take charge until daylight. Inasmuch as this was the Esquimau's own +proposition, which, as will be perceived, relieved him of duty for any +part of the night, the others understood its significance. He was +reserving himself for the time when there was likely to be more urgent +need of his services. + +No comment was made on the fact, and the simple preparations were +quickly finished. Docak added a caution to his friends that they +should be as sparing as possible in the use of the fuel. They had +already consumed a moiety of it, and the approach of the blizzard +would render it valuable beyond estimate. Enough only to hold the +wolves at a safe distance was to be burned. + +Thus it came about that an hour later Rob Carrol was the only one +awake in the cavern. The others were huddled together on the bear +skin, quietly sleeping, while he kept off drowsiness by pacing slowly +back and forth over the brief space within. + +"It's getting colder," he said to himself more than once; "I had a +hope that Docak might be wrong, but he isn't; we shall catch it within +a few hours. This is a bad place to be snowed up." + +He glanced continually toward the entrance, for he could not forget +the wolves which were the indirect cause of their coming peril. They +seemed, in spite of the disgusted remarks of Jack, to have become +satisfied that nothing was to be gained by hovering about the refuge. +So many of their comrades had fallen, and the fire burned so +persistently, that the others must have felt a certain degree of +discouragement. + +Now and then a howl echoed among the desolate hills, with a strange +power, and was immediately answered by scores from as many different +points, but there was no such eager crowding as marked the first +appearance of the brutes. Rob glanced repeatedly at the opening +without seeing one of them. + +But the youth was too wise to be caught off his guard. He allowed the +fire to smolder until the figures of his friends were only barely +visible in the gloom, and his own form became shadowy, as it slowly +moved back and forth over the floor of the cavern, with his rifle +ready for instant use. + +He heard a soft tip tipping on the snow, and there was no mistaking +its meaning. + +"They're there," he said, peering outward in the gloom and listening +intently, "and are as watchful for a chance as ever." + +Turning toward the crevice which admitted light, and was too straight +to allow the smallest wolf to pass through, he caught the glow of a +pair of eyes. + +They were motionless, and the wolf evidently was studying the interior +with a view of learning the prospect for an excursion within. + +The temptation to fire was strong, but the eyes noiselessly vanished +before the gun could be brought to a level. + +Rob stood intently listening. He heard the stealthy footsteps pass +along the side of the cavern toward the front, and he moved in that +direction, but placed himself at one side, so as to be out of sight of +any one looking directly into the mouth. He had not long to wait, when +the same keenness of ear told him that the brute was cautiously +entering. The fire was smoldering lower than ever, the brand at the +entrance had died out long before, and no one could be seen on guard. +The brute must have made up his mind that he had "struck it rich." In +his selfishness he did not summon his friends to the feast, but +resolved to devour the four persons all by himself, and that, too, +after having had his full share of the musk ox and his fallen friends! + +There was just enough light in the cavern for Rob to note everything. +Being at one side of the entrance, he could not be detected by the +sneaking brute, which also was invisible to him. He must come further +forward before they could discern each other. + +The wolf, one of the largest of his species, stood just outside with +his ears pricked, his head raised, and his eyes roaming over the +interior. Everything looked promising, but he had learned to be +suspicious of those bipeds, whose hands were always against them. + +He stood in this attitude for several minutes, as stationary as if +carved in stone. Then he lifted one of his fore-feet, held it +suspended, as though he were pointing game, and then advanced a couple +of steps. This brought him far enough into the cavern for the lad to +see the end of his nose, but the beast still failed to detect that +shadow at one side of the entrance that was calmly awaiting the +critical moment. + +But he saw the dimly outlined forms near the smoldering fire, and +licked his chops in anticipation. Nothing could be more favorable for +the grandest feast of his life. + + [Illustration: THE WOLF LICKED HIS CHOPS IN ANTICIPATION + + (See page 232)] + +At that moment a howl rent the air at no great distance. It must have +startled this prowler, and told him that, if he delayed his meal any +longer, he must share it with an unlimited number. + +He started on a silent walk, straight for the forms, heedless of the +figure that had pointed the rifle at him, while he was yet out of +sight. All was like the tomb until the gun was fired. Then since the +muzzle almost touched the brute, why--enough has been said. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +WALLED IN + + +By daybreak, when all the party were awake, the blizzard foretold by +the native had fully arrived. + +It was a terror, indeed. The cold was frightful, and the air outside +was white with snow, which was driven horizontally by the hurricane, +as though shot from the mouths of myriad pieces of ordnance. It +shrieked about the cavern, and drove the white particles so fiercely +through the narrow crevice that Docak hastened to shove his bear-skin +into it. This only partially filled the opening and the snow spun in +around it clean across the flinty floor. + +The regular entrance was partly protected by its own projection, but, +at times, a blast entered that fairly took away their breath. The fire +was necessary to keep from freezing, but the supply of fuel was +growing low, and the last stick must soon be reached. What then would +be the fate of the party if the blizzard continued? + +It was useless to discuss the future and no one did so; the present +was with them, and the question was how to live from hour to hour. + +On shooting the intruding wolf, Rob had flung his carcass away. The +report awakened the others, and, rising to his feet, Docak passed far +enough outside to bring it in again. He did not speak, but all +understood the meaning of the action; that body might be the means of +saving them from starvation. + +Enough of the previous night's meal remained to afford a nourishing +breakfast, but they partook sparingly, preferring to use that in +preference to the new supply. Happily thirst was a torture that need +never be apprehended. + +Jack Cosgrove braved the blast to that degree that he forced himself +through the opening and stood several minutes outside, shading his +eyes and striving to pierce the blinding turmoil. + +All in vain. The gale almost carried him off his feet, and his vision +could no more penetrate the furious swirl of snow than if it were the +darkest night that ever covered the earth. The cold was so piercing +that he was glad to hasten back among his friends, and shiver and +crouch over the fire. + +"By the great horned spoon, Docak! s'pose we had started for home last +night?" + +"Wish had," was the sententious response. + +"Why, we wouldn't have been half-way there by this time, and we would +have perished all together." + +"We trabel fast--mebbe storm not dere yet." + +This intimation that the blizzard might be less terrific at so slight +a distance was incredible, but the Esquimau was positive that it would +have been far better had they set out early in the evening. By rapid +traveling they might have covered the greater part of the distance +before morning, and could have fought the few remaining miles in the +teeth of the gale. + +But it was equally useless to discuss what might have been. They were +imprisoned in the cavern, thirty miles from succor and with no +possibility that any friends would ever take the trouble to search for +their bodies. All they could do was to rely upon Heaven and their own +exertions. + +Without any explanation as to his intentions, and leaving his gun +behind him, the native plunged through the opening and disappeared in +the blizzard outside. + +Born and reared in Greenland, amid Arctic snows and appalling +tempests, the hardy Esquimau was far better fitted to undergo such +trials of endurance than could be any native of a temperate clime. + +"Where do you suppose he has gone?" asked Rob, wonderingly. + +"I don't know," replied Jack; "but if he goes far he'll never come +back again." + +"It doesn't seem to me," said Fred, coming to the question of the +present for the first time, "that the outlook is as bad as he would +make us believe." + +"Why not?" + +"We have enough food to last a week or two, or even longer, and the +blizzard certainly won't keep it up that long." + +"You can't be sartin about that," said Jack; "it may last for several +weeks, but s'pose it's only for three or four days, there are two big +things that we must face." + +"What are they?" + +"What to do after it stops; the snow will be several feet deep on top +of that which is now on the ground; it will be too fine and soft to +bear our weight, and can be traveled over only with snow-shoes which +we haven't got. How then are we going to fight our way thirty miles +through it?" + +"It will be a hard job, but no greater than that which many explorers +have undergone. With Docak as our guide, I think we can pull through." + +"But what is the other matter you refer to?" asked Rob. + +"This wood will soon go, and then how are we going to keep from +freezing to death?" + +"If we will huddle together as closely as we can with the bear-skin +wrapped about us I think we can stand it." + +"I like the way you chaps talk," said the sailor, admiringly, "and if +we have to go down we'll do so with colors flying. It's the +downheartedness of Docak that knocks me askew; if he would show a +braver front I would feel better." + +"Possibly he is more hopeful than he pretends." + +"No, he isn't that sort of chap; he knows better than we just what all +this means. Whew!" + +The exclamation was caused by a sudden outburst that sent the snow +whirling through the opening and the crevice, from which the bear-skin +dropped, as if struck a blow from the other side. Jack ran forward, +picked it up, and thrust it back, hardly able to breathe from the fury +of the gale in his face. + +The snow shot through the opening, too, scattering the brands of fire +in every direction. Had the shelter been anything else excepting the +solid rock that it was, it must have been swept like chaff from its +foundations. + +The explosion, as it may be called, lasted but a minute or so. The +boys hastily gathered up the scattered brands and flinging them +together they were fanned by the tempest into a vigorous flame, whose +warmth, slight as it was, was grateful beyond measure to the three +gathered around it. + +"Docak is wrong in regretting that we did not start last night," said +Jack Cosgrove; "that style of storm is raging at this moment over +hundreds of miles, and it would have made short work of us." + +"What about the 'Nautilus,' if she is in it?" + +"She can manage it if she has plenty of sea room, but I hope she is +far enough off to dodge this blizzard. She ought to be at any rate." + +The gale did the party an unexpected favor. It was a substantial one, +too, which they appreciated. It drove the snow against the troublesome +crevice with such fury that it quickly formed a solid bank, extending +far above it. This ended the drifting of the particles inside and +protected them from the cutting wind. + +At the same time it did something of the same nature with the +entrance, where it soon became banked to that extent that little blew +within, and the gale hardly disturbed them. + +Seeing what had taken place, Jack withdrew the bear-skin from where it +had been stuffed into the opening and spread it in the farthermost +corner of the cavern. + +"Come, my hearties," said he, cheerfully, "we've got nothing to do but +to make ourselves comfortable. We won't burn any more wood till Docak +comes back." + +They huddled together, and, though the cold made their teeth chatter +and their bodies shiver, they found considerable relief and were +willing to hope on. + +They could feel no anxiety about the absent native. It was certain he +would not go far enough from the cavern to endanger his safety or to +imperil his return. Some definite object must have led him forth. + +"I wonder if it is for food," suggested Fred. + +"No; for there's no possibility that the wolves left anything," +replied Rob; "and then, too, we have enough to last a good while." + +At that moment there was a flurry at the entrance and the Esquimau, +resembling a snow man, stooped and pushed his way in. + +Entering, he flung a half-dozen small sticks upon the tiny pile at the +side of the cavern. He had gone forth in quest of fuel and was able to +secure only that miserable supply, really not worth taking into +account. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +"COME ON!" + + +The Esquimau's depression continued. After flinging down the few bits +of wood he looked across the cavern to where the friends were huddled +together, but did not speak. Then he glanced at the crevice, now so +completely blocked with snow that they were protected against any more +drifting in upon them. + +The three respected his silence, and held their peace. He stood a +minute or two, looking gloomily into the fire, which he replenished, +partly from the scant supply he had brought. While it was gaining +strength he drew his knife, deftly cut a number of pieces from the +frozen body of the wolf, and proceeded to cook them over the blaze. +Had he been alone he would have devoured them raw, but he knew the +sentiments of his companions. + +"Well, Docak," said Jack, feeling that the silence ought not to +continue, "it looks as if we are in for a long stay. We shall have +enough to keep us alive a good while, and, when you're ready, you can +come and snuggle down beside us." + +"Not now," he replied, continuing his culinary work, with what seemed +a wasteful disregard of fuel until he was through. + +When nothing more remained worth attention he held up a piece, +considerably scorched, and, looking at the others, asked: + +"Eat now?" + +"No; we'll wait till morning," replied Rob, speaking for the rest. + +"All right." + +But he was not disposed to wait if they were. He made quite a meal, +with as much evident enjoyment as if it had been upon the choicest +part of the musk ox. He took care, however, to leave a good supply +against the "rainy day" that he felt no doubt would come to them all. + +The dismal day wore slowly away, and with a feeling of unutterable +loneliness they saw the second night of their enforced stay in the +cavern close around them. The cold seemed to intensify with the +approach of darkness, and the supply of wood had grown so slight that +the warmth was barely perceptible. + +The blizzard raged with unabated fury. The gale shrieked around the +rocks, the blinding snow whirled and eddied until it seemed that it +must bury them out of sight, and the outlook was woeful enough to +chill the bravest heart. The three in the corner adhered to their +resolution not to eat any of the food prepared before the morrow. They +might need it then to aid their systems in withstanding the terrific +strain, but, as in the case of the bear on the iceberg, it must be the +last resort. + +The Esquimau declined their invitation to join them in the corner. He +was thickly clad, and was so accustomed to the rigors of the Arctic +winter that he needed no such help. He seated himself near by, and +talked a little, until, at a late hour, troubled sleep settled over +all. + +A gleam of hope came with the break of day. Docak was the first to +awake, and, without disturbing the others, he forced his way through +the entrance and took a survey of the weather and his surroundings. + +The blizzard was over. The fall of snow had ceased, little wind was +stirring, but the cold was terrible. Toughened as he was, he shrank +when first exposed to it. The party had been walled in so tightly that +the warmth of their bodies was of more help than would be suspected. + +Quick to note the change in the weather the native studied the sky +with its numerous signs in the effort to learn what was likely to come +in the near future. + +Great as was his skill at this it was now taxed to the utmost. The sun +was not visible, and the difficulty became the greater; but he tarried +until he had perfected his theory. + +The discouraging feature which the native saw about the matter was +that the blizzard had ceased for a time only. He believed it would +soon resume its fury, fully as great, if not greater than before, and +it might continue for days and possibly weeks. If, when that time +should come, it found them in the cavern they were doomed beyond the +power of mortal man to save themselves. + +But the prospect was equally hopeless, if the lull lasted only a few +hours, for, when it should break forth again it would overtake them in +the open plain (provided they made the start he had in mind), where no +screen against its resistless power could be secured. + +It should be understood that Docak's solicitude was on account of his +friends. Had he been alone he would not have hesitated to set out for +the coast, and with every reason, too, to believe he could make it, +even, if the battle of the elements were renewed when but a small part +of the way thither. + +But he had three others in charge, and it was hard to decide whether +to urge them to make the attempt now or wait awhile, in the hope that +he could settle with certainty the extent of the cessation of the +blizzard. + +The additional snow was between two and three feet deep, where it had +not been drifted by the gale. With the help of snow-shoes it would +have been an easy matter to skim over it, but there were no snow-shoes +to be had, as has been shown, the new fall was of such fine character +that they would sink its full depth when essaying to walk upon it. + +When he turned about and re-entered the cavern his friends were astir. +Their appetites had assumed that edge that they eagerly attacked some +of the meat prepared the night before. The few embers had been stirred +into a sickly blaze, but not another stick remained. The warmth was +only perceptible when the chilled hands were held almost against it. + +The Esquimau smiled grimly when he saw what they were doing, but with +the reticence that had marked his course since refuge was taken in the +cavern, he held his peace. Jack greeted him pleasantly, and he nodded +in return, and then again passed outside. + +The sailor and lads had peeped after him, and discovered that the fall +of snow was over, and the wind was not blowing. This gave them +considerable hope, inasmuch as they were unable to read its full +meaning like the native. + +"It's easy enough to see what he has on his mind," remarked Jack. + +"What is it?" queried Rob. + +"He is considering whether we shall make a start now for the coast or +wait awhile longer." + +"What's the use of waiting," asked Rob, "when it can't be any better +and may grow worse? The snow that has fallen will stay where it is for +months, so we can gain nothing there. I'm in favor of starting for +home while it is yet morning." + +"That's the way it strikes me, but he'll make up his mind, and +whatever he says we'll do. He isn't in the mood to take any advice +from us; I never seed him so glum before." + +"We're quite well protected," added Fred, who was eager to be off if +that should be the decision; "we have the thickest kind of clothing, +heavy shoes, and warm undergarments. Then we mustn't forget that when +we start through the snow the labor will help to warm us. Fact is, I +don't understand why Docak hesitates." + +The Esquimau used less time than they supposed in reaching his +conclusion. But, with a view of giving him a hint of their wishes, +Jack and the boys prepared themselves as if it had been settled that +they should venture at once upon the perilous attempt. They carefully +adjusted their clothing, tying the lower parts of their trousers about +their ankles, so as to keep out the snow, buttoned their heavy coats +to their chins, pulled up the collars more carefully, and fixed their +caps in place, though all this had been done to a certain extent +before. + +When nothing remained they ranged themselves in a row beside the +entrance and awaited the appearance of their guide. + +He came in the course of a few minutes. He started slightly when he +read the meaning of it all. + +"We're ready," said Jack, with a smile. + +"All right--we go--foller me--come on!" and he led the way out, and +they turned their backs on the cavern forever. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +A HOPELESS TASK + + +A fearful task confronted the little party. Thirty miles of snow, +several feet deep, lay between them and their only haven of refuge, +and they were without sled or snow-shoe. If they succeeded in their +prodigious task, it must be done by sheer strength and the power of +continued desperation. + +But, with compressed lips and the resolution to do or die, they bent +to the work without faltering. + +The Esquimau naturally took the lead to break the way so far as he +could; Jack Cosgrove came next, then Rob Carrol, while Fred Warburton +brought up the rear. + +The first move that the native made proved he was a veteran. He +plunged in, following the decline down to the plateau, which was the +scene of their adventures two days before. He walked like one who had +only an ordinary tramp before him. In truth, he could have gone faster +and done better, but he accommodated himself to his friends, to whom +the labor was new and trying to a degree. + +None spoke for a long time. It requires strength to do even so slight +a thing as that, and no one had an ounce to spare. The question that +was uppermost in the minds of the three was whether they would be able +to hold out to the end. + +"I don't see why we can't," reflected Fred, who, being at the rear, +had an easier task than any of the others; "it would be well enough if +we had snow-shoes, but neither Jack nor Rob nor I can use them, and we +would flounder around a good deal worse than we are doing now and +likely enough wouldn't get ahead at all." + +The meditations of Rob Carrol were of a similar strain. + +"I've seen better fun than this, but it beats staying in the cavern +and freezing to death on wolf steak. I believe I'm strong enough to +see the business through; I hope Fred won't give out, for he isn't as +strong as Jack and I. I believe Docak enjoys it. Gracious! if I ever +live to get out of this outlandish country, I'll never set foot in it +again. I haven't lost any North Pole, and those that think they have +can do their own hunting for it." + +The sun still remained obscured, and the wonder of the three was how +their guide kept his bearings, after debouching from the highlands and +entering upon the broad, undulating plain which stretched away to +Davis Strait and Baffin's Bay. There was no misgiving, however, in +that respect. Docak could not go astray, or, at least, if there was +any likelihood of his doing so, not one of his friends was able to +help him. + +As the boys had anticipated, the labor of walking in this difficult +fashion soon generated a warmth in their bodies that was a vast +comfort, after sitting benumbed and shivering so long in the cavern. +Despite the extreme cold they felt no discomfort, for the air was +quite dry, and less trying, therefore, than a damp atmosphere would +have been, even though twenty-five degrees higher. + +But it is in such an Arctic climate that one can have his limbs or a +portion of his body hopelessly frozen without suspecting it. All were +so effectually protected that only a small portion of their faces, +their eyes, and tips of their noses were exposed. + +The bear-skin, which has been referred to as belonging to Docak, was +carried by him after his usual manner. He would have offered it to his +friends in turn, had he not known that it would soon have become a +burden which he could carry better than they. + +Jack, who trod close on the heels of the Esquimau, was admiring the +sturdy manner in which he plowed through the snow, his labor being +much greater than any one of those who followed him, when the native +turned his head and scanned his face with curious intensity. Pausing +for the moment in his labor, he leaned to one side, and did the same +to the others. His act was all the more singular since he did not +speak. The lads smiled under their head-coverings, but their faces +were so wrapped up that the relaxation of the features could not be +perceived. + +"I wonder why he did that," thought all three. + +"The chap has been acting curious ever since this trouble began," +continued the sailor, "and I wouldn't be s'prised if he's just a +little off." + +"Can it be," asked Rob, following up a whimsical idea, "that he fears +we aren't ourselves? He has started out to take us to the seacoast, +and doesn't mean that anybody else shall rope himself in on him. I +guess he's satisfied, though we're so covered up that our nearest +friends wouldn't know us." + +For fully an hour the party toiled on, and all, with the exception of +the leader, began to feel the effects of the severe exertion. Still, +no one protested or asked for rest; each determined to keep it up, if +possible, until the leader chose to halt. + +But Docak did not forget them. At the end of the time named he turned +about, and, with something of his old pleasantry, said: + +"Much tired--wait while--den go on." + +Each of the boys longed to ask him what he thought of the prospect of +getting through, but forebore, recalling his moodiness, which might be +still upon him despite his present manner. + +"I think we're doing quite well, Docak," said Jack; "it's a little +hard, but we can take a breathing spell now and then, and keep at it +till we strike your home." + +Had the Esquimau made any response to this half-inquiring remark the +sailor would have followed it up, but he did not. On the contrary, he +was busy studying the sky and the surrounding landscape, doubtless +with a view of determining what weather changes impended. + +The others did the same, but though Jack had learned a good deal of +the science at sea he was now at a loss. The dull, leaden sky, so +obscured that it was impossible to tell in what part of the heavens +the sun was, told him nothing beyond the fact that more snow was +likely to fall before many hours. + +As the best thing that could be done, the friends studied the actions +of the Esquimau. + +The result of his survey was not satisfactory--that was clear. He +shook his head and muttered something in his own language, which had +anything but a pleasant effect on the others. + +The scene was one of utter loneliness and desolation. North, east, +south, and west stretched the snowy plain, unrelieved by tree, house, +or sign of a living creature. Far up in the sky sounded the honk of +some wild fowl, and, looking aloft, a line of black specks could be +seen, sailing swiftly southward through space, as if to escape the +Arctic cold that would soon smother everything in its icy embrace. + +The rest was barely ten minutes, when Docak, looking at his +companions, asked: + +"Be rested? We go on?" + +"Yes; we're ready," replied Jack. + +"All right--work hard now--don't get tired." + +"I won't, if I can help it; but the only way I know of is to stand +still, which don't pay in this kind of business." + +The Esquimau bent to his work, as if striving for a wager. He had a +way not only of stepping down in the soft snow, but of shoving it +partly aside from his path. It would have been the severest kind of +labor for anyone else, and it is hard to understand how he managed it +so well. It was a great help to the one immediately behind him. Jack +would have been glad to lighten the task for the boys, but that was +out of his power, and he wasted no strength in the attempt. + +The party was becoming accustomed to the work. That the guide was +aware of this was proven when he kept at it fully twice as long as +before. They were going slowly--very slowly--but there was comfort in +the consciousness that every step taken was toward safety, and the +task before them was lessened, even to that small extent. + +At the moment the boys were beginning to think it about time another +halt was called, Docak stopped in his former abrupt way, and, leaning +to one side, peered into each face in turn. + +Something in Fred's appearance caught his attention, and, with an +exclamation, he sprang out of the path, and hurried back to where the +lad stood, wondering what was the matter with the fellow. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +TEN MILES + + +Docak, when flurried, generally forgot his broken English, and spoke +in his own tongue. Before Fred could divine his intention he had +slipped off one of his mittens, grasped a handful of snow, and +throwing one arm about the boy's neck, began rubbing his nose as +though he meant to rub it out of existence. + +The watchful native was on the watch for the first sign of freezing in +the case of his companions, and, discovering that the youngest member +was becoming a victim without himself or friends suspecting it, he +resorted to heroic measures, with no unnecessary delay. + +Fred understood what it all meant, and, like the sensible boy he was, +submitted with good grace, though the vigorous handling to which that +organ was subjected made it hard for him to keep from protesting. Not +only that, but, when the Esquimau, pausing to inspect his work, said: + +"All right," Fred thanked him. + +Jack and Rob, who looked grinningly on, while the performance lasted, +now asked Docak whether they were in need of a similar manipulation. +He took another look at the faces, and gave Rob's a slight rubbing, +but said nothing more was needed. + +It was a piece of thoughtfulness on the part of the native, for which +he deserved to receive gratitude. But for him Fred Warburton, and +probably the others, would have suffered injuries from which they +never could have recovered. + +Having rested but a brief while, Docak moved on, and the dismal +procession wound its way slowly through the snow, which clogged their +feet and obstructed their path to that extent that more than once the +hardy guide had to come to a full halt that he might decide in what +way to flank the obstacle. + +The blizzard had played fantastic tricks with the snow. In many places +it was drifted to a depth of six or eight feet, through which, as may +be supposed, it was the severest labor to force a path. In others, +again, it had swept the crust entirely clear of the new layer, so that +they walked as easily as when making their way from the coast. +Unfortunately, these bare places, as they may be called, were not only +few and far apart, but of such slight extent that their aid counted +for little. + +There is nothing more cheering than the certainty that we are +approaching our goal, even though the rate of progress is more tardy +than we wish. As the afternoon drew to a close Fred was positive they +had made fully twenty miles. Rob believed it was more, but, to be on +the safe side, fell in with his friend's figures. When Jack was +appealed to he declined to hazard a guess, saying he preferred to wait +till the halt for the night, when he would leave it to Docak. + +"He'll tell you within a quarter of a mile," added the sailor, "and he +won't make a mistake. I can let you know one thing, howsumever, my +hearties, and that is that you'll find it a good deal less than you +think." + +"I don't know about that," said Rob; "Fred and I have calculated the +matter pretty closely." + +"You may think so, but you haven't. We have worked hard enough to +tramp a hundred miles, but we haven't been able to use it in the best +way." + +Another fact, which might mean a good deal or little, was that a +marked moderation in the temperature took place in the course of the +afternoon. What this portended was left to the Esquimau to determine. +Toiling through the snow was not favorable to conversation, and it was +dropped. + +With only short halts the party pushed onward, until night began +settling over the dreary landscape. They would have kept on had not +the darkness been impenetrable. The sun had not shown itself during +the day, and the obscurity was so dense that not a solitary star +twinkled overhead. + +"Besides," as the boys concluded, "the rest of the distance is so +brief that we can afford to leave it until morning, by which time we +will be fully rested. Inasmuch as it is necessary to pass a night on +the road, one spot is as good as another." + +Camping at such times is simple. They were in the middle of a snowy +waste, without tree or rock to shelter. Starting a fire, of course, +was out of the question. A slight wind was blowing, and though less +rigorous than that of the preceding night, it was necessary to protect +themselves from its force while they were idle. + +For a few minutes Docak acted like a man seized with convulsions or +the St. Vitus' dance. He leaped about, kicked, and swung his arms, the +snow flying in a storm from him, until, at the end of a few minutes, +he had scooped out a bowl-like space, large enough to hold the party. +In doing this he cleared the way down to the lower crust only, which +was strong enough to bear their weight. To have dug to the ground +would have been too laborious, and no special advantage was to be +gained by doing so. + +This completed, he carefully spread his bear-skin on the hard surface, +and the four seated themselves back to back. They had camped for the +night. + +The discomforts of this primitive method were less than would be +supposed. There is warmth in snow, as you are well aware, cold being a +negative existence, and, so long as they were below the surface, they +could not be reached by the wind that swept across the dismal waste. +Then, too, the change in the temperature was in the right direction as +affecting their comfort, so there was little fear of suffering before +morning. + +When they were adjusted for the night, Rob asked the question of Docak +which had been in his mind for hours: + +"How far have we got toward home?" + +Fred was confident the answer would be twenty miles; while Rob was +quite hopeful it would be more. Judge, therefore, their consternation +when the reply struck their ears: + +"Purty near ten mile--not quite--purty near." + +The hopes of the boys sank to zero. Jack, knowing they had placed +their estimate too high, still believed it greater than was the fact. + +Ten miles! Barely a third of the distance between the cavern and the +first place that could offer refuge. + +They had used a day in advancing thus far. At that rate two more days, +and possibly nights, remained ere the terrible task would be ended. +They had eaten the last mouthful before starting, leaving behind some +food which they might have brought, but which was not deemed +necessary. + +It was not the prospect of hunger that appalled them. In such a severe +climate they could go a couple of days without food, and not suffer +greatly, though the draught upon their strength would be trying to the +last degree. + +The great question was whether the task they had essayed was a +possible one. Recalling the terrific exertions of the day, their +exhaustion, and the repeated rests that were necessary, they might +well doubt their ability, though it need not be said there was no +thought of giving up so long as life and strength held out. + +"Ten miles," repeated Fred Warburton; "are the Esquimau miles the same +as our English, or aren't they double their length?" + +"I don't know about that," said Rob; "they must get their ideas from +the Danes, who have a system of measurement different from ours, but +it don't matter in this instance." + +"Why not?" + +"When we set out, and after reaching the hills, Docak told us we were +thirty miles from home; he tells us now that we are ten miles less." + +"Not quite ten mile--purty near," interrupted the native. + +"Well, calling it ten miles, we have come about one-third of the way +to the coast. No matter what system of measurement is followed we +can't figure out that we have gone further than that." + +"And not quite that far," suggested Jack, who was not less +disappointed than they, but was quicker to rally. + +"It isn't the thing calculated to make a chap feel good to learn a +thing like that," he added; "but all we've got to do is to buckle down +to it and we'll get there one of these days, with fair sailing and no +more squalls." + +"It is those squalls or blizzards, Jack, that are the real danger +before us." + +It was Rob who made this remark, and his friends knew he spoke the +truth. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +THE LAST PAUSE + + +The night slowly settled over the snow waste, and the little party, +feeling no discomfort because of the cold, gradually sank into +unconsciousness. + +Just before slumber weighed down their eye-lids the dismal howl of a +wolf echoed faintly across the plain. All heard it, and Jack and the +boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the +hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his +heels. Jack asked the Esquimau whether they ought not to prepare for a +fight, but he replied that there were no preparations to make. Each +had his loaded gun and a good supply of ammunition; they could fight +as well there as in any other place. + +Docak showed no trepidation of voice and manner, and his coolness had +a good effect upon the others. They were sure that, if there was any +cause for alarm, he would feel it. + +This confidence proved well placed; for that single cry was all that +reached their ears. They slept, and were not molested. + +But sometime during the night the fine snow began sifting downward, +falling so gently that even the Esquimau was not disturbed. Through +the long gloomy hours it silently descended, until when the daylight +stole over the desolate plain, fully six inches had been added to the +mass that covered the earth long before. + +Sitting nearly upright and back to back, the pressure upon the +sleepers was so slight and gradual that no discomfort resulted. All +were so worn out that their slumber was profound, doubtless lasting as +long as it would have done had no such snowfall taken place. + +It was Jack Cosgrove who first opened his eyes, and his amazement may +be imagined when he saw their laps buried out of sight, only the +outlines of their limbs showing, while head and shoulders were +weighted down with the feathery mass. + +"By the great horned spoon!" he called, shaking himself free and +rising to his feet, with such a flurry that the others were aroused; +"wake up, for we're all snowed under, and, if we wait a few minutes +longer, we'll be buried clean out of sight." + +"What's the matter?" called Rob, being the next to climb to his feet; +"has the snow tumbled in on us?" + +"Yes; and more of it is tumbling every minute." + +Docak was astonished that he had not been the first to awake, for his +mind was burdened with anxiety for the rest. He forgot that, inasmuch +as his labors had been far greater than theirs, his weariness of body +was in more need of rest. + +"What time be it?" he asked of the boys, who carried watches. + +The answer showed that day had dawned more than two hours before. He +sighed at the knowledge of the precious time wasted. Harder work than +ever was before them, and when night came again they might count +themselves fortunate if one-half the remaining distance was +accomplished. + +Rising to their feet, with their heads above the surface, they found +the snow falling so fast that they could not see fifty feet in any +direction. + +"How can Docak keep his bearings?" asked Rob, in a low voice, of the +others, when the native, walking a few feet, paused and looked +earnestly about him. + +"It doesn't seem to me that it is any harder for him to do so than it +was yesterday when there was no snow falling." + +"There is a big difference. We couldn't have done any better in the +one case than the other, but he could see the sky. He knew where the +sun was, though we did not; and there must have been something in the +looks of the landscape to help, but there is none of that now." + +"I can give you the right answer to Fred's question," said Jack, in +the same guarded undertone. + +"What is it?" + +"When you ask whether Docak can keep the p'ints of the compass in his +mind, and make sure that he is heading straight for home, the real +answer is--he can't." + +There could be no denying that the sailor spoke the truth. The native, +like the Indians further south, may have possessed a subtle skill in +the respect named beyond the comprehension of his more civilized +neighbors, but, in all cases, there is a limit to such ability. Where +there is nothing to afford guide or clue no living man can walk in a +straight line--hour after hour, or hold his way undeviatingly toward a +fixed point of the compass. + +But, admitting this unquestioned truth, nothing was more self-evident +than that it was sure death to stay where they were; the one and only +thing left to them was to push on while the opportunity was theirs. + +The Esquimau was a man of deeds rather than words. He showed no +disposition to discuss the situation, and, beyond a few insignificant +words, said nothing to his companions, who were as eager to be on the +move as he. He stood a minute or two in study, and then, uttering the +words: + +"Come on--work hard--neber stop," began pushing through the snow with +the vigor shown the day before. + +The others followed in the order named, and with a resolution as +strong as his to keep it up to the last verge of endurance. + +It was necessary. In no other way could they escape the frightful doom +that impended. Another condition was equally necessary; their efforts +must be rightly directed. The guide must lead them toward the +sea-coast. Had he the power to do so? The test was now going on, and +the question would soon be settled. + +They were terrible words spoken by Jack, but the time had passed when +he felt it necessary to mince matters. He had done so at the +beginning, but his companions were not children unable to bear the +truth, however unpleasant it might be. + +But, despite the good reason in what he said, neither Rob nor Fred +quite credited its full meaning. While they could not explain how any +person could guide himself unerringly, when there was no visible help +for the eye, they believed that somehow or other he would "get there +just the same." + +They proved their own earnestness when Docak, after a long struggle +through the clogging snow, stopped, turned about, and said: + +"You be tired--then rest awhile." + +"No," responded Fred, "I want no rest." + +"Push on, then," added Rob, "unless you are tired yourself, Docak." + +The idea that the native needed rest caused him a half-smile, as he +faced forward and resumed his weary plowing through the snowy mass. + +There was no call now to watch the countenances of the youths to +protect them against freezing. The weather was so moderate that they +would have felt more comfortable with their outer covering removed. If +the blizzard had come back, it was in such a mild form that it could +lay no claim to the name. It was simply snowing hard, and there was +only a breath of air at intervals. Had there been anything approaching +the hurricane of two days before, they could not have fought their way +for a single rod. + +When the guide, after another long interval, proposed a brief rest, it +was acquiesced in by all. They had kept at it longer than before, and +the pause must have been grateful to Docak himself. + +"We are not going fast," remarked Rob, "but I am sure we have covered +a good deal of ground since starting, and when we go into camp +to-night there ought not to be many miles between us and the sea." + +"Remember the mistake we made in our calculations," said Fred, +warningly, "and don't count too much." + +"How far have we come?" asked Jack, putting the question directly to +the Esquimau. + +"Dunno," he answered, turning about and resuming his labor. + +"That's the last time I will ask him anything," growled the sailor, +displeased at the curt treatment. + +A sad story awaits our pen. The poor hunters toiled on, on, on, slower +and still more slowly, with the snow falling thicker and still more +thickly, and the uncertainty growing more intensified as the day wore +away. With short intervals of rest they kept at it with heroic +courage, until at last the shades of night began closing once more +around them. Then, all of a sudden, the Esquimau uttered a despairing +cry and threw himself down in the snow. + + [Illustration: THE ESQUIMAU UTTERED A DESPAIRING CRY AND THREW + HIMSELF IN THE SNOW + + (See page 277)] + +He had made a terrifying discovery. They had come back to the very +spot where they spent the previous night. All day long they had +journeyed in an irregular circle, as lost persons almost invariably +do, and the dreadful labor was utterly thrown away. + +The Esquimau had essayed a task beyond his power, and he now threw up +his hands and would struggle no more. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +ANOTHER SOUND + + +The little party were overwhelmed with dismay. The very man on whom +they had relied from the beginning, the one who had conducted them +thus far, and the one who, under heaven, could alone guide them to +safety, had thrown up his hands and yielded the struggle. He lay on +the snow limp, helpless, and despairing. + +The new fall of snow had almost obliterated their trail, but enough +remained to identify it beyond mistake. The cavity which Docak had +scooped out, and in which they slept, was recognized on the first +glance. The whole day, from the moment of starting, had been wasted, +in laboring to their utmost strength, in getting back to the very +point from which they set out, and which itself was twenty miles from +the sea-coast. + +The tendency that every one shows to travel in a circle, when lost, +has been explained in various ways. It is probably due to the fact +that one side of every person is more developed than the other. A +right-handed individual gradually veers to the left, a left-handed one +to the right, while a really ambidextrous one ought to keep straight +ahead. + +Jack and the boys remained silent for a moment. They looked down on +the prostrate figure, and finally Fred asked: + +"What's the matter, Docak?" + +"Gib up--no use--we die--neber see home 'gin." + +The words were uttered with all the dejection that it is possible to +conceive, and the native did not move. He acted as if the power to do +so had gone from him. + +Suddenly, to the astonishment of the others, Jack Cosgrove gave him a +thumping kick. + +"Get up!" he commanded; "if you're such a lubber as all this, I'll +take you by the neck and boot you all the way across Greenland." + +And as a guarantee of his good faith he yanked Docak to his feet, and +made ready for a still harder kick, when the fellow moved nimbly out +of the way. + +"If you are too big a calf to go on, I'll take the lead, and when I +flop it'll be after all the rest of you've gone down." + +The breezy style in which the sailor took hold of matters produced an +inspiriting effect on the others. Despite the grim solemnity of the +moments, both Rob and Fred laughed, as much at the quickness with +which Docak responded as anything else. + +"Since we are here at the same old spot," said Rob, "and it is growing +dark, we might as well go into camp." + +"That's the fact, as we won't have to scoop out a new place to sleep +in. I suppose, Docak, you're able to sleep, aint you?" + +The native made no answer, and the party silently placed themselves in +position for another night's rest, Docak not refusing to huddle in +among them. But there was little talking done. No one could say +anything to comfort the others, and each was busy with his own +thoughts. + +It need not be said that, despite the fearful gloom and these +forebodings, they were ravenously hungry. Their bodies were in need of +sustenance, and the probability that they could not get it for an +indefinite time to come was enough to deepen the despair that was +stealing into every heart. + +It was unto Fred Warburton that something in the nature of a +revelation came in the darkness of that awful night. His senses +remained with him for some time after the others were asleep, as he +knew from their deep, regular breathing. + +The snowfall had almost ceased, and he sat wondering whether, after +all, the end was at hand, and he was asking himself whether, such +seeming of a surety to be the fact, it was worth while to rise from +their present position and try to press on further. If die they must, +why not stay where they were and perish together? + +These thoughts were stirring his mind, with many other solemn +meditations, which crowd upon every person who, in his right senses, +sees himself approaching the Dark River, when it seemed to him that +there was sounding, at intervals, an almost inaudible roar, so faint +and dull that for awhile he paid no heed to it, deeming it some +insignificant aural disturbance, such as causes a buzzing or ringing +at times in the head. + +But it obtruded so continually that he began to suspect it was a +reality and from some point outside of himself. + +It was a low, almost inaudible murmur, sometimes so faint that he +could not hear it, and again swelling out just enough to make it +certain it had an actuality. + +Suddenly the heart of the lad almost stood still. + +"It's the ocean!" he whispered; "the air has become so still that I +can hear it. The plain is open, there has been a big storm, and the +distance is not too great for it to reach us. But, no, it is from the +wrong direction; it can't be the sea." + +The next moment he laughed at himself. Having fixed in his mind the +course to the home of Docak, and, hearing the roar from another point +of the compass, it did not at once occur to him that he himself might +be mistaken. + +"If Docak, with all his experience could not keep himself from going +astray, what wonder that I should drift from my moorings? Yes, that is +the sound of the distant ocean or that part known as Davis' Strait and +Baffin's Bay. We can now tell which course to take to get out of this +accursed country." + +He wished to awake his friends, and in view of their hungry condition, +urge that they should set out at once; but they were so wearied that +the rest would be grateful, and it was needed. And so, while not +exactly clear as to what should be done, he fell asleep and did not +open his eyes until morning. + +Docak was the first to rouse himself. He found that the snow was +falling again, with the prospect worse than ever. + +Fred sprang to his feet and quickly told what he had discovered the +evening before. + +"It was the ocean," he added, with a shake of his head: "I have heard +it too often to make a mistake--listen!" + +All were silent, but the strained ear could catch no sound like the +hollow roar which reached the youth a few hours before. + +"I don't care; I was not mistaken," he insisted. + +"Why don't we hear it now?" asked Rob, anxious to believe what he +said, but unable fully to do so. + +"There was no snow falling at the time; the air was clearer then, and +what little wind there was must have been in the right direction." + +"Where did sound come from?" asked the Esquimau, looking earnestly at +Fred and showing deep interest in his words. + +"From off yonder," replied the lad, pointing in the proper direction. + +"He right--dat so--he hear sea," said Docak, who, to prove the truth +of his words, pointed down at the dimly marked trail. It led in the +precise course indicated by Fred. In other words, when the Esquimau +resumed the journey on the preceding morning, at which time his +bearings were correct, he went of a verity directly toward his own +home, which was the route now pointed by Fred Warburton. + +The others saw the point, and admitted that the declaration of the lad +had been proven to be correct beyond question. + +And yet, while all this was interesting in its way, and for the time +encouraged the others, of what possible import was it? The conditions +were precisely the same as twenty-four hours before, except they were +less favorable, for the comrades in distress were hungrier and weaker. + +But they could not hear the ocean, the snow was falling, and there was +no way of guiding themselves. + +They could only struggle on as before, hoping that possibly before +wandering too far astray they might be able to catch the roar that +would be an infallible guide to them in their despairing groping for +home. + +The three looked at Docak, expecting him to take the lead, as he had +done from the start. It may be said that Jack Cosgrove had kicked the +Esquimau into his proper place and he was prepared to stay there as +long as he could. + +But the native, instead of moving off, stood with his head bent and +his ears bared in the attitude of intense attention. + +They judged that he was striving to catch a sound of the ocean. But he +was not. + +Truth to tell, Docak had detected another sound of a totally different +character, but far more important than the hollow roar of the far-away +Arctic Sea. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +THE WILD MEN OF GREENLAND + + +A sharp bark broke the stillness, a peculiar cry followed, and then, +out from the swirl and flurry of the eddying snow, came a string of +Esquimau dogs. There were six couples fastened to a rude sleigh, and +at the side of the frisky animals skurried one of the wild men of +Greenland on snow-shoes, and with a whip in hand having a short stock +and a very long lash. + +Directly behind him followed two similar teams, and then a fourth +emerged with seven spans of dogs. There was a driver to each, and the +sleighs were loaded with pelts intended for the nearest settlement. +Not one of the Esquimaux was riding, though it was their custom to do +so for a goodly portion of the way. + +This singular collection of men and animals were approaching in a line +that would have carried them right over the amazed party that were +about to start on their hopeless attempt to reach the sea coast, had +they not veered to one side. + +When the foremost driver discerned the four figures through the snow +he emitted a sharp cry, not dissimilar to that of his own dogs, and +the obedient animals halted. The others did the same, and in a few +minutes the four teams, with their drivers, were ranged about the +others. + +These individuals were genuine Esquimaux, the real wild men of +Greenland. Their homes were far in the interior, and only at rare +intervals did they venture forth with their dogs and sleighs to the +coast settlements, where they were welcome, for they never failed to +bring a good supply of peltries with them, for which they found ready +barter among the agents of the Danish government. + +There was no mixed blood among these Esquimaux. They were +copper-colored, short, of stocky build, and with more muscular +development in the lower limbs than is seen among the coast natives. +The latter, giving most of their time to fishing and the use of the +paddle, have powerful arms and shoulders, but as a rule are weak in +the legs. + +They were warmly clad in furs, their heads being covered with hoods +similar to that worn by Docak, but there was nothing in the nature of +the dress ornamentation which he displayed. + +None of the party could speak English, but that made no difference, +since Docak understood their curious gibberish. An animated +conversation began at once between him and the four, who gathered +about him while Jack and the boys stood silently listening and looking +upon the singular scene. + +What the guide said was in the nature of "business." They had talked +but a short while when one of the wild men went to his sleigh and +brought forth a big piece of cooked reindeer meat, evidently a part of +their own liberal supply of provisions, and offered it to Jack. The +latter accepted with thanks, shown more plainly by manner than his +words. + +And didn't those three fellows have a feast, with Docak himself as a +participant? You need to be told no more on that point. + +The guide, after the brisk interview, explained the meaning of the +conversation to his friends. + +The Esquimaux were on their way to Ivigtut, some forty miles in a +southwest direction. They had come a long way from the interior, +having been three days on the road, and it was their intention to push +matters so vigorously that they would reach the famous mining town +that night. + +But, best of all, they agreed to carry the three whites as passengers. +They could be stowed in the sleighs among the peltries, as the drivers +were accustomed to do at times, though they were capable of keeping +pace with the dogs hour after hour without fatigue. They would do so +now on their snow-shoes, and the three could ride all the way to +Ivigtut. + +It meant the rescue and salvation of the party, who were in the +uttermost depths of despair but a few minutes before, and tears of +thankfulness came to the eyes of all three. + +"We haven't much money with us," said Rob, addressing Docak, "but we +will pay them as well as we can when we reach Ivigtut." + +"Don't want much," replied the grinning guide, "jes' little +money--two, t'ree bits." + +"We'll give 'em all we've got," added Jack; "but what about you, +Docak?" + +"Me go home," was the answer, accompanied by one of his pleasing +grins. + +"Can you find the way?" + +"Me all right now--hark! hear de water?" + +He spoke the truth, it being a singular fact that the atmospheric +conditions had changed to that degree that the dull, hollow moaning +for which they had listened so long in vain was now audible to all. It +was like a beacon light, which suddenly flames out on the top of a +high hill, for the guidance of the belated traveler. There could be no +going astray, with that sound always in his ears, and strengthened by +his meal of venison, the hardy native would press on until he ducked +his head and passed through the entry of his home. + +It might well be questioned how the wild men could maintain their +bearings, but they had come unerringly across the snowy wastes from +their distant homes, and the boom of the ocean was as sure an aid to +them as it was to Docak. No fear but that they would go as straight as +an arrow to Ivigtut. + +There was no call for delay or ceremony. A long journey was before +them, and it being the season when the days were not unusually long, +they must be improved to the utmost. The wild men beckoned to the +three to approach the sleighs, where, with a little dexterous +manipulation of the bundles, they made room for each. + +Jack found himself seated at the rear of one of the odd vehicles, +which consisted mainly of runners, but had a framework at the back +that gave grateful rest to the body. The peltries were fastened in +front and around him, some being used to cover his limbs, and a part +of his body, so that he could hardly have been more comfortable. The +runners were made very broad to prevent them sinking in the snow. But +for that, it would have been hard work for the nimble dogs to drag +them and their loads with any kind of speed. The situation of the boys +was similar to the sailor's. + +The arrangement left one of the sleighs without an occupant. This was +well, since the wild men could take turns in riding, when they felt +the need, and the whites need not walk a step of the way to Ivigtut. + +While the confab was going on, the dogs were having their own fun. +Quick to obey the order to halt they squatted on their haunches facing +in all directions, and for a time were quite motionless and well +behaved, but it was not long before their natural mischievousness +asserted itself, and they began frolicking with each other. They were +snapping, barking, snarling, and then half of them were rolling over +in the snow, fighting with good nature, the evil of which was that it +tangled the simple harness into the worst sort of knots, which +undoubtedly was just what the canines wanted to do. + +The head driver spoke angrily to them, cracked his long whip, and, +bringing the knot down on their bodies, or about their ears, added +their yelps of pain to the general turmoil, while the confusion was +greater than before. + +He was used to the dogs, knowing every one of the half-hundred, and +was quick to detect which was the ringleader. This canine belonged to +the rear team, and not only started the rumpus, but kept it going with +the utmost enthusiasm. He knew the driver would be after him, and he +dodged and whisked among the others so dexterously that the well-aimed +lash cracked against the side of some innocent spectator more than it +touched him. + +But the driver was not to be baffled in that fashion. Dropping the +whip, he plunged after the criminal, and, seizing him with both hands, +gave him several vigorous bites on the nose, which made him howl with +pain. When released he was the meekest member of the party, all of +whom sat quiet, while the angry Esquimau devoted himself to unraveling +matters. + +Rob Carrol had not forgotten the admiration which Docak showed more +than once for his rifle. When the native came over to the sleigh to +shake his hand, as he was bidding all good-bye, the boy said: + +"Docak, I meant that you should have this on our return from the hunt. +I sha'n't need it any more; accept it as a reminder of this little +experience we had together." + +The Esquimau was so taken aback that for a moment he could not speak. +Before he recovered himself, Jack and Fred added their requests that +he would not refuse the present. His gratitude was deep, and found +expression only in a few broken words as he turned away. + +It had been on the point of the sailor's tongue several times to +apologize for the kick of the evening before, but he felt that the +result of it all was a sufficient apology of itself. Besides, there +are some matters in life which it is best to pass over in silence. + +The wild men showed little sentiment in their nature. Seeing that all +was ready, they cracked their whips, called out to their dogs, and off +they went. + +Jack and the boys turned their heads to take a last look at Docak, who +had served them so faithfully and well. As they did so, they observed +him plowing through the snow again to the westward, his form quickly +disappearing among the myriad snowflakes. They never saw him again. + +The first thought that came to each of the passengers, after the start +was fairly made, was that the forty miles' journey could not be +accomplished before nightfall. The sleighs were so heavily loaded with +pelts and themselves that they formed quite a task for the dogs, which +of necessity sank deep in the snow. But they tugged and kept at it +with a spirit worthy of all admiration. + +But one of the remarkable features of the blizzard and snow storm that +had come so near destroying our friends quickly made itself apparent, +and raised their hopes to the highest point. + +The fall of snow decreased until at the end of half an hour not an +eddying flake was in the air. The sun, after struggling awhile, +managed to show itself, and the glare of the excessively white surface +fairly blinded the passengers for a time. They noticed, however, that +the depth of the last fall continued to grow less, until to their +unbounded amazement and relief it disappeared altogether. They struck +the hard surface, which was like a smooth floor, and capable of +bearing ten times the weight of the sleighs without yielding. + +This proved that the blizzard was of less extent than supposed. The +wild men more than likely were beyond its reach, while Docak and his +companions were caught in its very centre. Its fury extended southward +but a short way, and the party had now crossed the line. The country +before them was like that over which Jack and the boys set out to +prosecute their hunt for game. + +The travelers were like athletes, who, emerging from a struggle with +the angry waters, find themselves on solid land, free to run and leap +to their heart's content. They had shaken off the incubus, and now +sped forward with renewed speed and ease. The small feet of the dogs +slipped occasionally, but they readily secured enough grip, and the +sleighs, hardly scratching the frozen surface, required but a +fractional part of their strength. Several uttered their odd barks of +pleasure, at finding their labor so suddenly turned into what might be +called a frolic. + +But the wild men were a source of never-ending wonder to the whites. +They sped forward through the soft snow, with no more apparent effort +than the skilled skater puts forth, and when they struck the smooth +surface, they became more like skaters than snow-shoe travelers. They +cracked their whips about the ears of the dogs, called sharply, and +made them yelp from the stinging bites of the whips handled with a +dexterity that would have flicked off a fly from the front dog's ears, +had there been one there. + +(If we were not opposed to all forms of slang, we would be tempted to +say just here that there are no flies on the Esquimaux canines.) + +The brutes were quick to respond, and galloped swiftly with their +drivers skimming by their side, holding them to the task by their +continued orders and cracking of whips. They gave no more attention to +the passengers than if they were not present. + +The latter were delighted, for there was every reason why they should +be. Their limbs still ached from the severe exertion through which +they had gone, and the sensation of being wrapped about with furs and +fixed in a comfortable seat was pleasant of itself. Then to know that +they were speeding toward safety--what more could be asked? + +The sleigh containing Jack Cosgrove was in the advance; Rob came next, +then Fred, while the one loaded only with peltries held its place at +the rear. + +When the smooth surface was reached, they drew quite near each other, +the friends finding themselves almost side by side. + +"This is what I call ginooine pleasure," said the sailor, turning his +head and addressing the boys. + +"Yes, I'm enjoying it," replied Rob. + +"So am I," added Fred; "it makes up for what we suffered." + +"We'll skim along in this style all day as if we was on the sea in a +dead calm; nothing like a capsize--" + +At that very moment, the sailor's sleigh went over. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +CONCLUSION + + +No one can question that many animals have the propensity to fun and +frolic. It may be absent in some, but it certainly is not lacking in +the canine species. + +It didn't take three teams of dogs long to discover that their +passengers belonged to the most verdant specimens of their kind, and +when the brutes struck the smooth surface, where traveling was but a +pastime, they decided to have some sport at their expense. + +At the moment Jack Cosgrove was uttering his words to his young +friends, he failed to notice a small hillock just ahead and at one +side of the course they were following. But the leading dogs saw it, +and, veering off, they made straight for it with increased speed, +heedless of the shouts and cracking of the driver's whip. Before he +could restrain them, the sleigh collided with the obstruction, +overturned in a twinkling and Jack found, as he after described it, +that his nose was plowing through the snow with the whole plaguey load +on top of him. + +He was dragged a hundred feet before extricating himself, and before +the driver could check the animals, who looked so meek and sorrowful +that he visited them with slight punishment. Matters, however, were +soon righted and the journey resumed, amid the laughter of the boys in +which the sailor heartily joined. + +Within the next hour Rob's sleigh went over and he had an almost +similar experience. But he was expecting something of the kind, and +prepared for it, so that he emerged from underneath before being +dragged far. + +Fred got it, too, despite the apparent efforts of the drivers to +restrain the dogs. By the time matters were once more righted and +under way, the suspicion was confirmed among the passengers that the +wild men were in the plot and enjoyed the ludicrous turn of affairs as +much as did the brutes themselves. But Jack and the lads were the last +to complain, and were quite willing that such good allies should have +a little sport at their expense. It was noticeable that after all had +been capsized, nothing of the kind took place again. + +At noon an hour's halt was made. The Esquimaux produced their cooked +venison and all ate. The snow, although it seems to add to one's +thirst, when first used, served excellently in the place of water. + +As well as they could by signs, the passengers offered to walk and +allow the Esquimaux to ride. Where the surface was so favorable this +would have imposed no hard work, but the natives refused, even +declining to ride alternately in the rear sleigh. + +The dogs were tired enough to give no trouble during the noon halt. +They sat around on their haunches and eagerly devoured the bits of raw +meat tossed to them. When one or two showed a disposition to stir up +matters, an angry warning and snap of the whip from one of the drivers +brought him to his senses, and he deferred the amusement to a more +convenient season. + +The Esquimaux chatted volubly among themselves, and, although our +friends could not catch the meaning of anything said, they were sure +they had made good progress toward Ivigtut, which, barring accident, +would be reached by nightfall. + +The journey was pressed with the same vigor through the afternoon, the +men seeming as tireless as the dogs, who trotted along as they might +have done over the bare ground without any load impeding their +movements. + +The sun was still above the horizon when the party reached the crest +of the mountains near the coast, and saw before them, nestling at the +curve of a fiord, a collection of low, weather-beaten houses, +dispersed along the slope of the hills, with a wharf at the water's +edge, on which lay a large number of blocks of the peculiar white ore +known as cryolite. + +"Vee-tut, vee-tut!" exclaimed one of the drivers, addressing the +passengers with great animation. This was the nearest he was able to +come to pronouncing the name "Ivigtut." + +Yes, this was the mining town famous the world over as containing the +only cryolite mines so far discovered on the globe. + +Ivigtut is in latitude sixty-one degrees and twelve minutes north, its +climate being severe at certain seasons, but comparatively moderate +during summer. Then there are one hundred and thirty picked men from +Copenhagen engaged in the quarries, the number being a little more +than one-half as great in winter. Only one or two Esquimaux are to be +found about the place, and the only family that of the superintendent, +who has his wife and her maid with him. + +The principal work of the employees is in quarrying the cryolite and +piling it on the wharf, ready for shipment both to the Old and New +World. And now how many of my readers can tell me what cryolite is? +Shall I explain? + +Do you know that most of the sal-soda, the bicarbonate of soda, the +alum, and the caustic soda used in your homes is dug out of a mountain +in Greenland? + +In 1806, a German named Giesecke, believing that valuable minerals +might be found in Greenland, applied to the Danish Government for +permission to prospect the mountains. He did so, all the way from Cape +Farewell, living with the Danish governors or among the Esquimaux, as +circumstances required, until he reached Arsuk Fiord. + +At this place he heard of a deposit of ice that never melted and which +was on the edge of the fiord. It was powdered, was used by the natives +in tanning skins, and acted on a greasy hide like soap. The prospector +gathered a number of specimens and started with them for Germany, for +the substance was entirely new and required analysis. + +On the homeward voyage the Danish ship was captured by a British +man-of-war and the specimens of cryolite went to an English +institution, where they were analyzed for the first time. It was +interesting of itself, but pronounced comparatively worthless. + +It remained for a distinguished chemist named Thomson to discover that +sal-soda and bicarbonate of soda can be made cheaply from the +substance. It is free from all impurities, and steps were taken to +develop the quarry. The first attempt was in 1852, but regular work +did not begin until six years later, and more years passed before any +money was made out of the mine. + +Up to 1864 the entire product of the quarry went to Europe. In that +year the American firm known as the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing +Company, of Natrona and Philadelphia, began to import it. The ships +used are made as strongly as possible, for they have to force their +way through fields of floating ice, craunch into huge blocks, and keep +a sharp lookout for icebergs. + +Small quantities of cryolite have been found in the Ural Mountains and +a trace was discovered at Pike's Peak, in our own country, some years +ago, but it did not pan out. A genuine cryolite mine within easy reach +would prove a bonanza to the discoverer. + +Cryolite in appearance resembles white quartz or ice, with a mixture +of snow in it. Although generally white, it is not always so. It is +sometimes a light brown or a dark color, due either to vegetable +matter that has soaked into it or the presence of iron. + +What I have related and considerably more, our friends learned during +their stay at Ivigtut. + +Finding themselves at the end of their journey, the three climbed out +of the sleighs, their limbs considerably cramped from their +long-constrained posture. They shook hands with the Esquimaux, who +understood that form of salutation, and who grinned the delight they +could not form the words to speak. + +To one of them Jack presented his gun and Fred gave his to another. +This quite overwhelmed them, but the whites divided nearly all the +money they had among them between the other two. The wild men were +paid triple what they expected for the inestimable service rendered +the party, who regretted that they could not do a good deal more for +them. + +They parted on the edge of the town, and, just as night began settling +over Ivigtut, the three came down the slope and showed themselves +among the employees, where their appearance attracted considerable +curiosity. + +Rob's first inquiry was for the superintendent of the mines. He was +directed to a one-story house painted blue, near the rear of which +rose a staff from which the flag of Denmark floated. + +At the eastern end of the settlement was a somewhat similar house +painted black, where the comptroller, or representative of the king +lived, while near the centre were two other structures, from which +puffs of steam rose. + +The visitors received the kindest hospitality from the superintendent, +whose name was G. E. Schmidt. He listened to their story with deep +interest, and insisted that they should make their home with him as +long as they could stay in Ivigtut. He brought in his wife and +introduced them to her. + +They found her a most pleasant lady, and the three soon felt entirely +at home. + +"By the way," he asked, as the preparations for supper progressed, +"what did you say was the name of the ship on which you left London?" + +"The 'Nautilus,'" replied Rob; "we fear she foundered in the gale a +few days ago which separated us from her." + +"I'm not so fearful about that," put in Jack; who felt that such +remarks were a slight upon the ship to which he was attached; "she has +rid out a good many tough storms, and I don't see why she couldn't +pull through that one." + +"Let us hope that she did," said the superintendent, kindly, and with +a twinkle of his fine eyes which the others did not notice. + +"I was hopeful that she had possibly made her way to Ivigtut," added +Fred, who continued, turning to the sailor, "we forgot to take a look +in the harbor." + +"No use of that," replied Jack; "she might have come in at some of the +other ports, but not here." + +"I suppose, Mr. Schmidt, that we can go home by way of Denmark?" + +"There will be no trouble about that; the only inconvenience is that +it will extend the trip much longer than is pleasant, but I understand +that you contemplated a visit to one of the posts of the Hudson Bay +Company." + +"Yes, the destination of the 'Nautilus' is York Factory." + +"Then your friends at home will feel no alarm, since you will be the +first to carry the news there, unless possibly Captain McAlpine turned +immediately about and started for England." + +It struck Rob Carrol as singular that the superintendent should +mention the name of the skipper of the "Nautilus" when no one of the +visitors had yet done so. Where could he have learned it? His +companions did not notice the odd fact and he was too polite to ask +their host to explain. + +"We rarely receive a visit from the English vessels," continued Mr. +Schmidt, "though now and then one drops down on us, but there is an +American line, inasmuch as a good deal of cryolite goes to the United +States. How would you like to make a voyage to that part of the +country?" + +"It would be pleasant, but hardly practicable," replied Rob, who could +not forget that the funds of the company were at a frightfully low +ebb. "We shall have to defer that treat to some more convenient +season." + +"I cannot tell you how pleased I am to receive this visit," said the +superintendent; "you must stay several weeks with me, and visit the +mines and see all there is to be seen. I hardly suppose you would care +to make a hunting trip into the interior?" he added, with a smile. + +"No, we have had enough of that to last several lifetimes," replied +Jack, uttering at the same time the sentiments of his friends. + +"I don't wonder; there is too much snow and cold weather for real +sport, except at certain seasons. I must see the men who brought you +in. The real wild Esquimaux live on the east coast, where the climate +is so terrible that the whites rarely, if ever, visit them, and they +are beyond the control of all except their own. If these fellows of +yours make their homes in the interior, they are very different from +all the Esquimaux of which I know anything. I think there is some +mistake about it." + +"We know nothing, of course, beyond what Docak told us." + +"He is an unusually intelligent native, and I know him very well. He +is a little morose at times, and I understand has caused some trouble +at the other settlements, but he is a worthy fellow for all that. By +the way, I have a friend who is expected to supper with me this +evening. It will be a pleasure, I am sure, for you to meet him." + +"It will be a pleasure to meet any of your friends," Rob hastened to +say, for his heart had already warmed to the genial and hospitable +gentleman. + +"If I am not mistaken, he has arrived," added Mr. Schmidt, rising from +his chair and stepping to the door. + +The next moment he admitted a stalwart, whiskered, sun-browned man, in +middle life, and, shaking his hand, turned to his other guests. + +"Permit me, captain, to introduce you to Messrs. Cosgrove, Carrol, and +Warburton." + +"Wal, by the great horned spoon!" exclaimed the sailor, springing to +his feet and striding across the room, "where did you come from, +captain?" + +It was Captain McAlpine, of the "Nautilus," standing before them, +smiling, bewildered, and happy, as he gazed into the faces of his +friends whom he had mourned for days under the fear that they were +dead. + +The laughing Rob and Fred were right behind Jack, and they shook the +hands of the good old sailor, and felt like throwing their arms about +his neck and hugging him. + +"I must apologize for this little joke," said Superintendent Schmidt, +who enjoyed it fully, "but really I couldn't help it. Captain McAlpine +arrived at Ivigtut yesterday, and came straight to me with news of +what had happened. He was driven far away from the iceberg, as you +know, and had searched for it in vain. At a loss what to do, he put +into Ivigtut to consult with me." + +By this time the excitement was about over, and all seated themselves +as the servant came in and lighted the lamps. Mr. Schmidt continued: + +"The occurrence was so extraordinary that I was at a loss how to +advise him, and his purpose in coming here this evening was that we +might discuss the question and decide it." + +"You see," observed the captain (and he thereby verified the words of +Jack Cosgrove, uttered several days before), "I observed that that +iceberg wasn't sailing straight for the Equator, and I got the idea +that it was to be looked for further up north, though as likely as not +it would change its course and head south again. The only thing for me +was to try to get another ship or two to jine me in a search for you. +I was going to find out whether that could be done, but now there +isn't any need of it." + +"Thank Heaven, no!" fervently responded Rob Carrol; "we have had a +close call, and the only regret we shall feel in leaving Greenland is +that it will take us away from our friends." + +"It is I who feel that, but it is one of the sure penalties of our +existence. Supper, I see, is ready; will you kindly walk out with me?" +he asked, rising to his feet, and leading the way. + +And perhaps it is as well that we should say good-bye to the party, +now that they are seated around the board with keen appetites, +cheerful conversation, and happy hearts; for of the visit made to the +cryolite mines the next day, the sailing of the "Nautilus" two days +later, the voyage through Hudson Bay to York Factory, the visit there, +the safe return to England, and the settling down of Rob Carrol and +Fred Warburton to the sober business of life--why, all these may be +covered in a paragraph, and so we say, "Good-bye." + + +THE END + + + + + +~The Young Boatman~ + +BY HORATIO ALGER, JR. + +369 Pages Illustrated + +Cloth, $1.25 + +This is an interesting story of a boy who is obliged to support +himself and his mother by rowing passengers across the Kennebec River. +To add to his trials, his intemperate stepfather, after serving a term +of imprisonment, returns home and endeavors to compel the boy to pay +over his small earnings to him. This the boy, who was appropriately +nicknamed Grit, refuses to do, and after a struggle the stepfather +retires from the conflict and returns to his thieving habits. + +Shortly after Grit discovers a conspiracy to rob the bank and promptly +communicates his knowledge to the president, who succeeds in +frustrating the plans of the robbers and secures their arrest. + +Grit's cheerful manner and kindly good nature, coupled with the most +sterling honesty, cause him to be held in high esteem by all who know +him. His manly courage and self-reliance are often sorely tested, but +his indomitable pluck transmutes calamity into success. + +The book is full of incident and adventure of just the right sort to +hold the attention of any bright boy. + +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. + +~The Penn Publishing Company~ + +~1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia~ + + + + +~The Moncasket Mystery~ + +~AND~ + +~How Tom Hardy Solved It~ + +BY SIDNEY MARLOW + +375 pages Illustrated + +Cloth, $1.25 + +The tone of this book is earnestly and emphatically moral, and the +author understands that nothing makes morality so attractive to youth +as to find it coupled with ingenuity, energy, and pluck. + +There is no "cant" and no "can't" about Tom Hardy, the decidedly +vigorous hero of this story. He is a safe and worthy companion of any +boy or girl, and it is predicted that he will not only win a warm +place for himself in the hearts of all who make his acquaintance, but +that he will gallantly retain it long after the covers shall have +closed upon this chronicle of his efforts and adventures. He is an +admirable boy, yet the author, in defiance of the usual method in +modern juvenile fiction, has refused to sacrifice all of the other +characters to the single hero. Even those whose parts are but the +slightest have been so attractively presented that the reader feels +that if the events had chanced to require it each one of them would +have become a hero. + +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. + +~The Penn Publishing Company~ + +~1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia~ + + + + +~Chasing a Yacht~ + +BY JAMES OTIS + +Author of + +"The Braganza Diamond," "Toby Tyler," etc. + +350 pages Illustrated + +Cloth, $1.25 + +Two boys have engaged to run a steam yacht for the double purpose of +pleasure and profit, and after carefully fitting her up they launch +her, only to find the next morning that she is gone--stolen--as they +later discover, by two other boys who had been refused a half-interest +in her. The rightful owners start in hot pursuit, and in an attempt to +recapture the steamer are themselves made prisoners. It is the +intention of the thieves to hold the owners prisoners until the Hudson +River is reached and then put them ashore, but their plans miscarry +owing to the intervention of two rather rough citizens who find their +way aboard the yacht and make themselves generally at home. +Fortunately one of the owners manages to effect his escape, and +gaining the assistance of the authorities the little vessel is +speedily restored to them. + +The story is full of adventure, and the heroes are both bright and +manly fellows, who make the best of their temporary hardships. The +story will be found to enlist the interest at the outset, and to hold +it until the last page is turned. + +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. + +~The Penn Publishing Company~ + +~1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia~ + + + + +~The Braganza Diamond~ + +BY JAMES OTIS + +Author of + +"Chasing a Yacht," "Toby Tyler," etc. + +383 pages Illustrated + +Cloth, $1.25 + +Long before the opening events of this story the fragments of this +celebrated gem are supposed to have been taken from a wreck by an old +sea captain, and secreted by him on a lonely island in Roanoke Sound. + +This aged captain, now quite feeble, sends for his niece and her +daughter. They invite two bright boys to accompany them, and engaging +a steam launch the four, in company with the owner--a trusty +sailor--set out for the lonely island. Arriving there they are +distressed at finding the captain already dead. To add to their +discomfort they also discover that the former owners of the diamond +have appeared upon the scene. The little party is forcibly made +prisoner, and their captors demand that they forthwith produce the +precious stone. This, of course, they are unable to do, but +discovering among the old captain's effects a curious cryptogram, they +are led to hope that its solution may reveal the secret hiding place +of the diamond, and thus restore to them their freedom. This theory +eventually proves correct, but not until after the party has endured +many hardships, and passed through many exciting experiences. + +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. + +~The Penn Publishing Company~ + +~1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia~ + + + + +~The Odds Against Him, or Carl Crawford's Experience~ + +BY HORATIO ALGER, JR. + +350 pages Illustrated + +Cloth, $1.25 + +The hero of this story had to leave home on account of the +ill-treatment he received from his stepmother, who had a son of her +own about the same age. Dr. Crawford, a man of considerable wealth, +but of weak, vacillating mind, loved his son, but was afraid to show +his true feelings in the presence of his wife. After leaving home and +meeting with a number of adverse experiences, Carl eventually obtained +employment in a factory. He soon gained the confidence of his +employer, and after frustrating an attempt of the book-keeper to rob +the safe, he was appointed as a traveler, and, visiting Chicago, he +discovered that his stepmother had another husband living. Her success +in getting a will made in her own favor, an attempt on the life of her +husband, etc., are all defeated, and Carl came out victorious in the +end. + +The book is full of bright, cheerful, and amusing incidents, showing +that a boy of good, honest, sterling, industrious habits can always +secure friends, and succeed in earning a good living. + +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. + +~The Penn Publishing Company~ + +~1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia~ + + + + +~The Story of the Iliad~ + +FOR BOYS AND GIRLS + +BY DR. EDWARD BROOKS, A.M. + +370 pages Profusely Illustrated + +Cloth Binding, $1.25 + +White and Silver Edition, $1.50 + +This is a story of absorbing interest both to young and old. It +relates in a simple prose narrative the leading incidents of one of +the greatest literary works of the world--the Iliad of Homer. Many of +its names are household words among educated people, and its incidents +are a constant source of allusion and illustration among the best +speakers and writers. No one with any claim to literary culture can +afford to be ignorant of them. + +The object of the work is two-fold--first, to present to young people +an interesting story which will be read with pleasure and at the same +time cultivate a taste for good literature; second, to give a popular +knowledge of this famous work of Homer and thus afford a sort of +stepping-stone to one of the grandest poetical structures of all time. + +It is thus a book for the home circle, and should be in every +household in the land. It is recommended especially for School +Libraries and young folks' Reading Circles, and also to schools as a +Supplementary Reader. + +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. + +~The Penn Publishing Company~ + +~1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia~ + + + + +~The Story of the Odyssey~ + +FOR BOYS AND GIRLS + +BY DR. EDWARD BROOKS, A.M. + +370 pages Profusely Illustrated + +Cloth Binding, $1.25 + +White and Silver Edition, $1.50 + +The Odyssey of Homer combines the romance of travel with that of +domestic life, and it differs from the Iliad, which is a tale of the +camp and battle-field. Although the ancient author concentrates the +attention on a single character--Ulysses--he refers to several +beautiful women, including some of the goddesses. After the siege of +Troy, Ulysses started on a voyage of discovery and adventure in +unknown lands, which, although described with poetic exaggeration, +"has been a rich mine of wealth for poets and romancers, painters and +sculptors, from the date of the age which we call Homer's down to our +own." + +In this wonderful poem lie the germs of thousands of volumes which +fill our modern libraries. Without some knowledge of it, readers will +miss the point of many things in modern art and literature. + +Ulysses was brave and valiant as a soldier, and was distinguished for +his wisdom and shrewdness which enabled him to extricate himself from +the difficulties which to others would seem insurmountable. + +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. + +~The Penn Publishing Company~ + +~1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia~ + + + + +~Harry Ambler, and How He Saved the Homestead~ + +BY SIDNEY MARLOW + +350 Pages Illustrated + +Cloth, $1.25 + +This is a narrative of a bright, active, and courageous boy, suddenly +thrown upon his own resources and subjected to the malicious plots of +a powerful enemy. The effectual and yet not unnatural manner in which +the hero turns his enemy's weapons to his own defence, constitutes, +perhaps, the chief charm of the book. + +The story abounds in humorous and exciting situations, yet it is in no +objectionable way sensational. There is nothing in it that will tend +to create or encourage a taste for mere reckless adventure. + +The author has given more attention to the delineation of his +characters than is usual in juvenile literature, thus making the story +pleasant reading, even for those who have passed the outer line of +boyhood. + +He believes in a "moral," but not in those bits of abstract virtue +which are so frequently forced into juvenile stories, only to be +"skipped" by the youthful reader. He would create a personal sympathy +with the best efforts of fallible boys and girls, rather than an +admiration for the mere name of virtue. + +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. + +~The Penn Publishing Company~ + +~1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia~ + + + + +~The Campers Out~ + +~OR~ + +~The Right Path and the Wrong~ + +BY EDWARD S. ELLIS, A.M. + +363 pages Illustrated + +Cloth, $1.25 + +This is one of the most interesting works of an author whose +productions are widely read and deservedly popular on both sides of +the Atlantic. Mr. Ellis has in perfection the faculty of making his +stories not only entertaining in the highest degree but instructive +and elevating. A leading journal truthfully stated that no mother need +hesitate to place any story of which Mr. Ellis is the author in the +hands of her boy, for he is sure to be instructed as well as +entertained. + +"The Campers Out" is bright, breezy, and full of adventure of just the +right sort to hold the attention of any young mind. It is clean, pure, +and elevating, and the stirring incidents with which it is filled +convey one of the most forceful of morals. It traces the "right path" +and the "wrong path" of several boys with such striking power that old +and young will be alike impressed by the faithful portrayal of +character, and be interested from beginning to end by the succession +of exciting incidents. + +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. + +~The Penn Publishing Company~ + +~1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia~ + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Among the Esquimaux, by Edward S. Ellis + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 45192 *** diff --git a/45192-h/45192-h.htm b/45192-h/45192-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9c486b1 --- /dev/null +++ b/45192-h/45192-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10048 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN" +"http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> +<title>Among the Esquimaux, by Edward S. Ellis—A Project +Gutenberg eBook</title> +<link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg"> +<style type="text/css"> + + body {margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%;} + + p {text-indent: 0em; + text-align: justify; + margin-top: .80em; + margin-bottom: .80em; + line-height: 1.20em;} + + .sc {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .ctr {text-align: center;} + .ctrbold {text-align: center; + font-weight: bold;} + .ctrsmall {text-align: center; + font-size: 90%;} + .ctrsmaller {text-align: center; + font-size: 80%;} + .ctrsmallest {text-align: center; + font-size: 70%;} + .ctrlarge {text-align: center; + font-size: 120%;} + .ctrtoppad {text-align: center; + padding-top: 2em;} + + .small {font-size: 90%;} + .smaller {font-size: 80%;} + .smallest {font-size: 70%;} + + /* hide the TN about the cover image by default */ + div.covernote {visibility: hidden; + display: none;} + + #coverpage {border: .1em solid black;} + + @media print, handheld + {.figcenter {text-align: center; + margin: 2em auto auto auto;} + .figleft {margin: .5em 1em .5em 1em;} + body {margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 5%;} + table {font-size: small;}} + + img {max-width: 100%; + height:auto;} + .figcenter {clear: both; + margin: 2em 0em 2em 0em; + text-align: center; + max-width: 100%;} + + .figleft {float: left; + clear: left; + margin: .5em 1em .5em 1em;} + + .caption {font-size: small; + text-align: center; + text-indent: 0; + margin: 0.30em 0;} + + .booktitle {font-weight: bold; + text-align: center; + font-size: 112%; + padding-top: 2em; + page-break-before: always;} + + .titlepage {font-weight: bold; + line-height: 1.5em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + font-size: 130%;} + + h1 {text-align: center; + font-size: 150%; + font-weight: bold; + line-height: 1.5em; + padding-top: 2em; + letter-spacing: .1em; + page-break-after: avoid;} + + h2 {text-align: center; + font-size: 115%; + font-weight: bold; + padding-top: 3.5em; + padding-bottom: 1em; + page-break-before: always;} + + hr {width: 65%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 17.5%; + margin-right: 17.5%; + clear: both;} + + hr.med {width: 50%; + height: .1em; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 25%; + margin-right: 25%; + clear: both;} + + hr.short {width: 35%; + height: .1em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-left: 32.5%; + margin-right: 32.5%; + clear: both;} + + hr.tiny {width: 15%; + margin-top: 1.5em; + margin-bottom: 1.5em; + margin-left: 42.5%; + margin-right: 42.5%; + clear: both;} + + table {margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + margin-top: 0em; + margin-bottom: 0em;} + + td.chpt {vertical-align: top; + text-align: right; + padding-right: .6em;} + + td.txt {vertical-align: top; + text-align: left; + font-variant: small-caps;} + + td.pg {vertical-align: bottom; + text-align: right; + padding-left: 1em;} + + .tn {font-size: small; + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + padding: .2em 1em .2em 1em; + background-color: #faebd0; + border-style: solid; + border-width: .1em;} + + a:link {color: #00F; + text-decoration:none;} + a:visited {color:#F00; + text-decoration:none;} + +</style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 45192 ***</div> + +<div class="figcenter"><img width="500" height="299" src="images/001.jpg" alt="NO USE, LADS! THE BOAT HAS KEEN SWEPT AWAY"> +<p class="caption">"NO USE, LADS! THE BOAT HAS BEEN SWEPT AWAY" +<br>(See page 37) +</p> +</div> + + + +<h1> +Among the Esquimaux +<br> +<span class="smallest">OR</span> +<br> +Adventures under the Arctic Circle +</h1> +<br> +<div class="titlepage"> +<p class="ctrsmaller"> +BY +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +EDWARD S. ELLIS, A.M. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +AUTHOR OF "The Campers Out," Etc., Etc. +</p> + +<br> +<p class="ctrsmaller"> +PHILADELPHIA<br> +THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY<br> +1894 +</p> + +<p class="ctrsmaller"> +<span class="sc">Copyright 1894 by The Penn Publishing Company</span> +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="med"> + + +<h2> +CONTENTS +</h2> + +<table summary="Contents"> +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><small>CHAP.</small></td> +<td class="txt"> </td> +<td class="pg"><small>PAGE</small></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">I</td> +<td class="txt">Two Passengers on the "Nautilus"</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#I">7</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">II</td> +<td class="txt">A Colossal Somersault</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#II">16</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">III</td> +<td class="txt">An Alarming Situation</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#III">27</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">IV</td> +<td class="txt">Adrift</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#IV">38</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">V</td> +<td class="txt">An Icy Couch</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#V">46</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">VI</td> +<td class="txt">Missing</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#VI">55</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">VII</td> +<td class="txt">A Point of Light</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#VII">64</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">VIII</td> +<td class="txt">Hope Deferred</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#VIII">73</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">IX</td> +<td class="txt">A Startling Occurrence</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#IX">82</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">X</td> +<td class="txt">An Ugly Customer</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#X">91</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XI</td> +<td class="txt">Lively Times</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XI">99</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XII</td> +<td class="txt">Fred's Experience</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XII">108</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XIII</td> +<td class="txt">The Fog</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XIII">117</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XIV</td> +<td class="txt">A Collision</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XIV">126</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XV</td> +<td class="txt">The Sound of a Voice</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XV">135</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XVI</td> +<td class="txt">Land Ho!</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XVI">144</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XVII</td> +<td class="txt">Docak and His Home</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XVII">153</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XVIII</td> +<td class="txt">A New Expedition</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XVIII">162</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XIX</td> +<td class="txt">A Wonderful Exhibition</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XIX">171</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XX</td> +<td class="txt">The Herd of Musk Oxen</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XX">180</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XXI</td> +<td class="txt">Close Quarters</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XXI">189</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XXII</td> +<td class="txt">Fred's Turn</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XXII">198</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XXIII</td> +<td class="txt">In the Cavern</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XXIII">207</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XXIV</td> +<td class="txt">Unwelcome Callers</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XXIV">216</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XXV</td> +<td class="txt">The Coming Shadow</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XXV">225</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XXVI</td> +<td class="txt">Walled In</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XXVI">234</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XXVII</td> +<td class="txt">"Come On!"</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XXVII">243</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XXVIII</td> +<td class="txt">A Hopeless Task</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XXVIII">251</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XXIX</td> +<td class="txt">Ten Miles</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XXIX">260</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XXX</td> +<td class="txt">The Last Pause</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XXX">269</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XXXI</td> +<td class="txt">Another Sound</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XXXI">278</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XXXII</td> +<td class="txt">The Wild Men of Greenland</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XXXII">287</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XXXIII</td> +<td class="txt">Conclusion</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XXXIII">301</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<hr class="small"> + +<p class="booktitle"> +AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="I"> </a> +CHAPTER I +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +TWO PASSENGERS ON THE "NAUTILUS" +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +The good ship "Nautilus" had completed the greater part of her voyage +from London to her far-off destination, deep in the recesses of +British America. This was York Factory, one of the chief posts of the +Hudson Bay Company. +</p> + +<p> +Among the numerous streams flowing into Hudson Bay, from the frozen +regions of the north, is the Nelson River. Near the mouth of this and +of the Hayes River was erected, many years ago, Fort York, or York +Factory. The post is not a factory in the ordinary meaning of the +word, being simply the headquarters of the factors or dealers in furs +for that vast monopoly whose agents have scoured the dismal regions to +the north of the Saskatchewan, in the land of Assiniboine, along the +mighty Yukon and beyond the Arctic Circle, in quest of the fur-bearing +animals, that are found only in their perfection in the coldest +portions of the globe. +</p> + +<p> +The buildings which form the fort are not attractive, but they are +comfortable. They are not specially strong, for, though the structure +has stood for a long time in a country which the aborigines make their +home, and, though it is far removed from any human assistance, its +wooden walls have never been pierced by a hostile bullet, and it is +safe to say they never will be. Somehow or other, our brethren across +the northern border have learned the art of getting along with the +Indians without fighting them. +</p> + +<p> +The voyageurs and trappers, returning from their journeys in canoes or +on snow-shoes to the very heart of frozen America, first catch sight +of the flag floating from the staff of York Factory, and they know +that a warm welcome awaits them, because the peltries gathered amid +the recesses of the frigid mountains and in the heart of the land of +desolation are sure to find ready purchasers at the post, for the +precious furs are eagerly sought for in the marts of the Old and of +the New World. +</p> + +<p> +It is a lonely life for the inhabitants of the fort, for it is only +once a year that the ship of the company, after breasting the fierce +storms and powerful currents of the Atlantic, sails up the great mouth +of Baffin Bay, glides through Hudson Strait, and thence steals across +the icy expanse of Hudson Bay to the little fort near the mouth of the +Nelson. +</p> + +<p> +You can understand how welcome the ship is, for it brings the only +letters, papers, and news from home that can be received until another +twelvemonth shall roll around. Such, as I have said, is the rule, +though now and then what may be termed an extra ship makes that long, +tempestuous voyage. Being unexpected, its coming is all the more +joyful, for it is like the added week's holiday to the boy who has +just made ready for the hard work and study of the school-room. +</p> + +<p> +You know there has been considerable said and written about a railway +to Hudson Bay, with the view of connection thence by ship to Europe. +Impracticable as is the scheme, because of the ice which locks up +navigation for months every year, it has had strong and ingenious +advocates, and considerable money has been spent in the way of +investigation. The plan has been abandoned, for the reasons I have +named, and there is no likelihood that it will ever be attempted. +</p> + +<p> +The "Nautilus" had what may be called a roving commission. It is easy +to understand that so long as the ships of the Hudson Bay Company have +specific duties to perform, and that the single vessel is simply +ordered to take supplies to York Factory and bring back her cargo of +peltries, little else can be expected from her. So the staunch +"Nautilus" was fitted out, placed under the charge of the veteran +navigator, Captain McAlpine, who had commanded more than one Arctic +whaler, and sent on her westward voyage. +</p> + +<p> +The ultimate destination of the "Nautilus" was York Factory, though +she was to touch at several points, after calling at St. John, +Newfoundland, one of which was the southern coast of Greenland, where +are located the most famous cryolite mines in the world, belonging, +like Greenland itself, to the Danish Government. +</p> + +<p> +There is little to be told the reader about the "Nautilus" itself or +the crew composing it, but it so happened that she had on board three +parties, in whose experience and adventures I am sure you will come to +feel an interest. These three were Jack Cosgrove, a bluff, hearty +sailor, about forty years of age; Rob Carrol, seventeen, and Fred +Warburton, one year younger. +</p> + +<p> +Rob was a lusty, vigorous young man, honest, courageous, often to +rashness, the picture of athletic strength and activity, and one whom +you could not help liking at the first glance. His father was a +director in the honorable Hudson Bay Company, possessed considerable +wealth, and Rob was the eldest of three sons. +</p> + +<p> +Fred Warburton, while displaying many of the mental characteristics of +his friend, was quite different physically. He was of much slighter +build, not nearly so strong, was more quiet, inclined to study, but as +warmly devoted to the splendid Rob as the latter was to him. +</p> + +<p> +Fred was an orphan, without brother or sister, and in such straitened +circumstances that it had become necessary for him to find some means +of earning his daily bread. The warm-hearted Rob stated the case to +his father, and said that if he didn't make a good opening for his +chum he himself would die of a broken heart right on the spot. +</p> + +<p> +"Not so bad as that, Rob," replied the genial gentleman, who was proud +of his big, manly son; "I have heard so much from you of young Mr. +Warburton that I have kept an eye on him for a year past." +</p> + +<p> +"I may have told you a good deal about him," continued Rob, earnestly, +"but not half as much as he deserves." +</p> + +<p> +"He must be a paragon, indeed, but, from what I can learn, my son, he +has applied himself so hard to his studies while at school that he +ought to have a vacation before settling down to real hard work; what +do you think about it, Robert?" +</p> + +<p> +"A good idea, provided I take it with him," added the son, slyly. +</p> + +<p> +"I see you are growing quite pale and are losing your appetite," +continued the parent, with a grave face, which caused the youth to +laugh outright at the pleasant irony. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes," said the big boy, with the same gravity; "I suffer a great loss +of appetite three or four times every day; in fact, I feel as though I +couldn't eat another mouthful." +</p> + +<p> +"I have observed that phenomenon, my son, but it never seems to attack +you until the table has been well cleared of everything on it. Ah, my +boy!" he added, tenderly, laying his hand on his head; "I am thankful +that you are blessed with such fine health. Be assured there is +nothing in this world that can take its place. With a conscience void +of offense toward God and man, and a body that knows no ache nor pain, +you can laugh at the so-called miseries of life; they will roll from +you like water from a duck's back." +</p> + +<p> +"But, father, have you thought of any way of giving Fred a vacation +before he goes to work? You know he is as poor as he can be, and can't +afford to do nothing and pay his expenses." +</p> + +<p> +"The plan I have in mind," replied the father, leaning back in his +chair and twirling his eyeglasses, "is this: next week the 'Nautilus,' +one of the company's ships, will leave London for York Factory, which +is a station deep in the heart of British America. She will touch at +St. John, Greenland, and several other points on her way, and may stop +several weeks or months at York Factory, according to circumstances. +If it will suit your young friend to go with her, I will have him +registered as one of our clerks, which will entitle him to a salary +from the day the 'Nautilus' leaves the dock. The sea voyage will do +him good, and when he returns, at the end of a year or less, he can +settle down to hard work in our office in London. Of course, if Fred +goes, you will have to stay at home." +</p> + +<p> +Rob turned in dismay to his parent, but he observed a twitching at the +corners of his mouth, and a sparkle of the fine blue eyes, which +showed he was only teasing him. +</p> + +<p> +"Ah, father, I understand you!" exclaimed the big boy, springing +forward, throwing an arm about his neck and kissing him. "You wouldn't +think of separating us." +</p> + +<p> +"I suppose not. There! get along with you, and tell your friend to +make ready to sail next week, his business being to look after you +while away from home." +</p> + +<p> +And that is how Rob Carrol and Fred Warburton came to be +fellow-passengers on the ship "Nautilus" on the voyage to the far +North. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="II"> </a> +CHAPTER II +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +A COLOSSAL SOMERSAULT +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +The voyage of the "Nautilus" was uneventful until she was far to the +northward in Baffin Bay. It was long after leaving St. John that our +friends saw their first iceberg. They should have seen them before, as +Captain McAlpine explained, for, as you well know, those mountains of +ice often cross the path of the Atlantic steamers, and more than once +have endangered our great ocean greyhounds. No doubt numbers of them +were drifting southward, gradually dissolving as they neared the +equator, but it so happened that the "Nautilus" steered clear of them +until many degrees to the north. +</p> + +<p> +The captain, who was scanning the icy ocean with his glass, apprised +the boys that the longed-for curiosity was in sight at last. As he +spoke, he pointed with his hand to the north-west, but though they +followed the direction with their eyes, they were disappointed. +</p> + +<p> +"I see nothing," said Rob, "that looks like an iceberg." +</p> + +<p> +"And how is it with you, Mr. Warburton?" asked the skipper, lowering +his instrument, and turning toward the younger of the boys, who had +approached, and now stood at his side. +</p> + +<p> +"We can make out a small white cloud in the horizon, that's all," said +Fred. +</p> + +<p> +"It's the cloud I'm referring to, boys; now take a squint at that same +thing through the glass." +</p> + +<p> +Fred leveled the instrument and had hardly taken a glance, when he +cried: +</p> + +<p> +"Oh! it's an iceberg sure enough! Isn't it beautiful?" +</p> + +<p> +While he was studying it, the captain added: "Turn the glass a little +to the left." +</p> + +<p> +"There's another!" added the delighted youth. +</p> + +<p> +"I guess we've struck a school of 'em," remarked Rob, who was using +his eyes as best he could; "I thought we'd bring up the average before +reaching Greenland." +</p> + +<p> +"It's a sight worth seeing," commented Fred, handing the glass to his +friend, whose pleasure was fully as great as his own. +</p> + +<p> +The instrument was passed back and forth, and, in the course of a +half-hour, the vast masses of ice could be plainly discerned with the +unaided eye. +</p> + +<p> +"That proves they are coming toward us, or we are going toward them," +said Rob. +</p> + +<p> +"Both," replied Captain McAlpine; "we shall pass within a mile of the +larger one." +</p> + +<p> +"Suppose we run into it?" +</p> + +<p> +The old sea-dog smiled grimly, as he replied: +</p> + +<p> +"I tried it once, when whaling with the 'Mary Jane.' I don't mean to +say I did it on purpose, but there was no moon that night, and when +the iceberg, half as big as a whole town, loomed up in the darkness, +we hadn't time to get out of its path. Well, I guess I've said +enough," he remarked, abruptly. +</p> + +<p> +"Why, you've broken off in the most interesting part of the story," +said the deeply interested Fred. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, that was the last of the 'Mary Jane.' The mate, Jack Cosgrove, +and myself were all that escaped out of a crew of eleven. We managed +to climb upon a small shelf of ice, just above the water, where we +would have perished with cold had not an Esquimau fisherman, named +Docak, seen us. We were nearer the mainland than we dared hope, and he +came out in his kayak and took us off. He helped us to make our way to +Ivignut, where the cryolite mines are, and thence we got back to +England by way of Denmark. No," added Captain McAlpine, "a prudent +navigator won't try to butt an iceberg out of his path; it don't pay." +</p> + +<p> +"It must be dangerous in these waters, especially at night." +</p> + +<p> +"There is danger everywhere and at all times in this life," was the +truthful remark of the commander; "and you know that the most constant +watchfulness on the part of the great steamers cannot always avert +disaster, but I have little fear of anything from icebergs." +</p> + +<p> +You need to be told little about those mountains of ice which +sometimes form a procession, vast, towering, and awful, that stream +down from the far North and sail in all their sublime grandeur +steadily southward until they "go out of commission" forever in the +tepid waters of the tropic regions. +</p> + +<p> +It is a strange spectacle to see one of them moving resistlessly +against the current, which is sometimes dashed from the corrugated +front, as is seen at the bow of a steamboat, but the reason is simple. +Nearly seven-eighths of an iceberg is under water, extending so far +down that most of the bulk is often within the embrace of the counter +current below. This, of course, carries it against the weaker flow, +and causes many people to wonder how it can be thus. +</p> + +<p> +While the little group stood forward talking of icebergs, they were +gradually drawing near the couple that had first caught their +attention. By this time a third had risen to sight, more to the +westward, but it was much smaller than the other two, though more +unique and beautiful. It looked for all the world like a grand +cathedral, whose tapering spire towered fully two hundred feet in air. +It was easy to imagine that some gigantic structure had been submerged +by a flood, while the steeple still reared its head above the +surrounding waters as though defying them to do their worst. +</p> + +<p> +The other two bergs were much more enormous and of irregular contour. +The imaginative spectator could fancy all kinds of resemblances, but +the "cold fact" remained that they were simply mountains of ice, with +no more symmetry of outline than a mass of rock blasted from a quarry. +</p> + +<p> +"I have read," said Fred, "that in the iceberg factories of the north, +as they are called, they are sometimes two or three years in forming, +before they break loose and sweep off into the ocean." +</p> + +<p> +"That is true," added Captain McAlpine; "an iceberg is simply a chunk +off a frozen river, and a pretty good-sized one, it must be admitted. +Where the cold is so intense, a river becomes frozen from the surface +to the ground. Snow falls, there may be a little rain during the +moderate season, then snow comes again, and all the time the water +beneath is freezing more and more solid. Gravity and the pressure of +the inconceivable weight beyond keeps forcing the bulk of ice and snow +nearer the ocean, until it projects into the clear sea. By and by it +breaks loose, and off it goes." +</p> + +<p> +"But why does it take so long?" +</p> + +<p> +"It is like the glaciers of the Alps. Being solid as a rock while the +pressure is gradual as well as resistless, it may move only a few feet +in a month or a year; but all the same the end must come." +</p> + +<p> +The captain had grown fond of the boys, and the fact that the father +of one of them was a director of the company which employed him +naturally led him to seek to please them so far as he could do so +consistent with his duty. He caused the course of the "Nautilus" to be +shifted, so that they approached within a third of a mile of the +nearest iceberg, which then was due east. +</p> + +<p> +Sail had been slackened and the progress of the mass was so slow as to +be almost imperceptible. This gave full time for its appalling +grandeur to grow upon the senses of the youths, who stood minute after +minute admiring the overwhelming spectacle, speechless and awed as is +one who first pauses at the base of Niagara. +</p> + +<p> +Naturally the officers and crew of the "Nautilus" gave the sight some +attention, but it could not impress them as it did those who looked +upon it for the first time. +</p> + +<p> +The second iceberg was more to the northward, and the ship was heading +directly toward it. It was probably two-thirds the size of the first, +and, instead of possessing its rugged regularity of outline, had a +curious, one-sided look. +</p> + +<p> +"It seems to me," remarked Rob, who had been studying it for some +moments, "that the centre of gravity in that fellow must be rather +ticklish." +</p> + +<p> +"It may be more stable than the big one," said Fred, "for you don't +know what shape they have under water; a good deal must depend on +that." +</p> + +<p> +Jack Cosgrove, the sailor, who had joined the little party at the +invitation of the captain, ventured to say: +</p> + +<p> +"Sometimes them craft get top-heavy and take a flop; I shouldn't be +s'prised if that one done the same." +</p> + +<p> +"It must be a curious sight; I've often wondered how Jumbo, the great +elephant, would have looked turning a somersault. An iceberg +performing a handspring would be something of the same order, but a +hundred thousand times more extensive. I would give a good deal if one +of those bergs should take it into his head to fling a handspring, but +I don't suppose—" +</p> + +<p> +"Look!" broke in Fred, in sudden excitement. +</p> + +<p> +To the unbounded amazement of captain, crew, and all the spectators, +the very thing spoken of by Rob Carrol took place. The vast bulk of +towering ice was seen to plunge downward with a motion, slow at first, +but rapidly increasing until it dived beneath the waves like some +enormous mass of matter cast off by a planet in its flight through +space. As it disappeared, two-fold as much bulk came to view, there +was a swirl of water, which was flung high in fountains, and the waves +formed by the commotion, as they swept across the intervening space, +caused the "Nautilus" to rock like a cradle. +</p> + +<p> +The splash could have been heard miles away, and the iceberg seemed to +shiver and shake itself, as though it were some flurried monster of +the deep, before it could regain its full equilibrium. Then, as the +spectators looked, behold! where was one of those mountains of ice +they saw what seemed to be another, for its shape, contour, +projections, and depressions were so different that no resemblance +could be traced. +</p> + +<p> +"She's all right now," remarked Jack Cosgrove, whose emotions were +less stirred than those of any one else; "she's good for two or three +thousand miles' voyage, onless she should happen to run aground in +shoal water." +</p> + +<p> +"What then would take place, Jack?" asked Fred. +</p> + +<p> +"Wal, there would be the mischief to pay gener'ly. Things would go +ripping, tearing, and smashing, and the way that berg would behave +would be shameful. If anybody was within reach he'd get hurt." +</p> + +<p> +Rob stepped up to the sailor as if a sudden thought had come to him. +Laying his hand on his arm, he said, in an undertone: +</p> + +<p> +"I wonder if the captain won't let us visit that iceberg?" +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="III"> </a> +CHAPTER III +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +AN ALARMING SITUATION +</span> +</h2> + +<p> +The boldness of the proposition fairly took away the breath of the +honest sailor. He stared at Rob as though doubting whether he had +heard aright. He looked at the smiling youth from head to foot, and +stared a full minute before he spoke. +</p> + +<p> +"By the horned spoon, you're crazy, younker!" +</p> + +<p> +"What is there so crazy about such an idea?" asked Fred, as eager to +go on the excursion as his friend. +</p> + +<p> +Jack removed his tarpaulin and scratched his head in perplexity. He +voided a mouthful of tobacco spittle over the taffrail, heaved a +prodigious sigh, and then muttered, as if to himself: +</p> + +<p> +"It's crazy clean through, from top to bottom, sideways, +cat-a-cornered, and every way; but if the captain says 'yes' I'll take +you." +</p> + +<p> +Rob stepped to where the skipper stood, some paces away, and said: +</p> + +<p> +"Captain McAlpine, being as this is the first time Fred and I ever had +a good look at an iceberg, we would be much obliged if you will allow +Jack to row us out to it. We want to get a better view of it than we +can from the deck of the ship. Jack is willing, and we will be much +obliged for your permission." +</p> + +<p> +Fred was listening breathlessly for the reply, which, like Rob, he +expected would be a curt refusal. Great, therefore, was the surprise +of the two when the good-natured commander said: +</p> + +<p> +"The request doesn't strike me as very sensible, but, if your hearts +are set on it, I don't see any objection. Yes, Jack has my permission +to take you to that mass of ice, provided you don't stay too long." +</p> + +<p> +"He's crazy, too!" was the whispered exclamation of the sailor, who, +nevertheless, was pleased to gratify his young friends. +</p> + +<p> +The preparations were quickly made. Fred had heard that polar bears +are occasionally found on the icebergs which float southward from the +Arctic regions, and he insisted that they ought to take their rifles +and ammunition along. Rob laughed, but fortunately he followed his +advice, and thus it happened that the couple were as well supplied in +that respect as if starting out on a week's hunt in the interior of +the country. +</p> + +<p> +When Jack was urged to do the same he resolutely shook his head, and +then turned about and accepted a weapon from the captain, who seemed +in the mood for humoring every whim of the youths that afternoon. +</p> + +<p> +"Take it along, Jack," he said; "there may be some tigers, leopards, +boa-constrictors, and hyenas prowling about on the ice. They may be on +skates, and there is nothing like being prepared for whatever comes. +Good luck to you!" +</p> + +<p> +Rob placed himself in the bow of the small boat, and Fred in the +stern, while the sailor, sitting down near the middle, grasped the +oars and rowed with that long, steady stroke which showed his mastery +of the art. There was little wind stirring, and the waves were so +slight that they were easily ridden. The sea was of a deep green +color, and when the spray occasionally dashed over the lads it was as +cold as ice itself. By this time the iceberg had drifted somewhat to +the southward, but its progress was so slow as to suggest that the two +currents which swept against it were nearly of the same strength. Had +it been earlier in the day it would probably have remained visible to +the "Nautilus" until sunset. +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile, a fourth mass rose to sight in the rim of the eastern +horizon, so that there seemed some truth in Rob's suggestion that they +had run into a school of them. They felt no interest, however, in any +except the particular specimen before them. +</p> + +<p> +How it grew upon them as they neared it! It seemed to spread right and +left, and to tower upward toward the sky, until even the reckless Rob +was hushed into awed silence and sat staring aloft, with feelings +beyond expression. It was much the same with Fred, who, sitting at the +stern, almost held his breath, while the overwhelming grandeur hushed +the words trembling on his lip. +</p> + +<p> +The mass of ice was hundreds of feet in width and length, while the +highest portion must have been, at the least, three hundred feet above +the surface of the sea. What, therefore, was the bulk below. Its +colossal proportions were beyond imagination. +</p> + +<p> +The part within their field of vision was too irregular and shapeless +to admit of clear description. If the reader can picture a mass of +rock and <i>débris</i> blown from the side of a mountain, multiplied a +million times, he may form some idea of it. +</p> + +<p> +The highest portion was on the opposite side. About half-way from the +sea, facing the little party, was a plateau broad enough to allow a +company of soldiers to camp upon it. To the left of this the ice +showed considerable snow in its composition, while, in other places, +it was as clear as crystal itself. In still other portions it was dark +or almost steel blue, probably due to some peculiar refraction of +light. There were no rippling streams of water along and over its +side, for the weather was too cold for the thawing which would be +plentiful when it struck a warmer latitude. +</p> + +<p> +But there were caverns, projections, some sharp, but most of them +blunt and misshapen, steps, long stretches of vertical wall as smooth +as glass, up which the most agile climber could never make his way. +</p> + +<p> +Courageous as Rob Carrol unquestionably was, a feeling akin to terror +took possession of him when they were quite near the iceberg. He +turned to suggest to Jack that they had come far enough, when he +observed that the sailor had turned the bow of the boat to the right, +though he was still rowing moderately. +</p> + +<p> +He was the only one that was not impressed by the majesty of the +scene. Squinting one eye up the side of the towering mass, he +remarked: +</p> + +<p> +"There's enough ice there to make a chap's etarnal fortune, if he +could only hitch on and tow it into London or New York harbor; but +being as we've sot out to take a view of it, why we'll sarcumnavigate +the thing, as me cousin remarked when he run around the barn to dodge +the dog that was nipping at his heels." +</p> + +<p> +The voice of the sailor served to break the spell that had held the +tongues of the boys mute until then, and they spoke more cheerily, but +unconsciously modulated their voices, as a person will do when walking +through some great gallery of paintings or the aisles of a vast +cathedral. +</p> + +<p> +They were so interested, however, in themselves and their novel +experience that neither looked toward the "Nautilus," which was +rapidly passing from sight, as they were rowed around the iceberg. Had +they done so, they would have seen Captain McAlpine making eager +signals to them to return, and, perhaps, had they listened, they might +have heard his stentorian voice, though the moderate wind, blowing at +right angles, was quite unfavorable for hearing. +</p> + +<p> +Unfortunately not one of the three saw or heard the movement or words +of the skipper, and the little boat glided around the eastern end of +the mountainous mass and began slowly creeping along the further side. +</p> + +<p> +"Hello!" called out Rob, "there's a good place to land, Jack; let's go +ashore." +</p> + +<p> +"Go ashore!" repeated the sailor, with a scornful laugh; "what kind of +a going ashore do you call that?" +</p> + +<p> +While there was nothing especially desirable in placing foot upon an +iceberg, yet, boy-like, the two friends felt that it would be worth +something to be able to say on their return home that they had +actually stood upon one of them. +</p> + +<p> +Inasmuch as the whole thing was a fool's errand in the eyes of Jack +Cosgrove, he thought it was well to neglect nothing, so he shied the +boat toward the gently sloping shelf, which came down to the water, +and, with a couple of powerful sweeps of the oars, sent the bow far up +the glassy surface, the stoppage being so gradual as to cause hardly a +perceptible shock. +</p> + +<p> +"Out with you, younkers, for the day will soon be gone," he called, +waiting for the two to climb out before following them. +</p> + +<p> +They lost no time in obeying, and he drew the boat so far up that he +felt there was no fear of its being washed away during their absence. +All took their guns, and, leaving it to the sailor to act as guide, +they began picking their way up the incline, which continued for fully +a dozen yards from the edge of the water. +</p> + +<p> +"This is easy enough," remarked Rob; "if we only had our skates, we +might—confound it!" +</p> + +<p> +His feet shot up in the air, and down he came with a bump that shook +off his hat, and would have sent him sliding to the boat had he not +done some lively skirmishing to save himself. Fred laughed, as every +boy does under similar circumstances, and he took particular heed to +his own footsteps. +</p> + +<p> +Jack had no purpose of venturing farther than to the top of the gentle +incline, since there was no cause to do so; but, on reaching the +point, he observed that it was easy to climb along a rougher portion +to the right, and he led the way, the boys being more than willing to +follow him. +</p> + +<p> +They continued in this manner until they had gone a considerable +distance, and, for the first time, the guide stopped and looked +around. As he did so, he uttered an exclamation of amazement: +</p> + +<p> +"Where have been my eyes?" he called out, as if unable to comprehend +his oversight. +</p> + +<p> +"What's the matter?" asked the boys, startled at his emotion, for +which they saw no cause. +</p> + +<p> +"There's one of the biggest storms ever heard of in these latitudes, +bearing right down on us; it'll soon be night, and we shall be catched +afore we reach the ship, lads! there isn't a minute to lose; it's all +my fault." +</p> + +<p> +He led the way at a reckless pace, the youths following as best they +could, stumbling at times, but heeding it not as they scrambled to +their feet and hurried after their friend, more frightened, if +possible, than he. +</p> + +<p> +He could out-travel them, and was at the bottom of the incline first. +Before he reached it, he stopped short and uttered a despairing cry: +</p> + +<p> +"No use, lads! the boat has been swept away!" +</p> + +<p> +Such was the fact. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="IV"> </a> +CHAPTER IV +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +ADRIFT +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +Jack Cosgrove, of the "Nautilus," was not often agitated by anything +in which he became involved. Few of his perilous calling had gone +through more thrilling experiences than he, and in them all he had +acquired a reputation for coolness that could not be surpassed. +</p> + +<p> +But one of the few occasions that stirred him to the heart was when +hurrying to disembark from the iceberg, in the desperate hope of +reaching the ship before the bursting of the gale and the closing of +night, he found that the little boat had been swept from its +fastenings, and the only means of escape was cut off. +</p> + +<p> +There was more in the incident than occurred to Rob Carrol and Fred +Warburton, who hastened after him. He had been in those latitudes +before, and the reader will recall the story Captain McAlpine told to +the boys of the time Jack was one of three who escaped from the +collision of the whaling ship with an iceberg in the gloom of a dark +night. +</p> + +<p> +Had it been earlier in the day, and had no storm been impending, he +could have afforded to laugh at this mishap, for at the most, it would +have resulted in a temporary inconvenience only. The skipper would +have discovered their plight sooner or later, and sent another boat to +bring them off, but the present case was a hundred-fold more serious +in every aspect. +</p> + +<p> +In the first place, the fierce disturbance of the elements would +compel Captain McAlpine to give all attention to the care of his ship. +That was of more importance than the little party on the iceberg, who +must be left to themselves for the time, since any effort to reach +them would endanger the vessel, the loss of which meant the loss of +everything, including the little company that found itself in sudden +and dire peril. +</p> + +<p> +What might take place during the storm and darkness his imagination +shuddered to picture. Had the boat been found where he left it a short +time before, desperate rowing would have carried them to the +"Nautilus" in time to escape the full force of the storm. That was +impossible now, and as to the future who could say? +</p> + +<p> +The rowboat, as will be remembered, was simply drawn a short distance +up the icy incline, where it ought to have remained until the return +of the party. Such would have been the fact under ordinary +circumstances, for the mighty bulk of the iceberg prevented it feeling +the shock of any disturbance that could take place in its majestic +sweep through the Arctic Ocean, except from its base striking the +bottom of the sea, or a readjustment of its equilibrium, as they had +observed in the case of the smaller berg. It might crush the "Great +Eastern" if it lay in its path, but that would have been like a wagon +passing over an egg-shell. +</p> + +<p> +In leaving the boat as related, the stern lay in the water. Even then +it would have been secure, but for the agitation caused by the coming +gale. That began swaying the rear of the craft, whose support was so +smooth that it speedily worked down the incline and floating into the +open water instantly worked off beyond reach. +</p> + +<p> +The boys knowing so little what all this meant and what was before +them, were disposed to make light of their misfortune. +</p> + +<p> +"By the great horned spoon, but that is bad!" exclaimed Jack, pointing +out on the water, where the boat was seen bobbing on the rising waves, +fully a hundred yards away, with the distance rapidly increasing. +</p> + +<p> +It seems as if in the few minutes intervening, night had fully +descended. The wind had risen to a gale, and, even at that short +distance the little craft was fast growing indistinct in the gathering +gloom. +</p> + +<p> +"It isn't very pleasant," replied Rob, "but it might be worse." +</p> + +<p> +"I should like to know how it could be worse," said the sailor, +turning reprovingly toward him; "I wonder if I can do it." +</p> + +<p> +The last words were uttered to himself, and he hastily laid down his +gun on the ice by his side. Then he began taking off his outer coat. +</p> + +<p> +"What do you mean to do?" asked the amazed Fred. +</p> + +<p> +"I believe I can swim out to the boat and bring it back," was the +reply, as he continued preparations. +</p> + +<p> +"You musn't think of such a thing," protested Rob; "the water is cold +enough to freeze you to death. If you can't reach it, you will have to +come back to us, with your clothing frozen stiff, and nothing will +save you from perishing." +</p> + +<p> +"I'll chance that," said Jack, who, however, continued his +preparations more deliberately, and with his eye still on the receding +boat. +</p> + +<p> +He was about to take the icy plunge, in the last effort to save +himself and friends, when he stopped, and, straightening up, watched +the craft for a few seconds. +</p> + +<p> +"No," said he, "it can't be done; the thing is drifting faster than I +can swim." +</p> + +<p> +Such was the evident fact. While the vast mass of ice, as has been +explained elsewhere, was under the impulse of a mighty under-current, +the small craft was swept away by the surface current which flowed in +the opposite direction. +</p> + +<p> +Even while the party looked, the boat faded from sight in the gloom. +</p> + +<p> +"I can't see it," said Rob, who, like the others, was peering intently +into the darkness. +</p> + +<p> +"Nor I either," added Fred. +</p> + +<p> +"And what's more, you'll never see it again," commented Jack, who +began slowly donning his outer garments; "younkers, I've been in a +good many bad scraps in my life, and more than once would have sworn I +was booked for Davy Jones' locker, but this is a little the worst of +'em all." +</p> + +<p> +His young friends looked wonderingly at him, unable to understand the +cause of such extreme depression on the part of one whom they knew to +be among the bravest of men, and in a situation that did not strike +them as specially threatening. +</p> + +<p> +"Don't you think this iceberg will hold together until morning?" asked +Rob. +</p> + +<p> +"It'll hold together for months," was the answer, "and like enough +will travel hundreds of miles through the Gulf Stream before it goes +to nothing." +</p> + +<p> +"Then we are sure of a ship to keep us from drowning." +</p> + +<p> +"I aint meaning that," said Jack, who was rapidly recovering his +equanimity, though it was plain he was strongly affected by the woful +turn the adventure had taken. +</p> + +<p> +"And," added Fred, "Captain McAlpine knows where we are; he will +remain in the neighborhood until morning—" +</p> + +<p> +"How do you know he will?" broke in Jack, impatiently. +</p> + +<p> +"What's to hinder him?" asked Fred, in turn, startled by the abrupt +question; "he knows how to sail the 'Nautilus,' and has taken it +through many gales worse than this." +</p> + +<p> +"How do you know he has?" +</p> + +<p> +"Gracious, Jack, I don't know anything about it; I am only saying what +appears to me to be the truth." +</p> + +<p> +"I don't want to hurt your feelings, lads, but I can't help saying you +don't know what you're talking about. A couple of young land lubbers +like you don't see things as they show themselves to one who was born +and has lived all his life on the ocean, as you may say. I don't mean +to scare you more than I oughter, but you can just make up your minds, +my hearties, that you never was in such a fix as this, and if you live +to be a hundred years old you'll never be in another half as bad." +</p> + +<p> +These were alarming words, but, inasmuch as Jack did not accompany +them with any explanation, neither Rob nor Fred were as much impressed +as they would have been had he explained the grounds for his extreme +fear. What they saw was an enforced stay on the iceberg until the +following day. Although in a high latitude, the night was not +unusually long, and, though it was certain to be as uncomfortable as +can well be imagined, they had no doubt they would survive it and live +to laugh at their mishap. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="V"> </a> +CHAPTER V +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +AN ICY COUCH +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +By this time the sailor felt that he had forgotten himself in the +agitation caused by the loss of the boat. Although he might see the +dark future with clearer vision than his young friends, it was his +duty to keep their sight veiled as long as he could. Time enough to +face the terrors and their direful consequences when the possibility +of avoiding them no longer existed. +</p> + +<p> +It will be recalled that when the little party stepped out from the +small boat upon the iceberg they did so on the side farthest from the +"Nautilus," so that all view of the ship was shut off, and neither +Captain McAlpine nor any of his crew could observe the action of Jack +and the boys. +</p> + +<p> +The skipper had warrant for supposing that such an experienced sailor +as the one in charge of the lads would be quick to notice the +threatening change in the weather, and would make all haste to return. +Inasmuch as he had failed to do so, the party must be left to +themselves for the time, while the commander gave his full attention +to the care of the ship—a responsibility that required his utmost +skill, with no slight chance of his failure. +</p> + +<p> +The storm or squall, or whatever it might be termed, was one of those +sudden changes, sometimes seen in the high latitudes, whose coming is +so sudden that there is but the briefest warning ere it bursts in all +its fury. +</p> + +<p> +By the time our friends reached the spot where they expected to find +their boat it was almost as dark as night. This darkness deepened so +rapidly, after losing sight of the craft, that they were unable to see +more than fifty feet in any direction. Fortunately, before leaving the +"Nautilus," they had donned their heaviest clothing, so that they were +quite well protected under the circumstances. Had they neglected this +precaution they must have perished of the extreme cold that followed. +</p> + +<p> +Accompanying the oppressive gloom was a marked falling of the +temperature, and a fierceness of blast which, so long as they were +exposed to it, cut them to the bone. The gale, instead of blowing in +their faces, swept along the side of the iceberg. They had but to +withdraw, therefore, only a short distance when they were able to take +shelter behind some of the numerous projections, and save themselves +from its full force. +</p> + +<p> +All at once the air was full of millions of particles of snow, which +eddied and whirled in such fantastic fashion that when they crouched +down they were so blinded that they could not see each other's forms, +although near enough to clasp hands. +</p> + +<p> +This lasted but a few minutes, when it ceased as suddenly as it began. +The air was clear, but the gloom was profound. They could see nothing +of the raging ocean, nor of a tall spire-like mass of ice, which +towered a hundred feet above their heads, within a few yards of them, +and which had attracted their admiration on their first visit. +</p> + +<p> +It was blowing great guns. The sound of the waves, as they broke +against the solid abutment of ice, and were dashed into spray and +spume, was like that of the breakers in a hurricane. Inconceivable as +was the bulk of the berg, they plainly felt it yield to the resistless +power of the ocean. It acquired a slow sea-saw motion, more alarming +than the most violent disturbance they had ever known on the +"Nautilus" in a storm. The movement was slight, but too distinct to be +mistaken. +</p> + +<p> +For some time the three huddled together, under the protection of the +friendly projection, and no one spoke a word. They had laid down their +guns, for there was no need of keeping them in their hands. The metal +was so intensely cold that it could be noted through the protection of +their thick mittens, and they needed every atom of vitality in their +shivering bodies. They pressed closer together and found comfort in +the mutual warmth thus secured. +</p> + +<p> +The sky was blackness itself. There was no glimpse of moon or friendly +star. They were adrift on an iceberg in darkness and gloom in the +midst of a trackless ocean. Whither they were going, when the +terrifying voyage should end, what was to be the issue, only One knew. +They could but pray and trust and hope and await the end. +</p> + +<p> +It is a curious feature of this curious human nature of ours that the +most hopeless depression of spirits is frequently followed by a +rebound, as the highest spirits are quickly succeeded by the deepest +dejection. Our make-up is such that nature reacts, and neither state +can continue long without change, unless the conditions are +exceptional. Were it otherwise, many a strong mind would break down +under its weight of trouble. +</p> + +<p> +The three had remained crouching together silent and motionless for +some minutes, no one venturing to express a hope or opinion, when Rob +Carrol suddenly spoke, in the cheeriest tones. +</p> + +<p> +"I'll tell you what we'll do, fellows." +</p> + +<p> +"What's that?" asked Fred, quick to seize the relief of hearing each +other's voices. +</p> + +<p> +"Let's start a fire." +</p> + +<p> +"A good idee," assented Jack Cosgrove, falling into the odd mood that +had taken possession of his companions; "you gather the fuel and I'll +kindle it. It happens I haven't such a thing as a match about me, but +I'll find a way to start it." +</p> + +<p> +"Rob and I have plenty, but, if we hadn't, we could rub some pieces of +ice together till the friction started a flame." +</p> + +<p> +"The Esquimaux have another plan," added Rob. "They will trim a piece +of ice in the form of a convex lens and concentrate the sun's rays on +the object they want to set on fire. Why not try that?" +</p> + +<p> +"I am afraid there isn't enough sunlight to amount to anything," +replied Fred, craning his head forward and peering through the gloom, +as if searching for the orb of day. +</p> + +<p> +"That isn't the only way of getting up steam," remarked Jack, who, +just like his honest self, was striving to dispose of his body so as +to give each of the boys the greatest possible amount of warmth; "I +know a better one." +</p> + +<p> +"Let's hear it." +</p> + +<p> +"Race back and forth along the side of the berg till we start the +blood circulating; nothing like that." +</p> + +<p> +"Suppose we should slip, Jack?" +</p> + +<p> +"Then you'd flop into the sea; it's a good thing to take a bath when +your blood is heated too much." +</p> + +<p> +"If there was only a footpath where we could do that, it would be a +good plan," observed Rob, "but, as it is, we shall have to huddle +together till morning, when I hope Captain McAlpine will send a boat +after us." +</p> + +<p> +The boys noticed that Jack made no reply to this. They expected an +encouraging response, but he remained silent, as though he was +considering difficulties, dangers, complications, and perils of which +they could form no idea. +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile the gale raged with resistless fury. There was no more fall +of snow, but the wind was like a hurricane. The most vivid idea of its +awful power was gained when the friends, far removed from the water's +edge, and at no small elevation above it, felt drops of spray flung in +their faces. +</p> + +<p> +The thunder of the surges, shattered into mist and foam against the +adamantine side of the iceberg, was so overpowering that, had not the +heads of the three been close, they would not have heard each other's +voices. The see-sawing of the colossal mass was more perceptible than +ever, and caused them to think, with unspeakable dread, of the +possibility of the berg breaking apart, or overturning like the other, +in the effort to preserve its equilibrium. +</p> + +<p> +The gale whistled around and among the projections of the ice with a +weird, uncanny sound, alike and yet different from that heard when it +moans through the network of ropes and rigging of a great ship. The +question was whether such a vast volume of wind, impinging against the +thousands of square feet of ice, would not affect the course and speed +of the mass. If the hurricane drove in the same direction as the +controlling current, it ought to be of much help. If opposed, it might +check it; if quartering, it might make a radical change in its course. +</p> + +<p> +All these speculations were in vain, however, and, as has been said, +there was nothing to be done, but to wait and trust in the only One +who could help them, and who had been so merciful in the past that +their faith in His goodness and protecting care could not be shaken. +</p> + +<p> +"My lads," said Jack, when the silence which followed their brief +conversation had lasted some minutes, "there's only one thing to do, +and that's to make ourselves as comfortable as we can where we are." +</p> + +<p> +"Isn't that what we are doing?" asked Rob. +</p> + +<p> +"Of course it is, but I didn't know but what you was trying to conjure +up some other plan. If so, give it up, say your prayers, and go to +bed." +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="VI"> </a> +CHAPTER VI +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +MISSING +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +It is at such times that a person realizes his helplessness and utter +dependence on the great Father of all. Too much are we prone to forget +such dependence, when all goes well, and too often the prayer for help +and guidance is put off until too late. +</p> + +<p> +It was a commendable trait in all three of the parties whose +experience I have set out to tell that they never forgot their duty in +this all-important matter. Rob and Fred were full of animal life and +spirits, and the elder especially was inclined, from this very excess +of health and strength, to overstep at times the bounds of propriety, +but both remembered the lessons learned in infancy at the mother's +knee, and never failed to commend themselves to their heavenly parent, +not only on waking in the glad morning, but on closing their eyes at +night. +</p> + +<p> +Jack Cosgrove had one of those impressionable natures, tinged with +innocent superstition, which is often seen in those of his calling. +His faith possessed the simplicity of a child, and, though many of his +doings might not square with those of a Christian, yet at heart he +devoutly believed in the all-protecting care of his Maker, and was +never ashamed, no matter what his surroundings, to call upon Him for +help and guidance. +</p> + +<p> +And so, as the three pressed closer together, adjusting themselves as +best they could to pass the long, dismal hours ere the sun would shine +upon them again, they were silent, and all, at the same time, communed +with God, as fervently and trustfully as ever a dying Christian did +when stretched upon his bed of mortal illness. +</p> + +<p> +Had they possessed a blanket among them they could have spread it upon +the ice, lain down upon it, and, wrapping it as best they could, +passed the night with a fair degree of comfort. That, however, was out +of the question. They, therefore, seated themselves under the lee, as +may be said of the mass of ice, which protected them against the gale, +their bodies pressed as closely together as well could be, and in this +sitting posture prepared to go to sleep, if it should so prove that +the blessing could be won. +</p> + +<p> +One can become accustomed to almost anything. An abrupt change from +the comfortable cabin of the "Nautilus" to the bleak situation on the +iceberg would have filled them with a dread hardly less trying than +death itself; but they had already been in the situation long enough +to grow used to it. The ponderous swaying of the frozen structure, the +thunderous dash and roar of the waves against its base, the screaming +of the gale and the darkness of the arctic night; all these were +sounds and sensations which in a certain sense grew familiar to them +and did not disturb them as the hours passed. +</p> + +<p> +It cannot be said that an icy seat or rest forms the most comfortable +support for the body, whose warmth is likely to melt the frozen +surface, but the thick clothing of the party did much to avert +unpleasant consequences. Had Jack or Rob or Fred been alone, the +penetrating cold most likely would have overcome him, but as has been +shown, the mutual warmth rendered their situation less trying than +would be supposed. +</p> + +<p> +When an hour had passed, with only an occasional word spoken, Jack +addressed each of the boys in turn by name. There was no response, and +he spoke in a louder tone with the same result. +</p> + +<p> +"They're asleep," he said to himself, "and I'm glad of it, though the +sleep that sometimes comes to a chap in these parts at such times is +the kind that doesn't know any waking in this world. I've no doubt, +howsumever, that they're all right." +</p> + +<p> +With a vague uneasiness, natural under the circumstances, he passed +his hands over their faces and pinched their arms, as if to assure +himself there was no mistake. +</p> + +<p> +The boys were so muffled up in their thick coats and sealskin caps +that were drawn about their ears, behind which the collars of their +coats were raised, that only the ends of their noses and a slight +portion of their cheeks could be felt. He removed his heavy mitten +from one hand, and, reaching under the protecting covering about the +cheeks and neck, found a healthy glow which told him all was well, +and, for the time at least, he need feel no further anxiety, so far as +they were concerned. +</p> + +<p> +"Which being the case," he added, drawing on his mitten again, and +making sure their coverings were adjusted, "I'll take a little trip +myself into the land of nod." +</p> + +<p> +But this trip was easier thought of than made. His rugged body, with +its powerful vitality, would have soon succumbed to drowsiness, could +his mind have been free of its distressing fear for the two young +friends under his charge. But, though he had said little, he knew far +more than he dare tell them. He had shown his alarm on discovering the +loss of the boat, but though some impatient expressions escaped him, +he did not explain what was in his mind. +</p> + +<p> +His belief was that before morning should come the "Nautilus" would be +driven so far from her course that she would be nowhere in sight, and, +towering as was the iceberg in its height and proportions, it would be +invisible from the deck of the ship, or, if visible, could not be +identified among the others drifting through the icy ocean. Well +aware, too, he was of the terrific strength of the gale sweeping +across the deep, he trembled for the safety of the "Nautilus" and +those on board, hardly less than he did for himself and friends. The +hurricane was resistless in its power, and would drive the ship +whither it chose like a cockle-shell. Icebergs were moving hither and +thither through the darkness, less affected by the wind and waves than +the vessel, and a collision was among the possibilities, if not the +probabilities. +</p> + +<p> +Inasmuch as the "Nautilus" was likely to go down under the fury of the +elements, or, if she rode through it, was certain to be too far +removed to be of help to the three, the question to consider was what +hope of escape remained to the latter. +</p> + +<p> +Although vessels penetrate Baffin Bay and far into the Arctic Ocean, +they are so few in number that days and weeks may pass without any two +of them gaining sight of each other. A shipwrecked sailor afloat in +the South Sea, on a spar, was as likely to be picked up by some +trading ship as were Jack and his companions, by any of the whalers or +ships in that high latitude. +</p> + +<p> +And then, supposing they did catch sight of some stray vessel, who of +the captain and crew would be looking for living persons on board an +iceberg? Why would they give the latter any more attention than the +scores of the mountainous masses afloat in their path and which it was +their first care to avoid? +</p> + +<p> +If a ship should pass so near to them that they could make their +signals seen there would be hope; but the chances of anything of that +kind were too remote to be regarded. +</p> + +<p> +Such being the outlook, where was there ground for hope? They were +beyond sight of the Greenland coast, and were doubtless drifting +farther away every hour. Nothing in the nature of succor was to be +hoped for from land, and the brave-hearted Jack was obliged to say to +himself that, so far as human eye could see, there was none from any +source. Cold, starvation, and death seemed among the certainties near +at hand. +</p> + +<p> +And having reached this disheartening belief, he closed his eyes and +joined his young friends in the land of dreams. +</p> + +<p> +Having sunk into slumber, the sailor was likely to remain so until +morning, unless some unexpected circumstance should break in upon his +rest, and it did. +</p> + +<p> +It was Rob Carrol, who, probably because of his cramped position, +first regained consciousness. As his senses gradually came back to +him, and the thunder of the surges and the shrieking of the gale broke +in upon his brain, he stretched his benumbed limbs and yawned in an +effort to make his situation more comfortable. +</p> + +<p> +It struck him that there had been a change in their relative positions +while asleep. Not wishing to awake his companions, he carefully +shifted his limbs and body, so as not to disturb them. While doing so, +he extended his hand to touch them. +</p> + +<p> +He groped along one figure, which he knew at once was Jack, but he +felt no other. With a vague fear he straightened up, leaned over, and +hastily extended his arms about him, as far as he could reach. The +next moment he roughly shook the shoulder of the sailor, and called +out in a husky voice: +</p> + +<p> +"Jack! Jack! wake up! Fred is gone!" +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="VII"> </a> +CHAPTER VII +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +A POINT OF LIGHT +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +Jack Cosgrove was awake on the instant. Not until he had groped around +in the darkness and repeated the name of Fred several times in a loud +voice would he believe he was not with them. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, by the great horned spoon!" he exclaimed, "that beats +everything. How that chap got away, and why he done it, and where he's +gone to gets me." +</p> + +<p> +"I wonder if he took his gun," added Rob, stooping over and examining +the depression in the ice, where the three laid their weapons before +composing themselves for sleep; "yes," he added directly after, "he +took his rifle with him." +</p> + +<p> +As may be supposed, the two were in a frenzied state of mind, and for +several minutes were at a loss what to do, if, indeed, they could do +anything. They knew not where to look for their missing friend, nor +could they decide as to what had become of him. +</p> + +<p> +One fearful thought was in the minds of both, but neither gave +expression to it; each recoiled with a shudder from doing so. It was +that he had wandered off in his sleep and fallen into the sea. +</p> + +<p> +Despite their distress and dismay, they noticed several significant +facts. The wind that blew like a hurricane when they closed their +eyes, had subsided. When they stood up, so that their heads arose +above the projections that had protected them, the breeze was so +gentle that it was hard to tell from which direction it came. It would +be truth to say there was no wind at all. +</p> + +<p> +Further, there was a marked rise in the temperature. In fact, the +weather was milder than any experienced after leaving St. John, and +was remarked by Rob. +</p> + +<p> +"You don't often see anything of the kind," replied the sailor; +"though I call something of the kind to mind on that voyage in these +parts in the 'Mary Jane,' which was smashed by the iceberg." +</p> + +<p> +But their thoughts instantly reverted to the missing boy. Rob had +shouted to him again and again in his loudest tones, had whistled +until the echo rang in his own ears, and had listened in vain for the +response. +</p> + +<p> +The tumultuous waves did not subside as rapidly as they arose. They +broke against the walls of the iceberg with decreasing power, but with +a boom and crash that it would seem threatened to shatter the vast +structure into fragments. There were occasional lulls in the +overpowering turmoil, which were used both by Rob and Jack in calling +to the missing one, but with no result. +</p> + +<p> +"It's no use," remarked the sailor, after they had tired themselves +pretty well out; "wherever he is, he can't hear us." +</p> + +<p> +"I wonder if he will ever be able to hear us," said Rob, in a choking +voice, peering around in the gloom, his eyes and ears strained to the +highest tension. +</p> + +<p> +"I wish I knew," replied Jack, who, though he was as much distressed +as his companion, was too thoughtful to add to the grief by any words +of his own. "I hope the lad is asleep somewhere in these parts, but I +don't know nothing more about him than you." +</p> + +<p> +"And I know nothing at all." +</p> + +<p> +"Can you find out what time it is?" +</p> + +<p> +That was easily done. Stooping down so as to protect the flame from +any chance eddy of wind, Rob ignited a match on his clothing and +looked at his watch. +</p> + +<p> +"We slept longer than I imagined, Jack; day-break isn't more than +three or four hours off." +</p> + +<p> +"That's good, but them hours will seem the longest that you ever +passed, my hearty." +</p> + +<p> +There could be no doubt on that point, as affected both. +</p> + +<p> +"Why, Jack," called out Rob, "the stars are shining." +</p> + +<p> +"Hadn't you observed that before? Yes; there's lots of the twinklers +out, and the storm is gone for good." +</p> + +<p> +Every portion of the sky except the northern showed the glittering +orbs, and, for the moment, Rob forgot his grief in the surprise over +the marked change in the weather. +</p> + +<p> +"This mildness will bring another change afore long," remarked Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"What's that?" +</p> + +<p> +"Fogs. We'll catch it inside of twenty-four hours, and some of them +articles in this part of the world will beat them in London town; +thick enough for you to lean against without falling." +</p> + +<p> +As the minutes passed, with the couple speculating as to what could +have happened to Fred Warburton, their uneasiness became so great that +they could not remain idle. They must do something or they would lose +command of themselves. +</p> + +<p> +Rob was on the point of proposing a move, with little hope of its +amounting to anything, when the sailor caught his arm. +</p> + +<p> +"Do you see that?" +</p> + +<p> +The darkness had so lifted that the friends could distinguish each +other's forms quite plainly, and the lad saw that Jack had extended +his arm, and was pointing out to sea. The fellow was startled, as he +had good cause to be. +</p> + +<p> +Apparently not far off was something resembling a star, low down in +the horizon and gliding over the surface of the deep. Now and then it +disappeared, but only for a moment. At such times it was evidently +shut from sight by the crests of the intervening waves. +</p> + +<p> +It was moving steadily from the right to the left, the friends, of +course, being unable to decide what points of the compass these were. +Its motion in rising and sinking, vanishing and then coming to view +again, advancing steadily all the while, left no doubt as to its +nature. +</p> + +<p> +"It's the 'Nautilus'!" exclaimed Rob; "Captain McAlpine is looking for +us." +</p> + +<p> +"That's not the 'Nautilus'," said Jack; "for she doesn't show her +lights in that fashion. Howsumever, it's a craft of some kind, and if +we can only make 'em know we're here they'll lay by and take us off in +the morning." +</p> + +<p> +As the only means of reaching the ears of the strangers the two began +shouting lustily, varying the cries as fancy suggested. In addition, +Jack fired his gun several times. +</p> + +<p> +While thus busied they kept their gaze upon the star-like point of +light on which their hopes were fixed. +</p> + +<p> +It maintained the same dancing motion, all the while pushing forward, +for several minutes after the emission of the signals. +</p> + +<p> +"She has stopped!" was the joyful exclamation of Rob, who postponed a +shout that was trembling on his lips; "they have heard us and will +soon be here." +</p> + +<p> +Jack was less hopeful, but thought his friend might be right. The +motion of the star from left to right had almost ceased, as if the +boat was coming to a halt. Still the sailor knew that the same effect +on their vision would be produced if the vessel headed either away +from or toward the iceberg; it was one of these changes of direction +that he feared had taken place. +</p> + +<p> +Up and down the light bobbed out of sight for a second, then gleaming +brightly as if the obscuring clouds had been brushed aside from the +face of the star, which shone through the intervening gloom like a +beacon to the wanderer. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, they are coming to us," added Rob, forgetting his lost friend in +his excitement; "they will soon be here. I wonder they don't hail us." +</p> + +<p> +"Don't be too sartin, lad," was the answer of the sailor; "if the boat +was going straight from us it would seem for a time as though she was +coming this way; I b'lieve she has changed her course without a +thought of us." +</p> + +<p> +They were cruel words, but, sad to say, they proved true. The time was +not long in coming when all doubt was removed. The star dwindled to a +smaller point than ever, seemed longer lost to view, until finally it +was seen no more. +</p> + +<p> +"Do you suppose they heard us?" asked Rob, when it was no longer +possible to hope for relief from that source. +</p> + +<p> +"Of course not; if they had they would have behaved like a Christian, +and stood by and done what they could." +</p> + +<p> +"Ships are not numerous in this latitude, and it may be a long time +before we see another." +</p> + +<p> +"The chances p'int that way, and yet you know there's a good many +settlements along the Greenland coast. It isn't exactly the place I'd +choose for a winter residence—especially back in the country—but +there are plenty who like it." +</p> + +<p> +"In what way can that affect us?" +</p> + +<p> +"There are ships passing back and forth between Denmark and Greenland, +and a number v'yage to the United States, and I'm hoping we may be run +across by some of them—Hark!" +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="VIII"> </a> +CHAPTER VIII +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +HOPE DEFERRED +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +A hoarse, tremulous sound came across the ocean. There was no +mistaking its character; it was from the whistle of a steamer, the one +whose light led them to hope for a time that their rescue was at hand. +It sounded three times, and evidently the blasts were intended as a +signal, though, of course, they bore no reference to the two persons +listening so intently on the iceberg. +</p> + +<p> +"That was the last thing I expected to hear in this latitude," +remarked Rob, turning to his companion. +</p> + +<p> +"I don't know why," replied Jack; "they have such craft plying along +the Greenland coast. What's more, I've heard that same whistle before +and know the boat; it's the 'Fox'." +</p> + +<p> +"Not the 'Fox' I have read about as having to do with the Franklin +expedition?" said the youth, in astonishment. +</p> + +<p> +"The identical craft." +</p> + +<p> +"You amaze me." +</p> + +<p> +Those of my readers who are familiar with the history of Arctic +exploration will recall this familiar name. It was the steam tug in +which sailed the party that succeeded in finding traces of the +ill-fated Franklin expedition of near a half century ago. It afterward +came into the possession of the company that owns the cryolite mine at +Ivigtut, and is now used to carry laborers and supplies from +Copenhagen to that place. While at Ivigtut, it is occasionally +employed to tow the Greenland ships in and out of the fiord. +</p> + +<p> +Ah, if its crew had only heard the shouts and signals of the couple on +the iceberg, how blessed it would have been! But its lights had +vanished long ago, and, if its whistle sounded again, it was so far +away that it could not reach the listening ears. +</p> + +<p> +The restlessness of the friends, to which I have referred, now led +them to attempt a search, if it may so be called, for the missing +Fred. This of necessity was vague and blind, and was accompanied with +but a grain of hope. Neither had yet referred to the awful dread that +was in their thoughts, but weakly trusted they might find the poor +fellow somewhere near asleep or senseless from a fall. +</p> + +<p> +Morning was still several hours distant, but the clearing of the air +enabled them to pick their way with safety, so long as they took heed +to their footsteps. +</p> + +<p> +"I will go down toward the spot where the boat gave us the slip," said +Jack, "and I don't know what you can do, unless you go with me." +</p> + +<p> +"There's no need of that; of course I can't make my way far, while the +night lasts, but I remember that we penetrated some way beyond this +place before camping for the night; I'll try it." +</p> + +<p> +"Keep a sharp lookout, my hearty, or there'll be another lad lost, and +then what will become of Jack Cosgrove?" +</p> + +<p> +"Have no fear of me," replied Rob, setting out on the self-imposed +expedition. +</p> + +<p> +He paused a few steps away and turned to watch the sailor, who was +carefully descending the incline, at the base of which they had +landed. +</p> + +<p> +"I hope he won't find Fred, or rather that he won't find any signs of +his having gone that way," said Rob to himself with a shudder. +</p> + +<p> +As the figure of the man slowly receded, it grew more indistinct until +it faded from sight in the gloom. Still the youth looked and listened +for the words which he dreaded to hear above everything else in the +world. +</p> + +<p> +Jack Cosgrove received a good scare while engaged on his perilous +task. He was half-way down the incline, making his way with the +caution of a timid skater, when, like a flash, his feet flew from +under him, and, falling upon his back, he slid rapidly toward the +waves at the base of the berg. +</p> + +<p> +But the brave fellow did not lose his coolness or presence of mind. +His left hand grasped his rifle, and, throwing out his right, he +seized a projection of ice, checking himself within a few feet of the +water and near enough for the spray from the fierce waves to be flung +over him. +</p> + +<p> +"This isn't the time for a bath," he muttered, carefully climbing to +his feet and retreating a few paces; "it would have been a pretty hard +swim out there with my heavy clothing, though I think I could manage +it." +</p> + +<p> +After all, what could he hope to accomplish by this hunt for Fred +Warburton? If he had wandered in that direction and fallen into the +sea, he had left no traces that could be discovered in the gloom of +the night. He could not have gone thither and stayed there that was +certain. +</p> + +<p> +The sailor having withdrawn beyond the reach of the waves, sat down in +as disconsolate a mood as can be imagined. A suspicion that Rob might +follow caused him to turn his head and look over his shoulder. +</p> + +<p> +"I don't see anything of him, and I guess he'll stay up there; I hope +so, for Jack Cosgrove isn't in the mood to see or talk with any one +'cepting that lad which he won't never see nor talk to agin." +</p> + +<p> +Convincing himself that he was safe against a visit from the elder +youth, the sailor bowed his head, and, for several minutes, wept like +one with an uncontrollable grief. +</p> + +<p> +When his sorrow had partially subsided, he spent a brief while with +his head still bowed in communion with his Maker. +</p> + +<p> +"I don't know but what the lad is luckier than me or Rob," he added, +reviewing the situation in his mind; "for we've got to foller him +sooner or later. It isn't likely that any ship will come as nigh to +this thing as the 'Fox' did awhile ago, and I can't see one chance in +ten thousand of our being took off. We haven't a mouthful of food, +and there's no way of our getting any. After a time we will have to +lay down and starve or freeze to death, or both. Poor Fred has been +saved all that—" +</p> + +<p> +He checked his musings, for at that moment a peculiar sound broke upon +his ear. It resembled that caused by the exhaust of a steamer at low +pressure. One less experienced than he would have been deceived into +the belief that such was its source, but Jack did not hold any such +false hope for a minute even. He understood it too well. +</p> + +<p> +It was made by a whale "blowing." One of those monster animals was +disporting himself in the vicinity of the iceberg, and the sailor had +heard the same sound too often to mistake it. +</p> + +<p> +Shifting his position so as to bring him nearer the sea, he stooped +and peered out in the gloom, in the direction whence came the noise. +There was enough starlight for him to trace the outline of the +mountainous waves, as they arose against the sky, though they were +dimly defined and might have misled another. +</p> + +<p> +While gazing thus, a huge mass took vague form. It was the head of a +gigantic leviathan of the deep, which for a moment was projected +against the sky and then sank out of sight with the same noise that +had attracted Jack's notice in the first place. +</p> + +<p> +The blowing was heard at intervals, for several minutes, until the +distance shut it from further notice. +</p> + +<p> +"I wonder if Rob noticed it," the sailor asked himself; "for if he +did, he will make the mistake of believing the 'Fox' has come to take +us off, and we're done with this old berg." +</p> + +<p> +But nothing was heard from the youth, and the sailor remained seated +on the shelf of ice, a prey to his gloomy reflections. He had made up +his mind to stay where he was until the coming of day, when the +question of what was to be done would be speedily settled. +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile, he wanted no company but his own thoughts. He had kept up +with the elder youth, and carefully withheld his fears and beliefs +from him. He felt that he could do so no longer. The farce had been +played out, and the truth must be spoken. +</p> + +<p> +It was impossible to note the passage of time. Jack carried no watch, +but each of the boys owned an excellent timepiece. He probably fell +into a doze, for, when he roused himself once more, he saw that the +night was nearly over. +</p> + +<p> +"I wonder what Rob is doing," he said, rising to his feet, stretching +his arms, and looking in the direction where he expected to see his +friend; "I hope nothing hain't happened to him." +</p> + +<p> +This affliction was spared the sailor, for while he was peering +through the increasing light, he caught sight of the figure of Rob +making his way toward him. +</p> + +<p> +"Hello, Jack, have you found anything?" +</p> + +<p> +"No; have you?" +</p> + +<p> +"I think I have; come and see." +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="IX"> </a> +CHAPTER IX +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +A STARTLING OCCURRENCE +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +As may be supposed, Jack Cosgrove was all excitement on the instant. +He had not expected any such reply, and he was eager to learn the +cause. As he started forward, he instinctively glanced down in quest +of evidence that Fred had passed there. There was none so far as he +could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been +able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, +and some of them more than once. +</p> + +<p> +"What is it?" he asked, as he reached his friend. +</p> + +<p> +"It may mean nothing, but a little distance beyond where we camped the +ice is broken and scratched as though some one has been that way." +</p> + +<p> +"So there has, we were there yesterday afternoon." +</p> + +<p> +"I haven't forgotten that, but these marks are at a place where we +haven't been, that is unless it was Fred." +</p> + +<p> +"How did you manage to find them in the dark?" +</p> + +<p> +"I didn't; I groped over the ice as far as I could, and then sat down +and waited for day. I must have slept awhile, but when it was growing +light I happened to look around, and there, within a few feet of me, +on my right hand, I noticed the ice scratched and broken, as though +some one had found it hard work to get along. I was about to start +right after him, when I thought it best to tarry for you. It is now so +much lighter that we shall learn something worth knowing." +</p> + +<p> +Even in their excitement they paused a few minutes to gaze out upon +the ocean, as it was rapidly illumined by the rising sun. Before long +their vision extended for miles, but the looked-for sight was not +there. On every hand, as far as the eye could penetrate, was nothing +but the heaving expanse of icy water. +</p> + +<p> +Whether they were within a comparatively short distance of Greenland +or not, they were not nigh enough to catch the first glimpse of the +coast. +</p> + +<p> +Several miles to the eastward towered an iceberg, apparently as large +as the one upon which they were drifting. Its pinnacles, domes, +arches, plateaus, spires, and varied forms sparkled and scintillated +in the growing sunlight, displaying at times all the colors of the +spectrum, and making a picture beautiful beyond description. +</p> + +<p> +To the northward and well down in the horizon, was another berg, +smaller than the first, and too far off to attract interest. A still +smaller one was visible midway between the two, and a peculiar +appearance of the sea in the same direction, Jack said, was caused by +a great ice field. +</p> + +<p> +Not a ship was to be seen anywhere. Their view to the southward was +excluded by the bulk of the iceberg, on which they were floating. +</p> + +<p> +"There's nothing there for us," remarked Rob with a sigh. +</p> + +<p> +"You're right; lead the way and let's see what you found." +</p> + +<p> +It took them but a few minutes to reach the place the lad had in mind, +and they had no sooner done so than the sailor was certain an +important discovery had been made. +</p> + +<p> +Where there was so much irregularity of shape as on an iceberg, a +clear description is impossible; but, doing the best we can, it may be +said that the spot was a hundred feet back from where the three +huddled together with an expectation of spending the night until +morning. It was only a little higher, and was attained by carefully +picking one's way over the jagged ice, which afforded secure footing, +now that day had come. +</p> + +<p> +Adjoining the place, from which the party diverged to the left, was a +lift or shelf on the right, and distant only two or three paces. It +was no more than waist high, and, therefore, was readily reached by +any one who chose to clamber upon it. +</p> + +<p> +It is no easy matter to trace one over the ice, but the signs of which +Rob had spoken were too plain to be mistaken. There were scratches, +such as would have been made by a pair of shoes, a piece of the edge +was broken off, and marks beyond were visible similar to those which +it would be supposed any one would make in clambering over the flinty +surface. +</p> + +<p> +Jack stood a minute or two studying these signs as eagerly as an +American Indian might scrutinize the faint trail of an enemy through +the forest. +</p> + +<p> +"By the great horned spoon!" he finally exclaimed; "but that does look +encouraging; I shouldn't wonder if the chap did make his way along +there in the night, but why he done it only he can tell. Howsumever, +where has he gone?" +</p> + +<p> +That was the question which Rob Carrol had asked himself more than +once, and was unable to answer. The ice, for a distance of another +hundred feet, looked as if it might be scaled, but, just beyond that, +towered a perpendicular wall, like the side of a glass mountain. There +could be no progress any farther in that direction, nor, so far as +could be judged, could any one advance by turning to the right or +left. +</p> + +<p> +There must be numerous depressions and cavities, sufficient to hide a +dozen men, and it was in one of these the couple believed they would +find the dead or senseless body of their friend. +</p> + +<p> +"Jack," said Rob, "take my gun." +</p> + +<p> +"What for?" +</p> + +<p> +"I'll push on ahead as fast as I can; I can't wait, and the weapon +will only hinder me." +</p> + +<p> +"I've an idee of doing something of the kind myself, so we'll leave +'em here. I don't think they'll wash away like the boat," he added, as +he carefully placed them on the shelf, up which they proceeded to +climb. +</p> + +<p> +But Rob was in advance and maintained his place, gaining all the time +upon his slower companion, who allowed him to draw away from him +without protest. +</p> + +<p> +"There's no need of a chap tiring himself to death," concluded Jack, +as he fell back to a more moderate pace; "he's younger nor me, and it +won't hurt him to get a bump or so." +</p> + +<p> +Rob was climbing with considerable skill. In his eagerness he slipped +several times, but managed to maintain his footing and to advance with +a steadiness which caused considerable admiration on the part of his +more sluggish companion. +</p> + +<p> +He used his eyes for all they were worth, and the signs that had +roused his hope at first were still seen at intervals, and cheered him +with the growing belief that he was on the right track. +</p> + +<p> +"But why don't we hear something of him?" he abruptly asked himself, +stopping short with shuddering dread in his heart; "he could not have +remained asleep all this time, and, if he has been hurt so as to make +him senseless, more than likely he is dead." +</p> + +<p> +The youth was now nearing the ice wall, to which we have referred, and +beyond which it looked impossible to go. The furtive glances into the +depressions on his right and left showed nothing of his loved friend, +and the evidences of his progress were still in front. The solution of +the singular mystery must be at hand. +</p> + +<p> +Unconsciously Rob slowed his footsteps, and looked and listened with +greater care than before. +</p> + +<p> +"What can it mean? Where can he have gone? I see no way by which he +could have pushed farther, and yet he is not in sight—" +</p> + +<p> +He paused, for he discovered his error. The path, if such it may be +termed, which he had been following, turned so sharply to the right +that it could not be seen until one was upon it. How far it penetrated +in that direction remained to be learned. +</p> + +<p> +Rob turned about and looked at Jack, who was several rods to the rear, +making his way upward with as much deliberation as though he felt no +personal interest in the business. +</p> + +<p> +"I'm going a little farther, Jack, but I think we're close upon him +now. Hurry after me!" +</p> + +<p> +"Ay, ay," called the sailor, in return; "when you run afoul of the lad +give him my love and tell him I'm coming." +</p> + +<p> +This remark proved that he shared the hope of Rob, who was now acting +the part of pioneer, and it did not a little to encourage the boy to +push on with the utmost vigor at his command. +</p> + +<p> +The sailor was somewhat winded from his unusual exertions, and, +believing there was no immediate need of his help, sat down for a few +minutes to regain his breath. +</p> + +<p> +"He'll yell the moment he catches sight of anything, and he can do +that so well that he don't need any help from me—by the great horned +spoon! what's the meaning of that?" +</p> + +<p> +Rob Carrol, who had been out of sight but a few seconds, now burst to +view again, the picture of terror. He was plunging toward the sailor +with such desperate haste that he continually stumbled and bruised +himself. But he instantly scrambled up again, glancing in mortal +fright over his shoulder, and barely able to gasp as he dashed toward +the sailor: +</p> + +<p> +"O Jack! we're lost! we're lost! Heaven help us!" +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="X"> </a> +CHAPTER X +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +AN UGLY CUSTOMER +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +Rob Carrol had good cause for his panic. Full of high hope, he hurried +along the ice between crags which shut him out of sight, for the time, +from Jack Cosgrove, who was resting himself after his hard climb. The +youth was thinking of no one and nothing else, except his friend Fred +Warburton, who had vanished so mysteriously the night before. +</p> + +<p> +The signs in the icy track he was following convinced him that he was +close upon the heels of his chum, who could not have wandered much +farther in advance. His hope was tinged with the deepest anxiety, for +it was impossible to account for Fred's long absence and silence, +except upon the theory that some grievous injury had befallen him. +</p> + +<p> +The searcher's nerves were strung to the highest point, and he was +pushing forward with unabated vigor, when his heart almost stood +still, as he caught a peculiar sound among the masses of ice. +</p> + +<p> +"That's Fred," he concluded; "he's alive, thank God!" and then he +called to his friend: +</p> + +<p> +"Fred! Fred, old fellow, where are you? Speak, I beg of you." +</p> + +<p> +The words were trembling on his lips, when what seemed to be a huge +pile of snow just in advance, arose from the ice and began swinging +toward him. +</p> + +<p> +Paralyzed for the moment by the amazing sight, and wondering whether +his senses were not betraying him, Rob stood motionless, as if rooted +to the spot. +</p> + +<p> +But the next minute that same mass of snow assumed more definite +shape, and an unmistakable growl issued from somewhere within the +interior. +</p> + +<p> +That was enough. Rob knew what it was that was sweeping down upon him +like a young avalanche. He had almost stumbled over a huge polar bear, +ravenous and fierce with hunger, and with a courage that made him +afraid of neither man nor beast. +</p> + +<p> +He must have been half asleep when roused by the approach and the +voice of the lad. Opening his great eyes, he saw before him a fine +breakfast in the shape of a plump lad, and he proceeded to go for him +with a vim and eagerness that would not be denied. +</p> + +<p> +It was about this time that Rob whirled on his heel and started on the +back track, with all the desperate hurry at his command. It will be +remembered that he had no gun with him, he and Jack having left the +weapons on the ice a considerable distance away. Both were without any +means of defense, unless the sheath knife which the sailor always +carried may be considered a weapon, and the only possible hope for +them was to secure their rifles before the monster secured them. +</p> + +<p> +When the lad's frenzied cry broke upon Jack, he sprang from the seat +where he had been resting, and stood staring and wondering what it all +could mean. He saw the boy's cap fly from his head, and he noted his +terrified glances behind him. The next moment the polar bear plunged +into sight, and the sailor grasped the situation. +</p> + +<p> +Even then he failed to do the wisest thing. Instead of realizing that +but one course could save them, and that was by dashing back to the +guns, he hastily drew his knife and awaited the coming of the brute +with a view of checking his attack upon the lad. +</p> + +<p> +It was more creditable to Jack's chivalry than to his sagacity that he +should do this thing. +</p> + +<p> +Even Rob, despite his extreme fright, saw the mistake his friend was +making, and called to him: +</p> + +<p> +"Quick, Jack! Get the guns and shoot him!" +</p> + +<p> +"I shouldn't wonder now if that was a good idea," reflected the +sailor, shoving his knife back, and whirling about to do as urged. +</p> + +<p> +The situation was so critical that even his sluggish blood was +stirred, and he never moved so fast as he did for the succeeding +seconds. Indeed, it was altogether too fast, for he fell headlong with +such violence that he was partially stunned, and by the time he +regained his feet Rob was upon him. +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile the polar bear was making matters lively. He was hustling +for his breakfast, and he kept things on the jump. He was at home amid +the snow and ice, and, with little effort, got forward faster than the +fugitives possibly could; he was overhauling Rob hand over hand. +</p> + +<p> +To continue his flight, even for the brief remaining distance, was to +insure his certain death. Rob saw him, and, when the ponderous beast +was almost upon him, he made a desperate leap from the icy path, +landing on his hands and knees several feet to the left, and instantly +scrambling up again. +</p> + +<p> +The manœuvre was so unexpected by the pursuer that he passed +several paces beyond before he could stop. Turning his head, with his +huge jaws so far apart that his red tongue and long white teeth +showed, he prepared to continue his pursuit of the lad who had escaped +him for the moment by such an exceedingly narrow chance. +</p> + +<p> +But it so happened that Jack Cosgrove just then was also climbing to +his feet from his thumping fall, and, being but a short way from the +brute, he drew his attention to himself. +</p> + +<p> +The bear's appetite was in that rugged state that he was not +particular as to whether his meal was made from a boy or full-grown +man, and, since the latter was within most convenient reach, he +shifted his design to him. +</p> + +<p> +"By the great horned spoon!" muttered the sailor, quick to see how +matters had turned; "but it's Jack Cosgrove that is to have all this +fun to himself, and he's enjoying it." +</p> + +<p> +The single recourse still presented itself; nothing could be done to +check the furious beast until one of the rifles was turned against +him, but it did seem for a time as if fate itself was fighting in +favor of the brute. +</p> + +<p> +Jack's tumble and flurry had so mixed him up that the rifles were +forgotten, until he took several steps on his flight, when he recalled +the fatal oversight, and hastily turned to rectify it; but the +precious moments wasted made it too late. The bear was actually +between him and the weapons, and, to attempt to reach them, except by +a roundabout course, was to fling himself into the embrace of those +resistless claws. +</p> + +<p> +He was too wise to attempt it. The first thing to do was to get +himself out of reach of the terror that was bearing down upon him with +the certainty of death. +</p> + +<p> +"If there was only a tree that I could climb," he reflected, leaping, +tumbling, and laboring forward as best he could; "he couldn't nab me, +but I don't see any tree, and that chap's hungry enough to eat a +stewed anchor." +</p> + +<p> +In the fearful hurry and panic some moments passed before Rob Carrol +comprehended the abrupt change in the plan of campaign. At the moment +he expected to feel the claw of the brute, he looked back and saw he +was pressing Jack hard. Furthermore, the latter, instead of hurrying +for the guns, was drawing away from them. +</p> + +<p> +That was a bad outlook, but it suggested to the youth that the chance +had come for him to do something effective. +</p> + +<p> +He lost no time in seizing the chance. He turned again in his course, +and moved around toward the spot where the weapons had been left near +at hand. Could he have been sure of a few minutes there would have +been no trouble in managing it, but events were going with such a rush +that there was not a spare second at command. +</p> + +<p> +The guns being near and lower in elevation than themselves, were in +plain sight. Rob saw the barrels and the iron work gleaming in the +morning sunlight, so that he could make no mistake in locating them, +but his attention was so riveted on the prizes that he paid no heed to +his footsteps, or, rather, he paid less heed than was necessary. +</p> + +<p> +He was within fifty feet, and was counting upon the quickness with +which he would end the sport of the brute when he discovered that he +was on the brink of an irregular depression in the ice. He tried +desperately to check himself or turn aside, but it was beyond his +ability and over he went. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XI"> </a> +CHAPTER XI +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +LIVELY TIMES +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +Rob's fall was not far, and his heavy clothing saved him from the +bruises that otherwise might have disabled him. He stared about him +and saw that he had fallen into a rough depression of the ice from six +to eight feet in depth, and of about the same diameter. +</p> + +<p> +"Here's a go," he reflected; "I wonder whether the bear will follow me +here, but he's giving his full attention to poor Jack, and won't hunt +for me until he is through with him." +</p> + +<p> +It was characteristic of the lad that, knowing the imminent peril of +his friend, he should feel more anxious about him than himself. All +thought of the missing Fred was shut out for the moment. +</p> + +<p> +The first thing for Rob to do was to get out of the hole into which he +had fallen. He did not wait, but, throwing off his outer coat, flung +it upon the edge of the depression, and then, leaping upward, caught +the margin with his mittened hands. As I stated at the beginning, he +was a fine athlete, but the task was almost impossible. The purchase +was so slight that when he put forth his strength and attempted to +draw himself upward, his mittens slipped, as though they were oiled. +</p> + +<p> +Then he snatched off the mittens, threw them upon his coat, and again +made the attempt; he failed as before. +</p> + +<p> +"I've got to stay here while the bear kills poor Jack," was his +despairing thought; "I can do nothing, when, if I were up there, I +could lay hold of one of the guns and save him." +</p> + +<p> +The reflection was so bitter that he could not rest. Walking rapidly +around the depression, he jumped upward at every step or two and +repeated the effort. Failure followed failure, and he was once more in +despair. +</p> + +<p> +Again he made the attempt, and his hand struck a knob-like projection, +which afforded just the purchase wanted. Grasping it with all his +might, he quickly drew himself upward, and was once more on what might +be considered the surface proper of the iceberg. +</p> + +<p> +At the moment of climbing into sight he heard the report of a gun. +</p> + +<p> +"Ah, Jack has managed to reach his rifle, and has given the brute a +shot—no, he hasn't, either!" +</p> + +<p> +To his unbounded amazement, he saw the sailor fleeing and dodging for +life, with the bear still at his heels. But he had no gun in his hand, +and, casting his eye below him, Rob observed both weapons lying where +they were placed by the owners a short time before. +</p> + +<p> +Who had fired that gun whose report he just heard? +</p> + +<p> +It was an absorbing question, indeed, but there was no time just then +to give it a thought. Rob was much nearer the rifles than either Jack +or the bear, and he now hastened thither, taking care that his last +mishap was not repeated. +</p> + +<p> +From what has been told it will be understood that Jack Cosgrove found +no time for the grass to grow under his feet. He had pulled himself +through many a narrow peril, but he was sure he was never quite so +hard pressed as now. He tried dodging and sudden turns in the line of +his flight, and doubtless saved himself more than once by such means; +but the discouraging fact was ever with him that his relentless enemy +could travel tenfold faster and better than he over the ice, and +sooner or later was certain to run him down unless turned aside by +some one else. +</p> + +<p> +Jack naturally wondered what had become of Rob, who was so active only +a short time before. His furtive glances showed him nothing of his +friend, but he had no chance to speculate, nor did he call upon him +for help, as the lad had appealed to him but a short time before. +</p> + +<p> +The sorely pressed fugitive drew his knife to be prepared for the +final struggle that was at hand. He had met polar bears before, and he +knew what such a conflict meant. +</p> + +<p> +He was wise enough, too, not to postpone the struggle until his own +strength was exhausted by running. He whirled about, when the brute +was no more than ten feet distant, and grasping his knife by the tip +of the blade, drove it with all the vicious fury at his command +straight at the head of the bear. +</p> + +<p> +The sailor was an adept at this species of throwing, and had often +given exhibitions of his skill on shipboard. It was not to be expected +that he could kill such a gigantic animal by flinging his sheath knife +at him, but it sped so true and with such power, that, striking his +neck, it inflicted a deep wound, sinking so deep, indeed, that it +remained in the wound. +</p> + +<p> +At this juncture the rifle, whose report Rob heard, was fired. The +sailor supposed, as a matter of course, that Rob discharged it, for +there could be no doubt the bear was the target. The bullet struck him +near the junction of the left leg, and there could be no mistake about +his being hit hard. He uttered a peculiar whining moan, stopped for +the moment, and then resumed his pursuit with such a marked limp that +his progress was perceptibly decreased. +</p> + +<p> +Seeing his own advantage, Jack was wise enough to use it. In his +desperation he had deprived himself of his only weapon, and he was +defenseless. But with a limping bear lumbering after him, and with the +short respite he had gained, he fancied he could hold his own in a +foot-race. So he wheeled and went at it again. +</p> + +<p> +By this time, and, indeed, a minute before, Rob had reached the spot +where the two guns lay, and with both in his grasp he set off in hot +haste to overtake the brute. He meant to get so near that when he +fired there could be no miss. +</p> + +<p> +To his exasperation, he stumbled and came within a hair of going into +the very hole from which he had extricated himself with so much +difficulty. But he escaped, and finding neither weapon injured, he +resumed his pursuit, cheered by the apparent fact that the bear was no +longer able to gain upon the fugitive. +</p> + +<p> +Jack had run as close to the edge of the iceberg as possible, and to +venture nearer would be at the imminent risk of going into the icy +sea. He perforce turned, and sped in the direction of the lad, who was +hastening to his help. +</p> + +<p> +This suited Rob, for there was no call for him to continue his +pursuit, since the bear was approaching "head on." The youth stopped +as soon as he saw the change, and prepared to close matters. +</p> + +<p> +The opening could not have been better, and, dropping one rifle at his +feet, Rob steadied himself and took careful aim at the beast. He +pointed the gun not at his head, but at a point just below, hoping to +reach his heart. +</p> + +<p> +He saw the snowy coat stained crimson from the wound made by Jack's +knife, and he limped heavily. +</p> + +<p> +"Look out you don't hit me!" called the panting sailor, whose grim +humor showed itself at the most inopportune times. +</p> + +<p> +"Get out of the way, then!" called Rob, in turn; "you're right in +front of me." +</p> + +<p> +Jack dodged to one side, being at the moment about midway between his +friend and pursuer, and less than twenty feet from either. +</p> + +<p> +The next instant the lad pulled trigger. +</p> + +<p> +But the bear did not stop, and showed no evidence of having been so +much as harmed. +</p> + +<p> +"You missed him, you lubber! Let me have the other gun, and show you +how to bring down game." +</p> + +<p> +There was no time for any such proceeding, and, dropping the +discharged weapon, Rob instantly stooped and caught up the second. +</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img width="500" height="299" src="images/106.jpg" alt="JUST THEN THE REPORT OF ANOTHER GUN SOUNDED"> +<p class="caption">JUST THEN THE REPORT OF ANOTHER GUN SOUNDED +<br> +(See page 106) +</p> +</div> + +<p> +Just then another gun sounded from a point higher up the berg, and the +huge brute stopped. He seemed dazed, and, half-rearing on his +haunches, picked at the wound, as though he fancied a splinter was +there, which he could draw from his flesh. +</p> + +<p> +"He's going to attack us with the knife!" called Jack, who saw that +the danger was over; "and I shouldn't wonder if he knows how to do it +better than you can manage your gun." +</p> + +<p> +"Keep out of the way, Jack, and I'll finish him." +</p> + +<p> +Rob had brought the second weapon to a level, and the opening was, if +possible, more favorable than before. +</p> + +<p> +Again he pulled trigger, and this shot did the business. The monster, +one of the largest and fiercest of his species, went down in a +helpless mass, and expired before their eyes. +</p> + +<p> +"Hello, you chaps would be in a pretty scrape if it wasn't for me!" +</p> + +<p> +Jack and Rob turned toward the point whence the voice came and saw +Fred Warburton hastening toward them with his smoking rifle in hand. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XII"> </a> +CHAPTER XII +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +FRED'S EXPERIENCE +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +Both Jack Cosgrove and Rob Carrol could have shouted with joy at the +sight of the missing boy, and the sound of his voice. More than once, +during the stirring minutes that they were trying to save themselves +from the irrestrainable bear, they thought of the shot that was fired +by neither of them, and which, therefore, they naturally attributed to +their friend. +</p> + +<p> +The second shot left no doubt of its source, and here now was the +youth hurrying down from some point near where the brute had come, +laughing like his own natural self. +</p> + +<p> +It need not be said that his hand was shaken heartily by the sailor +and his companion, and that he was overwhelmed with questions as to +his singular action. +</p> + +<p> +The story of Fred was curious, and yet it had been partially +discounted by his chum. +</p> + +<p> +It was not to be supposed that he would leave the comparative comfort +he enjoyed when huddled close to his friends without good cause, and +in that case he would have notified them of his intention, to save +them from alarm. +</p> + +<p> +The experience of the day disturbed him, and caused him to dream +dreams of the most vivid nature. Several times, during the preceding +years, he had walked in his sleep, and his departure from the camp, as +they called it, was as unknown to himself as to his friends. +</p> + +<p> +It was evident that he managed the business with great skill, since +neither of the others was disturbed. He picked up his gun and went off +in the direction followed by Rob, clambering farther up the side of +the iceberg than was supposed possible. +</p> + +<p> +"I think," said Fred, "that I can read the cause for what I did while +unconscious. You remember we had much to say about the 'Nautilus' +being driven out of sight by the gale, and I recall that, before going +to sleep, I wondered whether we could not climb to a higher portion of +the berg and signal to them. +</p> + +<p> +"I suppose that was what set my mind and muscles to work when +unconscious, and impelled me to try what I never would have tried with +my full senses about me. +</p> + +<p> +"When I came to myself I was in a cavity in the ice, where the +protection against the gale was much better than our camp. It was a +regular bowl or hollow, which would have been just the place for us +three. But daylight had come, the weather was so moderate that I did +not suffer from cold, and there was nothing, therefore, to be feared +from that cause. +</p> + +<p> +"As you may suppose, it took me sometime before I could recall myself, +but I was not long in suspecting the truth. I was so comfortable in +the position involuntarily assumed that I lay still while pondering +matters. When ready, I was on the point of rising, when I heard a +slight noise on the ice above me. +</p> + +<p> +"'That's Jack or Rob,' I thought; 'they are looking for me, and I will +give them a scare.' +</p> + +<p> +"I lay still, expecting one of you to pass so close that you would +discover me, but though I could follow the movement by sound, and +though the object passed close to me it was not quite close enough to +be seen, I rose softly to my feet and peered over the edge of the +cavity in which I was resting. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, Rob was startled when he stumbled over that polar bear, but he +was no more frightened than I, when I discovered that instead of it +being one of you, it was that frightful brute which had swung by +within a few feet of where I lay. +</p> + +<p> +"You can see the curious shape of matters. The bear had come from some +point beyond where I lay, and, making his way down the ice, had now +placed himself between me and you. The only means of my reaching you +was by passing close to him. That meant a fight to the death. +</p> + +<p> +"I noticed his tremendous size, and from what I have heard they are +among the most dangerous beasts in the world—" +</p> + +<p> +"You're right there, my hearty," interrupted Jack; "if there was ever +any doubt in my mind, which there wasn't, it was settled by that +little scrimmage awhile ago." +</p> + +<p> +"I had my gun, and, at first, was half-disposed to take a shot, but +the chance was a poor one, for he was walking straight away, and it +was impossible to do more than sound him. That would render him +furious and cause him to attack me. Our rifles were not repeating +ones, and before I could get another charge ready, he would be upon +me, and it might be that several well-aimed shots would be necessary +to finish him." +</p> + +<p> +"You had good sense," said Rob; "he would have made mince-meat of you +in a fight." +</p> + +<p> +"You must remember that while I could see the bear from where I peered +over the edge of the ice, I could not catch the first sight of you. +The brute seemed to be following some sort of a path, while the masses +of ice were so piled upon both sides and beyond him that all farther +view was shut off. +</p> + +<p> +"While I was watching the enormous white body swinging along, it +stopped, and then to my dismay, he turned about and started back. +</p> + +<p> +"'He's coming for me!' was my conclusion, 'and now there will be a row +sure.' +</p> + +<p> +"I braced myself to receive him, but, inasmuch as he had not yet seen +me, and, inasmuch as he had once passed my shelter, without +discovering me, there was hope that he would do the same again. So +'Brer rabbit, he lay low,' and I listened for him to go by. As soon as +he was at a safe distance, I intended to climb out and hurry to you. +We three ought to be enough for him, and I had no fear but that you +might manage him between you without my help." +</p> + +<p> +"That was my opinion at that time," added Fred, with a twinkle of his +eye, "but it isn't now. While I was crouching there I heard you +calling me. You can understand why I didn't answer. I preferred to +remain mum so long as that bear was between me and you and coming +toward me." +</p> + +<p> +"We did a lot of shouting last night," said Rob. +</p> + +<p> +"That's the first I knew of it. But the minutes passed without the +bear being heard. I listened as intently as I knew how, but no sound +reached me. +</p> + +<p> +"'I wonder if he intends to promenade back and forth,' was my thought, +as I ventured to peep out once more, with great caution; 'this is +getting interesting.' +</p> + +<p> +"Well, I was surprised when I saw him. He was less than a dozen yards +off, and lying down, with his head still turned away from me. His +action was just as if he had learned that his breakfast was going to +come up that path, and he intended to wait until it walked into his +arms." +</p> + +<p> +"And that is pretty nearly what I did," said Rob, with a smiling +glance at the carcass. +</p> + +<p> +"His head being still away I dared not fire, nor would it have done +for me to call to you or answer your signals. It was plain to me that +he had no suspicion that the choicest kind of meal was right near him, +and it wouldn't have been wise for me to apprise him of the fact; it +might have made things unpleasant all around. +</p> + +<p> +"You needn't be told what followed. I watched him a few minutes, +during which he was as motionless as the iceberg itself, and then I +settled down to await developments. +</p> + +<p> +"While seated, of course I saw nothing of him, and the first notice I +received of what was going on was when I heard Rob shouting. I sprang +out of my shelter, and, as you will remember, saved you both from +being devoured by the monster. Isn't he, or, rather, wasn't he a big +fellow?" added Fred, stepping over to the enormous carcass and +touching it with his foot. +</p> + +<p> +"He's the biggest I've ever seen," assented Jack, "and I'm thankful +that we got off as well as we did. It's no use of denying that your +shots helped us through." +</p> + +<p> +"Possibly, but it was Rob after all who wound up the business," Fred +hastened to say, lest he might be thought of wishing to take undue +credit to himself. +</p> + +<p> +"There's worse eating, too, than bear meat." +</p> + +<p> +It was Jack who made this remark, and the others caught its +significance. They were thus provided with the means of living for a +long time on the iceberg, and might hope for some means of rescue in +the course of a week or two. +</p> + +<p> +Rob was about to make some characteristic reply, when the sailor +pointed out to sea. +</p> + +<p> +"Do you obsarve that?" he asked. "It's just what I was afeared of, and +I don't like it at all." +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XIII"> </a> +CHAPTER XIII +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +THE FOG +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +It will be recalled that when Jack and Rob awoke, during the preceding +night, they noticed a marked change in the temperature, and the sailor +prophesied an unwelcome change in the weather. Following the direction +pointed by him, his friends saw what he meant. The rise had caused one +of those fogs that have been fatal so often to ships off the banks of +Newfoundland, and which frequently wrap the southern coast of +Greenland in a mist as impenetrable as that which overshadows at times +the British metropolis. +</p> + +<p> +"You see," added Jack, "it might be that some whaler or other vessel +is cruising in these latitudes, and will come close enough for us to +observe 'em and they us, provided the sun was shining, but, the way +matters are turning out, they might pass within a biscuit's toss 'out +either of us knowing it." +</p> + +<p> +"Well," was the philosophical comment of Fred, "we have so much to be +thankful for that I can't complain over a small matter like that." +</p> + +<p> +"It may be a bigger matter than you think, but I'm as thankful as you, +all the same." +</p> + +<p> +"Gracious!" exclaimed Rob, with a sigh; "I'm hungry." +</p> + +<p> +"There's your supper." +</p> + +<p> +Both boys, however, shook their heads, and Rob replied: +</p> + +<p> +"I'm not hungry enough to eat raw bear's meat." +</p> + +<p> +"It's a thousand times better than starving to death." +</p> + +<p> +As the sailor spoke, he walked to the carcass and withdrew his knife +from the wound. +</p> + +<p> +"You'll come to it bime-by; I've seed the time when I was ready to +chaw up a pair of leather breeches, but that isn't half as bad as +being in an open boat under the equator, with not a drop of water for +three days." +</p> + +<p> +"We can never suffer from that cause so long as this iceberg holds +out. How is it with you, Fred? Are you ready for bear steak?" +</p> + +<p> +"I would be too glad to dine on it, if there was some means of cooking +it, but that is out of the question. I think I'll wait awhile." +</p> + +<p> +"I'll keep you company," remarked Jack, who felt no such repugnance +against the primitive meal, but was willing to defer the feast out of +regard for them. +</p> + +<p> +The party watched the fog settling over the sea, until, as the sailor +had told them it would do, it shut out all vision beyond a hundred +feet or less. +</p> + +<p> +"I would give a good deal to know one thing," said Fred, after several +minutes' silence, as he seated himself, "and that is just where we +are." +</p> + +<p> +"I can tell you," said Rob. +</p> + +<p> +"Where?" +</p> + +<p> +"On an iceberg in the Greenland Sea." +</p> + +<p> +"I am not so sure of that, my hearty," put in Jack; "there's no doubt, +of course, that we're on the berg, but I wouldn't bet that we're +drifting through the Greenland Sea." +</p> + +<p> +"Why, the 'Nautilus' was so far north when we left it, and this +iceberg was moving so slowly that we couldn't have gone as far as all +that." +</p> + +<p> +Jack saw that his meaning was not understood. +</p> + +<p> +"What I was getting at is this: Of course, when them bergs slip off +into the ocean, most of them start southward for a more congen'l +clime, but all of 'em don't do it by any means. There is a current off +the western coast of Greenland which runs toward the North Pole, and +we may be in that." +</p> + +<p> +"But this extends so far down that it must strike the other current, +which flows in the opposite direction." +</p> + +<p> +"That may and may not be, and it may be, too, that if it does, the +upper current is the stronger. I've been calling to mind the bearing +of the ship and berg, and I've an idee we're going northward. Bime-by +the berg may change its mind and flop about and start for New York or +South America, but I don't believe it's doing so now." +</p> + +<p> +This was important information, provided it was true, and there was +good reason to believe that Jack Cosgrove knew far better than they +what he was talking about. +</p> + +<p> +"Then if we keep on we'll strike the North Pole," remarked Rob, +gravely. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, if we keep on, but we're pretty sure to stop or change our +course before we get beyond Davis Strait or Christianshaab or Ivignut. +Anyway, this old berg will keep at it till she fetches up in southern +waters." +</p> + +<p> +The words of Jack had opened a new and interesting field for +discussion. Its ending had not been thought of by the boys in their +calculations; and, despite their faith in their more experienced +companion, they believed he was mistaken. They had never heard of +anything of the kind he had mentioned, and it did not seem reasonable +that such a vast mass, after heading southward, should change its +direction. Even though it was drifting north when first seen, it must +have started still farther north in order to reach the latitude where +first observed. +</p> + +<p> +By this time all hope of being rescued by the "Nautilus" had been +given up, unless some happy accident should lead it to come upon the +iceberg. The party, therefore, began considering other means of escape +from their unpleasant quarters. +</p> + +<p> +As is well known, there are a number of Danish settlements scattered +along the west coast of Greenland, the bleak, desolate eastern shore +being inhabited only by wandering Esquimaux. It might be that the berg +would sweep along within sight of land, and the friends would be able +to attract the attention of some of the native fishing boats, or +possibly larger craft. It was a remote hope, indeed, but it was all +they saw before them. At any rate, the polar bear had provided them +with the means of postponing starvation to an indefinite period, for +there was enough meat in his carcass to afford nourishment for many +days to come. +</p> + +<p> +"I wonder whether there are more polar bears on this craft?" remarked +Rob, rising to his feet and looking around as if he half expected to +discover another of the monsters making for them. +</p> + +<p> +"Little danger of that," replied Jack, "and it's so mighty seldom that +any of 'em are fools enough to allow themselves to be carried off like +this one did that I never dreamed of anything of the kind. It does +happen now and then, but not often, though you may read of such +things." +</p> + +<p> +"I suppose he would have stayed here until he starved to death," was +the inquiring remark of Fred. +</p> + +<p> +"He might and he might not; when he had got it through his skull that +there was nothing to eat on the berg he would have plunged into the +sea and started for land, provided it was in sight, and he would have +reached it, too. When he landed he would have been hungry enough to +attack the first saw-mill he came to, and I wouldn't like to be the +first chap he met." +</p> + +<p> +"I don't see how he could have been fiercer than he was." +</p> + +<p> +"He meant business from the first; and, if he had caught sight of you +when you lay asleep in that cavity in the ice he would have swallowed +you before you could wake." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, he didn't do it," replied Fred, with a half-shudder and laugh, +"so what's the good of thinking about it? Rob, it strikes me," he +added, with a quizzical look at the boy, "that raw bear's meat might +not be so bad after all." +</p> + +<p> +"Of course it isn't!" Jack was quick to say, springing to his feet and +stepping forward, knife in hand. +</p> + +<p> +It was evident from the manner in which he conducted the business that +he had done it before. He extracted a goodly-sized piece from near the +shoulder, and dressed it as well as he could with the only means at +command. +</p> + +<p> +Rob had hit upon what might be called a compromise. When one of the +three slices, into which the portion was divided, was handed to him, +he struck match after match from the rubber safe he carried, and held +the tiny flame against different portions of the meat. +</p> + +<p> +Anything like cooking was out of the question, but he succeeded in +scorching it slightly, and giving it a partial appearance of having +seen the fire. +</p> + +<p> +"There!" he exclaimed, in triumph, holding it aloft; "it's done to a +turn, that is the first turn. It's cooked, but it's a little rare, +I'll admit." +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile, Fred imitated him, using almost all the matches he +possessed. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XIV"> </a> +CHAPTER XIV +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +A COLLISION +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +Jack scorned everything of the kind, and he ate his piece with as much +gusto as if it had passed through the hands of a professional cook. +The boys managed to dispose of considerable, so that it may be said +the little party made a fair meal from the supply so unexpectedly +provided them. +</p> + +<p> +The primitive meal finished, the three friends remained seated and +discussed the future, which was now the all-important question before +them. +</p> + +<p> +"How long is this fog likely to last?" asked Fred. +</p> + +<p> +"No one can answer that," replied Jack; "a brisk wind may drive it +away, a rain would soon finish it, or it may go before colder weather, +or it may last several days." +</p> + +<p> +"Meanwhile we can do nothing but drift." +</p> + +<p> +"That's about all we can do any way," was the truthful remark of the +sailor; "we'll make the bear last as long as we can." +</p> + +<p> +"I think he will last a good while," observed Rob, with a +half-disgusted look at the carcass; "it will do when there's nothing +else to be had, but I never can fancy it without cooking." +</p> + +<p> +At that moment they received a startling shock. A peculiar shiver or +jar passed through the iceberg, as though from a prodigious blow that +was felt through every part—an impossible occurrence. +</p> + +<p> +"What can that mean?" asked the lads, in consternation. +</p> + +<p> +"By the great horned spoon!" was the reply of the frightened Jack; "I +hope we won't feel it again." +</p> + +<p> +"But what is it?" +</p> + +<p> +"The berg scraped the bottom of the sea just then. There it goes +again!" +</p> + +<p> +A shock, fully as violent as before, went through and through the vast +mass of ice. It lasted only a second or two, but the sensations of the +party were like those of the housekeeper who wakes in the night, to +feel his dwelling swaying under the grasp of the earthquake. +</p> + +<p> +None needed to be told of the possible consequences of drifting into +shallow water. If the base of the iceberg, extending far down into the +depths of the ocean, should strike some projecting mountain peak of +the deep, or a plateau, the berg was liable to overturn, with an +appalling rush, beyond the power of mind to conceive. In such an event +there was no more chance of the party saving themselves than there +would be in the crater of a bursting volcano. +</p> + +<p> +Well might they look blankly in each other's faces, for they were +helpless within the grasp of a power that was absolutely resistless. +</p> + +<p> +They sat silent and waiting, but, as minute after minute passed, +without the shock being repeated, hope returned, and they ventured to +speak in undertones, as though fearful that the sound of their voices +would precipitate the calamity. +</p> + +<p> +"That satisfies me I was right," said Jack, compressing his lips and +shaking his head. +</p> + +<p> +"In what respect?" asked Fred. +</p> + +<p> +"We're drifting toward the North Pole, and we are not far from the +Greenland coast." +</p> + +<p> +"But are there not shallow places in the ocean, hundreds of miles from +land, where such a great iceberg as this might touch bottom?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, but there are not many in this part of the world. The thing may +swing out of this current, or get into another which will start it +southward, but I don't believe it has done it yet." +</p> + +<p> +"Sailing on an iceberg is worse than I imagined," was the comment of +Rob; "I'm more anxious than ever to leave this; it isn't often that a +passenger feels like complaining of the bigness of the craft that +bears him over the deep, but that's the trouble in this case." +</p> + +<p> +"If the capsize does come," said Jack, "it will be the end of us; we +would be buried hundreds of fathoms under the ice." +</p> + +<p> +"There can be no doubt of that, but I say, Jack, isn't there something +off yonder? I can't make it out, but it seems to me that it is more +than the fog." +</p> + +<p> +While the three were talking, Fred Warburton was seated so as to face +the open sea, the others being turned sideways and giving no heed to +that point of the compass. +</p> + +<p> +It will be remembered that at this time they were inclosed in the +all-pervading fog, which prevented them seeing as far as the length of +the mountain of ice on which they were seated. Turning toward the +water and peering outward, they saw the cause of the boy's question. +The vapor itself appeared to be assuming shape, vague, indistinct, +undefined, and almost invisible, but nevertheless perceptible to all. +</p> + +<p> +The sailor was the first to see what it meant. Leaping to his feet he +emitted his favorite exclamation: +</p> + +<p> +"By the great horned spoon! it's another berg!" +</p> + +<p> +With awful slowness and certainty the mass of fog disclosed more and +more distinctly the misty contour that had caught the eye of Fred +Warburton. At first it was like a pile of denser fog, rolling along +the surface of the sea, but the outlines became more distinct each +moment, until the form of an iceberg was clearly marked in the wet +atmosphere. +</p> + +<p> +The new one was much smaller than that upon which they were afloat, +but it was of vast proportions for all that, enough to crush the +largest ship that ever floated, as though it were but a toy in its +path. +</p> + +<p> +But the fearful fact about its appearance was that the two bergs were +approaching each other, under the influence of adverse currents! +</p> + +<p> +A collision was inevitable, and the boys contemplated it with hardly +less dismay than they did the overturning of the larger one a short +time before. +</p> + +<p> +"This is no place for us!" called out Jack, the moment after his +exclamation; "let's get out!" +</p> + +<p> +He started up the path from which the polar bear had come, with his +young friends at his heels. They did not stop until they could go no +farther, when they turned about and shudderingly awaited the +catastrophe that was at hand. +</p> + +<p> +Their withdrawal from the edge of the iceberg to a point some distance +away dimmed their vision, but the smaller berg was easily +distinguished through the obscurity. +</p> + +<p> +The two continued to approach with a slowness that could hardly have +caused a shock in a couple of ships, but where the two masses were so +enormous the momentum was beyond calculation. +</p> + +<p> +The frightful crisis was not without its grim humor. The boys braced +themselves against the expected crash as if in a railway train with a +collision at hand. They lost sight of the fact that no force in nature +could produce any such sudden jarring and jolting as they apprehended. +</p> + +<p> +The two bergs seemed to be lying side by side, within a few inches +really, but without actually touching. +</p> + +<p> +"Why don't they strike?" asked Rob, in an awed whisper. +</p> + +<p> +"There it comes!" exclaimed Fred; "hold fast!" +</p> + +<p> +The smaller berg was seen to sway and bow, as if that, too, had swept +against the bottom of the sea, and it was shaken through every part. +</p> + +<p> +But amazing fact to the lads! they felt only the slightest possible +tremor pass through the support upon which they had steadied +themselves against the expected shock. +</p> + +<p> +The smaller berg acted like some monster that has received a mortal +hurt. It seemed to be striving to disentangle itself from the fatal +embrace of its conqueror, but was unable to do so. Nearly conical in +shape, a peak rose more than a hundred feet in air, ending in a +tapering point almost as delicate as a church spire. +</p> + +<p> +The crash of the immense bodies caused the breaking off of this icy +monument a couple of rods from the top, and the mass, weighing many +tons toppled over and fell upon the larger berg with a violence that +shattered it into thousands of fragments, bits of which were carried +to the feet of the awed party. Then, as if the smaller one saw that it +was idle to resist longer, it began moving with the larger, which +forced it along its own course as a tug pushes a floating chip in +front of it. +</p> + +<p> +The danger was over, if, indeed, there had been any danger. It was a +minute or two before the boys comprehended it all, but when Rob did, +he sprang to his feet and swung his cap over his head. +</p> + +<p> +"Hurrah for our side! We beat 'em hands down!" +</p> + +<p> +"I fancy it is quite safe to count on our keeping the right of way," +added Fred, whose mental relief at the outcome was as great as his +companion's. "I thought we would be tumbled about when the two came +together, as if we were in an overturned wagon, but I can understand +now how that could never be." +</p> + +<p> +"But wait till we butt against an iceberg bigger than ours," said Rob, +with a shake of his head. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XV"> </a> +CHAPTER XV +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +THE SOUND OF A VOICE +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +For hours the fog showed no signs of lifting. The three remained +seated near the carcass of the polar bear, discussing the one question +that had already been discussed so long, until there really seemed +nothing left to say. +</p> + +<p> +Not long after the collision between the icebergs a singular thing +took place. It was evident that the two were acted upon each by a +diverse current, but the preponderating bulk of the greater was not +disturbed by the smaller. The latter, however, as if anxious to break +away from its master, began slowly grinding along the face, until, +after awhile, it swung clear and gradually drifted out of sight in the +misty vapor. +</p> + +<p> +"She will know better than to tackle one bigger than herself," was the +remark of Rob Carrol, "which reminds me that if there should happen to +be a bigger iceberg than this floating around loose we sha'n't be in +any danger." +</p> + +<p> +"And why not?" +</p> + +<p> +"Because being so big it will be under the influence of the same +current as this and going in the same direction, so there won't be +much chance of our coming together." +</p> + +<p> +"Unless the big one should overtake us," suggested Fred. +</p> + +<p> +"Even then it would find it hard to run over us, so there isn't much +to be feared from that; what I do dread is that we shall strike some +shallow place in the sea that will make this thing turn a somersault." +</p> + +<p> +"It would be a terrible thing," said Fred, unable to drive it from his +thoughts. +</p> + +<p> +"Is it possible for the berg to strike something like that and stick +fast, without shifting its centre of gravity?" +</p> + +<p> +The question was addressed to Jack Cosgrove, but he did not attempt to +answer until the last clause was explained to him. +</p> + +<p> +"Oh! yes; that has been seen many times. A berg will ground itself +just like a boat, and stay for days and weeks until a storm breaks it +up, or it shakes itself loose. I don't believe if we do strike bottom +again that there's much danger of capsizing." +</p> + +<p> +"Why didn't you tell us that before?" asked Rob, reprovingly; "we +might have been saved all this worry." +</p> + +<p> +"It's only guesswork, any way, so you may as well keep on worrying, +for, somehow or other, you seem to enjoy it." +</p> + +<p> +"I think there is a thinning of the fog," remarked Fred, some time +later. +</p> + +<p> +"A little, but not much; it's growing colder, too; we'll run into keen +weather afore reaching the Pole." +</p> + +<p> +"I shouldn't wonder if it came pretty soon. Hello!" added Rob, looking +at his watch; "it is past noon." +</p> + +<p> +"Do you want your dinner?" asked Jack, with a grin. +</p> + +<p> +Both lads gave an expression of disgust, the elder replying: +</p> + +<p> +"I can stand it for twenty-four hours before hankering for another +slice of bear steak, and I shouldn't be surprised if Fred feels the +same way." +</p> + +<p> +"You are correct, my friend." +</p> + +<p> +"Ah, you chaps can get used to anything!" was the self-complacent +remark of the sailor, as he assumed a comfortable attitude on the ice. +</p> + +<p> +While the boys talked thus, Jack was carefully noting the weather. He +saw with pleasure that the fog was steadily clearing, and that, before +night, the atmosphere was likely to be wholly clear again. That fact +might avail them nothing, but it was a thousand-fold better than the +mist, in which they might drift within a hundred feet of friends +without either party suspecting it. +</p> + +<p> +From what has been told, it will be understood that no one of the +three built any hope of a rescue by the "Nautilus." The violent gale +had driven her miles away, and a search on her part for this +particular iceberg would be like the hunt of one exploring party for +another that had been lost years before. +</p> + +<p> +But it was not to be supposed that Captain McAlpine would quietly +dismiss all care concerning the lads from his mind. One of them was a +son of a leading director of the Hudson Bay Company, and the other was +a favorite of the son and his father. For the skipper to return to +London at the end of several months with the report that he had left +them on an iceberg in the Greenland Sea would be likely to subject him +to unpleasant consequences. +</p> + +<p> +The most natural course of the captain, as it seemed to the sailor, +after making the best search he could, was to put into some of the +towns along the coast, and organize several parties to go out in +search of them. +</p> + +<p> +"He is no fool," thought Jack, as he turned the subject over in his +mind without speaking, "and he must have took the bearings of the ship +and the berg as I did. He won't be able to keep track of us, but he +will know better than to sail exactly in the wrong direction, as most +other folks would do. Yes," he remarked to his friends, as he looked +off over the sea, "the weather is clearing and the fog will be all +gone before night." +</p> + +<p> +This was gratifying information, though neither youth could tell +precisely why it should give them special ground for hope. +</p> + +<p> +You will understand one of the trials of the boys when adrift on the +iceberg. The latter was moving slowly, and, though in a direction +different from the surface current, yet it was barely perceptible. No +other objects were in sight than the berg itself, which gave the +impression to the passengers that it was motionless on the vasty deep. +You know how much harder it is to wait in a train at a station than it +is in one in motion. If they could have realized that the berg was +actually moving, no matter in what direction, the relief would have +been great. As it was, they felt as though they were simply waiting, +waiting for they knew not what. +</p> + +<p> +The afternoon was more than two-thirds gone when the last vestige of +the fog vanished. The sun shone out, and, looking off to sea, the +power of the eye itself was the only limit to the vision. +</p> + +<p> +Without explaining the meaning of his action, Jack Cosgrove made his +way down the path to the place where they had spent most of the +preceding night, and climbing upon a slight elevation, stood for a +full minute looking fixedly off over the sea. He shaded his eyes +carefully with his hand, and stood as motionless as a stone statue. +</p> + +<p> +"He either sees or expects to see something," said Rob, who, like his +companion, was watching him with much interest. +</p> + +<p> +"He is so accustomed to the ocean that his eyes are better than ours," +said Fred. +</p> + +<p> +"I can't make out anything." +</p> + +<p> +Suddenly Jack struck his thigh with his right hand and wheeled about, +showing a face aglow with feeling. +</p> + +<p> +"By the great horned spoon, I knowed it." +</p> + +<p> +"What have you discovered, Jack?" +</p> + +<p> +"You chaps just come this way," he said, crooking his stubby +forefinger toward them, "and put yourself alongside of me and take the +sharpest squint you can right over yonder." +</p> + +<p> +Doing as directed, they finally agreed, after some hard looking, that +they saw what seemed to be a long, low, white cloud in the horizon. +</p> + +<p> +"That's Greenland," was the astonishing reply; "I don't know what +part, but it's solid airth with snow on it." +</p> + +<p> +This was interesting, indeed, though it was still difficult to +understand what special hope the fact held out to them. +</p> + +<p> +It seemed to grow slightly more distinct as the afternoon advanced. +Since it was hardly to be supposed that the iceberg was approaching +land, this was undoubtedly caused by the contour of the coast. +</p> + +<p> +When night began closing in the party fired their guns repeatedly, +thinking possibly the reports might attract notice from some of the +natives fishing in the vicinity. The chance, however, was so +exceedingly slight that they made preparations for spending the night +as before—that is, huddled together against the projecting ice. There +was hardly a breath of air stirring, though the temperature continued +falling. +</p> + +<p> +"I hear it!" exclaimed Fred, starting to his feet, within five minutes +after seating themselves as described. +</p> + +<p> +"What's that?" asked the amazed Rob; "are you crazy?" +</p> + +<p> +"Listen!" +</p> + +<p> +They did so. There was no mistake about it. They caught the sound of a +vigorously moved paddle, and, had any doubt remained, it was +dissipated by the loud call in a peculiar voice, and with an odd +accent: +</p> + +<p> +"Holloa! holloa! holloa!" +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XVI"> </a> +CHAPTER XVI +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +LAND HO! +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +The boys could hardly credit their senses. Just as they had settled +themselves to spend another long, dismal night on the iceberg, the +sound of a paddle broke upon their ears, followed, the next moment, by +a hail in unmistakable English. +</p> + +<p> +"It's Captain McAlpine or one of the men!" exclaimed Rob, breaking +into such a headlong rush down the incline that it threatened to +precipitate him into the sea before he could check himself. +</p> + +<p> +Fred was at his heels, and Jack tumbled against him. He knew that that +voice was no Caucasian's. Despite the English word, he recognized it +as belonging to a native Esquimau. +</p> + +<p> +"We're coming!" called back Jack, in turn; "just hold on a few minutes +and we'll be there—by the great horned spoon!" +</p> + +<p> +He bumped flat on his back, and shot down the incline so fast that he +knocked the heels from under Fred, and the two, impinging against Rob, +prostrated him also, the three shooting forward like so many sleighs +going down a toboggan slide. +</p> + +<p> +"Never mind, lads; we'll stop when we strike water," called the +sailor, so pleased that he recked little of the consequences. All the +same, however, each exerted himself desperately to stop, and, barely +succeeded in doing so, on the very edge of the incline. +</p> + +<p> +Then they perceived one of the long, narrow native boats, known as a +kayak, drawn up alongside the wharf, as it may be called, with the +Esquimau in the act of stepping out. +</p> + +<p> +He contemplated the sight in silent wonderment, for, it is safe to +say, he had never been approached in that fashion before. +</p> + +<p> +Jack was the first to recover the perpendicular, and he impulsively +reached out his mittened hand to the native, who was clad in furs, +with a short jacket and a hood, which covered all his head, excepting +the front of his face. +</p> + +<p> +"How do you do, my hearty? I never was so glad to see any one in my +life as I am to see you." +</p> + +<p> +"Glad to meet you," replied the Esquimau, somewhat abashed by the +effusive greeting; "where you come from?" +</p> + +<p> +"From the iceberg," and then reflecting that this good friend was +entitled to a full explanation, the sailor added: +</p> + +<p> +"We visited this berg, yesterday, from the ship "Nautilus;" our boat +was carried away before we knew it, and the gale drove the ship so far +out of her course that we haven't seen a thing of her since. How came +you to know we were here?" +</p> + +<p> +"Heard gun go off—didn't know where it be—hear it again—then know +it here—then come to you." +</p> + +<p> +"Were you ashore?" +</p> + +<p> +"Started out to fish—you go ashore with me?" +</p> + +<p> +"You can just bet we will; your kayak is strong enough to take us all, +isn't it?" +</p> + +<p> +"If sit still—make no jump," was the reply of the native, who was +plainly pleased at the part of the good Samaritan he was playing. +</p> + +<p> +"These are my friends, Rob Carrol and Fred Warburton," said Jack, +introducing the lads, each of whom shook the hand of the native, whom +they felt like embracing in a transport of pleasure. +</p> + +<p> +Since the native had come out for the purpose of taking them off, +there was no delay in embarking. The long boat, which the Esquimau +handled with such skill, was taxed to carry the unusual load, and Jack +suggested that he should wait till the boys were taken ashore, when +the native could return for him, but their friend said that was +unnecessary, and, inasmuch as the land was fully three miles distant, +the task would have been a severe one. The sea was not ugly, and the +Esquimau assured them there would be no trouble in landing them +safely, if they "dressed" carefully and guarded against any sudden +shifting of position. +</p> + +<p> +All understood the situation too well to make any mistake in this +respect, and, in a few minutes, everything was in readiness. The +native sat in the middle of the boat and swayed his long paddle with a +dexterity that aroused the admiration of his passengers. It was not +the kind of paddling to which Jack Cosgrove was accustomed, though he +could have picked it up with readiness, and he was just the one to +appreciate work of that kind. +</p> + +<p> +Rob was nearest the prow, and, as the craft whirled about and headed +toward land, he caught a shower of spray which was dashed over his +clothing and in his face. That, however, meant nothing, and he gave no +heed to it. Immediately the craft was skimming over the waves at a +speed of fully five knots. +</p> + +<p> +The occasion was hardly one for conversation, and Rob cautiously moved +sideways and turned his head, so as to watch the advance. The weather, +as will be remembered, was perfectly clear; the stars were shining and +he could see for a considerable way over the water. +</p> + +<p> +It was trying to the nerves of so brave a lad as he to observe a huge +wave rushing like a courser straight toward them and looking as if +nothing could save the boat from swamping; but, under the consummate +handling of its owner, it arose to meet the wall of water and rode it +easily. Then, as it plunged into the trough on the other side, it +seemed as if about to dive into the depths of the sea, but immediately +arose again with inimitable grace and readiness. +</p> + +<p> +Then, perhaps, would follow a short distance of comparatively smooth +water, quickly succeeded by the plunging and rising as before. +</p> + +<p> +All at once the surface became smooth. Before Rob could guess its +meaning something grated against the front of the kayak and slid along +the side, followed by another and another. The native slowed his +paddling and pushed on with extreme care. +</p> + +<p> +He had entered a field of floating ice, through which it was necessary +to force his way with all caution. This was proven by the many turns +he made, and it was then that his skill showed in a more striking +light than before. +</p> + +<p> +He sat facing the prow and was obliged to look over the head of Rob +and along each side of him. His quick eye took in the size and contour +of the drift ice, and, hardly checking his own progress, he shot to +the right, then to the left, turning so quickly that the bodies of his +passengers swayed under the sudden impulse, but all the time he +continued his advance, apparently with undiminished speed. +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile Jack Cosgrove, from his seat at the rear, was looking still +farther ahead in the effort to gain sight of the welcome land, which +never was so dear to him as when on the iceberg. Once he fancied he +caught the twinkle of a light so low down that it was on shore, but it +vanished quickly and he believed he was mistaken. +</p> + +<p> +It was not long, however, before his penetrating vision discovered +that for which he was yearning. The unmistakable outline of the coast +arose to view, rising gradually from the edge of the water until lost +in the gloom beyond. It was white with snow, as a matter of course, +the depth probably being several feet. The sight of any considerable +portion of Greenland free of its snowy mantle would be a sight, +indeed. +</p> + +<p> +The floating ice continued all the way to land, and the closer the +latter was approached the more difficult became the progress. But the +native was equal to the task. He had been through it too often to +hesitate more than a few seconds when some larger obstacle than usual +interposed across his path. It was very near land that the greatest +peril of all was encountered. The kayak glided over a cake of ice, the +Esquimau believing it would pass readily underneath the craft and out +beyond the stern, but its buoyancy was greater than he supposed, and +it swayed the boat with such force that it came within a hair of +capsizing. +</p> + +<p> +"All right!" he called, cheerily, righting the craft with several +quick, powerful strokes of his paddle. Then he shot between two other +enormous cakes, wedged his way through a narrow passage, and the prow +crunched into the snow that came down to the water's edge. +</p> + +<p> +"Here we are, and thank the Lord!" called out Rob, leaping with a +single bound upon the solid earth; "I feel like giving three cheers, +for if ever Providence favored a lot of scamps, we are the ones." +</p> + +<p> +Fred followed as the kayak turned sideways, so as to permit all to +step out, but Jack paused, opposite the native, and peered into his +face. Something in the Esquimau's voice struck him as familiar. +</p> + +<p> +"What's your name?" he asked, still scrutinizing him as closely as he +could in the gloom. +</p> + +<p> +"Docak," was the reply. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XVII"> </a> +CHAPTER XVII +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +DOCAK AND HIS HOME +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +"By the great horned spoon, I suspected it! Docak, I'm mighty glad to +see you; I'm Jack Cosgrove, and put it there!" +</p> + +<p> +The native was not so demonstrative as his English friend, but he +certainly was as delighted and surprised to meet him in this +extraordinary manner as was the sailor to meet him. +</p> + +<p> +They shook hands heartily, and Docak indulged in his peculiar laugh, +which was accompanied by little, if any noise, but was indicative of +genuine pleasure. +</p> + +<p> +The reader will recall that this was the second time Docak had rescued +Jack Cosgrove, the other instance having occurred a number of years +before, when Captain McAlpine's ship was destroyed by collision with +an iceberg. +</p> + +<p> +"You're my guardian angel!" was the exclamation of the happy sailor; +"I might have known that if anybody was to save us you was the chap to +do it. Come up here, boys, and shake hands with Docak ag'in, for he's +one of the best fellows living." +</p> + +<p> +Rob and Fred were only too glad to do as invited, and cordial +relations were at once established. +</p> + +<p> +"Is your home where it was when I was here last?" Jack asked. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, off dere," replied Docak, turning about and pointing inland; +"not far—soon get dere." +</p> + +<p> +Jack gave a low whistle expressive of astonishment. +</p> + +<p> +"Now, lads," he said, addressing the youths, "I rather think you'll +own that Jack Cosgrove knows a thing or two about icebergs." +</p> + +<p> +"I think Fred and I have also learned something, but what are you +driving at?" +</p> + +<p> +"We're well up toward Davis Strait, and there's more than a hundred +miles of Greenland coast to the south of us. That old berg has struck +a bee line for the North Pole, but it won't reach there, eh, Docak?" +</p> + +<p> +"No; soon turn around—go back." +</p> + +<p> +"Now, isn't that one of the strangest things you ever heard of, lads? +The place where the 'Mary Jane' went down, afore that berg, three +years ago, was mighty nigh the very spot where Docak found us. I +remember he brought us ashore in his kayak—" +</p> + +<p> +"Dis same boat," interrupted the native with a grin, perceptible in +the twilight. +</p> + +<p> +"There you are, and, if he keeps on, I'll begin to think that one of +you chaps is Captain McAlpine himself, and the other Bill Hardin, who +was saved with us." +</p> + +<p> +"It is a most remarkable coincidence," said Fred, and Rob added that +he had never read or heard anything like it. +</p> + +<p> +But it occurred to Docak that he was not acting the part of hospitable +host, by keeping his friends standing on the edge of the sea, while +the reminiscences went on. He stooped and drew his boat far up the +bank. The tide was at its height, so there was no fear of its playing +the trick our friends had suffered. Then he turned about and started +inland, the others following in Indian file. +</p> + +<p> +He was treading a path, a foot or more deep in the snow, and worn as +hard as a rock. The ascent was gentle, and a hundred yards from the +shore he arrived at the entrance to his home, where a surprise awaited +the boys. +</p> + +<p> +When seen for the first time the hut of the Esquimaux suggest the sod +houses common on the Western plains of our country, except that the +homes of the far North are entered by means of a burrow. Where such +frightful cold reigns for months every year the first consideration +with the native is to secure protection against it; everything is +sacrificed to that. +</p> + +<p> +The walls are of alternate layers of stone and sod, and are about +three feet in thickness. The highest clear space within is from four +to five feet. The building contains an entry-way, a kitchen, and a +living room. The entry is four or five yards in length, two feet or +less wide, and no more than a yard in height. It will thus be seen +that even a small boy would have to stoop to pass through it, while +the interior of the hut itself will not allow a full-grown Esquimau to +stand erect. To this fact may be attributed in some degree the stoop +shoulders so common among the men. +</p> + +<p> +Half-way between the beginning of the entry and the main rooms was an +opening leading to the kitchen. This was small, shaped like a +bee-hive, and with a hole at the apex for the escape of the smoke. The +floor was bare ground, the hearth consisting of a number of stones +placed close together, on which the iron kettles sat, while the fire +of driftwood burned beneath. The height of the kitchen is less than +that of the main room, so that only the women can stand erect in the +highest portion. +</p> + +<p> +When the weather is very severe the cooking is done in the main room, +by means of the big oil-lamp, while the thick walls and the heavy furs +of the inmates enable them to laugh at the raging blizzard outside. +</p> + +<p> +It was along such a passage as the one described that Docak led the +way, followed by Jack Cosgrove, Rob, and Fred, each trailing his +rifle, and happy beyond measure that everything with them had turned +out so well. +</p> + +<p> +The main room into which the little party entered was about four yards +square. It had a board floor and a ceiling—luxuries not generally +found in the native homes except in the settlements. The walls were +furred off and ceiled, and the spaces closely stuffed with moss. The +wall on the right of the main room had a single window with twelve +panes of glass. +</p> + +<p> +The main room was the most interesting part of the structure. Along +the front of the window ran a wooden bench, near the end of which, +toward the entrance, stood a Danish stove. In the corner beyond the +other end of the bench was a table. To the left of that was the +lamp-stand, directly opposite to which on the other side of the room +was a second and shorter bench. +</p> + +<p> +The whole left-hand side of the room, as you entered, consisted of a +platform, about six feet long. It was elevated a foot above the floor, +the side next to the wall being a few inches higher. At night it was +covered with feather beds, which are rolled back during the day, so +that the front may be used for other purposes. The lamp used in the +Esquimau houses is simply a large, green stone, with a hollow scooped +in the top. This contains seal oil, a piece of moss serving as a wick. +</p> + +<p> +It may be well to tell you something in this place about the dress of +the Esquimaux, referring now to those who live near the settlements, +most of whom are of mixed blood. In the interior, and, along the east +coast of Greenland, are met the wild natives, who are muffled in the +thickest furs, and bear little resemblance to the class to which Docak +and his acquaintances belonged. +</p> + +<p> +These men wore jackets, trousers, moccasins, and generally +undershirts, drawers, and socks. The rule is for them to go +bareheaded, though a hat or cap is frequently seen. The clothing, +except the moccasins, is made from woolen or cotton stuff, bought off +the Danish Governor. +</p> + +<p> +The jacket is of gingham, with sleeves and a hood that can be drawn +over the head, and fitted in place by drawing and tying a string that +passes under the chin. When venturing out in his kayak, or in severe +weather, Docak, like most of his friends, wore a jacket and hood +combined. This was of sealskin, with the leather side out. The +trousers are constructed of the same material with the hair out. +Sometimes they are lined with sealskin, with the hair in. +</p> + +<p> +The moccasins are well-shaped sealskin boots, reaching nearly to the +knees. When the socks are not woolen, the hair is turned toward the +skin. The mittens are of seal leather, with no hair on either side, +and are much inferior to many of our own country, for purposes of +warmth and comfort. +</p> + +<p> +The Esquimau women are shorter of stature than the men, and walk with +short, mincing steps, showing a stoop similar to their husbands. They +have small hands and feet, with faces that any one would pronounce +good looking. They comb their hair to an apex, which, if the woman is +married, is tied with a blue ribbon; if a widow, with black; and if a +maiden, with green. +</p> + +<p> +The females generally wear collars of beads, with lace-work patterns +and vivid colors. The waist is generally of woolen stuff, and here the +same fondness for bright colors displays itself. It has no buttons, +and is donned and doffed by passing over the head, and is fastened at +the waist with a belt. Then come a pair of short trousers of sealskin, +which are tastefully ornamented. Below these are the long-legged +moccasins, also ornamented by the deft handiwork of the native owners. +The dress of the children is the same as the parents. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XVIII"> </a> +CHAPTER XVIII +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +A NEW EXPEDITION +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +Docak had no children, the single son born to him ten years before +having died in infancy. His wife was about his age, and had noticeably +lighter skin and bright brown eyes. It was evident that she had more +white blood in her veins than her husband, who was of mixed breed. +</p> + +<p> +Docak did not knock before entering. His wife was trimming the lamp at +the moment, and looked around to see whom he had brought with him. She +must have felt surprised, but, if so, she concealed all evidence of +it. She smiled in her pleasant way, showing her fine white teeth, and +said in a low, soft voice, "Con-ji-meet," which is the native word for +welcome. +</p> + +<p> +Her first curiosity was concerning the boys, with whom she shook +hands, but, when she turned to the grinning Jack, she made no effort +to hide her astonishment, for he had addressed her by name. +</p> + +<p> +"Crestana, I guess you haven't forgot Jack Cosgrove?" +</p> + +<p> +"Oh! oh! oh! dat you—much glad! much glad!" she said, laughing more +heartily than her husband had done. +</p> + +<p> +She was very vivacious, and, though she could not speak the English +tongue as well as he, she made it up by her earnestness. +</p> + +<p> +"So glad—much glad—whale kill vessel ag'in? Docak bring no ice? +Where capen? How you be? Crestana glad to see you—yes, heap much +glad." +</p> + +<p> +"By the great horned spoon," said Jack, holding the small hand of +Crestana in his hearty grasp, and looking around at the others with +one of his broadest grins; "the women are the same the world over; +they can talk faster than a Greenland harrycane, and when they're glad +they're glad all over, and clean through. Docak, you're a purty good +chap, but you aint half good enough for such a wife as Crestana, and +that reminds me we're as hungry as git out." +</p> + +<p> +The wife evidently thought the sailor was a funny fellow, for she +broke into merry laughter again, and, disengaging her hand, hurried +into the kitchen, where she had been busying herself with her +husband's supper. +</p> + +<p> +The visitors, knowing how heartily welcome they were, seated +themselves on the benches, doffed their heavy outer clothing, and made +themselves as much at home as if in the cabin of the "Nautilus." They +leaned their rifles in the corner near the table, alongside of the +long muzzle-loader and several spears belonging to Docak. +</p> + +<p> +A large supply of dry driftwood was piled near the window, and from +this the native kept such a glow in the stove that the whole interior +was filled with grateful warmth. +</p> + +<p> +In the course of a few moments Crestana bustled in, her pretty teeth +showing between her lips as she chatted with Jack and her husband. She +drew the table out near the middle of the room, and quickly brought in +some fish, "done to a turn." She furnished coffee, too, and the three +guests who partook of her hospitality insist to this day that never in +the wide world will they ever taste such fragrant coffee and such +delicately-flavored fish as they feasted upon that night in Docak's +hut. But we must not forget that they had the best sauce ever +known—hunger. +</p> + +<p> +The meal was enlivened by lively conversation, in which Jack managed +to tell the story of the mishap that had befallen himself and +companions. She showed less interest in the boys than in the sailor, +though, as may be supposed, Rob and Fred were charmed with her +simplicity and good-nature. She placed spoons, knives and forks, cups, +saucers, and plates before them, and there was a neatness about +herself and the room which added doubly to its attractiveness, and did +much to enlighten the youths about these people, whom they supposed to +be barely half civilized. +</p> + +<p> +When the meal was finished, and the wife occupied herself in clearing +away things, Docak brought out a couple of pipes, filled with tobacco, +and offered one each to Rob and Fred. They, declining with thanks, he +did the same to Jack, who accepted one, and a minute later the two +were puffing away like a couple of veteran devotees of the weed. +</p> + +<p> +The boys felt some curiosity to learn how it was that Docak, whose +manner of living proved that he knew the ways of the more civilized +people among the settlements, made his home in this lonely place, far +removed from all neighbors. They could not learn everything that +evening but they ascertained it afterward. +</p> + +<p> +Docak had lived awhile in Invernik, and then took up his residence at +Ivigtut, where he lived until four or five years before Rob and Fred +met him. It was in the latter place he married Crestana, and it was +there that his only child died. +</p> + +<p> +The loss of the little one made him morose for awhile, and he got into +a difficulty with one of his people, in which, in the eyes of the law, +Docak was wholly to blame. He was punished, and, in resentment, he +withdrew to a place on the west coast, about sixty miles north of the +famous cryolite mines. There he lived, alone with his wife, as +serenely contented as he could be anywhere. He made occasional visits +to Ivigtut, to Invernik, Julianshaab, and other settlements, but it +was only for the purpose of getting ammunition and other supplies +which could be obtained in no other way. +</p> + +<p> +Docak was not only a skilled fisherman, but, what is rare among his +class of people, he was a great hunter. He was sometimes absent for +days at a time in the interior, traveling many miles on snow-shoes, +forcing his way over the icy mountains and braving the Arctic blasts +that had driven back many a hardy European from his search for the +North Pole. +</p> + +<p> +While he was absent his wife went about her duties with calm +contentment, where a more sensitive person would have gone out of her +mind from very loneliness and desolation. +</p> + +<p> +Our friends having effected their escape from the iceberg, it was time +to decide what next should be done. +</p> + +<p> +The most obvious course was to go to Ivigtut, where they could obtain +the means of returning to England, most likely by way of Denmark, and +possibly might hear something of the "Nautilus," if she had survived +the gale which caused her to part company with Jack and the boys. +</p> + +<p> +The kayak was strong enough to carry them, and Docak could make the +voyage in a couple of days. This Rob and Fred supposed would be the +plan adopted, but the native put another idea into their heads which +caused in a twinkling a radical change of programme, and brought an +experience to the two of which neither dreamed. +</p> + +<p> +While Docak and Jack sat beside each other on the longer bench, +smoking and talking, the native frequently cast admiring glances at +the rifles leaning against the wall in the corner. Finally he rose, +and, walking over, examined the three weapons, taking up each in turn +and holding it so the light from the lamp fell upon it. He was most +struck with Rob's, which had more ornamentation than the others. It +was a modern loader, but not a repeater. +</p> + +<p> +"He berry good," he remarked, setting it down again in the corner and +resuming his place on the bench beside his friend; "why you not go +hunting with me 'fore go to Ivigtut?" +</p> + +<p> +Jack saw the eyes of the boys sparkle at the suggestion. Why not, +indeed, go on a hunting excursion into the interior before they +returned to the settlement? What was to prevent? It would take but a +few days, and there is royal game to be found in Greenland. +</p> + +<p> +Docak explained that this was the time of the year when he was +accustomed to indulge in a long hunt. Twelve months before he had +brought down some animals rarely ever encountered in that portion of +the country, and he was hopeful of doing the same again, when he could +have his friends to help. +</p> + +<p> +So the matter needed only to be broached to be settled. The whole +party would go on a hunt, and they would start the following morning, +returning whenever they deemed best, and then making their way to +Ivigtut at a leisurely rate, set about their return home, if that +should be deemed the best course. +</p> + +<p> +The warmth and smoke in the room led the boys to decide to step +outside a brief while, to inhale the crisp air, and, inviting Fred to +follow, Rob sprang up and hurried in a stooping posture through the +long entry-way. Fred stopped a minute in the road to peep through the +opening into the kitchen, where the thrifty housewife was busy. +</p> + +<p> +She smiled pleasantly at him, and he might have lingered had he not +heard the voice of his friend. +</p> + +<p> +"Hurry out, Fred! Here's the most wonderful sight you ever saw. Quick, +or you will lose it!" +</p> + +<p> +Fred lost no time in rushing after Rob, whose excitement was fully +justified. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XIX"> </a> +CHAPTER XIX +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +A WONDERFUL EXHIBITION +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +Unto no one, excepting him who journeys far into the Northland, is +given it to view such an amazing picture as was now spread out before +the enraptured gaze of Rob Carrol and Fred Warburton. In Northern +Siberia, the Scandinavian Peninsula, the upper portion of the American +Continent, and the Arctic Sea, the traveler learns in all its +wonderful fullness of glory the meaning of the Aurora Borealis or +Northern Lights. +</p> + +<p> +The boys had had partial glimpses of the scene on their voyage through +the Greenland Sea, and there were flickerings of light which caught +their eye on the trip from the iceberg to the mainland, and the short +walk to Docak's hut, but it was during their short stay in the rude +dwelling that the mysterious scene-shifters of the skies unfolded +their magnificent panorama in all its overwhelming grandeur. +</p> + +<p> +Radiating from a huge nucleus, which seemed to be the North Pole +itself, shot the streamers of light, so vast in extent that their +extremities struck the zenith, withdrawing with lightning-like +quickness, and succeeded by others with the same celerity and +displaying all the vivid hues of the rainbow. +</p> + +<p> +At times these dartings resembled immense spears, and then they +changed to bands of light, turning again into ribbons which shivered +and hovered in the sky, with bewildering variation, turning and +doubling upon themselves, spreading apart like an immense fan, and +then trembling on the very verge of the horizon, as if about to vanish +in the darkness of night. +</p> + +<p> +At the moment the spectators held their breath, fearing that the +celestial display was ended; the streamers, spears, bands of violet, +indigo, blue, orange, red, green, and yellow, with the innumerable +shades, combinations, and mingling of colors, shot out and spread over +the sky like the myriad rays of the setting sun. +</p> + +<p> +This continued for several minutes, marked by irregular degrees of +intensity, so impressive in its splendor that neither lad spoke, for +he could make no comment upon the exhibition, the like of which is +seen nowhere else in nature. +</p> + +<p> +But once both gave a sigh of amazed delight when a ribbon, combining +several vivid colors, quivered, danced, and streamed far beyond the +zenith, with a wary appearance that suggested that some giant, +standing upon the extreme northern point of the earth, had suddenly +unrolled this marvelous ribbon and was waving it in the eyes of an +awestruck world. +</p> + +<p> +One of the most striking features of those mysterious electrical +phenomena known as the Northern Lights is the absolute silence which +accompanies them. The genius of man can never approach in the smallest +degree the beauties of the picture without some noise, but here nature +performs her most wonderful feat in utter stillness. The panorama may +unfold, roll together, spread apart again with dazzling brilliancy and +suddenness, but the strained ear catches no sound, unless dissociated +altogether from the phenomenon itself, such as the soft sighing of the +Arctic wind over the wastes of snow, or through the grove of solemn +pines. +</p> + +<p> +There were moments when the effulgence spread over the earth, like the +rays of the midnight sun, and the lads, standing in front of the +primitive dwelling of the Esquimau, resembled a couple of figures +stamped in ink in the radiant field. +</p> + +<p> +For nearly an hour the rapt spectators stood near the entrance to the +native dwelling, insensible to the extreme cold, and too profoundly +impressed to speak or stir; but the heavens had given too great a +wealth of splendor, brilliancy, color, and celestial scene-shifting to +continue it long. The subtle exchange of electrical conditions must +have reached something like an equipoise, and the overwhelming beauty +and grandeur exhausted itself. +</p> + +<p> +The ribbons and streamers that had been darting to and beyond the +zenith, shortened their lightning excursions into space, leaping forth +at longer intervals and to a decreasing distance, until they ceased +altogether, displaying a few flickerings in the horizon, as though +eager to bound forth again, but restrained by a superior hand with the +command, "Enough for this time." +</p> + +<p> +Fred drew a deep sigh. +</p> + +<p> +"I never dreamed that anywhere in the world one could see such a sight +as that." +</p> + +<p> +"It is worth a voyage from home a hundred times over, and I don't +regret our stay on the iceberg, for we would have been denied it +otherwise." +</p> + +<p> +"If there are any people living near the North Pole, it must be like +dwelling in another world. I don't see how they stand it." +</p> + +<p> +"I believe that the Northern Lights have their origin between here and +the Pole," said Fred; "though I am not sure of that." +</p> + +<p> +"The magnetic pole, which must be the source of the display, is south +of the earth's pole, and I suppose that's the reason for the belief +you mention. But it is enough to fill one with awe, when he gazes on +the scene and reflects that the world is one great reservoir of +electricity, which, if left free for a moment by its Author, would +shiver the globe into nothingness, and leave only an empty void where +the earth swung before." +</p> + +<p> +"I pity the man who says, 'There is no God,' or who can look unmoved +to the very depths of his soul by such displays of infinite power." +</p> + +<p> +"There are no such persons," exclaimed Rob, impatiently; "they may +repeat the words, because they think it brave and smart before their +companions, but they don't believe themselves. It is impossible." +</p> + +<p> +"Why didn't we think to tell Jack and Docak, that they might have +enjoyed the scene with us?" +</p> + +<p> +"The native Esquimaux see it too often to care about it. It is hard to +understand how any one can become accustomed to it, but we know it is +so. As for Jack, he must have looked upon it many times before, when +he was in this latitude. Gracious! but it has become cold," added Rob, +with a shiver. +</p> + +<p> +"It isn't any colder than it has been all the evening, but we forgot +about it while the exhibition was going on." +</p> + +<p> +The boys turned about, and, ducking their heads, made their way along +the long entry, quickly debouching into the warmth and glow of the +living room, where Docak and the sailor, having laid away their pipes, +were talking like a couple of old friends who had not seen each other +for years and were exchanging experiences. Crestana had finished her +work in the kitchen and joined them. She was sitting on the shorter +bench, and, like a thrifty housewife, was engaged in repairing some of +her husband's bulky garments, with big needles and coarse thread. +</p> + +<p> +She looked up with her pleasant smile, as the boys entered, their +bodies shivering and their teeth chattering from the extreme cold. +</p> + +<p> +"You chaps must have found it mighty pleasant out-doors," remarked the +sailor. +</p> + +<p> +"Ah! Jack, if you had been with us, you would have seen a sight worth +a journey around the world." +</p> + +<p> +"What was it? Another polar bear, or two of them?" +</p> + +<p> +"The Northern Lights, and O—" +</p> + +<p> +"The Northern Lights," interrupted their friend, with a sniff of +disgust; "is that all?" +</p> + +<p> +The boys looked at him, too horrified to speak. +</p> + +<p> +"I'll own that they are rather purty, and the first two or three times +a chap looks onto 'em he is apt to hold his breath, and rub his eyes, +but, when you've seed 'em as often as me, it'll get to be an old +story. Besides Docak and me had more important bus'ness to talk +about." +</p> + +<p> +"What was that?" +</p> + +<p> +"This hunting trip; it's all fixed." +</p> + +<p> +"When do we start?" +</p> + +<p> +"To-morrow morning. There's no saying how long we'll be gone, and I've +told him that it doesn't make any difference to us, so we get back +some time this year." +</p> + +<p> +"Can we travel without snow-shoes?" +</p> + +<p> +"Luckily we can, for Docak has only two pair. This fog and a little +rain we've had have formed a crust on the snow hard enough to bear a +reindeer, so that we can travel over it as easy as if it were solid +ice. The only thing to be feared is another deep fall of snow afore we +can get back. That would make hard traveling, but then a hunter must +take some risk and who cares? We may see sights and meet fun that will +last us a lifetime." +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XX"> </a> +CHAPTER XX +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +THE HERD OF MUSK OXEN +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +One of the most interesting animals found in the frozen regions of the +North is the musk ox, his favorite haunt being on the mainland of the +Continent in the neighborhood of the Arctic circle, though he is +occasionally met in Greenland. +</p> + +<p> +The fact that the animal has no muzzle has led some naturalists to +separate him from the ox species and give him the name of Ovibos. He +is smaller in size than his domestic brother, very low on his legs, +and covered with a wealth of wool and dark brown hair, which, during +the cold weather, almost touches the ground. A whitish spot on the +back is called the saddle, though it is not to be supposed that it is +ever intended for that purpose. +</p> + +<p> +One of the most striking features of the musk ox is his horns, which +sometimes weigh fifty or sixty pounds. They are flattened at the base, +the flat sides turned outward, and form a sort of shield or protection +for the face. +</p> + +<p> +At certain seasons he is one of the most odoriferous animals in +creation. During the spring the musky odor is so strong that it can be +detected on the first knife thrust into his body. At other seasons it +is hardly perceptible, and the eating is excellent. +</p> + +<p> +Although his legs are so short he can travel swiftly, and shows a +facility in climbing mountains that no one would suspect on looking at +the animal the first time. It suggests the chamois in this respect. He +feeds on lichens during a part of the year, and on grass and moss +during the rest. +</p> + +<p> +Some distance back of the native Esquimau's hut, the land inclined +upward, becoming quite rough and mountainous not far from the coast. +</p> + +<p> +It was among these wild hilly regions that a herd of musk oxen, +numbering eleven, were browsing one afternoon, with no thought of +disturbance from man or beast. Perhaps the last should be excepted, +for the oxen are accustomed to herd together for the purpose of mutual +protection against the ravening wolves who would make short work of +one or two of them, when detached from the main herd. But it is not to +be supposed that the thought of bipedal foes entered their thick +skulls, for the Esquimau is not a hunter as a rule, and confines his +operations to fishing in the waters near his home. +</p> + +<p> +The herd referred to had gradually worked their way upward among the +mountains, until they reached a plateau, several acres in extent. +There a peculiar swirling gale had, at some time or other, swept most +of the space quite clear of snow, and left bare the stubby grass and +moss, which, at certain seasons, formed the only sustenance of the +animals. +</p> + +<p> +It was a lucky find for the oxen, for in the far North, with its ice +and snow, it is an eternal battle between the wild animals and +starvation, the victory not infrequently being with the latter. It was +rare that the oxen found food so plentiful, and they were certain to +remain there, if permitted, until hardly a spear was left for those +who might come after them. +</p> + +<p> +The largest ox of the party was grazing along the upper edge of the +plateau, some rods removed from the others. He had struck a spot where +the grass and moss were more abundant, and he was putting in his best +work. +</p> + +<p> +Suddenly he caught a suspicious sound. Throwing up his head, with the +food dripping from the motionless jaws, he stared in the direction +whence it came, possibly with the fear of wolves. +</p> + +<p> +Instead of seeing one of the latter he descried an object fully as +terrifying in the shape of a young man, clad in thick clothing from +head to foot, and with a rifle in his hands. The name of this young +man was Fred Warburton, and he had reached this advantageous spot +after long and careful climbing from the plain below. He was studying +the creatures closely, now that he had succeeded in gaining a nearer +view, for, on the way thither, Docak had told him much concerning +them, and they had become objects of great interest. +</p> + +<p> +Fred was alone, and had spent several minutes in surveying the brutes +before he coughed with the purpose of attracting attention for a few +seconds. Then, slipping his mitten from his right hand, the lad +brought his rifle to his shoulder and sighted at the animal. +</p> + +<p> +He had forgotten to inquire at what part to aim, but it seemed to him +that the head was the most vulnerable, and he directed his weapon at a +point midway between the eyes and near the centre of the forehead. +</p> + +<p> +At the very instant of pressing the trigger the ox slightly lowered +his head, and, instead of boring its way through the skull, the bullet +impinged against the horny mass above, and glanced off without causing +injury. +</p> + +<p> +Fred was startled when he observed the failure, for his friends were +too far away to give him support, and it was necessary to place +another cartridge in the chamber of his weapon before it could be +used. He proceeded to do so, without stirring a foot, and with a +coolness which no veteran hunter ever excelled. +</p> + +<p> +But if Fred stood still the musk ox was very far from doing so. +</p> + +<p> +One glance only at the youth was enough, when, with a snort, he +whirled about, galloped a few paces, and then wheeled with marked +quickness, and faced the young hunter again. While engaged in this +performance his snortings drew the attention of his companions, who, +throwing up their heads, galloped to him, and the whole eleven +speedily stood side by side, facing the point whence the attack had +come. +</p> + +<p> +They were of formidable appearance, indeed, for, with lowered heads, +they pawed up the earth and began cautiously advancing upon the boy, +who had his cartridge in place and was ready for another shot. But +instead of one musk ox he was confronted by eleven! +</p> + +<p> +"My gracious!" he said to himself; "this is a larger contract than I +thought of. If they will only come at me one at a time I wouldn't +mind. I wonder where the other folks are?" +</p> + +<p> +He glanced right and left, but nothing was to be seen of Rob or Jack +or Docak. It looked as if a line of retreat should be provided, and he +ventured a glance to the rear. +</p> + +<p> +He saw a mass of rocks within a hundred yards, against which a good +deal of snow had been driven, and he concluded that that was the only +available refuge, with no certainty that it would prove a refuge at +all. +</p> + +<p> +"Being as I shall have to fetch up there to save myself, and being +that those beasts can travel faster than I, it wouldn't be a bad idea +to begin edging that way now." +</p> + +<p> +He would have been glad to whirl about and dash off, reserving his +shot until he reached the rocks, but for his belief that such an +attempt would be fatal to himself. Nothing encourages man or animal so +much as the sight of a flying foe, and he was sure that he would +instantly have the whole herd at his heels, and they would overhaul +him too before he could attain his shelter. +</p> + +<p> +It was a test of his nerves, indeed. There were eleven musk oxen, +heads lowered, eyes staring, with low, muttering bellows, pawing and +flinging the dirt behind them, while they continued advancing upon the +motionless lad, who, having but one shot immediately at command, +sought to decide where it could be sent so as to do the most good. +</p> + +<p> +The fellow at which he fired was the largest of the herd, and it was +plain to see that he was commander-in-chief. Upon receiving the shot +on his horns he had summoned his followers about him, and no doubt +told them of the outrage and whispered in their ears the single word +"Vengeance." +</p> + +<p> +It naturally struck Fred that the single shot should be directed at +the leader, for possibly, if he fell, the others would be thrown into +a panic and scatter. At any rate, it was the only hope, and, without +waiting a tenth part of the time it has taken us to tell it, he +brought his rifle to a level and aimed at the big fellow. +</p> + +<p> +The distance was so short that there was no excuse for repeating his +blunder, or, rather, accident. He sighted the best he knew how, and, +while the fellow was still pawing and advancing, let fly, hitting him +fairly between the eyes. +</p> + +<p> +The lad paused just long enough to learn that his shot was effective, +when he whirled on his heel, without waiting for more, and ran as he +never ran before. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXI"> </a> +CHAPTER XXI +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +CLOSE QUARTERS +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +At this moment, when it would be thought that the incident was at its +most thrilling crisis, it assumed a ludicrous phase, at which any +spectator must have laughed heartily. +</p> + +<p> +Fred, as I have said, made for the protecting rocks, with all the +energy of which he was capable. On the way thither he dropped one +mitten, then his gun flew from his grasp, and a chill passed through +his frame, at the consciousness that he had lost his only means of +defense; but he dared not check himself long enough to pick it up, for +in fancy he heard the whole ten thundering after him and almost upon +his heels. +</p> + +<p> +The distance to travel was short, but it seemed twice its real extent, +and he feared he would never reach it. He was running for life, +however, and he got over the ground faster than would be supposed. +Panting and half-exhausted, he arrived at last, and darted +breathlessly behind the rugged mass of boulders. +</p> + +<p> +His heart almost gave way when he found it what he feared; a simple +pile of stones, partly covered with snow, but presenting nothing that +could be used for protection. The only portion was the top, but that +was too high for him to climb the perpendicular sides. +</p> + +<p> +It was at this moment he cast a terrified glance behind him, and +uttered the single exclamation: +</p> + +<p> +"Well, if that doesn't beat all creation!" +</p> + +<p> +What did he see? +</p> + +<p> +The whole ten musk oxen scampering in the opposite direction, +apparently in as great a panic as himself. +</p> + +<p> +The truth of it is the musk ox is one of the most cowardly animals in +existence. All the pawing of dirt, the bellowing, and threatening +advance upon an enemy is simply "bluff." At the first real danger he +takes himself off like the veritable booby that he is. +</p> + +<p> +As soon as Fred could recover his wind he broke into laughter at the +thought of his causeless scare. He might as well have stood his ground +and fired into them at his leisure. +</p> + +<p> +"I'm glad Rob didn't see me," he reflected as he came from behind the +rock and set out to regain his lost weapon and mitten; "he would have +had it on me bad—" +</p> + +<p> +A shiver ran through him, for he surely heard something like a chuckle +that had a familiar sound. +</p> + +<p> +He looked around, but could discover no cause for it. +</p> + +<p> +"No; it wouldn't have done for him or Jack to have had a glimpse of me +running away from the oxen that were going just as hard from me—" +</p> + +<p> +"Hello, Fred, where's your gun?" +</p> + +<p> +It was Rob Carrol and no one else, who stepped into sight from the +other side of the rocks and came toward him, shaking so much with +mirth that he could hardly walk. +</p> + +<p> +"What's the matter with you?" demanded Fred, savagely; "you seem to +find cause for laughter where no one else can." +</p> + +<p> +"O Fred! if you only could have seen yourself tearing for the rocks, +your gun flying one way, your mitten another, your eyes bulging out, +and you too scared to look behind at the animals that were going still +faster right from you, why you would have tumbled down and called it +the funniest sight in the world." +</p> + +<p> +"If I had seen you with your life in danger I wouldn't have stopped to +laugh, but would have gone to your help." +</p> + +<p> +"So would I have gone to yours, but the trouble was your neck wasn't +in danger, though I guess you thought it was." +</p> + +<p> +"Why didn't you fire into the herd?" +</p> + +<p> +"What for? They were too far off to take the chances of bringing them +down, and you had killed the leader." +</p> + +<p> +"Why, then, didn't you yell to me to stop my running?" +</p> + +<p> +"I tried to, but couldn't for laughing; then, too, Fred, it wasn't +long before you found it out yourself. If, when we get home, you want +to enter the races as a sprinter, I will back you against the field. I +tell you, old fellow, you surpassed yourself." +</p> + +<p> +By this time the younger lad had rallied, and saw that his exhibition +of ill-temper only made him ridiculous. He turned toward his companion +with a smile, and asked, in his quaint way: +</p> + +<p> +"What'll you take, Rob, not to mention this to Jack or any of the rest +of our friends?" +</p> + +<p> +"I'll try not to do so, but, if it should happen to drop from me some +time, don't get mad and tear your hair." +</p> + +<p> +"Never mind," said Fred, significantly; "this hunt isn't finished yet, +and I may get a chance to turn the laugh on you." +</p> + +<p> +"If you do, then I'll make the bargain." +</p> + +<p> +"Perhaps you will, but that will be as I feel about it. But, I say, +did you ever know of any such cowardly animals as the musk ox? If +they had gone for me, where would I have been?" +</p> + +<p> +"I doubt whether they could have caught you, but they are stupid +cowards, who don't know their own strength." +</p> + +<p> +"I wonder whether they always act this way." +</p> + +<p> +"Most of the time, but not always. I heard Docak telling Jack how he +once put two bullets into a bull, which kept on for him like a steam +engine. He flung himself behind a lot of rocks, just as you did, when +the beast was right upon him. He struck the stones with such force +that he shattered his horns and was thrown back on the ground like a +ball. Before he could rise his wounds overcame him, and he gave it up, +but it was a narrow escape for the Esquimau." +</p> + +<p> +"It might have been the same with me," added Fred, who could not +recall, without a shudder, those few seconds when he faced the leader +with his herd ranged alongside of him; "but all's well that ends well. +Where are Jack and Docak?" +</p> + +<p> +As if in answer to the question the reports of the guns broke upon +their ears at that moment, and they saw the two hunters standing on +the lower edge of the plateau, firing into the terrified animals that +were almost upon them. Instead of turning to run, as Fred had done, +immediately after firing, they quietly held their places and began +coolly reloading their pieces. +</p> + +<p> +There was good ground for their self-confidence. Their shots were so +well aimed that two of the oxen tumbled to the ground, while the +others, whirling again, came thundering in the direction of the rocks, +near which the lads were watching them. +</p> + +<p> +"That sight is enough to scare any one," remarked Fred. +</p> + +<p> +"If you want to turn and run again," said Rob, "I'll pick up your gun +and both of your mittens, if you drop them." +</p> + +<p> +"Don't fret yourself; if I can beat you when you had that polar bear +at your heels no beast could overtake me." +</p> + +<p> +"The difference between that and this was that the brute was at my +heels, while your pursuers were running the other way. However, we'll +drop the matter, old fellow, since I have had all the fun I want out +of it. It may be upon me next time." +</p> + +<p> +"I hope it will, and, if so, I won't forget it; but, Rob, this begins +to look serious." +</p> + +<p> +Although the youths were in plain view, the musk oxen continued their +flight straight toward them. Unless they changed very quickly or the +lads got out of the way a collision was certain. +</p> + +<p> +"You may stay here if you think it smart," said Fred, a second later, +"but I don't." +</p> + +<p> +Despite the exhibition he had made of himself a few minutes before he +moved briskly toward the rocks, behind which he whisked like one who +had no time to waste. +</p> + +<p> +To show him how causeless was his alarm, Rob raised his gun, and, +taking a quick aim at the foremost, let fly. +</p> + +<p> +"That'll settle them!" he called out; "see how quickly they will turn +tail." +</p> + +<p> +But they did not adopt this course as promptly as Rob expected. He had +struck one of them, but without inflicting much hurt. There is a +latent courage in every beast, which, under certain stress, can be +aroused to activity, and this shot had done it. +</p> + +<p> +Rob stood his ground for an instant or two. Then he awoke to the fact +that his shot was not going to turn a single one of the eight musk +oxen from his course. They thundered toward him like so many furies, +and were almost upon him before he realized that he had already waited +too long. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXII"> </a> +CHAPTER XXII +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +FRED'S TURN +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +At the moment Rob Carrol wheeled to run the foremost of the musk oxen +was upon him. +</p> + +<p> +This animal was the largest of the herd, after the fall of the leader, +whose place he had undoubtedly taken by the unanimous wish of the +survivors. +</p> + +<p> +Perhaps he was eager to prove to his companions his worthiness to fill +the shoes of the late lamented commander, for, although one of the +most dreaded of enemies stood directly in his path, and had just +emptied his gun at him, he charged upon him like a cyclone. +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile, Fred Warburton, having darted behind the rocks, lost no +time in slipping another cartridge in his gun. He would have assumed +any risk before permitting harm to come to his friend, but, somehow or +other, he yearned for the chance of saving him from just such a +disaster as was now upon him. +</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img width="500" height="285" src="images/201.jpg" alt="THE OX BOUNDED DIRECTLY OVER HIS BODY"> +<p class="caption">THE OX BOUNDED DIRECTLY OVER HIS BODY +<br> +(See page 199) +</p> +</div> + +<p> +Had Rob started a moment sooner he would have escaped, but in his +desperate haste he fell headlong, and the ox bounded directly over his +body, fortunately, without touching him. +</p> + +<p> +The other animals were unequal to the draught upon their courage, and +diverged sharply, some to the right and the rest to the left, circling +back over the plateau on whose margin Jack Cosgrove and Docak were +waiting until they came within certain range. +</p> + +<p> +"Fred, fire quick! my gun's unloaded!" called Rob from where he lay on +the ground; "don't wait a second or it'll be too late!" +</p> + +<p> +Fred did fire, sending the bullet with such accuracy that it wound up +the business. Precisely the same catastrophe, described by the +Esquimau to the sailor took place. The ox, coming with such desperate +speed, was carried forward by its own terrific momentum. It may be +said that he was dead before he could fall; he certainly was +unconscious of what he was doing, for he crashed against the rocks, as +if driven from an enormous catapult and then collapsed, in a senseless +heap, with his flat horns smashed and broken to fragments. +</p> + +<p> +Fred Warburton saw that his "turn" had arrived, and he made the most +of it. Rob had been merciless to him, and he was now ready to pay him +off in his own coin. +</p> + +<p> +"I wouldn't lie down there, Rob," he said, gravely, "for the ground +must be cold." +</p> + +<p> +"It does seem rather chilly—that's a fact," replied his friend, who, +knowing what was coming, slowly climbed to his feet; "I didn't think +of that when I lay down." +</p> + +<p> +"What made you lie down at all?" +</p> + +<p> +"You see I noticed that the creature didn't mean to turn about and +travel the other way as yours did; there was the difference. Then I +knew, too, that he must be tired from running so hard, and it struck +me as a kind thing to do to serve as a rug or carpet for him." +</p> + +<p> +"You did so, and no mistake. If I'm not in error," continued Fred, +with a quizzical expression, "I heard you call out a minute ago +something about my hurrying up and firing so as to save your life." +</p> + +<p> +"I say anything like that! What put such an idea in your head? It must +have been the echo of your voice, when you were running away from the +ox that was running away from you." +</p> + +<p> +And Rob assumed an expression of innocent surprise that would have +convinced any one else than Fred of his mistake. +</p> + +<p> +"It is singular, but no doubt I am in error," said he, resignedly. "It +must have been some one else that sprawled on the ground, and begged +me to shoot quick or he was a goner; it must have been another +vaunting young man, who looked up so pityingly, and was too scared to +try to get on his feet until I shot the ox for him, just as I did the +polar bear, when another minute would have finished him; but I'd like +to see that other fellow," added Fred, looking around, as if in quest +of him. +</p> + +<p> +"I'll help you search," said Rob, in the same serious manner; "and as +soon as I run across him I'll introduce you two. You'll be congenial +to each other. Until then suppose we let the matter rest." +</p> + +<p> +"I won't promise that," returned Fred, following up his advantage; "it +depends on whether certain other matters are referred to." +</p> + +<p> +Rob now laughed outright and offered his hand, which his friend +readily took. +</p> + +<p> +The words were uttered hurriedly, for it was hardly the time or place +for conversation. The popping of rifles was renewed from another part +of the plateau, and several other musk oxen had tumbled to the ground. +A half-dozen survivors managed to get it through their heads that they +had enemies on both sides, and, seeing an opening, they plunged +through it and were seen no more. +</p> + +<p> +The boys devoted some minutes to inspecting the two animals that had +fallen by the rifle of Fred Warburton. They were a couple of the +largest specimens of their kind, but the description already given +renders anything like a repetition unnecessary. +</p> + +<p> +Although it was the favorable season of the year, the youths detected +a slight musky odor exhaling from the bodies, which was anything but +pleasant. +</p> + +<p> +Docak and Jack were observed approaching across the plateau. Both were +in high spirits over the success that had marked this essay in hunting +the musk ox, and the Esquimau assured them that despite the odor to +which they objected, he would furnish them with one of the best +suppers they had ever eaten. The lads, however, could not feel quite +assured on that point. +</p> + +<p> +It may as well be stated in this place that the spot where the animals +were shot was about thirty miles inland from the home of Docak, and a +great many leagues south of Upernavik, the most northernmost +settlement on the Greenland coast. It is beyond this quaint Arctic +town, in the neighborhood of Melville Bay, that the musk ox has his +true <i>habitat</i>. There, although the animals are diminishing in +number, he may be found by any one who chooses to hunt for him. +</p> + +<p> +The fact that Docak had met them so far south was extraordinary, and, +up to the previous year, he had never known of such a thing, nor did +he believe there were any besides this particular herd within hundreds +of miles of the spot, nor that they were likely ever to be seen there +again. +</p> + +<p> +It took our friends two days and a part of a night to reach this +portion of the Arctic highlands. They had looked for foxes, reindeer, +ptarmigan, hares, and other game on the way, but failed to run across +any game until they came upon the musk oxen. Had not the Esquimau been +thoughtful enough to bring a lunch of cold fish, they would have +suffered from hunger. As it was, all felt the need of food, and the +prospect of a dinner upon the game at their feet was inviting, indeed. +</p> + +<p> +The Esquimau would not have bothered with the cooking had he been +alone, but, out of deference to his friends, he prepared to make a +meal according to their tastes. +</p> + +<p> +Inasmuch as so much game had been bagged, they could afford to be +choice. They cut the tongues from the animals, together with some +slices from the tenderest portion of their bodies, and had sufficient +to satisfy all their appetites and leave something over. +</p> + +<p> +No better place for camping was likely to be found than these hills, +but a shelter was desirable, and Docak set out to lead the way further +among them. His manner showed that he was familiar with the section, +for he did not go far before he came upon the very place for which +Fred Warburton longed when making his desperate flight from the bull +that he supposed was at his heels. +</p> + +<p> +It was a cavern among the rocks, as extensive as his own living room +at home, and approached by an entrance, which if not so extended as +his own entry, was of still less dimensions, causing them to stoop and +creep for part of the way. +</p> + +<p> +"Me be here 'fore," said he; "like de place?" +</p> + +<p> +"I should say we did," replied the pleased Rob, echoing the sentiments +of his friends; "but we shall need some fuel to cook the food and keep +warm, and wood isn't very abundant in this part of the world." +</p> + +<p> +"We git wood," was the rather vague reply, whose meaning was not +understood until they had penetrated into the cavern, which was +lightened by a crevice on one side of the entrance. This permitted +enough daylight to enter to reveal the interior quite plainly. It took +the boys a few minutes to accustom their eyes to the gloom, but when +they did so they were no less pleased than surprised at what they saw. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXIII"> </a> +CHAPTER XXIII +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +IN THE CAVERN +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +That which the astonished visitors looked upon was a pile of wood at +one side of the cavern big enough to build a roaring fire that would +last for hours. This place must have formed the headquarters of Docak +when indulging in the occasional hunts that are anything but popular +among the coast natives. +</p> + +<p> +The Esquimau did not carry lucifer matches with him, but, on the other +hand, he was not forced to use the primitive means common among +savages. He possessed a flint and tinder such as our forefathers used +and are still popular in some parts of the world. +</p> + +<p> +But Rob and Fred did not exhaust their supply of matches in trying to +scorch the bear steak on the iceberg, and when everything was ready to +start the blaze they did so with little trouble. The smoke bothered +them at first, but it gradually wound its way through the opening, so +that breathing became quite comfortable. +</p> + +<p> +Docak cooked the tongues with a skill born of long experience. There +was just the faintest trace of musk, but not enough to interfere with +the vigorous appetites, which could afford to disregard trifles. The +meal proved to be what he had promised—one of the most grateful they +had ever eaten. +</p> + +<p> +There was a good deal left after the supper was finished, and this was +laid aside for future contingencies, since the experience of their +approach to this spot taught them to be prepared for an extended +deprivation of food. Indeed, the native Esquimau sometimes goes for +days, apparently with no craving in that direction, though it must be +there all the same. When he finally secures nourishment, he stuffs +prodigiously—so much so indeed that a civilized person would die of +gluttony. He calmly waits, however, until able to hold a little more, +when he resumes cramming the food down his throat, keeping it up until +at last he is satisfied. Then he sleeps, hour after hour, and, on +waking, is ready to resume his frightful gormandizing. +</p> + +<p> +By the time the meal was finished the long Arctic night began closing +in. Looking through the crevice on the side, and the entrance, they +saw that the day was fast fading. The air was as clear as crystal and +very cold. The boys had no extra garments to bring with them, but +Docak, despite his cumbrous suit, carried the fur of a polar bear that +he had shot a couple of years before. This was not only warm, but had +the advantages over many pelts of being vermin proof. +</p> + +<p> +When traveling over the snow Docak had a way of using this extra +garment, like a shawl, so that his arms were free. It was now spread +upon the solid rock, and, though it was not extensive enough to wrap +about the forms of the four, it furnished a couch for all, as they lay +with their bodies near together, and it was most welcome indeed. +</p> + +<p> +It might seem that our friends ran an imprudent risk in venturing this +far from the coast without snow-shoes; for, in the event of a thaw, +the work of traveling the thirty miles would tax their endurance to +the utmost. The snow was several feet deep on a level, and was drifted +in places as high as a house. Who could make his way through instead +of over this? +</p> + +<p> +But all misgivings on that score were ended by Docak telling his +friends there would be no thaw for days, weeks, and, perhaps, not for +months. It was more likely to be the other way. +</p> + +<p> +The surface, as I have intimated, was as easily walked upon as the +floor of a house. So long as it remained thus there was no need of +snow-shoes or anything like artificial help. +</p> + +<p> +The fire made it so cheerful and the warmth was so pleasant that it +was decided to keep it going for an hour or two, and then let it die +out after they fell asleep. There would be considerable fuel left for +morning, and the blaze was not really necessary, unless the weather +should take one of those appalling plunges during which a red-hot +stove seems to lose all power. +</p> + +<p> +As was Docak's custom, when staying in an inclosed place like this, he +sauntered out doors before lying down to slumber, in order to take a +look at the weather and the surroundings. The life of the Esquimaux +makes them wonderfully skillful readers of impending changes of +temperature. Signs which are invisible to others are as intelligible +to them as the pages of a printed book to us. +</p> + +<p> +The native remained absent a considerable while, until his friends +began speculating as to the cause. +</p> + +<p> +"Maybe he has caught sight of another of those musk oxen, and wants to +bring him down," suggested Rob. +</p> + +<p> +"There is no call to do that when so many of them lie on the frozen +ground, where they will keep for months unless the wolves find them." +</p> + +<p> +"They'll be pretty certain to do that," continued Rob; "but then he +may have caught sight of a bull, and both may want to try a race by +starting in opposite directions and seeing which can travel first +around the world." +</p> + +<p> +"That would be a sight worth seeing," Fred hastened to say, "unless he +fell down and bawled for some one to come to his help, after firing +his gun and missing the game by about a rod." +</p> + +<p> +Jack Cosgrove looked wonderingly at his young friends, puzzled to know +what this curious talk meant. To him there was no sense in it. Rob and +Fred thought they had ventured as far upon forbidden ground as was +prudent, so they veered off. +</p> + +<p> +While they were talking Docak reappeared. His feet were heard on the +crust of the snow for several seconds before he was visible, for there +was no call to guard against noise. +</p> + +<p> +As he straightened up in the cavern he stood a moment without +speaking. Then, stepping to the wood, he threw a number of sticks on +the blaze, causing an illumination that made the interior as light as +day. +</p> + +<p> +Jack was better acquainted with the native's moods than the boys could +be expected to be, and the first sight of the honest fellow's +countenance by the added light told him he was troubled over +something. Evidently he had made some unpleasant discovery. +</p> + +<p> +"He'll let me know what it is," concluded the sailor, deeming it best +not to question him; "I can't imagine what would make him feel so +uneasy, but he's got something on his mind—that's sartin." +</p> + +<p> +Docak was on the point of speaking more than once, but some impulse +led him to close his lips at the moment the all-important matter was +about to become known. He probably would have kept it to himself +altogether had not a question of Rob given him an opportunity too +inviting to be resisted. +</p> + +<p> +"Which course will we take to-morrow, Docak?" +</p> + +<p> +"Dat way—we trabel fast as can, too." +</p> + +<p> +The astonishment of the three may be understood when they saw him +point directly toward his own home—that is, in the direction of the +seacoast, and over the course they had just completed. +</p> + +<p> +Their purpose when they set out was to penetrate at least double the +distance in the interior, and now he declared for a withdrawal. +</p> + +<p> +Not only that, but the manner of the native proved that he considered +the crisis imminent, and that no time was to be lost in carrying out +his unexpected decision. +</p> + +<p> +Jack knew him so well that he was right in deciding that his hesitancy +of manner was caused by his doubt whether he should insist upon his +friends starting at once, or allow them to defer it until morning. +</p> + +<p> +"What's the trouble, Docak?" asked the sailor, now that the subject +was broached; "I never saw you look so scared—" +</p> + +<p> +At that moment the dismal cry of a wolf reached their ears, quickly +followed by others. The gaunt creatures that seem born ravenously +hungry, and always remain so, had scented the rich feast that awaited +them on the plateau, and were hurrying thither from all directions. +Soon nothing would be left but the bones of the game brought down by +the rifles of the hunters. +</p> + +<p> +Rob and Fred naturally concluded the moment these sounds were +identified that it was because of them the native was frightened, he +having discovered them before the rest; but Jack knew it was from some +other reason. He saw nothing alarming in the approach of a pack of +wild animals. The four were well armed, they had a fire, were in a +cavern, and could stand off all the wolves in Greenland for a time at +least. +</p> + +<p> +"No, it isn't that," muttered the sailor; "but if he doesn't choose to +tell I sha'n't coax him." +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXIV"> </a> +CHAPTER XXIV +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +UNWELCOME CALLERS +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +Within the following fifteen minutes it seemed as if a thousand wolves +had arrived on the plateau, and were fighting, feasting, snarling, and +rending the bodies of the musk oxen to fragments. They were far enough +removed from the cavern for the inmates to hear each other readily, +while discussing the curious occurrence. +</p> + +<p> +The boys could not contemplate a visit from the ravening beasts with +the indifference of their companions. To them it seemed that the +brutes would be rendered ten-fold fiercer by their taste of blood, and +would not stop until they had devoured them. +</p> + +<p> +"Do you think they will visit us?" asked Rob of Docak. +</p> + +<p> +The latter was standing in the middle of the cavern, in the attitude +of listening. He nodded his head, and replied: +</p> + +<p> +"Yes—eat ox—den come here." +</p> + +<p> +"If that is so I think we ought to prepare for them," suggested Fred, +who shared the nervousness of his friend. +</p> + +<p> +"How can we prepare more than we're prepared now?" asked Jack; +"they've got to come in that opening one at a time, and it will be fun +for us to set back here and pick 'em off." +</p> + +<p> +"Provided they don't crowd in so fast that we can't do it." +</p> + +<p> +"With four guns, I reckon we oughter take care of ourselves." +</p> + +<p> +"Dere fire, too," remarked the Esquimau, jerking his head in the +direction of the flames. +</p> + +<p> +"Ah, I forgot that," said Rob, with a sigh of relief, recalling the +dread which all animals have of fire. Indeed, he felt certain at the +moment that the burning wood would prove far more effective than their +weapons in keeping off the wolves. +</p> + +<p> +It would be supposed that the bodies on the plateau were enough to +keep the brutes occupied for a long time, and to afford them a meal +sufficient to satisfy them for the night; but who ever saw a wolf when +not ravenously hungry? They howled, and snarled, and fought, and +pressed around the carcasses in such numbers that, when only the bones +remained, it may be said that their appetites were but fairly whetted, +and they were more eager than ever after additional prey. +</p> + +<p> +Fully a score, in their keenness of scent, had been quick to strike +the trail of the surviving musk oxen that had fled from the hot fire +of the hunters. The scent was the more easily followed since a couple +of the animals had been wounded, and there can be little doubt that +all fell before the ferocity of their assailants, though the musk ox +makes a brave fight ere he succumbs to those cowardly creatures. +</p> + +<p> +Darting hither and yon, with their pointed snouts skimming over the +ground, it was not Long before several struck the footprints of the +party that had taken refuge in the cavern. A dozen or, perhaps, a +score would not have dared attack them had they not been inflamed by +the taste of food already secured. As it was, they were aroused to +that point that they were ready to assail any foe that could help to +satisfy their voracity. +</p> + +<p> +"Here they come!" exclaimed Rob Carrol, springing to his feet, with +rifle ready. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes—dey come—dat so." +</p> + +<p> +While the native was speaking he stood motionless, but with inimitable +dexterity brought his gun to a level, and, apparently without any aim +at all, let drive into the pack crowding toward the entrance to the +cavern. +</p> + +<p> +No aim was necessary, for the wolves pressed so close that no one +person could fail to bring down one at least of them. +</p> + +<p> +Amid the snarling and growling rang out a single sharp yelp, which +proved that some member of the pack was "hit hard." Whether struck +mortally or not made no difference, for the moment blood appeared upon +him his comrades fell upon him with unspeakable ferocity and tore him +limb from limb. +</p> + +<p> +The shot had the effect, too, of driving them away from the entrance +for a brief while, but they speedily returned, crowding so far forward +that their eyes, lank jaws, and noses showed plainly in the reflection +of the firelight. +</p> + +<p> +It was evident that the shot of the Esquimau produced no permanent +effect upon them. It may have been, indeed, that they wished for a +second that it might afford them the pretext for feasting upon another +of their fellow-citizens. +</p> + +<p> +But the fire was burning brightly, and they dreaded that. So long as +it was going and the hunters kept close to the flame, they were safe +against the fangs of the wolves. +</p> + +<p> +"That's too good a chance to be lost," remarked Rob, discharging his +rifle among the animals. +</p> + +<p> +Fred was but a moment behind him, so that two, if not more, of the +brutes were slain and afforded an appetizer for the rest. Docak had +lost no time in ramming another charge into his gun, while Jack +Cosgrove held his fire, as if expecting some emergency, when a quick +shot was likely to be necessary. +</p> + +<p> +"It don't strike me as a good thing for all our guns to be empty at +the same time," was his sensible remark, "so s'pose we take turns in +banging into 'em." +</p> + +<p> +"Dat right—dat good," commented the Esquimau, and the boys promised +to follow the suggestion. +</p> + +<p> +The scene at this time was striking. Looking toward the entrance to +the cavern, nothing could be observed but the fronts of the fierce +animals, all fighting desperately to get at the opening, all eager +beyond expression to reach the serene hunters within, but restrained +by the glowing fire beyond, to which they dared not go. +</p> + +<p> +Quick to note their dread of this element, the boys became more +composed, though both could not help thinking how it would be if there +were no fire. The fuel if judiciously used was sufficient to last +until daylight, by which time the courage of the brutes would ooze +away to that extent that they would be likely to withdraw. +</p> + +<p> +But the party could not spend all their time in the cavern, and, if +attacked on the open plain, it would require the hardest kind of +fighting to beat off their assailants. +</p> + +<p> +"But what is the use of speculating about the future?" Rob asked +himself, as, seeing that it was his turn, he drove another bullet +among the brutes, doubling up one like a jack-knife, while his +comrades proceeded to "undouble" him in the usual style. +</p> + +<p> +"Suppose," said Fred, "we should keep this up until we killed a +hundred, wouldn't the rest have enough to eat by that time?" +</p> + +<p> +"No," replied Jack, who had seen the animals before; "the rest of 'em +would be as hungry as ever after eating 'em. You may keep the thing +going till there is only two left, and then shoot one of 'em; the +other will gulp him down in a dozen mouthfuls, and then lick his chops +and whine for more." +</p> + +<p> +Docak looked at his friend and grinned at this graphic illustration of +the voracity of the lupus species. +</p> + +<p> +However, it was quite clear that our friends were wasting a good deal +of ammunition, which might be needed before their return. So they +seated themselves on the floor of the cavern near the fire, that was +kept going with moderate vigor, and exchanging a few words now and +then as the turmoil permitted, they sent a shot into the pack, when +some of the foremost ventured to thrust their snouts too far into the +cavern. +</p> + +<p> +"If they only had sense enough to combine into one rush," said Fred, +"they could wipe us out in a twinkling." +</p> + +<p> +"That's just what they would do if it wasn't for the fire," was the +reply of his friend; "but it does seem to me that they must get tired +after awhile." +</p> + +<p> +"I can't detect any signs of it yet. Let me try something." +</p> + +<p> +Catching a brand from the fire, Rob whirled it about his head until it +was fanned into a roaring blaze, when he hurled it right among the +howling horde. +</p> + +<p> +The scampering that followed was laughable. In a second or two not a +wolf was visible, and only the smoking torch lay on the ground where +it had fallen just outside the entrance. +</p> + +<p> +It was expected they would soon return, and some of them did sneak +back within a short distance, but the smoldering brand was a terror to +them so long as it held any life, and they waited until it was utterly +extinguished before venturing closer. +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile, Docak showed such disquiet and concern over something else +that Jack Cosgrove, well knowing it must be serious, determined to +force him to an explanation, for he had racked his brain in vain to +think what grisly dread was looming in front of them. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXV"> </a> +CHAPTER XXV +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +THE COMING SHADOW +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +Docak, the Esquimau, had no wish to affect any mystery as to the cause +of his misgiving. He had not mentioned it of his own accord, because +he was debating in his mind which of two courses to adopt: to remain +longer in the cavern or to set out at once for his home on the coast. +It may be said that except for the appearance of the wolves he would +have insisted that the start should be made without delay, and pushed +with the utmost vigor until their destination was reached. +</p> + +<p> +But this was not to be thought of under the circumstances. To venture +outside the cavern was to invite an instant attack by the brutes who +were in that state that they possessed a daring foreign to their +nature. +</p> + +<p> +Docak explained that an alarming change of weather was at hand. He +knew the signs so well that there was no mistake on his part. As he +had promised, it was not in the nature of a thaw or rising +temperature, but may be explained by that expressive word with which +the reader is familiar—blizzard. +</p> + +<p> +Whoever has gone through one of those frightful visitations will never +forget it. That one of a few years ago was so general throughout our +country that the memory must remain through life with us. +</p> + +<p> +But a blizzard in the Arctic regions is a terror, indeed. It meant in +the present instance a snowstorm that might last for days, a hurricane +of wind, and a temperature of such fearful cold that would consume +almost like fire. +</p> + +<p> +With several feet of snow on the surface of that which now covered the +ground, and too fine to bear the weight of the lightest animal, with +the air white with billions of particles, eddying, whirling, and +flying hither and thither, so that one could not see a step in +advance—with the gale careering like a demon across the snowy +wastes—the strongest hunter might well shrink from attempting a +journey one-tenth of that which lay between them and the coast. +</p> + +<p> +When Jack suggested that Docak might be mistaken, he shook his head so +decisively that it sent a chill through the boys, who were watching +his dusky countenance and listening to his words. Such a man spoke +that whereof he knew. He would hold out hope, if he had justification +for doing so, but he saw none. +</p> + +<p> +That the blizzard was at hand, that it was already careering from the +far North and must speedily arrive, was as good as demonstrated. The +only chance that Docak saw was that it might prove of shorter duration +than he feared. If it should last no more than twelve or possibly +twenty-four hours, they might struggle through it, without serious +consequences, but if beyond that (as he was almost certain it would +be), there was little hope. +</p> + +<p> +However, since they must stay where they were until the following +morning, preparations were made for spending the night, which, it will +be borne in mind, was by no means as long as many which they have at +certain seasons in the high latitudes. +</p> + +<p> +It was decided that Rob should sit up until midnight and then awake +Fred, who, after standing guard for several hours, would arouse Jack +to take charge until daylight. Inasmuch as this was the Esquimau's own +proposition, which, as will be perceived, relieved him of duty for any +part of the night, the others understood its significance. He was +reserving himself for the time when there was likely to be more urgent +need of his services. +</p> + +<p> +No comment was made on the fact, and the simple preparations were +quickly finished. Docak added a caution to his friends that they +should be as sparing as possible in the use of the fuel. They had +already consumed a moiety of it, and the approach of the blizzard +would render it valuable beyond estimate. Enough only to hold the +wolves at a safe distance was to be burned. +</p> + +<p> +Thus it came about that an hour later Rob Carrol was the only one +awake in the cavern. The others were huddled together on the bear +skin, quietly sleeping, while he kept off drowsiness by pacing slowly +back and forth over the brief space within. +</p> + +<p> +"It's getting colder," he said to himself more than once; "I had a +hope that Docak might be wrong, but he isn't; we shall catch it within +a few hours. This is a bad place to be snowed up." +</p> + +<p> +He glanced continually toward the entrance, for he could not forget +the wolves which were the indirect cause of their coming peril. They +seemed, in spite of the disgusted remarks of Jack, to have become +satisfied that nothing was to be gained by hovering about the refuge. +So many of their comrades had fallen, and the fire burned so +persistently, that the others must have felt a certain degree of +discouragement. +</p> + +<p> +Now and then a howl echoed among the desolate hills, with a strange +power, and was immediately answered by scores from as many different +points, but there was no such eager crowding as marked the first +appearance of the brutes. Rob glanced repeatedly at the opening +without seeing one of them. +</p> + +<p> +But the youth was too wise to be caught off his guard. He allowed the +fire to smolder until the figures of his friends were only barely +visible in the gloom, and his own form became shadowy, as it slowly +moved back and forth over the floor of the cavern, with his rifle +ready for instant use. +</p> + +<p> +He heard a soft tip tipping on the snow, and there was no mistaking +its meaning. +</p> + +<p> +"They're there," he said, peering outward in the gloom and listening +intently, "and are as watchful for a chance as ever." +</p> + +<p> +Turning toward the crevice which admitted light, and was too straight +to allow the smallest wolf to pass through, he caught the glow of a +pair of eyes. +</p> + +<p> +They were motionless, and the wolf evidently was studying the interior +with a view of learning the prospect for an excursion within. +</p> + +<p> +The temptation to fire was strong, but the eyes noiselessly vanished +before the gun could be brought to a level. +</p> + +<p> +Rob stood intently listening. He heard the stealthy footsteps pass +along the side of the cavern toward the front, and he moved in that +direction, but placed himself at one side, so as to be out of sight of +any one looking directly into the mouth. He had not long to wait, when +the same keenness of ear told him that the brute was cautiously +entering. The fire was smoldering lower than ever, the brand at the +entrance had died out long before, and no one could be seen on guard. +The brute must have made up his mind that he had "struck it rich." In +his selfishness he did not summon his friends to the feast, but +resolved to devour the four persons all by himself, and that, too, +after having had his full share of the musk ox and his fallen friends! +</p> + +<p> +There was just enough light in the cavern for Rob to note everything. +Being at one side of the entrance, he could not be detected by the +sneaking brute, which also was invisible to him. He must come further +forward before they could discern each other. +</p> + +<p> +The wolf, one of the largest of his species, stood just outside with +his ears pricked, his head raised, and his eyes roaming over the +interior. Everything looked promising, but he had learned to be +suspicious of those bipeds, whose hands were always against them. +</p> + +<p> +He stood in this attitude for several minutes, as stationary as if +carved in stone. Then he lifted one of his fore-feet, held it +suspended, as though he were pointing game, and then advanced a couple +of steps. This brought him far enough into the cavern for the lad to +see the end of his nose, but the beast still failed to detect that +shadow at one side of the entrance that was calmly awaiting the +critical moment. +</p> + +<p> +But he saw the dimly outlined forms near the smoldering fire, and +licked his chops in anticipation. Nothing could be more favorable for +the grandest feast of his life. +</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img width="500" height="302" src="images/236.jpg" alt="THE WOLF LICKED HIS CHOPS IN ANTICIPATION"> +<p class="caption">THE WOLF LICKED HIS CHOPS IN ANTICIPATION +<br> +(See page 232) +</p> +</div> + +<p> +At that moment a howl rent the air at no great distance. It must have +startled this prowler, and told him that, if he delayed his meal any +longer, he must share it with an unlimited number. +</p> + +<p> +He started on a silent walk, straight for the forms, heedless of the +figure that had pointed the rifle at him, while he was yet out of +sight. All was like the tomb until the gun was fired. Then since the +muzzle almost touched the brute, why—enough has been said. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXVI"> </a> +CHAPTER XXVI +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +WALLED IN +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +By daybreak, when all the party were awake, the blizzard foretold by +the native had fully arrived. +</p> + +<p> +It was a terror, indeed. The cold was frightful, and the air outside +was white with snow, which was driven horizontally by the hurricane, +as though shot from the mouths of myriad pieces of ordnance. It +shrieked about the cavern, and drove the white particles so fiercely +through the narrow crevice that Docak hastened to shove his bear-skin +into it. This only partially filled the opening and the snow spun in +around it clean across the flinty floor. +</p> + +<p> +The regular entrance was partly protected by its own projection, but, +at times, a blast entered that fairly took away their breath. The fire +was necessary to keep from freezing, but the supply of fuel was +growing low, and the last stick must soon be reached. What then would +be the fate of the party if the blizzard continued? +</p> + +<p> +It was useless to discuss the future and no one did so; the present +was with them, and the question was how to live from hour to hour. +</p> + +<p> +On shooting the intruding wolf, Rob had flung his carcass away. The +report awakened the others, and, rising to his feet, Docak passed far +enough outside to bring it in again. He did not speak, but all +understood the meaning of the action; that body might be the means of +saving them from starvation. +</p> + +<p> +Enough of the previous night's meal remained to afford a nourishing +breakfast, but they partook sparingly, preferring to use that in +preference to the new supply. Happily thirst was a torture that need +never be apprehended. +</p> + +<p> +Jack Cosgrove braved the blast to that degree that he forced himself +through the opening and stood several minutes outside, shading his +eyes and striving to pierce the blinding turmoil. +</p> + +<p> +All in vain. The gale almost carried him off his feet, and his vision +could no more penetrate the furious swirl of snow than if it were the +darkest night that ever covered the earth. The cold was so piercing +that he was glad to hasten back among his friends, and shiver and +crouch over the fire. +</p> + +<p> +"By the great horned spoon, Docak! s'pose we had started for home last +night?" +</p> + +<p> +"Wish had," was the sententious response. +</p> + +<p> +"Why, we wouldn't have been half-way there by this time, and we would +have perished all together." +</p> + +<p> +"We trabel fast—mebbe storm not dere yet." +</p> + +<p> +This intimation that the blizzard might be less terrific at so slight +a distance was incredible, but the Esquimau was positive that it would +have been far better had they set out early in the evening. By rapid +traveling they might have covered the greater part of the distance +before morning, and could have fought the few remaining miles in the +teeth of the gale. +</p> + +<p> +But it was equally useless to discuss what might have been. They were +imprisoned in the cavern, thirty miles from succor and with no +possibility that any friends would ever take the trouble to search for +their bodies. All they could do was to rely upon Heaven and their own +exertions. +</p> + +<p> +Without any explanation as to his intentions, and leaving his gun +behind him, the native plunged through the opening and disappeared in +the blizzard outside. +</p> + +<p> +Born and reared in Greenland, amid Arctic snows and appalling +tempests, the hardy Esquimau was far better fitted to undergo such +trials of endurance than could be any native of a temperate clime. +</p> + +<p> +"Where do you suppose he has gone?" asked Rob, wonderingly. +</p> + +<p> +"I don't know," replied Jack; "but if he goes far he'll never come +back again." +</p> + +<p> +"It doesn't seem to me," said Fred, coming to the question of the +present for the first time, "that the outlook is as bad as he would +make us believe." +</p> + +<p> +"Why not?" +</p> + +<p> +"We have enough food to last a week or two, or even longer, and the +blizzard certainly won't keep it up that long." +</p> + +<p> +"You can't be sartin about that," said Jack; "it may last for several +weeks, but s'pose it's only for three or four days, there are two big +things that we must face." +</p> + +<p> +"What are they?" +</p> + +<p> +"What to do after it stops; the snow will be several feet deep on top +of that which is now on the ground; it will be too fine and soft to +bear our weight, and can be traveled over only with snow-shoes which +we haven't got. How then are we going to fight our way thirty miles +through it?" +</p> + +<p> +"It will be a hard job, but no greater than that which many explorers +have undergone. With Docak as our guide, I think we can pull through." +</p> + +<p> +"But what is the other matter you refer to?" asked Rob. +</p> + +<p> +"This wood will soon go, and then how are we going to keep from +freezing to death?" +</p> + +<p> +"If we will huddle together as closely as we can with the bear-skin +wrapped about us I think we can stand it." +</p> + +<p> +"I like the way you chaps talk," said the sailor, admiringly, "and if +we have to go down we'll do so with colors flying. It's the +downheartedness of Docak that knocks me askew; if he would show a +braver front I would feel better." +</p> + +<p> +"Possibly he is more hopeful than he pretends." +</p> + +<p> +"No, he isn't that sort of chap; he knows better than we just what all +this means. Whew!" +</p> + +<p> +The exclamation was caused by a sudden outburst that sent the snow +whirling through the opening and the crevice, from which the bear-skin +dropped, as if struck a blow from the other side. Jack ran forward, +picked it up, and thrust it back, hardly able to breathe from the fury +of the gale in his face. +</p> + +<p> +The snow shot through the opening, too, scattering the brands of fire +in every direction. Had the shelter been anything else excepting the +solid rock that it was, it must have been swept like chaff from its +foundations. +</p> + +<p> +The explosion, as it may be called, lasted but a minute or so. The +boys hastily gathered up the scattered brands and flinging them +together they were fanned by the tempest into a vigorous flame, whose +warmth, slight as it was, was grateful beyond measure to the three +gathered around it. +</p> + +<p> +"Docak is wrong in regretting that we did not start last night," said +Jack Cosgrove; "that style of storm is raging at this moment over +hundreds of miles, and it would have made short work of us." +</p> + +<p> +"What about the 'Nautilus,' if she is in it?" +</p> + +<p> +"She can manage it if she has plenty of sea room, but I hope she is +far enough off to dodge this blizzard. She ought to be at any rate." +</p> + +<p> +The gale did the party an unexpected favor. It was a substantial one, +too, which they appreciated. It drove the snow against the troublesome +crevice with such fury that it quickly formed a solid bank, extending +far above it. This ended the drifting of the particles inside and +protected them from the cutting wind. +</p> + +<p> +At the same time it did something of the same nature with the +entrance, where it soon became banked to that extent that little blew +within, and the gale hardly disturbed them. +</p> + +<p> +Seeing what had taken place, Jack withdrew the bear-skin from where it +had been stuffed into the opening and spread it in the farthermost +corner of the cavern. +</p> + +<p> +"Come, my hearties," said he, cheerfully, "we've got nothing to do but +to make ourselves comfortable. We won't burn any more wood till Docak +comes back." +</p> + +<p> +They huddled together, and, though the cold made their teeth chatter +and their bodies shiver, they found considerable relief and were +willing to hope on. +</p> + +<p> +They could feel no anxiety about the absent native. It was certain he +would not go far enough from the cavern to endanger his safety or to +imperil his return. Some definite object must have led him forth. +</p> + +<p> +"I wonder if it is for food," suggested Fred. +</p> + +<p> +"No; for there's no possibility that the wolves left anything," +replied Rob; "and then, too, we have enough to last a good while." +</p> + +<p> +At that moment there was a flurry at the entrance and the Esquimau, +resembling a snow man, stooped and pushed his way in. +</p> + +<p> +Entering, he flung a half-dozen small sticks upon the tiny pile at the +side of the cavern. He had gone forth in quest of fuel and was able to +secure only that miserable supply, really not worth taking into +account. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXVII"> </a> +CHAPTER XXVII +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +"COME ON!" +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +The Esquimau's depression continued. After flinging down the few bits +of wood he looked across the cavern to where the friends were huddled +together, but did not speak. Then he glanced at the crevice, now so +completely blocked with snow that they were protected against any more +drifting in upon them. +</p> + +<p> +The three respected his silence, and held their peace. He stood a +minute or two, looking gloomily into the fire, which he replenished, +partly from the scant supply he had brought. While it was gaining +strength he drew his knife, deftly cut a number of pieces from the +frozen body of the wolf, and proceeded to cook them over the blaze. +Had he been alone he would have devoured them raw, but he knew the +sentiments of his companions. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, Docak," said Jack, feeling that the silence ought not to +continue, "it looks as if we are in for a long stay. We shall have +enough to keep us alive a good while, and, when you're ready, you can +come and snuggle down beside us." +</p> + +<p> +"Not now," he replied, continuing his culinary work, with what seemed +a wasteful disregard of fuel until he was through. +</p> + +<p> +When nothing more remained worth attention he held up a piece, +considerably scorched, and, looking at the others, asked: +</p> + +<p> +"Eat now?" +</p> + +<p> +"No; we'll wait till morning," replied Rob, speaking for the rest. +</p> + +<p> +"All right." +</p> + +<p> +But he was not disposed to wait if they were. He made quite a meal, +with as much evident enjoyment as if it had been upon the choicest +part of the musk ox. He took care, however, to leave a good supply +against the "rainy day" that he felt no doubt would come to them all. +</p> + +<p> +The dismal day wore slowly away, and with a feeling of unutterable +loneliness they saw the second night of their enforced stay in the +cavern close around them. The cold seemed to intensify with the +approach of darkness, and the supply of wood had grown so slight that +the warmth was barely perceptible. +</p> + +<p> +The blizzard raged with unabated fury. The gale shrieked around the +rocks, the blinding snow whirled and eddied until it seemed that it +must bury them out of sight, and the outlook was woeful enough to +chill the bravest heart. The three in the corner adhered to their +resolution not to eat any of the food prepared before the morrow. They +might need it then to aid their systems in withstanding the terrific +strain, but, as in the case of the bear on the iceberg, it must be the +last resort. +</p> + +<p> +The Esquimau declined their invitation to join them in the corner. He +was thickly clad, and was so accustomed to the rigors of the Arctic +winter that he needed no such help. He seated himself near by, and +talked a little, until, at a late hour, troubled sleep settled over +all. +</p> + +<p> +A gleam of hope came with the break of day. Docak was the first to +awake, and, without disturbing the others, he forced his way through +the entrance and took a survey of the weather and his surroundings. +</p> + +<p> +The blizzard was over. The fall of snow had ceased, little wind was +stirring, but the cold was terrible. Toughened as he was, he shrank +when first exposed to it. The party had been walled in so tightly that +the warmth of their bodies was of more help than would be suspected. +</p> + +<p> +Quick to note the change in the weather the native studied the sky +with its numerous signs in the effort to learn what was likely to come +in the near future. +</p> + +<p> +Great as was his skill at this it was now taxed to the utmost. The sun +was not visible, and the difficulty became the greater; but he tarried +until he had perfected his theory. +</p> + +<p> +The discouraging feature which the native saw about the matter was +that the blizzard had ceased for a time only. He believed it would +soon resume its fury, fully as great, if not greater than before, and +it might continue for days and possibly weeks. If, when that time +should come, it found them in the cavern they were doomed beyond the +power of mortal man to save themselves. +</p> + +<p> +But the prospect was equally hopeless, if the lull lasted only a few +hours, for, when it should break forth again it would overtake them in +the open plain (provided they made the start he had in mind), where no +screen against its resistless power could be secured. +</p> + +<p> +It should be understood that Docak's solicitude was on account of his +friends. Had he been alone he would not have hesitated to set out for +the coast, and with every reason, too, to believe he could make it, +even, if the battle of the elements were renewed when but a small part +of the way thither. +</p> + +<p> +But he had three others in charge, and it was hard to decide whether +to urge them to make the attempt now or wait awhile, in the hope that +he could settle with certainty the extent of the cessation of the +blizzard. +</p> + +<p> +The additional snow was between two and three feet deep, where it had +not been drifted by the gale. With the help of snow-shoes it would +have been an easy matter to skim over it, but there were no snow-shoes +to be had, as has been shown, the new fall was of such fine character +that they would sink its full depth when essaying to walk upon it. +</p> + +<p> +When he turned about and re-entered the cavern his friends were astir. +Their appetites had assumed that edge that they eagerly attacked some +of the meat prepared the night before. The few embers had been stirred +into a sickly blaze, but not another stick remained. The warmth was +only perceptible when the chilled hands were held almost against it. +</p> + +<p> +The Esquimau smiled grimly when he saw what they were doing, but with +the reticence that had marked his course since refuge was taken in the +cavern, he held his peace. Jack greeted him pleasantly, and he nodded +in return, and then again passed outside. +</p> + +<p> +The sailor and lads had peeped after him, and discovered that the fall +of snow was over, and the wind was not blowing. This gave them +considerable hope, inasmuch as they were unable to read its full +meaning like the native. +</p> + +<p> +"It's easy enough to see what he has on his mind," remarked Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"What is it?" queried Rob. +</p> + +<p> +"He is considering whether we shall make a start now for the coast or +wait awhile longer." +</p> + +<p> +"What's the use of waiting," asked Rob, "when it can't be any better +and may grow worse? The snow that has fallen will stay where it is for +months, so we can gain nothing there. I'm in favor of starting for +home while it is yet morning." +</p> + +<p> +"That's the way it strikes me, but he'll make up his mind, and +whatever he says we'll do. He isn't in the mood to take any advice +from us; I never seed him so glum before." +</p> + +<p> +"We're quite well protected," added Fred, who was eager to be off if +that should be the decision; "we have the thickest kind of clothing, +heavy shoes, and warm undergarments. Then we mustn't forget that when +we start through the snow the labor will help to warm us. Fact is, I +don't understand why Docak hesitates." +</p> + +<p> +The Esquimau used less time than they supposed in reaching his +conclusion. But, with a view of giving him a hint of their wishes, +Jack and the boys prepared themselves as if it had been settled that +they should venture at once upon the perilous attempt. They carefully +adjusted their clothing, tying the lower parts of their trousers about +their ankles, so as to keep out the snow, buttoned their heavy coats +to their chins, pulled up the collars more carefully, and fixed their +caps in place, though all this had been done to a certain extent +before. +</p> + +<p> +When nothing remained they ranged themselves in a row beside the +entrance and awaited the appearance of their guide. +</p> + +<p> +He came in the course of a few minutes. He started slightly when he +read the meaning of it all. +</p> + +<p> +"We're ready," said Jack, with a smile. +</p> + +<p> +"All right—we go—foller me—come on!" and he led the way out, and +they turned their backs on the cavern forever. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXVIII"> </a> +CHAPTER XXVIII +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +A HOPELESS TASK +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +A fearful task confronted the little party. Thirty miles of snow, +several feet deep, lay between them and their only haven of refuge, +and they were without sled or snow-shoe. If they succeeded in their +prodigious task, it must be done by sheer strength and the power of +continued desperation. +</p> + +<p> +But, with compressed lips and the resolution to do or die, they bent +to the work without faltering. +</p> + +<p> +The Esquimau naturally took the lead to break the way so far as he +could; Jack Cosgrove came next, then Rob Carrol, while Fred Warburton +brought up the rear. +</p> + +<p> +The first move that the native made proved he was a veteran. He +plunged in, following the decline down to the plateau, which was the +scene of their adventures two days before. He walked like one who had +only an ordinary tramp before him. In truth, he could have gone faster +and done better, but he accommodated himself to his friends, to whom +the labor was new and trying to a degree. +</p> + +<p> +None spoke for a long time. It requires strength to do even so slight +a thing as that, and no one had an ounce to spare. The question that +was uppermost in the minds of the three was whether they would be able +to hold out to the end. +</p> + +<p> +"I don't see why we can't," reflected Fred, who, being at the rear, +had an easier task than any of the others; "it would be well enough if +we had snow-shoes, but neither Jack nor Rob nor I can use them, and we +would flounder around a good deal worse than we are doing now and +likely enough wouldn't get ahead at all." +</p> + +<p> +The meditations of Rob Carrol were of a similar strain. +</p> + +<p> +"I've seen better fun than this, but it beats staying in the cavern +and freezing to death on wolf steak. I believe I'm strong enough to +see the business through; I hope Fred won't give out, for he isn't as +strong as Jack and I. I believe Docak enjoys it. Gracious! if I ever +live to get out of this outlandish country, I'll never set foot in it +again. I haven't lost any North Pole, and those that think they have +can do their own hunting for it." +</p> + +<p> +The sun still remained obscured, and the wonder of the three was how +their guide kept his bearings, after debouching from the highlands and +entering upon the broad, undulating plain which stretched away to +Davis Strait and Baffin's Bay. There was no misgiving, however, in +that respect. Docak could not go astray, or, at least, if there was +any likelihood of his doing so, not one of his friends was able to +help him. +</p> + +<p> +As the boys had anticipated, the labor of walking in this difficult +fashion soon generated a warmth in their bodies that was a vast +comfort, after sitting benumbed and shivering so long in the cavern. +Despite the extreme cold they felt no discomfort, for the air was +quite dry, and less trying, therefore, than a damp atmosphere would +have been, even though twenty-five degrees higher. +</p> + +<p> +But it is in such an Arctic climate that one can have his limbs or a +portion of his body hopelessly frozen without suspecting it. All were +so effectually protected that only a small portion of their faces, +their eyes, and tips of their noses were exposed. +</p> + +<p> +The bear-skin, which has been referred to as belonging to Docak, was +carried by him after his usual manner. He would have offered it to his +friends in turn, had he not known that it would soon have become a +burden which he could carry better than they. +</p> + +<p> +Jack, who trod close on the heels of the Esquimau, was admiring the +sturdy manner in which he plowed through the snow, his labor being +much greater than any one of those who followed him, when the native +turned his head and scanned his face with curious intensity. Pausing +for the moment in his labor, he leaned to one side, and did the same +to the others. His act was all the more singular since he did not +speak. The lads smiled under their head-coverings, but their faces +were so wrapped up that the relaxation of the features could not be +perceived. +</p> + +<p> +"I wonder why he did that," thought all three. +</p> + +<p> +"The chap has been acting curious ever since this trouble began," +continued the sailor, "and I wouldn't be s'prised if he's just a +little off." +</p> + +<p> +"Can it be," asked Rob, following up a whimsical idea, "that he fears +we aren't ourselves? He has started out to take us to the seacoast, +and doesn't mean that anybody else shall rope himself in on him. I +guess he's satisfied, though we're so covered up that our nearest +friends wouldn't know us." +</p> + +<p> +For fully an hour the party toiled on, and all, with the exception of +the leader, began to feel the effects of the severe exertion. Still, +no one protested or asked for rest; each determined to keep it up, if +possible, until the leader chose to halt. +</p> + +<p> +But Docak did not forget them. At the end of the time named he turned +about, and, with something of his old pleasantry, said: +</p> + +<p> +"Much tired—wait while—den go on." +</p> + +<p> +Each of the boys longed to ask him what he thought of the prospect of +getting through, but forebore, recalling his moodiness, which might be +still upon him despite his present manner. +</p> + +<p> +"I think we're doing quite well, Docak," said Jack; "it's a little +hard, but we can take a breathing spell now and then, and keep at it +till we strike your home." +</p> + +<p> +Had the Esquimau made any response to this half-inquiring remark the +sailor would have followed it up, but he did not. On the contrary, he +was busy studying the sky and the surrounding landscape, doubtless +with a view of determining what weather changes impended. +</p> + +<p> +The others did the same, but though Jack had learned a good deal of +the science at sea he was now at a loss. The dull, leaden sky, so +obscured that it was impossible to tell in what part of the heavens +the sun was, told him nothing beyond the fact that more snow was +likely to fall before many hours. +</p> + +<p> +As the best thing that could be done, the friends studied the actions +of the Esquimau. +</p> + +<p> +The result of his survey was not satisfactory—that was clear. He +shook his head and muttered something in his own language, which had +anything but a pleasant effect on the others. +</p> + +<p> +The scene was one of utter loneliness and desolation. North, east, +south, and west stretched the snowy plain, unrelieved by tree, house, +or sign of a living creature. Far up in the sky sounded the honk of +some wild fowl, and, looking aloft, a line of black specks could be +seen, sailing swiftly southward through space, as if to escape the +Arctic cold that would soon smother everything in its icy embrace. +</p> + +<p> +The rest was barely ten minutes, when Docak, looking at his +companions, asked: +</p> + +<p> +"Be rested? We go on?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes; we're ready," replied Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"All right—work hard now—don't get tired." +</p> + +<p> +"I won't, if I can help it; but the only way I know of is to stand +still, which don't pay in this kind of business." +</p> + +<p> +The Esquimau bent to his work, as if striving for a wager. He had a +way not only of stepping down in the soft snow, but of shoving it +partly aside from his path. It would have been the severest kind of +labor for anyone else, and it is hard to understand how he managed it +so well. It was a great help to the one immediately behind him. Jack +would have been glad to lighten the task for the boys, but that was +out of his power, and he wasted no strength in the attempt. +</p> + +<p> +The party was becoming accustomed to the work. That the guide was +aware of this was proven when he kept at it fully twice as long as +before. They were going slowly—very slowly—but there was comfort in +the consciousness that every step taken was toward safety, and the +task before them was lessened, even to that small extent. +</p> + +<p> +At the moment the boys were beginning to think it about time another +halt was called, Docak stopped in his former abrupt way, and, leaning +to one side, peered into each face in turn. +</p> + +<p> +Something in Fred's appearance caught his attention, and, with an +exclamation, he sprang out of the path, and hurried back to where the +lad stood, wondering what was the matter with the fellow. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXIX"> </a> +CHAPTER XXIX +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +TEN MILES +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +Docak, when flurried, generally forgot his broken English, and spoke +in his own tongue. Before Fred could divine his intention he had +slipped off one of his mittens, grasped a handful of snow, and +throwing one arm about the boy's neck, began rubbing his nose as +though he meant to rub it out of existence. +</p> + +<p> +The watchful native was on the watch for the first sign of freezing in +the case of his companions, and, discovering that the youngest member +was becoming a victim without himself or friends suspecting it, he +resorted to heroic measures, with no unnecessary delay. +</p> + +<p> +Fred understood what it all meant, and, like the sensible boy he was, +submitted with good grace, though the vigorous handling to which that +organ was subjected made it hard for him to keep from protesting. Not +only that, but, when the Esquimau, pausing to inspect his work, said: +</p> + +<p> +"All right," Fred thanked him. +</p> + +<p> +Jack and Rob, who looked grinningly on, while the performance lasted, +now asked Docak whether they were in need of a similar manipulation. +He took another look at the faces, and gave Rob's a slight rubbing, +but said nothing more was needed. +</p> + +<p> +It was a piece of thoughtfulness on the part of the native, for which +he deserved to receive gratitude. But for him Fred Warburton, and +probably the others, would have suffered injuries from which they +never could have recovered. +</p> + +<p> +Having rested but a brief while, Docak moved on, and the dismal +procession wound its way slowly through the snow, which clogged their +feet and obstructed their path to that extent that more than once the +hardy guide had to come to a full halt that he might decide in what +way to flank the obstacle. +</p> + +<p> +The blizzard had played fantastic tricks with the snow. In many places +it was drifted to a depth of six or eight feet, through which, as may +be supposed, it was the severest labor to force a path. In others, +again, it had swept the crust entirely clear of the new layer, so that +they walked as easily as when making their way from the coast. +Unfortunately, these bare places, as they may be called, were not only +few and far apart, but of such slight extent that their aid counted +for little. +</p> + +<p> +There is nothing more cheering than the certainty that we are +approaching our goal, even though the rate of progress is more tardy +than we wish. As the afternoon drew to a close Fred was positive they +had made fully twenty miles. Rob believed it was more, but, to be on +the safe side, fell in with his friend's figures. When Jack was +appealed to he declined to hazard a guess, saying he preferred to wait +till the halt for the night, when he would leave it to Docak. +</p> + +<p> +"He'll tell you within a quarter of a mile," added the sailor, "and he +won't make a mistake. I can let you know one thing, howsumever, my +hearties, and that is that you'll find it a good deal less than you +think." +</p> + +<p> +"I don't know about that," said Rob; "Fred and I have calculated the +matter pretty closely." +</p> + +<p> +"You may think so, but you haven't. We have worked hard enough to +tramp a hundred miles, but we haven't been able to use it in the best +way." +</p> + +<p> +Another fact, which might mean a good deal or little, was that a +marked moderation in the temperature took place in the course of the +afternoon. What this portended was left to the Esquimau to determine. +Toiling through the snow was not favorable to conversation, and it was +dropped. +</p> + +<p> +With only short halts the party pushed onward, until night began +settling over the dreary landscape. They would have kept on had not +the darkness been impenetrable. The sun had not shown itself during +the day, and the obscurity was so dense that not a solitary star +twinkled overhead. +</p> + +<p> +"Besides," as the boys concluded, "the rest of the distance is so +brief that we can afford to leave it until morning, by which time we +will be fully rested. Inasmuch as it is necessary to pass a night on +the road, one spot is as good as another." +</p> + +<p> +Camping at such times is simple. They were in the middle of a snowy +waste, without tree or rock to shelter. Starting a fire, of course, +was out of the question. A slight wind was blowing, and though less +rigorous than that of the preceding night, it was necessary to protect +themselves from its force while they were idle. +</p> + +<p> +For a few minutes Docak acted like a man seized with convulsions or +the St. Vitus' dance. He leaped about, kicked, and swung his arms, the +snow flying in a storm from him, until, at the end of a few minutes, +he had scooped out a bowl-like space, large enough to hold the party. +In doing this he cleared the way down to the lower crust only, which +was strong enough to bear their weight. To have dug to the ground +would have been too laborious, and no special advantage was to be +gained by doing so. +</p> + +<p> +This completed, he carefully spread his bear-skin on the hard surface, +and the four seated themselves back to back. They had camped for the +night. +</p> + +<p> +The discomforts of this primitive method were less than would be +supposed. There is warmth in snow, as you are well aware, cold being a +negative existence, and, so long as they were below the surface, they +could not be reached by the wind that swept across the dismal waste. +Then, too, the change in the temperature was in the right direction as +affecting their comfort, so there was little fear of suffering before +morning. +</p> + +<p> +When they were adjusted for the night, Rob asked the question of Docak +which had been in his mind for hours: +</p> + +<p> +"How far have we got toward home?" +</p> + +<p> +Fred was confident the answer would be twenty miles; while Rob was +quite hopeful it would be more. Judge, therefore, their consternation +when the reply struck their ears: +</p> + +<p> +"Purty near ten mile—not quite—purty near." +</p> + +<p> +The hopes of the boys sank to zero. Jack, knowing they had placed +their estimate too high, still believed it greater than was the fact. +</p> + +<p> +Ten miles! Barely a third of the distance between the cavern and the +first place that could offer refuge. +</p> + +<p> +They had used a day in advancing thus far. At that rate two more days, +and possibly nights, remained ere the terrible task would be ended. +They had eaten the last mouthful before starting, leaving behind some +food which they might have brought, but which was not deemed +necessary. +</p> + +<p> +It was not the prospect of hunger that appalled them. In such a severe +climate they could go a couple of days without food, and not suffer +greatly, though the draught upon their strength would be trying to the +last degree. +</p> + +<p> +The great question was whether the task they had essayed was a +possible one. Recalling the terrific exertions of the day, their +exhaustion, and the repeated rests that were necessary, they might +well doubt their ability, though it need not be said there was no +thought of giving up so long as life and strength held out. +</p> + +<p> +"Ten miles," repeated Fred Warburton; "are the Esquimau miles the same +as our English, or aren't they double their length?" +</p> + +<p> +"I don't know about that," said Rob; "they must get their ideas from +the Danes, who have a system of measurement different from ours, but +it don't matter in this instance." +</p> + +<p> +"Why not?" +</p> + +<p> +"When we set out, and after reaching the hills, Docak told us we were +thirty miles from home; he tells us now that we are ten miles less." +</p> + +<p> +"Not quite ten mile—purty near," interrupted the native. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, calling it ten miles, we have come about one-third of the way +to the coast. No matter what system of measurement is followed we +can't figure out that we have gone further than that." +</p> + +<p> +"And not quite that far," suggested Jack, who was not less +disappointed than they, but was quicker to rally. +</p> + +<p> +"It isn't the thing calculated to make a chap feel good to learn a +thing like that," he added; "but all we've got to do is to buckle down +to it and we'll get there one of these days, with fair sailing and no +more squalls." +</p> + +<p> +"It is those squalls or blizzards, Jack, that are the real danger +before us." +</p> + +<p> +It was Rob who made this remark, and his friends knew he spoke the +truth. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXX"> </a> +CHAPTER XXX +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +THE LAST PAUSE +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +The night slowly settled over the snow waste, and the little party, +feeling no discomfort because of the cold, gradually sank into +unconsciousness. +</p> + +<p> +Just before slumber weighed down their eye-lids the dismal howl of a +wolf echoed faintly across the plain. All heard it, and Jack and the +boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the +hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his +heels. Jack asked the Esquimau whether they ought not to prepare for a +fight, but he replied that there were no preparations to make. Each +had his loaded gun and a good supply of ammunition; they could fight +as well there as in any other place. +</p> + +<p> +Docak showed no trepidation of voice and manner, and his coolness had +a good effect upon the others. They were sure that, if there was any +cause for alarm, he would feel it. +</p> + +<p> +This confidence proved well placed; for that single cry was all that +reached their ears. They slept, and were not molested. +</p> + +<p> +But sometime during the night the fine snow began sifting downward, +falling so gently that even the Esquimau was not disturbed. Through +the long gloomy hours it silently descended, until when the daylight +stole over the desolate plain, fully six inches had been added to the +mass that covered the earth long before. +</p> + +<p> +Sitting nearly upright and back to back, the pressure upon the +sleepers was so slight and gradual that no discomfort resulted. All +were so worn out that their slumber was profound, doubtless lasting as +long as it would have done had no such snowfall taken place. +</p> + +<p> +It was Jack Cosgrove who first opened his eyes, and his amazement may +be imagined when he saw their laps buried out of sight, only the +outlines of their limbs showing, while head and shoulders were +weighted down with the feathery mass. +</p> + +<p> +"By the great horned spoon!" he called, shaking himself free and +rising to his feet, with such a flurry that the others were aroused; +"wake up, for we're all snowed under, and, if we wait a few minutes +longer, we'll be buried clean out of sight." +</p> + +<p> +"What's the matter?" called Rob, being the next to climb to his feet; +"has the snow tumbled in on us?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes; and more of it is tumbling every minute." +</p> + +<p> +Docak was astonished that he had not been the first to awake, for his +mind was burdened with anxiety for the rest. He forgot that, inasmuch +as his labors had been far greater than theirs, his weariness of body +was in more need of rest. +</p> + +<p> +"What time be it?" he asked of the boys, who carried watches. +</p> + +<p> +The answer showed that day had dawned more than two hours before. He +sighed at the knowledge of the precious time wasted. Harder work than +ever was before them, and when night came again they might count +themselves fortunate if one-half the remaining distance was +accomplished. +</p> + +<p> +Rising to their feet, with their heads above the surface, they found +the snow falling so fast that they could not see fifty feet in any +direction. +</p> + +<p> +"How can Docak keep his bearings?" asked Rob, in a low voice, of the +others, when the native, walking a few feet, paused and looked +earnestly about him. +</p> + +<p> +"It doesn't seem to me that it is any harder for him to do so than it +was yesterday when there was no snow falling." +</p> + +<p> +"There is a big difference. We couldn't have done any better in the +one case than the other, but he could see the sky. He knew where the +sun was, though we did not; and there must have been something in the +looks of the landscape to help, but there is none of that now." +</p> + +<p> +"I can give you the right answer to Fred's question," said Jack, in +the same guarded undertone. +</p> + +<p> +"What is it?" +</p> + +<p> +"When you ask whether Docak can keep the p'ints of the compass in his +mind, and make sure that he is heading straight for home, the real +answer is—he can't." +</p> + +<p> +There could be no denying that the sailor spoke the truth. The native, +like the Indians further south, may have possessed a subtle skill in +the respect named beyond the comprehension of his more civilized +neighbors, but, in all cases, there is a limit to such ability. Where +there is nothing to afford guide or clue no living man can walk in a +straight line—hour after hour, or hold his way undeviatingly toward a +fixed point of the compass. +</p> + +<p> +But, admitting this unquestioned truth, nothing was more self-evident +than that it was sure death to stay where they were; the one and only +thing left to them was to push on while the opportunity was theirs. +</p> + +<p> +The Esquimau was a man of deeds rather than words. He showed no +disposition to discuss the situation, and, beyond a few insignificant +words, said nothing to his companions, who were as eager to be on the +move as he. He stood a minute or two in study, and then, uttering the +words: +</p> + +<p> +"Come on—work hard—neber stop," began pushing through the snow with +the vigor shown the day before. +</p> + +<p> +The others followed in the order named, and with a resolution as +strong as his to keep it up to the last verge of endurance. +</p> + +<p> +It was necessary. In no other way could they escape the frightful doom +that impended. Another condition was equally necessary; their efforts +must be rightly directed. The guide must lead them toward the +sea-coast. Had he the power to do so? The test was now going on, and +the question would soon be settled. +</p> + +<p> +They were terrible words spoken by Jack, but the time had passed when +he felt it necessary to mince matters. He had done so at the +beginning, but his companions were not children unable to bear the +truth, however unpleasant it might be. +</p> + +<p> +But, despite the good reason in what he said, neither Rob nor Fred +quite credited its full meaning. While they could not explain how any +person could guide himself unerringly, when there was no visible help +for the eye, they believed that somehow or other he would "get there +just the same." +</p> + +<p> +They proved their own earnestness when Docak, after a long struggle +through the clogging snow, stopped, turned about, and said: +</p> + +<p> +"You be tired—then rest awhile." +</p> + +<p> +"No," responded Fred, "I want no rest." +</p> + +<p> +"Push on, then," added Rob, "unless you are tired yourself, Docak." +</p> + +<p> +The idea that the native needed rest caused him a half-smile, as he +faced forward and resumed his weary plowing through the snowy mass. +</p> + +<p> +There was no call now to watch the countenances of the youths to +protect them against freezing. The weather was so moderate that they +would have felt more comfortable with their outer covering removed. If +the blizzard had come back, it was in such a mild form that it could +lay no claim to the name. It was simply snowing hard, and there was +only a breath of air at intervals. Had there been anything approaching +the hurricane of two days before, they could not have fought their way +for a single rod. +</p> + +<p> +When the guide, after another long interval, proposed a brief rest, it +was acquiesced in by all. They had kept at it longer than before, and +the pause must have been grateful to Docak himself. +</p> + +<p> +"We are not going fast," remarked Rob, "but I am sure we have covered +a good deal of ground since starting, and when we go into camp +to-night there ought not to be many miles between us and the sea." +</p> + +<p> +"Remember the mistake we made in our calculations," said Fred, +warningly, "and don't count too much." +</p> + +<p> +"How far have we come?" asked Jack, putting the question directly to +the Esquimau. +</p> + +<p> +"Dunno," he answered, turning about and resuming his labor. +</p> + +<p> +"That's the last time I will ask him anything," growled the sailor, +displeased at the curt treatment. +</p> + +<p> +A sad story awaits our pen. The poor hunters toiled on, on, on, slower +and still more slowly, with the snow falling thicker and still more +thickly, and the uncertainty growing more intensified as the day wore +away. With short intervals of rest they kept at it with heroic +courage, until at last the shades of night began closing once more +around them. Then, all of a sudden, the Esquimau uttered a despairing +cry and threw himself down in the snow. +</p> + + +<div class="figcenter"><img width="500" height="300" src="images/282.jpg" alt="THE ESQUIMAU UTTERED A DESPAIRING CRY AND THREW HIMSELF +IN THE SNOW"> +<p class="caption">THE ESQUIMAU UTTERED A DESPAIRING CRY AND THREW HIMSELF +IN THE SNOW +<br> +(See page 277) +</p> +</div> + +<p> +He had made a terrifying discovery. They had come back to the very +spot where they spent the previous night. All day long they had +journeyed in an irregular circle, as lost persons almost invariably +do, and the dreadful labor was utterly thrown away. +</p> + +<p> +The Esquimau had essayed a task beyond his power, and he now threw up +his hands and would struggle no more. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXXI"> </a> +CHAPTER XXXI +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +ANOTHER SOUND +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +The little party were overwhelmed with dismay. The very man on whom +they had relied from the beginning, the one who had conducted them +thus far, and the one who, under heaven, could alone guide them to +safety, had thrown up his hands and yielded the struggle. He lay on +the snow limp, helpless, and despairing. +</p> + +<p> +The new fall of snow had almost obliterated their trail, but enough +remained to identify it beyond mistake. The cavity which Docak had +scooped out, and in which they slept, was recognized on the first +glance. The whole day, from the moment of starting, had been wasted, +in laboring to their utmost strength, in getting back to the very +point from which they set out, and which itself was twenty miles from +the sea-coast. +</p> + +<p> +The tendency that every one shows to travel in a circle, when lost, +has been explained in various ways. It is probably due to the fact +that one side of every person is more developed than the other. A +right-handed individual gradually veers to the left, a left-handed one +to the right, while a really ambidextrous one ought to keep straight +ahead. +</p> + +<p> +Jack and the boys remained silent for a moment. They looked down on +the prostrate figure, and finally Fred asked: +</p> + +<p> +"What's the matter, Docak?" +</p> + +<p> +"Gib up—no use—we die—neber see home 'gin." +</p> + +<p> +The words were uttered with all the dejection that it is possible to +conceive, and the native did not move. He acted as if the power to do +so had gone from him. +</p> + +<p> +Suddenly, to the astonishment of the others, Jack Cosgrove gave him a +thumping kick. +</p> + +<p> +"Get up!" he commanded; "if you're such a lubber as all this, I'll +take you by the neck and boot you all the way across Greenland." +</p> + +<p> +And as a guarantee of his good faith he yanked Docak to his feet, and +made ready for a still harder kick, when the fellow moved nimbly out +of the way. +</p> + +<p> +"If you are too big a calf to go on, I'll take the lead, and when I +flop it'll be after all the rest of you've gone down." +</p> + +<p> +The breezy style in which the sailor took hold of matters produced an +inspiriting effect on the others. Despite the grim solemnity of the +moments, both Rob and Fred laughed, as much at the quickness with +which Docak responded as anything else. +</p> + +<p> +"Since we are here at the same old spot," said Rob, "and it is growing +dark, we might as well go into camp." +</p> + +<p> +"That's the fact, as we won't have to scoop out a new place to sleep +in. I suppose, Docak, you're able to sleep, aint you?" +</p> + +<p> +The native made no answer, and the party silently placed themselves in +position for another night's rest, Docak not refusing to huddle in +among them. But there was little talking done. No one could say +anything to comfort the others, and each was busy with his own +thoughts. +</p> + +<p> +It need not be said that, despite the fearful gloom and these +forebodings, they were ravenously hungry. Their bodies were in need of +sustenance, and the probability that they could not get it for an +indefinite time to come was enough to deepen the despair that was +stealing into every heart. +</p> + +<p> +It was unto Fred Warburton that something in the nature of a +revelation came in the darkness of that awful night. His senses +remained with him for some time after the others were asleep, as he +knew from their deep, regular breathing. +</p> + +<p> +The snowfall had almost ceased, and he sat wondering whether, after +all, the end was at hand, and he was asking himself whether, such +seeming of a surety to be the fact, it was worth while to rise from +their present position and try to press on further. If die they must, +why not stay where they were and perish together? +</p> + +<p> +These thoughts were stirring his mind, with many other solemn +meditations, which crowd upon every person who, in his right senses, +sees himself approaching the Dark River, when it seemed to him that +there was sounding, at intervals, an almost inaudible roar, so faint +and dull that for awhile he paid no heed to it, deeming it some +insignificant aural disturbance, such as causes a buzzing or ringing +at times in the head. +</p> + +<p> +But it obtruded so continually that he began to suspect it was a +reality and from some point outside of himself. +</p> + +<p> +It was a low, almost inaudible murmur, sometimes so faint that he +could not hear it, and again swelling out just enough to make it +certain it had an actuality. +</p> + +<p> +Suddenly the heart of the lad almost stood still. +</p> + +<p> +"It's the ocean!" he whispered; "the air has become so still that I +can hear it. The plain is open, there has been a big storm, and the +distance is not too great for it to reach us. But, no, it is from the +wrong direction; it can't be the sea." +</p> + +<p> +The next moment he laughed at himself. Having fixed in his mind the +course to the home of Docak, and, hearing the roar from another point +of the compass, it did not at once occur to him that he himself might +be mistaken. +</p> + +<p> +"If Docak, with all his experience could not keep himself from going +astray, what wonder that I should drift from my moorings? Yes, that is +the sound of the distant ocean or that part known as Davis' Strait and +Baffin's Bay. We can now tell which course to take to get out of this +accursed country." +</p> + +<p> +He wished to awake his friends, and in view of their hungry condition, +urge that they should set out at once; but they were so wearied that +the rest would be grateful, and it was needed. And so, while not +exactly clear as to what should be done, he fell asleep and did not +open his eyes until morning. +</p> + +<p> +Docak was the first to rouse himself. He found that the snow was +falling again, with the prospect worse than ever. +</p> + +<p> +Fred sprang to his feet and quickly told what he had discovered the +evening before. +</p> + +<p> +"It was the ocean," he added, with a shake of his head: "I have heard +it too often to make a mistake—listen!" +</p> + +<p> +All were silent, but the strained ear could catch no sound like the +hollow roar which reached the youth a few hours before. +</p> + +<p> +"I don't care; I was not mistaken," he insisted. +</p> + +<p> +"Why don't we hear it now?" asked Rob, anxious to believe what he +said, but unable fully to do so. +</p> + +<p> +"There was no snow falling at the time; the air was clearer then, and +what little wind there was must have been in the right direction." +</p> + +<p> +"Where did sound come from?" asked the Esquimau, looking earnestly at +Fred and showing deep interest in his words. +</p> + +<p> +"From off yonder," replied the lad, pointing in the proper direction. +</p> + +<p> +"He right—dat so—he hear sea," said Docak, who, to prove the truth +of his words, pointed down at the dimly marked trail. It led in the +precise course indicated by Fred. In other words, when the Esquimau +resumed the journey on the preceding morning, at which time his +bearings were correct, he went of a verity directly toward his own +home, which was the route now pointed by Fred Warburton. +</p> + +<p> +The others saw the point, and admitted that the declaration of the lad +had been proven to be correct beyond question. +</p> + +<p> +And yet, while all this was interesting in its way, and for the time +encouraged the others, of what possible import was it? The conditions +were precisely the same as twenty-four hours before, except they were +less favorable, for the comrades in distress were hungrier and weaker. +</p> + +<p> +But they could not hear the ocean, the snow was falling, and there was +no way of guiding themselves. +</p> + +<p> +They could only struggle on as before, hoping that possibly before +wandering too far astray they might be able to catch the roar that +would be an infallible guide to them in their despairing groping for +home. +</p> + +<p> +The three looked at Docak, expecting him to take the lead, as he had +done from the start. It may be said that Jack Cosgrove had kicked the +Esquimau into his proper place and he was prepared to stay there as +long as he could. +</p> + +<p> +But the native, instead of moving off, stood with his head bent and +his ears bared in the attitude of intense attention. +</p> + +<p> +They judged that he was striving to catch a sound of the ocean. But he +was not. +</p> + +<p> +Truth to tell, Docak had detected another sound of a totally different +character, but far more important than the hollow roar of the far-away +Arctic Sea. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXXII"> </a> +CHAPTER XXXII +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +THE WILD MEN OF GREENLAND +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +A sharp bark broke the stillness, a peculiar cry followed, and then, +out from the swirl and flurry of the eddying snow, came a string of +Esquimau dogs. There were six couples fastened to a rude sleigh, and +at the side of the frisky animals skurried one of the wild men of +Greenland on snow-shoes, and with a whip in hand having a short stock +and a very long lash. +</p> + +<p> +Directly behind him followed two similar teams, and then a fourth +emerged with seven spans of dogs. There was a driver to each, and the +sleighs were loaded with pelts intended for the nearest settlement. +Not one of the Esquimaux was riding, though it was their custom to do +so for a goodly portion of the way. +</p> + +<p> +This singular collection of men and animals were approaching in a line +that would have carried them right over the amazed party that were +about to start on their hopeless attempt to reach the sea coast, had +they not veered to one side. +</p> + +<p> +When the foremost driver discerned the four figures through the snow +he emitted a sharp cry, not dissimilar to that of his own dogs, and +the obedient animals halted. The others did the same, and in a few +minutes the four teams, with their drivers, were ranged about the +others. +</p> + +<p> +These individuals were genuine Esquimaux, the real wild men of +Greenland. Their homes were far in the interior, and only at rare +intervals did they venture forth with their dogs and sleighs to the +coast settlements, where they were welcome, for they never failed to +bring a good supply of peltries with them, for which they found ready +barter among the agents of the Danish government. +</p> + +<p> +There was no mixed blood among these Esquimaux. They were +copper-colored, short, of stocky build, and with more muscular +development in the lower limbs than is seen among the coast natives. +The latter, giving most of their time to fishing and the use of the +paddle, have powerful arms and shoulders, but as a rule are weak in +the legs. +</p> + +<p> +They were warmly clad in furs, their heads being covered with hoods +similar to that worn by Docak, but there was nothing in the nature of +the dress ornamentation which he displayed. +</p> + +<p> +None of the party could speak English, but that made no difference, +since Docak understood their curious gibberish. An animated +conversation began at once between him and the four, who gathered +about him while Jack and the boys stood silently listening and looking +upon the singular scene. +</p> + +<p> +What the guide said was in the nature of "business." They had talked +but a short while when one of the wild men went to his sleigh and +brought forth a big piece of cooked reindeer meat, evidently a part of +their own liberal supply of provisions, and offered it to Jack. The +latter accepted with thanks, shown more plainly by manner than his +words. +</p> + +<p> +And didn't those three fellows have a feast, with Docak himself as a +participant? You need to be told no more on that point. +</p> + +<p> +The guide, after the brisk interview, explained the meaning of the +conversation to his friends. +</p> + +<p> +The Esquimaux were on their way to Ivigtut, some forty miles in a +southwest direction. They had come a long way from the interior, +having been three days on the road, and it was their intention to push +matters so vigorously that they would reach the famous mining town +that night. +</p> + +<p> +But, best of all, they agreed to carry the three whites as passengers. +They could be stowed in the sleighs among the peltries, as the drivers +were accustomed to do at times, though they were capable of keeping +pace with the dogs hour after hour without fatigue. They would do so +now on their snow-shoes, and the three could ride all the way to +Ivigtut. +</p> + +<p> +It meant the rescue and salvation of the party, who were in the +uttermost depths of despair but a few minutes before, and tears of +thankfulness came to the eyes of all three. +</p> + +<p> +"We haven't much money with us," said Rob, addressing Docak, "but we +will pay them as well as we can when we reach Ivigtut." +</p> + +<p> +"Don't want much," replied the grinning guide, "jes' little +money—two, t'ree bits." +</p> + +<p> +"We'll give 'em all we've got," added Jack; "but what about you, +Docak?" +</p> + +<p> +"Me go home," was the answer, accompanied by one of his pleasing +grins. +</p> + +<p> +"Can you find the way?" +</p> + +<p> +"Me all right now—hark! hear de water?" +</p> + +<p> +He spoke the truth, it being a singular fact that the atmospheric +conditions had changed to that degree that the dull, hollow moaning +for which they had listened so long in vain was now audible to all. It +was like a beacon light, which suddenly flames out on the top of a +high hill, for the guidance of the belated traveler. There could be no +going astray, with that sound always in his ears, and strengthened by +his meal of venison, the hardy native would press on until he ducked +his head and passed through the entry of his home. +</p> + +<p> +It might well be questioned how the wild men could maintain their +bearings, but they had come unerringly across the snowy wastes from +their distant homes, and the boom of the ocean was as sure an aid to +them as it was to Docak. No fear but that they would go as straight as +an arrow to Ivigtut. +</p> + +<p> +There was no call for delay or ceremony. A long journey was before +them, and it being the season when the days were not unusually long, +they must be improved to the utmost. The wild men beckoned to the +three to approach the sleighs, where, with a little dexterous +manipulation of the bundles, they made room for each. +</p> + +<p> +Jack found himself seated at the rear of one of the odd vehicles, +which consisted mainly of runners, but had a framework at the back +that gave grateful rest to the body. The peltries were fastened in +front and around him, some being used to cover his limbs, and a part +of his body, so that he could hardly have been more comfortable. The +runners were made very broad to prevent them sinking in the snow. But +for that, it would have been hard work for the nimble dogs to drag +them and their loads with any kind of speed. The situation of the boys +was similar to the sailor's. +</p> + +<p> +The arrangement left one of the sleighs without an occupant. This was +well, since the wild men could take turns in riding, when they felt +the need, and the whites need not walk a step of the way to Ivigtut. +</p> + +<p> +While the confab was going on, the dogs were having their own fun. +Quick to obey the order to halt they squatted on their haunches facing +in all directions, and for a time were quite motionless and well +behaved, but it was not long before their natural mischievousness +asserted itself, and they began frolicking with each other. They were +snapping, barking, snarling, and then half of them were rolling over +in the snow, fighting with good nature, the evil of which was that it +tangled the simple harness into the worst sort of knots, which +undoubtedly was just what the canines wanted to do. +</p> + +<p> +The head driver spoke angrily to them, cracked his long whip, and, +bringing the knot down on their bodies, or about their ears, added +their yelps of pain to the general turmoil, while the confusion was +greater than before. +</p> + +<p> +He was used to the dogs, knowing every one of the half-hundred, and +was quick to detect which was the ringleader. This canine belonged to +the rear team, and not only started the rumpus, but kept it going with +the utmost enthusiasm. He knew the driver would be after him, and he +dodged and whisked among the others so dexterously that the well-aimed +lash cracked against the side of some innocent spectator more than it +touched him. +</p> + +<p> +But the driver was not to be baffled in that fashion. Dropping the +whip, he plunged after the criminal, and, seizing him with both hands, +gave him several vigorous bites on the nose, which made him howl with +pain. When released he was the meekest member of the party, all of +whom sat quiet, while the angry Esquimau devoted himself to unraveling +matters. +</p> + +<p> +Rob Carrol had not forgotten the admiration which Docak showed more +than once for his rifle. When the native came over to the sleigh to +shake his hand, as he was bidding all good-bye, the boy said: +</p> + +<p> +"Docak, I meant that you should have this on our return from the hunt. +I sha'n't need it any more; accept it as a reminder of this little +experience we had together." +</p> + +<p> +The Esquimau was so taken aback that for a moment he could not speak. +Before he recovered himself, Jack and Fred added their requests that +he would not refuse the present. His gratitude was deep, and found +expression only in a few broken words as he turned away. +</p> + +<p> +It had been on the point of the sailor's tongue several times to +apologize for the kick of the evening before, but he felt that the +result of it all was a sufficient apology of itself. Besides, there +are some matters in life which it is best to pass over in silence. +</p> + +<p> +The wild men showed little sentiment in their nature. Seeing that all +was ready, they cracked their whips, called out to their dogs, and off +they went. +</p> + +<p> +Jack and the boys turned their heads to take a last look at Docak, who +had served them so faithfully and well. As they did so, they observed +him plowing through the snow again to the westward, his form quickly +disappearing among the myriad snowflakes. They never saw him again. +</p> + +<p> +The first thought that came to each of the passengers, after the start +was fairly made, was that the forty miles' journey could not be +accomplished before nightfall. The sleighs were so heavily loaded with +pelts and themselves that they formed quite a task for the dogs, which +of necessity sank deep in the snow. But they tugged and kept at it +with a spirit worthy of all admiration. +</p> + +<p> +But one of the remarkable features of the blizzard and snow storm that +had come so near destroying our friends quickly made itself apparent, +and raised their hopes to the highest point. +</p> + +<p> +The fall of snow decreased until at the end of half an hour not an +eddying flake was in the air. The sun, after struggling awhile, +managed to show itself, and the glare of the excessively white surface +fairly blinded the passengers for a time. They noticed, however, that +the depth of the last fall continued to grow less, until to their +unbounded amazement and relief it disappeared altogether. They struck +the hard surface, which was like a smooth floor, and capable of +bearing ten times the weight of the sleighs without yielding. +</p> + +<p> +This proved that the blizzard was of less extent than supposed. The +wild men more than likely were beyond its reach, while Docak and his +companions were caught in its very centre. Its fury extended southward +but a short way, and the party had now crossed the line. The country +before them was like that over which Jack and the boys set out to +prosecute their hunt for game. +</p> + +<p> +The travelers were like athletes, who, emerging from a struggle with +the angry waters, find themselves on solid land, free to run and leap +to their heart's content. They had shaken off the incubus, and now +sped forward with renewed speed and ease. The small feet of the dogs +slipped occasionally, but they readily secured enough grip, and the +sleighs, hardly scratching the frozen surface, required but a +fractional part of their strength. Several uttered their odd barks of +pleasure, at finding their labor so suddenly turned into what might be +called a frolic. +</p> + +<p> +But the wild men were a source of never-ending wonder to the whites. +They sped forward through the soft snow, with no more apparent effort +than the skilled skater puts forth, and when they struck the smooth +surface, they became more like skaters than snow-shoe travelers. They +cracked their whips about the ears of the dogs, called sharply, and +made them yelp from the stinging bites of the whips handled with a +dexterity that would have flicked off a fly from the front dog's ears, +had there been one there. +</p> + +<p> +(If we were not opposed to all forms of slang, we would be tempted to +say just here that there are no flies on the Esquimaux canines.) +</p> + +<p> +The brutes were quick to respond, and galloped swiftly with their +drivers skimming by their side, holding them to the task by their +continued orders and cracking of whips. They gave no more attention to +the passengers than if they were not present. +</p> + +<p> +The latter were delighted, for there was every reason why they should +be. Their limbs still ached from the severe exertion through which +they had gone, and the sensation of being wrapped about with furs and +fixed in a comfortable seat was pleasant of itself. Then to know that +they were speeding toward safety—what more could be asked? +</p> + +<p> +The sleigh containing Jack Cosgrove was in the advance; Rob came next, +then Fred, while the one loaded only with peltries held its place at +the rear. +</p> + +<p> +When the smooth surface was reached, they drew quite near each other, +the friends finding themselves almost side by side. +</p> + +<p> +"This is what I call ginooine pleasure," said the sailor, turning his +head and addressing the boys. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, I'm enjoying it," replied Rob. +</p> + +<p> +"So am I," added Fred; "it makes up for what we suffered." +</p> + +<p> +"We'll skim along in this style all day as if we was on the sea in a +dead calm; nothing like a capsize—" +</p> + +<p> +At that very moment, the sailor's sleigh went over. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXXIII"> </a> +CHAPTER XXXIII +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +CONCLUSION +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +No one can question that many animals have the propensity to fun and +frolic. It may be absent in some, but it certainly is not lacking in +the canine species. +</p> + +<p> +It didn't take three teams of dogs long to discover that their +passengers belonged to the most verdant specimens of their kind, and +when the brutes struck the smooth surface, where traveling was but a +pastime, they decided to have some sport at their expense. +</p> + +<p> +At the moment Jack Cosgrove was uttering his words to his young +friends, he failed to notice a small hillock just ahead and at one +side of the course they were following. But the leading dogs saw it, +and, veering off, they made straight for it with increased speed, +heedless of the shouts and cracking of the driver's whip. Before he +could restrain them, the sleigh collided with the obstruction, +overturned in a twinkling and Jack found, as he after described it, +that his nose was plowing through the snow with the whole plaguey load +on top of him. +</p> + +<p> +He was dragged a hundred feet before extricating himself, and before +the driver could check the animals, who looked so meek and sorrowful +that he visited them with slight punishment. Matters, however, were +soon righted and the journey resumed, amid the laughter of the boys in +which the sailor heartily joined. +</p> + +<p> +Within the next hour Rob's sleigh went over and he had an almost +similar experience. But he was expecting something of the kind, and +prepared for it, so that he emerged from underneath before being +dragged far. +</p> + +<p> +Fred got it, too, despite the apparent efforts of the drivers to +restrain the dogs. By the time matters were once more righted and +under way, the suspicion was confirmed among the passengers that the +wild men were in the plot and enjoyed the ludicrous turn of affairs as +much as did the brutes themselves. But Jack and the lads were the last +to complain, and were quite willing that such good allies should have +a little sport at their expense. It was noticeable that after all had +been capsized, nothing of the kind took place again. +</p> + +<p> +At noon an hour's halt was made. The Esquimaux produced their cooked +venison and all ate. The snow, although it seems to add to one's +thirst, when first used, served excellently in the place of water. +</p> + +<p> +As well as they could by signs, the passengers offered to walk and +allow the Esquimaux to ride. Where the surface was so favorable this +would have imposed no hard work, but the natives refused, even +declining to ride alternately in the rear sleigh. +</p> + +<p> +The dogs were tired enough to give no trouble during the noon halt. +They sat around on their haunches and eagerly devoured the bits of raw +meat tossed to them. When one or two showed a disposition to stir up +matters, an angry warning and snap of the whip from one of the drivers +brought him to his senses, and he deferred the amusement to a more +convenient season. +</p> + +<p> +The Esquimaux chatted volubly among themselves, and, although our +friends could not catch the meaning of anything said, they were sure +they had made good progress toward Ivigtut, which, barring accident, +would be reached by nightfall. +</p> + +<p> +The journey was pressed with the same vigor through the afternoon, the +men seeming as tireless as the dogs, who trotted along as they might +have done over the bare ground without any load impeding their +movements. +</p> + +<p> +The sun was still above the horizon when the party reached the crest +of the mountains near the coast, and saw before them, nestling at the +curve of a fiord, a collection of low, weather-beaten houses, +dispersed along the slope of the hills, with a wharf at the water's +edge, on which lay a large number of blocks of the peculiar white ore +known as cryolite. +</p> + +<p> +"Vee-tut, vee-tut!" exclaimed one of the drivers, addressing the +passengers with great animation. This was the nearest he was able to +come to pronouncing the name "Ivigtut." +</p> + +<p> +Yes, this was the mining town famous the world over as containing the +only cryolite mines so far discovered on the globe. +</p> + +<p> +Ivigtut is in latitude sixty-one degrees and twelve minutes north, its +climate being severe at certain seasons, but comparatively moderate +during summer. Then there are one hundred and thirty picked men from +Copenhagen engaged in the quarries, the number being a little more +than one-half as great in winter. Only one or two Esquimaux are to be +found about the place, and the only family that of the superintendent, +who has his wife and her maid with him. +</p> + +<p> +The principal work of the employees is in quarrying the cryolite and +piling it on the wharf, ready for shipment both to the Old and New +World. And now how many of my readers can tell me what cryolite is? +Shall I explain? +</p> + +<p> +Do you know that most of the sal-soda, the bicarbonate of soda, the +alum, and the caustic soda used in your homes is dug out of a mountain +in Greenland? +</p> + +<p> +In 1806, a German named Giesecke, believing that valuable minerals +might be found in Greenland, applied to the Danish Government for +permission to prospect the mountains. He did so, all the way from Cape +Farewell, living with the Danish governors or among the Esquimaux, as +circumstances required, until he reached Arsuk Fiord. +</p> + +<p> +At this place he heard of a deposit of ice that never melted and which +was on the edge of the fiord. It was powdered, was used by the natives +in tanning skins, and acted on a greasy hide like soap. The prospector +gathered a number of specimens and started with them for Germany, for +the substance was entirely new and required analysis. +</p> + +<p> +On the homeward voyage the Danish ship was captured by a British +man-of-war and the specimens of cryolite went to an English +institution, where they were analyzed for the first time. It was +interesting of itself, but pronounced comparatively worthless. +</p> + +<p> +It remained for a distinguished chemist named Thomson to discover that +sal-soda and bicarbonate of soda can be made cheaply from the +substance. It is free from all impurities, and steps were taken to +develop the quarry. The first attempt was in 1852, but regular work +did not begin until six years later, and more years passed before any +money was made out of the mine. +</p> + +<p> +Up to 1864 the entire product of the quarry went to Europe. In that +year the American firm known as the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing +Company, of Natrona and Philadelphia, began to import it. The ships +used are made as strongly as possible, for they have to force their +way through fields of floating ice, craunch into huge blocks, and keep +a sharp lookout for icebergs. +</p> + +<p> +Small quantities of cryolite have been found in the Ural Mountains and +a trace was discovered at Pike's Peak, in our own country, some years +ago, but it did not pan out. A genuine cryolite mine within easy reach +would prove a bonanza to the discoverer. +</p> + +<p> +Cryolite in appearance resembles white quartz or ice, with a mixture +of snow in it. Although generally white, it is not always so. It is +sometimes a light brown or a dark color, due either to vegetable +matter that has soaked into it or the presence of iron. +</p> + +<p> +What I have related and considerably more, our friends learned during +their stay at Ivigtut. +</p> + +<p> +Finding themselves at the end of their journey, the three climbed out +of the sleighs, their limbs considerably cramped from their +long-constrained posture. They shook hands with the Esquimaux, who +understood that form of salutation, and who grinned the delight they +could not form the words to speak. +</p> + +<p> +To one of them Jack presented his gun and Fred gave his to another. +This quite overwhelmed them, but the whites divided nearly all the +money they had among them between the other two. The wild men were +paid triple what they expected for the inestimable service rendered +the party, who regretted that they could not do a good deal more for +them. +</p> + +<p> +They parted on the edge of the town, and, just as night began settling +over Ivigtut, the three came down the slope and showed themselves +among the employees, where their appearance attracted considerable +curiosity. +</p> + +<p> +Rob's first inquiry was for the superintendent of the mines. He was +directed to a one-story house painted blue, near the rear of which +rose a staff from which the flag of Denmark floated. +</p> + +<p> +At the eastern end of the settlement was a somewhat similar house +painted black, where the comptroller, or representative of the king +lived, while near the centre were two other structures, from which +puffs of steam rose. +</p> + +<p> +The visitors received the kindest hospitality from the superintendent, +whose name was G. E. Schmidt. He listened to their story with deep +interest, and insisted that they should make their home with him as +long as they could stay in Ivigtut. He brought in his wife and +introduced them to her. +</p> + +<p> +They found her a most pleasant lady, and the three soon felt entirely +at home. +</p> + +<p> +"By the way," he asked, as the preparations for supper progressed, +"what did you say was the name of the ship on which you left London?" +</p> + +<p> +"The 'Nautilus,'" replied Rob; "we fear she foundered in the gale a +few days ago which separated us from her." +</p> + +<p> +"I'm not so fearful about that," put in Jack; who felt that such +remarks were a slight upon the ship to which he was attached; "she has +rid out a good many tough storms, and I don't see why she couldn't +pull through that one." +</p> + +<p> +"Let us hope that she did," said the superintendent, kindly, and with +a twinkle of his fine eyes which the others did not notice. +</p> + +<p> +"I was hopeful that she had possibly made her way to Ivigtut," added +Fred, who continued, turning to the sailor, "we forgot to take a look +in the harbor." +</p> + +<p> +"No use of that," replied Jack; "she might have come in at some of the +other ports, but not here." +</p> + +<p> +"I suppose, Mr. Schmidt, that we can go home by way of Denmark?" +</p> + +<p> +"There will be no trouble about that; the only inconvenience is that +it will extend the trip much longer than is pleasant, but I understand +that you contemplated a visit to one of the posts of the Hudson Bay +Company." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, the destination of the 'Nautilus' is York Factory." +</p> + +<p> +"Then your friends at home will feel no alarm, since you will be the +first to carry the news there, unless possibly Captain McAlpine turned +immediately about and started for England." +</p> + +<p> +It struck Rob Carrol as singular that the superintendent should +mention the name of the skipper of the "Nautilus" when no one of the +visitors had yet done so. Where could he have learned it? His +companions did not notice the odd fact and he was too polite to ask +their host to explain. +</p> + +<p> +"We rarely receive a visit from the English vessels," continued Mr. +Schmidt, "though now and then one drops down on us, but there is an +American line, inasmuch as a good deal of cryolite goes to the United +States. How would you like to make a voyage to that part of the +country?" +</p> + +<p> +"It would be pleasant, but hardly practicable," replied Rob, who could +not forget that the funds of the company were at a frightfully low +ebb. "We shall have to defer that treat to some more convenient +season." +</p> + +<p> +"I cannot tell you how pleased I am to receive this visit," said the +superintendent; "you must stay several weeks with me, and visit the +mines and see all there is to be seen. I hardly suppose you would care +to make a hunting trip into the interior?" he added, with a smile. +</p> + +<p> +"No, we have had enough of that to last several lifetimes," replied +Jack, uttering at the same time the sentiments of his friends. +</p> + +<p> +"I don't wonder; there is too much snow and cold weather for real +sport, except at certain seasons. I must see the men who brought you +in. The real wild Esquimaux live on the east coast, where the climate +is so terrible that the whites rarely, if ever, visit them, and they +are beyond the control of all except their own. If these fellows of +yours make their homes in the interior, they are very different from +all the Esquimaux of which I know anything. I think there is some +mistake about it." +</p> + +<p> +"We know nothing, of course, beyond what Docak told us." +</p> + +<p> +"He is an unusually intelligent native, and I know him very well. He +is a little morose at times, and I understand has caused some trouble +at the other settlements, but he is a worthy fellow for all that. By +the way, I have a friend who is expected to supper with me this +evening. It will be a pleasure, I am sure, for you to meet him." +</p> + +<p> +"It will be a pleasure to meet any of your friends," Rob hastened to +say, for his heart had already warmed to the genial and hospitable +gentleman. +</p> + +<p> +"If I am not mistaken, he has arrived," added Mr. Schmidt, rising from +his chair and stepping to the door. +</p> + +<p> +The next moment he admitted a stalwart, whiskered, sun-browned man, in +middle life, and, shaking his hand, turned to his other guests. +</p> + +<p> +"Permit me, captain, to introduce you to Messrs. Cosgrove, Carrol, and +Warburton." +</p> + +<p> +"Wal, by the great horned spoon!" exclaimed the sailor, springing to +his feet and striding across the room, "where did you come from, +captain?" +</p> + +<p> +It was Captain McAlpine, of the "Nautilus," standing before them, +smiling, bewildered, and happy, as he gazed into the faces of his +friends whom he had mourned for days under the fear that they were +dead. +</p> + +<p> +The laughing Rob and Fred were right behind Jack, and they shook the +hands of the good old sailor, and felt like throwing their arms about +his neck and hugging him. +</p> + +<p> +"I must apologize for this little joke," said Superintendent Schmidt, +who enjoyed it fully, "but really I couldn't help it. Captain McAlpine +arrived at Ivigtut yesterday, and came straight to me with news of +what had happened. He was driven far away from the iceberg, as you +know, and had searched for it in vain. At a loss what to do, he put +into Ivigtut to consult with me." +</p> + +<p> +By this time the excitement was about over, and all seated themselves +as the servant came in and lighted the lamps. Mr. Schmidt continued: +</p> + +<p> +"The occurrence was so extraordinary that I was at a loss how to +advise him, and his purpose in coming here this evening was that we +might discuss the question and decide it." +</p> + +<p> +"You see," observed the captain (and he thereby verified the words of +Jack Cosgrove, uttered several days before), "I observed that that +iceberg wasn't sailing straight for the Equator, and I got the idea +that it was to be looked for further up north, though as likely as not +it would change its course and head south again. The only thing for me +was to try to get another ship or two to jine me in a search for you. +I was going to find out whether that could be done, but now there +isn't any need of it." +</p> + +<p> +"Thank Heaven, no!" fervently responded Rob Carrol; "we have had a +close call, and the only regret we shall feel in leaving Greenland is +that it will take us away from our friends." +</p> + +<p> +"It is I who feel that, but it is one of the sure penalties of our +existence. Supper, I see, is ready; will you kindly walk out with me?" +he asked, rising to his feet, and leading the way. +</p> + +<p> +And perhaps it is as well that we should say good-bye to the party, +now that they are seated around the board with keen appetites, +cheerful conversation, and happy hearts; for of the visit made to the +cryolite mines the next day, the sailing of the "Nautilus" two days +later, the voyage through Hudson Bay to York Factory, the visit there, +the safe return to England, and the settling down of Rob Carrol and +Fred Warburton to the sober business of life—why, all these may be +covered in a paragraph, and so we say, "Good-bye." +</p> + + +<p class="ctrtoppad"> +THE END +</p> +<br> +<hr class="med"> +<br> + +<div class="figleft"><img width="149" height="220" src="images/326.jpg" alt="Small book cover"></div> +<p class="ctrlarge"> +<b>The Young Boatman</b> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<span class="sc">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +369 Pages Illustrated +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +Cloth, $1.25 +</p> + +<p> +This is an interesting story of a boy who is obliged to support +himself and his mother by rowing passengers across the Kennebec River. +To add to his trials, his intemperate stepfather, after serving a term +of imprisonment, returns home and endeavors to compel the boy to pay +over his small earnings to him. This the boy, who was appropriately +nicknamed Grit, refuses to do, and after a struggle the stepfather +retires from the conflict and returns to his thieving habits. +</p> + +<p> +Shortly after Grit discovers a conspiracy to rob the bank and promptly +communicates his knowledge to the president, who succeeds in +frustrating the plans of the robbers and secures their arrest. +</p> + +<p> +Grit's cheerful manner and kindly good nature, coupled with the most +sterling honesty, cause him to be held in high esteem by all who know +him. His manly courage and self-reliance are often sorely tested, but +his indomitable pluck transmutes calamity into success. +</p> + +<p> +The book is full of incident and adventure of just the right sort to +hold the attention of any bright boy. +</p> + +<p> +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<b>The Penn Publishing Company</b> +<br> +<b>1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia</b> +</p> + +<br><br><br><br> + + +<div class="figleft"><img width="151" height="220" src="images/327.jpg" alt="Small book cover"></div> + +<p class="ctrlarge"> +<b>The Moncasket Mystery</b> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<b><small>AND</small></b> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<b>How Tom Hardy Solved It</b> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<span class="sc">By Sidney Marlow</span> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +375 pages Illustrated +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +Cloth, $1.25 +</p> + +<p> +The tone of this book is earnestly and emphatically moral, and the +author understands that nothing makes morality so attractive to youth +as to find it coupled with ingenuity, energy, and pluck. +</p> + +<p> +There is no "cant" and no "can't" about Tom Hardy, the decidedly +vigorous hero of this story. He is a safe and worthy companion of any +boy or girl, and it is predicted that he will not only win a warm +place for himself in the hearts of all who make his acquaintance, but +that he will gallantly retain it long after the covers shall have +closed upon this chronicle of his efforts and adventures. He is an +admirable boy, yet the author, in defiance of the usual method in +modern juvenile fiction, has refused to sacrifice all of the other +characters to the single hero. Even those whose parts are but the +slightest have been so attractively presented that the reader feels +that if the events had chanced to require it each one of them would +have become a hero. +</p> + +<p> +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<b>The Penn Publishing Company</b> +<br> +<b>1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia</b> +</p> + +<br><br><br><br> + + +<div class="figleft"><img width="151" height="220" src="images/328.jpg" alt="Small book cover"></div> + +<p class="ctrlarge"> +<b>Chasing a Yacht</b> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<span class="sc">By James Otis</span> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +Author of +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +"The Braganza Diamond," "Toby Tyler," etc. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +350 pages Illustrated +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +Cloth, $1.25 +</p> + +<p> +Two boys have engaged to run a steam yacht for the double purpose of +pleasure and profit, and after carefully fitting her up they launch +her, only to find the next morning that she is gone—stolen—as they +later discover, by two other boys who had been refused a half-interest +in her. The rightful owners start in hot pursuit, and in an attempt to +recapture the steamer are themselves made prisoners. It is the +intention of the thieves to hold the owners prisoners until the Hudson +River is reached and then put them ashore, but their plans miscarry +owing to the intervention of two rather rough citizens who find their +way aboard the yacht and make themselves generally at home. +Fortunately one of the owners manages to effect his escape, and +gaining the assistance of the authorities the little vessel is +speedily restored to them. +</p> + +<p> +The story is full of adventure, and the heroes are both bright and +manly fellows, who make the best of their temporary hardships. The +story will be found to enlist the interest at the outset, and to hold +it until the last page is turned. +</p> + +<p> +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<b>The Penn Publishing Company</b> +<br> +<b>1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia</b> +</p> + +<br><br><br><br> + + +<div class="figleft"><img width="148" height="220" src="images/329.jpg" alt="Small book cover"></div> + +<p class="ctrlarge"> +<b>The Braganza Diamond</b> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<span class="sc">By James Otis</span> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +Author of +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +"Chasing a Yacht," "Toby Tyler," etc. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +383 pages Illustrated +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +Cloth, $1.25 +</p> + +<p> +Long before the opening events of this story the fragments of this +celebrated gem are supposed to have been taken from a wreck by an old +sea captain, and secreted by him on a lonely island in Roanoke Sound. +</p> + +<p> +This aged captain, now quite feeble, sends for his niece and her +daughter. They invite two bright boys to accompany them, and engaging +a steam launch the four, in company with the owner—a trusty +sailor—set out for the lonely island. Arriving there they are +distressed at finding the captain already dead. To add to their +discomfort they also discover that the former owners of the diamond +have appeared upon the scene. The little party is forcibly made +prisoner, and their captors demand that they forthwith produce the +precious stone. This, of course, they are unable to do, but +discovering among the old captain's effects a curious cryptogram, they +are led to hope that its solution may reveal the secret hiding place +of the diamond, and thus restore to them their freedom. This theory +eventually proves correct, but not until after the party has endured +many hardships, and passed through many exciting experiences. +</p> + +<p> +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<b>The Penn Publishing Company</b> +<br> +<b>1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia</b> +</p> + +<br><br><br><br> + + +<div class="figleft"><img width="147" height="220" src="images/330.jpg" alt="Small book cover"></div> + +<p class="ctrlarge"> +<b>The Odds Against Him, or</b> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<b>Carl Crawford's Experience</b> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<span class="sc">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +350 pages Illustrated +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +Cloth, $1.25 +</p> + +<p> +The hero of this story had to leave home on account of the +ill-treatment he received from his stepmother, who had a son of her +own about the same age. Dr. Crawford, a man of considerable wealth, +but of weak, vacillating mind, loved his son, but was afraid to show +his true feelings in the presence of his wife. After leaving home and +meeting with a number of adverse experiences, Carl eventually obtained +employment in a factory. He soon gained the confidence of his +employer, and after frustrating an attempt of the book-keeper to rob +the safe, he was appointed as a traveler, and, visiting Chicago, he +discovered that his stepmother had another husband living. Her success +in getting a will made in her own favor, an attempt on the life of her +husband, etc., are all defeated, and Carl came out victorious in the +end. +</p> + +<p> +The book is full of bright, cheerful, and amusing incidents, showing +that a boy of good, honest, sterling, industrious habits can always +secure friends, and succeed in earning a good living. +</p> + +<p> +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<b>The Penn Publishing Company</b> +<br> +<b>1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia</b> +</p> + +<br><br><br><br> + + +<div class="figleft"><img width="154" height="220" src="images/331.jpg" alt="Small book cover"></div> + +<p class="ctrlarge"> +<b>The Story of the Iliad</b> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +FOR BOYS AND GIRLS +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<span class="sc">By Dr. Edward Brooks</span>, A.M. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +370 pages Profusely Illustrated +</p> + +<p> +Cloth Binding, $1.25 +</p> + +<p> +White and Silver Edition, $1.50 +</p> + +<p> +This is a story of absorbing interest both to young and old. It +relates in a simple prose narrative the leading incidents of one of +the greatest literary works of the world—the Iliad of Homer. Many of +its names are household words among educated people, and its incidents +are a constant source of allusion and illustration among the best +speakers and writers. No one with any claim to literary culture can +afford to be ignorant of them. +</p> + +<p> +The object of the work is two-fold—first, to present to young people +an interesting story which will be read with pleasure and at the same +time cultivate a taste for good literature; second, to give a popular +knowledge of this famous work of Homer and thus afford a sort of +stepping-stone to one of the grandest poetical structures of all time. +</p> + +<p> +It is thus a book for the home circle, and should be in every +household in the land. It is recommended especially for School +Libraries and young folks' Reading Circles, and also to schools as a +Supplementary Reader. +</p> + +<p> +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<b>The Penn Publishing Company</b> +<br> +<b>1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia</b> +</p> + +<br><br><br><br> + + +<div class="figleft"><img width="153" height="220" src="images/332.jpg" alt="Small book cover"></div> + +<p class="ctrlarge"> +<b>The Story of the Odyssey</b> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +FOR BOYS AND GIRLS +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<span class="sc">By Dr. Edward Brooks</span>, A.M. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +370 pages Profusely Illustrated +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +Cloth Binding, $1.25 +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +White and Silver Edition, $1.50 +</p> + +<p> +The Odyssey of Homer combines the romance of travel with that of +domestic life, and it differs from the Iliad, which is a tale of the +camp and battle-field. Although the ancient author concentrates the +attention on a single character—Ulysses—he refers to several +beautiful women, including some of the goddesses. After the siege of +Troy, Ulysses started on a voyage of discovery and adventure in +unknown lands, which, although described with poetic exaggeration, +"has been a rich mine of wealth for poets and romancers, painters and +sculptors, from the date of the age which we call Homer's down to our +own." +</p> + +<p> +In this wonderful poem lie the germs of thousands of volumes which +fill our modern libraries. Without some knowledge of it, readers will +miss the point of many things in modern art and literature. +</p> + +<p> +Ulysses was brave and valiant as a soldier, and was distinguished for +his wisdom and shrewdness which enabled him to extricate himself from +the difficulties which to others would seem insurmountable. +</p> + +<p> +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<b>The Penn Publishing Company</b> +<br> +<b>1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia</b> +</p> + +<br><br><br><br> + + +<div class="figleft"><img width="150" height="220" src="images/333.jpg" alt="Small book cover"></div> + +<p class="ctrlarge"> +<b>Harry Ambler, and How He Saved the Homestead</b> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<span class="sc">By Sidney Marlow</span> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +350 Pages Illustrated +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +Cloth, $1.25 +</p> + +<p> +This is a narrative of a bright, active, and courageous boy, suddenly +thrown upon his own resources and subjected to the malicious plots of +a powerful enemy. The effectual and yet not unnatural manner in which +the hero turns his enemy's weapons to his own defence, constitutes, +perhaps, the chief charm of the book. +</p> + +<p> +The story abounds in humorous and exciting situations, yet it is in no +objectionable way sensational. There is nothing in it that will tend +to create or encourage a taste for mere reckless adventure. +</p> + +<p> +The author has given more attention to the delineation of his +characters than is usual in juvenile literature, thus making the story +pleasant reading, even for those who have passed the outer line of +boyhood. +</p> + +<p> +He believes in a "moral," but not in those bits of abstract virtue +which are so frequently forced into juvenile stories, only to be +"skipped" by the youthful reader. He would create a personal sympathy +with the best efforts of fallible boys and girls, rather than an +admiration for the mere name of virtue. +</p> + +<p> +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<b>The Penn Publishing Company</b> +<br> +<b>1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia</b> +</p> + +<br><br><br><br> + + +<div class="figleft"><img width="149" height="220" src="images/334.jpg" alt="Small book cover"></div> + +<p class="ctrlarge"> + +<b>The Campers Out</b> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<b><small>OR</small></b> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<b>The Right Path and the Wrong</b> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<span class="sc">By Edward S. Ellis</span>, A.M. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +363 pages Illustrated +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +Cloth, $1.25 +</p> + +<p> +This is one of the most interesting works of an author whose +productions are widely read and deservedly popular on both sides of +the Atlantic. Mr. Ellis has in perfection the faculty of making his +stories not only entertaining in the highest degree but instructive +and elevating. A leading journal truthfully stated that no mother need +hesitate to place any story of which Mr. Ellis is the author in the +hands of her boy, for he is sure to be instructed as well as +entertained. +</p> + +<p> +"The Campers Out" is bright, breezy, and full of adventure of just the +right sort to hold the attention of any young mind. It is clean, pure, +and elevating, and the stirring incidents with which it is filled +convey one of the most forceful of morals. It traces the "right path" +and the "wrong path" of several boys with such striking power that old +and young will be alike impressed by the faithful portrayal of +character, and be interested from beginning to end by the succession +of exciting incidents. +</p> + +<p> +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<b>The Penn Publishing Company</b> +<br> +<b>1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia</b> +</p> + + +<br><br> +<div class="tn"> +<p class="ctr"> +Transcriber's Note: +</p> + +<p> +Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note. +</p> + +<p> +Irregularities and inconsistencies in the text have been retained as +printed. +</p> +</div> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 45192 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + diff --git a/45192-h/images/001.jpg b/45192-h/images/001.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0a86b9b --- /dev/null +++ b/45192-h/images/001.jpg diff --git a/45192-h/images/106.jpg b/45192-h/images/106.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1a51f0e --- /dev/null +++ b/45192-h/images/106.jpg diff --git a/45192-h/images/201.jpg b/45192-h/images/201.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..67c10fd --- /dev/null +++ b/45192-h/images/201.jpg diff --git a/45192-h/images/236.jpg b/45192-h/images/236.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..fd474a1 --- /dev/null +++ b/45192-h/images/236.jpg diff --git a/45192-h/images/282.jpg b/45192-h/images/282.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8891a8d --- /dev/null +++ b/45192-h/images/282.jpg diff --git a/45192-h/images/326.jpg b/45192-h/images/326.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cec78d4 --- /dev/null +++ b/45192-h/images/326.jpg diff --git a/45192-h/images/327.jpg b/45192-h/images/327.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4780fd2 --- /dev/null +++ b/45192-h/images/327.jpg diff --git a/45192-h/images/328.jpg b/45192-h/images/328.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..29e66e5 --- /dev/null +++ b/45192-h/images/328.jpg diff --git a/45192-h/images/329.jpg b/45192-h/images/329.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b6fa1ea --- /dev/null +++ b/45192-h/images/329.jpg diff --git a/45192-h/images/330.jpg b/45192-h/images/330.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cdda552 --- /dev/null +++ b/45192-h/images/330.jpg diff --git a/45192-h/images/331.jpg b/45192-h/images/331.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a71a1f3 --- /dev/null +++ b/45192-h/images/331.jpg diff --git a/45192-h/images/332.jpg b/45192-h/images/332.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d3c0f03 --- /dev/null +++ b/45192-h/images/332.jpg diff --git a/45192-h/images/333.jpg b/45192-h/images/333.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2c0c208 --- /dev/null +++ b/45192-h/images/333.jpg diff --git a/45192-h/images/334.jpg b/45192-h/images/334.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b57fe02 --- /dev/null +++ b/45192-h/images/334.jpg diff --git a/45192-h/images/cover.jpg b/45192-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a71953a --- /dev/null +++ b/45192-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..87df84d --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #45192 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/45192) diff --git a/old/45192-8.txt b/old/45192-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..adcde69 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/45192-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7140 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Among the Esquimaux, by Edward S. Ellis + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Among the Esquimaux + or Adventures under the Arctic Circle + +Author: Edward S. Ellis + +Release Date: March 23, 2014 [EBook #45192] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX *** + + + + +Produced by Greg Bergquist and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + +Transcriber's Note: Minor typographical errors have been corrected +without note. Irregularities and inconsistencies in the text have +been retained as printed. + +Words printed in italics are marked with underscores: _italics_. Words +printed in bold are marked with tildes: ~bold~. + + + + [Illustration: "NO USE, LADS! THE BOAT HAS BEEN SWEPT AWAY" + (See page 37)] + + + + +Among the Esquimaux + +OR + +Adventures under the Arctic Circle + + +BY + +EDWARD S. ELLIS, A.M. + +AUTHOR OF "The Campers Out," Etc., Etc. + + +PHILADELPHIA +THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY +1894 + + +COPYRIGHT 1894 BY THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAP. PAGE + + I TWO PASSENGERS ON THE "NAUTILUS" 7 + + II A COLOSSAL SOMERSAULT 16 + + III AN ALARMING SITUATION 27 + + IV ADRIFT 38 + + V AN ICY COUCH 46 + + VI MISSING 55 + + VII A POINT OF LIGHT 64 + + VIII HOPE DEFERRED 73 + + IX A STARTLING OCCURRENCE 82 + + X AN UGLY CUSTOMER 91 + + XI LIVELY TIMES 99 + + XII FRED'S EXPERIENCE 108 + + XIII THE FOG 117 + + XIV A COLLISION 126 + + XV THE SOUND OF A VOICE 135 + + XVI LAND HO! 144 + + XVII DOCAK AND HIS HOME 153 + + XVIII A NEW EXPEDITION 162 + + XIX A WONDERFUL EXHIBITION 171 + + XX THE HERD OF MUSK OXEN 180 + + XXI CLOSE QUARTERS 189 + + XXII FRED'S TURN 198 + + XXIII IN THE CAVERN 207 + + XXIV UNWELCOME CALLERS 216 + + XXV THE COMING SHADOW 225 + + XXVI WALLED IN 234 + + XXVII "COME ON!" 243 + +XXVIII A HOPELESS TASK 251 + + XXIX TEN MILES 260 + + XXX THE LAST PAUSE 269 + + XXXI ANOTHER SOUND 278 + + XXXII THE WILD MEN OF GREENLAND 287 + +XXXIII CONCLUSION 301 + + + + +AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX + + + + +CHAPTER I + +TWO PASSENGERS ON THE "NAUTILUS" + + +The good ship "Nautilus" had completed the greater part of her voyage +from London to her far-off destination, deep in the recesses of +British America. This was York Factory, one of the chief posts of the +Hudson Bay Company. + +Among the numerous streams flowing into Hudson Bay, from the frozen +regions of the north, is the Nelson River. Near the mouth of this and +of the Hayes River was erected, many years ago, Fort York, or York +Factory. The post is not a factory in the ordinary meaning of the +word, being simply the headquarters of the factors or dealers in furs +for that vast monopoly whose agents have scoured the dismal regions to +the north of the Saskatchewan, in the land of Assiniboine, along the +mighty Yukon and beyond the Arctic Circle, in quest of the fur-bearing +animals, that are found only in their perfection in the coldest +portions of the globe. + +The buildings which form the fort are not attractive, but they are +comfortable. They are not specially strong, for, though the structure +has stood for a long time in a country which the aborigines make their +home, and, though it is far removed from any human assistance, its +wooden walls have never been pierced by a hostile bullet, and it is +safe to say they never will be. Somehow or other, our brethren across +the northern border have learned the art of getting along with the +Indians without fighting them. + +The voyageurs and trappers, returning from their journeys in canoes or +on snow-shoes to the very heart of frozen America, first catch sight +of the flag floating from the staff of York Factory, and they know +that a warm welcome awaits them, because the peltries gathered amid +the recesses of the frigid mountains and in the heart of the land of +desolation are sure to find ready purchasers at the post, for the +precious furs are eagerly sought for in the marts of the Old and of +the New World. + +It is a lonely life for the inhabitants of the fort, for it is only +once a year that the ship of the company, after breasting the fierce +storms and powerful currents of the Atlantic, sails up the great mouth +of Baffin Bay, glides through Hudson Strait, and thence steals across +the icy expanse of Hudson Bay to the little fort near the mouth of the +Nelson. + +You can understand how welcome the ship is, for it brings the only +letters, papers, and news from home that can be received until another +twelvemonth shall roll around. Such, as I have said, is the rule, +though now and then what may be termed an extra ship makes that long, +tempestuous voyage. Being unexpected, its coming is all the more +joyful, for it is like the added week's holiday to the boy who has +just made ready for the hard work and study of the school-room. + +You know there has been considerable said and written about a railway +to Hudson Bay, with the view of connection thence by ship to Europe. +Impracticable as is the scheme, because of the ice which locks up +navigation for months every year, it has had strong and ingenious +advocates, and considerable money has been spent in the way of +investigation. The plan has been abandoned, for the reasons I have +named, and there is no likelihood that it will ever be attempted. + +The "Nautilus" had what may be called a roving commission. It is easy +to understand that so long as the ships of the Hudson Bay Company have +specific duties to perform, and that the single vessel is simply +ordered to take supplies to York Factory and bring back her cargo of +peltries, little else can be expected from her. So the staunch +"Nautilus" was fitted out, placed under the charge of the veteran +navigator, Captain McAlpine, who had commanded more than one Arctic +whaler, and sent on her westward voyage. + +The ultimate destination of the "Nautilus" was York Factory, though +she was to touch at several points, after calling at St. John, +Newfoundland, one of which was the southern coast of Greenland, where +are located the most famous cryolite mines in the world, belonging, +like Greenland itself, to the Danish Government. + +There is little to be told the reader about the "Nautilus" itself or +the crew composing it, but it so happened that she had on board three +parties, in whose experience and adventures I am sure you will come to +feel an interest. These three were Jack Cosgrove, a bluff, hearty +sailor, about forty years of age; Rob Carrol, seventeen, and Fred +Warburton, one year younger. + +Rob was a lusty, vigorous young man, honest, courageous, often to +rashness, the picture of athletic strength and activity, and one whom +you could not help liking at the first glance. His father was a +director in the honorable Hudson Bay Company, possessed considerable +wealth, and Rob was the eldest of three sons. + +Fred Warburton, while displaying many of the mental characteristics of +his friend, was quite different physically. He was of much slighter +build, not nearly so strong, was more quiet, inclined to study, but as +warmly devoted to the splendid Rob as the latter was to him. + +Fred was an orphan, without brother or sister, and in such straitened +circumstances that it had become necessary for him to find some means +of earning his daily bread. The warm-hearted Rob stated the case to +his father, and said that if he didn't make a good opening for his +chum he himself would die of a broken heart right on the spot. + +"Not so bad as that, Rob," replied the genial gentleman, who was proud +of his big, manly son; "I have heard so much from you of young Mr. +Warburton that I have kept an eye on him for a year past." + +"I may have told you a good deal about him," continued Rob, earnestly, +"but not half as much as he deserves." + +"He must be a paragon, indeed, but, from what I can learn, my son, he +has applied himself so hard to his studies while at school that he +ought to have a vacation before settling down to real hard work; what +do you think about it, Robert?" + +"A good idea, provided I take it with him," added the son, slyly. + +"I see you are growing quite pale and are losing your appetite," +continued the parent, with a grave face, which caused the youth to +laugh outright at the pleasant irony. + +"Yes," said the big boy, with the same gravity; "I suffer a great loss +of appetite three or four times every day; in fact, I feel as though I +couldn't eat another mouthful." + +"I have observed that phenomenon, my son, but it never seems to attack +you until the table has been well cleared of everything on it. Ah, my +boy!" he added, tenderly, laying his hand on his head; "I am thankful +that you are blessed with such fine health. Be assured there is +nothing in this world that can take its place. With a conscience void +of offense toward God and man, and a body that knows no ache nor pain, +you can laugh at the so-called miseries of life; they will roll from +you like water from a duck's back." + +"But, father, have you thought of any way of giving Fred a vacation +before he goes to work? You know he is as poor as he can be, and can't +afford to do nothing and pay his expenses." + +"The plan I have in mind," replied the father, leaning back in his +chair and twirling his eyeglasses, "is this: next week the 'Nautilus,' +one of the company's ships, will leave London for York Factory, which +is a station deep in the heart of British America. She will touch at +St. John, Greenland, and several other points on her way, and may stop +several weeks or months at York Factory, according to circumstances. +If it will suit your young friend to go with her, I will have him +registered as one of our clerks, which will entitle him to a salary +from the day the 'Nautilus' leaves the dock. The sea voyage will do +him good, and when he returns, at the end of a year or less, he can +settle down to hard work in our office in London. Of course, if Fred +goes, you will have to stay at home." + +Rob turned in dismay to his parent, but he observed a twitching at the +corners of his mouth, and a sparkle of the fine blue eyes, which +showed he was only teasing him. + +"Ah, father, I understand you!" exclaimed the big boy, springing +forward, throwing an arm about his neck and kissing him. "You wouldn't +think of separating us." + +"I suppose not. There! get along with you, and tell your friend to +make ready to sail next week, his business being to look after you +while away from home." + +And that is how Rob Carrol and Fred Warburton came to be +fellow-passengers on the ship "Nautilus" on the voyage to the far +North. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +A COLOSSAL SOMERSAULT + + +The voyage of the "Nautilus" was uneventful until she was far to the +northward in Baffin Bay. It was long after leaving St. John that our +friends saw their first iceberg. They should have seen them before, as +Captain McAlpine explained, for, as you well know, those mountains of +ice often cross the path of the Atlantic steamers, and more than once +have endangered our great ocean greyhounds. No doubt numbers of them +were drifting southward, gradually dissolving as they neared the +equator, but it so happened that the "Nautilus" steered clear of them +until many degrees to the north. + +The captain, who was scanning the icy ocean with his glass, apprised +the boys that the longed-for curiosity was in sight at last. As he +spoke, he pointed with his hand to the north-west, but though they +followed the direction with their eyes, they were disappointed. + +"I see nothing," said Rob, "that looks like an iceberg." + +"And how is it with you, Mr. Warburton?" asked the skipper, lowering +his instrument, and turning toward the younger of the boys, who had +approached, and now stood at his side. + +"We can make out a small white cloud in the horizon, that's all," said +Fred. + +"It's the cloud I'm referring to, boys; now take a squint at that same +thing through the glass." + +Fred leveled the instrument and had hardly taken a glance, when he +cried: + +"Oh! it's an iceberg sure enough! Isn't it beautiful?" + +While he was studying it, the captain added: "Turn the glass a little +to the left." + +"There's another!" added the delighted youth. + +"I guess we've struck a school of 'em," remarked Rob, who was using +his eyes as best he could; "I thought we'd bring up the average before +reaching Greenland." + +"It's a sight worth seeing," commented Fred, handing the glass to his +friend, whose pleasure was fully as great as his own. + +The instrument was passed back and forth, and, in the course of a +half-hour, the vast masses of ice could be plainly discerned with the +unaided eye. + +"That proves they are coming toward us, or we are going toward them," +said Rob. + +"Both," replied Captain McAlpine; "we shall pass within a mile of the +larger one." + +"Suppose we run into it?" + +The old sea-dog smiled grimly, as he replied: + +"I tried it once, when whaling with the 'Mary Jane.' I don't mean to +say I did it on purpose, but there was no moon that night, and when +the iceberg, half as big as a whole town, loomed up in the darkness, +we hadn't time to get out of its path. Well, I guess I've said +enough," he remarked, abruptly. + +"Why, you've broken off in the most interesting part of the story," +said the deeply interested Fred. + +"Well, that was the last of the 'Mary Jane.' The mate, Jack Cosgrove, +and myself were all that escaped out of a crew of eleven. We managed +to climb upon a small shelf of ice, just above the water, where we +would have perished with cold had not an Esquimau fisherman, named +Docak, seen us. We were nearer the mainland than we dared hope, and he +came out in his kayak and took us off. He helped us to make our way to +Ivignut, where the cryolite mines are, and thence we got back to +England by way of Denmark. No," added Captain McAlpine, "a prudent +navigator won't try to butt an iceberg out of his path; it don't pay." + +"It must be dangerous in these waters, especially at night." + +"There is danger everywhere and at all times in this life," was the +truthful remark of the commander; "and you know that the most constant +watchfulness on the part of the great steamers cannot always avert +disaster, but I have little fear of anything from icebergs." + +You need to be told little about those mountains of ice which +sometimes form a procession, vast, towering, and awful, that stream +down from the far North and sail in all their sublime grandeur +steadily southward until they "go out of commission" forever in the +tepid waters of the tropic regions. + +It is a strange spectacle to see one of them moving resistlessly +against the current, which is sometimes dashed from the corrugated +front, as is seen at the bow of a steamboat, but the reason is simple. +Nearly seven-eighths of an iceberg is under water, extending so far +down that most of the bulk is often within the embrace of the counter +current below. This, of course, carries it against the weaker flow, +and causes many people to wonder how it can be thus. + +While the little group stood forward talking of icebergs, they were +gradually drawing near the couple that had first caught their +attention. By this time a third had risen to sight, more to the +westward, but it was much smaller than the other two, though more +unique and beautiful. It looked for all the world like a grand +cathedral, whose tapering spire towered fully two hundred feet in air. +It was easy to imagine that some gigantic structure had been submerged +by a flood, while the steeple still reared its head above the +surrounding waters as though defying them to do their worst. + +The other two bergs were much more enormous and of irregular contour. +The imaginative spectator could fancy all kinds of resemblances, but +the "cold fact" remained that they were simply mountains of ice, with +no more symmetry of outline than a mass of rock blasted from a quarry. + +"I have read," said Fred, "that in the iceberg factories of the north, +as they are called, they are sometimes two or three years in forming, +before they break loose and sweep off into the ocean." + +"That is true," added Captain McAlpine; "an iceberg is simply a chunk +off a frozen river, and a pretty good-sized one, it must be admitted. +Where the cold is so intense, a river becomes frozen from the surface +to the ground. Snow falls, there may be a little rain during the +moderate season, then snow comes again, and all the time the water +beneath is freezing more and more solid. Gravity and the pressure of +the inconceivable weight beyond keeps forcing the bulk of ice and snow +nearer the ocean, until it projects into the clear sea. By and by it +breaks loose, and off it goes." + +"But why does it take so long?" + +"It is like the glaciers of the Alps. Being solid as a rock while the +pressure is gradual as well as resistless, it may move only a few feet +in a month or a year; but all the same the end must come." + +The captain had grown fond of the boys, and the fact that the father +of one of them was a director of the company which employed him +naturally led him to seek to please them so far as he could do so +consistent with his duty. He caused the course of the "Nautilus" to be +shifted, so that they approached within a third of a mile of the +nearest iceberg, which then was due east. + +Sail had been slackened and the progress of the mass was so slow as to +be almost imperceptible. This gave full time for its appalling +grandeur to grow upon the senses of the youths, who stood minute after +minute admiring the overwhelming spectacle, speechless and awed as is +one who first pauses at the base of Niagara. + +Naturally the officers and crew of the "Nautilus" gave the sight some +attention, but it could not impress them as it did those who looked +upon it for the first time. + +The second iceberg was more to the northward, and the ship was heading +directly toward it. It was probably two-thirds the size of the first, +and, instead of possessing its rugged regularity of outline, had a +curious, one-sided look. + +"It seems to me," remarked Rob, who had been studying it for some +moments, "that the centre of gravity in that fellow must be rather +ticklish." + +"It may be more stable than the big one," said Fred, "for you don't +know what shape they have under water; a good deal must depend on +that." + +Jack Cosgrove, the sailor, who had joined the little party at the +invitation of the captain, ventured to say: + +"Sometimes them craft get top-heavy and take a flop; I shouldn't be +s'prised if that one done the same." + +"It must be a curious sight; I've often wondered how Jumbo, the great +elephant, would have looked turning a somersault. An iceberg +performing a handspring would be something of the same order, but a +hundred thousand times more extensive. I would give a good deal if one +of those bergs should take it into his head to fling a handspring, but +I don't suppose--" + +"Look!" broke in Fred, in sudden excitement. + +To the unbounded amazement of captain, crew, and all the spectators, +the very thing spoken of by Rob Carrol took place. The vast bulk of +towering ice was seen to plunge downward with a motion, slow at first, +but rapidly increasing until it dived beneath the waves like some +enormous mass of matter cast off by a planet in its flight through +space. As it disappeared, two-fold as much bulk came to view, there +was a swirl of water, which was flung high in fountains, and the waves +formed by the commotion, as they swept across the intervening space, +caused the "Nautilus" to rock like a cradle. + +The splash could have been heard miles away, and the iceberg seemed to +shiver and shake itself, as though it were some flurried monster of +the deep, before it could regain its full equilibrium. Then, as the +spectators looked, behold! where was one of those mountains of ice +they saw what seemed to be another, for its shape, contour, +projections, and depressions were so different that no resemblance +could be traced. + +"She's all right now," remarked Jack Cosgrove, whose emotions were +less stirred than those of any one else; "she's good for two or three +thousand miles' voyage, onless she should happen to run aground in +shoal water." + +"What then would take place, Jack?" asked Fred. + +"Wal, there would be the mischief to pay gener'ly. Things would go +ripping, tearing, and smashing, and the way that berg would behave +would be shameful. If anybody was within reach he'd get hurt." + +Rob stepped up to the sailor as if a sudden thought had come to him. +Laying his hand on his arm, he said, in an undertone: + +"I wonder if the captain won't let us visit that iceberg?" + + + + +CHAPTER III + +AN ALARMING SITUATION + + +The boldness of the proposition fairly took away the breath of the +honest sailor. He stared at Rob as though doubting whether he had +heard aright. He looked at the smiling youth from head to foot, and +stared a full minute before he spoke. + +"By the horned spoon, you're crazy, younker!" + +"What is there so crazy about such an idea?" asked Fred, as eager to +go on the excursion as his friend. + +Jack removed his tarpaulin and scratched his head in perplexity. He +voided a mouthful of tobacco spittle over the taffrail, heaved a +prodigious sigh, and then muttered, as if to himself: + +"It's crazy clean through, from top to bottom, sideways, +cat-a-cornered, and every way; but if the captain says 'yes' I'll take +you." + +Rob stepped to where the skipper stood, some paces away, and said: + +"Captain McAlpine, being as this is the first time Fred and I ever had +a good look at an iceberg, we would be much obliged if you will allow +Jack to row us out to it. We want to get a better view of it than we +can from the deck of the ship. Jack is willing, and we will be much +obliged for your permission." + +Fred was listening breathlessly for the reply, which, like Rob, he +expected would be a curt refusal. Great, therefore, was the surprise +of the two when the good-natured commander said: + +"The request doesn't strike me as very sensible, but, if your hearts +are set on it, I don't see any objection. Yes, Jack has my permission +to take you to that mass of ice, provided you don't stay too long." + +"He's crazy, too!" was the whispered exclamation of the sailor, who, +nevertheless, was pleased to gratify his young friends. + +The preparations were quickly made. Fred had heard that polar bears +are occasionally found on the icebergs which float southward from the +Arctic regions, and he insisted that they ought to take their rifles +and ammunition along. Rob laughed, but fortunately he followed his +advice, and thus it happened that the couple were as well supplied in +that respect as if starting out on a week's hunt in the interior of +the country. + +When Jack was urged to do the same he resolutely shook his head, and +then turned about and accepted a weapon from the captain, who seemed +in the mood for humoring every whim of the youths that afternoon. + +"Take it along, Jack," he said; "there may be some tigers, leopards, +boa-constrictors, and hyenas prowling about on the ice. They may be on +skates, and there is nothing like being prepared for whatever comes. +Good luck to you!" + +Rob placed himself in the bow of the small boat, and Fred in the +stern, while the sailor, sitting down near the middle, grasped the +oars and rowed with that long, steady stroke which showed his mastery +of the art. There was little wind stirring, and the waves were so +slight that they were easily ridden. The sea was of a deep green +color, and when the spray occasionally dashed over the lads it was as +cold as ice itself. By this time the iceberg had drifted somewhat to +the southward, but its progress was so slow as to suggest that the two +currents which swept against it were nearly of the same strength. Had +it been earlier in the day it would probably have remained visible to +the "Nautilus" until sunset. + +Meanwhile, a fourth mass rose to sight in the rim of the eastern +horizon, so that there seemed some truth in Rob's suggestion that they +had run into a school of them. They felt no interest, however, in any +except the particular specimen before them. + +How it grew upon them as they neared it! It seemed to spread right and +left, and to tower upward toward the sky, until even the reckless Rob +was hushed into awed silence and sat staring aloft, with feelings +beyond expression. It was much the same with Fred, who, sitting at the +stern, almost held his breath, while the overwhelming grandeur hushed +the words trembling on his lip. + +The mass of ice was hundreds of feet in width and length, while the +highest portion must have been, at the least, three hundred feet above +the surface of the sea. What, therefore, was the bulk below. Its +colossal proportions were beyond imagination. + +The part within their field of vision was too irregular and shapeless +to admit of clear description. If the reader can picture a mass of +rock and _débris_ blown from the side of a mountain, multiplied a +million times, he may form some idea of it. + +The highest portion was on the opposite side. About half-way from the +sea, facing the little party, was a plateau broad enough to allow a +company of soldiers to camp upon it. To the left of this the ice +showed considerable snow in its composition, while, in other places, +it was as clear as crystal itself. In still other portions it was dark +or almost steel blue, probably due to some peculiar refraction of +light. There were no rippling streams of water along and over its +side, for the weather was too cold for the thawing which would be +plentiful when it struck a warmer latitude. + +But there were caverns, projections, some sharp, but most of them +blunt and misshapen, steps, long stretches of vertical wall as smooth +as glass, up which the most agile climber could never make his way. + +Courageous as Rob Carrol unquestionably was, a feeling akin to terror +took possession of him when they were quite near the iceberg. He +turned to suggest to Jack that they had come far enough, when he +observed that the sailor had turned the bow of the boat to the right, +though he was still rowing moderately. + +He was the only one that was not impressed by the majesty of the +scene. Squinting one eye up the side of the towering mass, he +remarked: + +"There's enough ice there to make a chap's etarnal fortune, if he +could only hitch on and tow it into London or New York harbor; but +being as we've sot out to take a view of it, why we'll sarcumnavigate +the thing, as me cousin remarked when he run around the barn to dodge +the dog that was nipping at his heels." + +The voice of the sailor served to break the spell that had held the +tongues of the boys mute until then, and they spoke more cheerily, but +unconsciously modulated their voices, as a person will do when walking +through some great gallery of paintings or the aisles of a vast +cathedral. + +They were so interested, however, in themselves and their novel +experience that neither looked toward the "Nautilus," which was +rapidly passing from sight, as they were rowed around the iceberg. Had +they done so, they would have seen Captain McAlpine making eager +signals to them to return, and, perhaps, had they listened, they might +have heard his stentorian voice, though the moderate wind, blowing at +right angles, was quite unfavorable for hearing. + +Unfortunately not one of the three saw or heard the movement or words +of the skipper, and the little boat glided around the eastern end of +the mountainous mass and began slowly creeping along the further side. + +"Hello!" called out Rob, "there's a good place to land, Jack; let's go +ashore." + +"Go ashore!" repeated the sailor, with a scornful laugh; "what kind of +a going ashore do you call that?" + +While there was nothing especially desirable in placing foot upon an +iceberg, yet, boy-like, the two friends felt that it would be worth +something to be able to say on their return home that they had +actually stood upon one of them. + +Inasmuch as the whole thing was a fool's errand in the eyes of Jack +Cosgrove, he thought it was well to neglect nothing, so he shied the +boat toward the gently sloping shelf, which came down to the water, +and, with a couple of powerful sweeps of the oars, sent the bow far up +the glassy surface, the stoppage being so gradual as to cause hardly a +perceptible shock. + +"Out with you, younkers, for the day will soon be gone," he called, +waiting for the two to climb out before following them. + +They lost no time in obeying, and he drew the boat so far up that he +felt there was no fear of its being washed away during their absence. +All took their guns, and, leaving it to the sailor to act as guide, +they began picking their way up the incline, which continued for fully +a dozen yards from the edge of the water. + +"This is easy enough," remarked Rob; "if we only had our skates, we +might--confound it!" + +His feet shot up in the air, and down he came with a bump that shook +off his hat, and would have sent him sliding to the boat had he not +done some lively skirmishing to save himself. Fred laughed, as every +boy does under similar circumstances, and he took particular heed to +his own footsteps. + +Jack had no purpose of venturing farther than to the top of the gentle +incline, since there was no cause to do so; but, on reaching the +point, he observed that it was easy to climb along a rougher portion +to the right, and he led the way, the boys being more than willing to +follow him. + +They continued in this manner until they had gone a considerable +distance, and, for the first time, the guide stopped and looked +around. As he did so, he uttered an exclamation of amazement: + +"Where have been my eyes?" he called out, as if unable to comprehend +his oversight. + +"What's the matter?" asked the boys, startled at his emotion, for +which they saw no cause. + +"There's one of the biggest storms ever heard of in these latitudes, +bearing right down on us; it'll soon be night, and we shall be catched +afore we reach the ship, lads! there isn't a minute to lose; it's all +my fault." + +He led the way at a reckless pace, the youths following as best they +could, stumbling at times, but heeding it not as they scrambled to +their feet and hurried after their friend, more frightened, if +possible, than he. + +He could out-travel them, and was at the bottom of the incline first. +Before he reached it, he stopped short and uttered a despairing cry: + +"No use, lads! the boat has been swept away!" + +Such was the fact. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +ADRIFT + + +Jack Cosgrove, of the "Nautilus," was not often agitated by anything +in which he became involved. Few of his perilous calling had gone +through more thrilling experiences than he, and in them all he had +acquired a reputation for coolness that could not be surpassed. + +But one of the few occasions that stirred him to the heart was when +hurrying to disembark from the iceberg, in the desperate hope of +reaching the ship before the bursting of the gale and the closing of +night, he found that the little boat had been swept from its +fastenings, and the only means of escape was cut off. + +There was more in the incident than occurred to Rob Carrol and Fred +Warburton, who hastened after him. He had been in those latitudes +before, and the reader will recall the story Captain McAlpine told to +the boys of the time Jack was one of three who escaped from the +collision of the whaling ship with an iceberg in the gloom of a dark +night. + +Had it been earlier in the day, and had no storm been impending, he +could have afforded to laugh at this mishap, for at the most, it would +have resulted in a temporary inconvenience only. The skipper would +have discovered their plight sooner or later, and sent another boat to +bring them off, but the present case was a hundred-fold more serious +in every aspect. + +In the first place, the fierce disturbance of the elements would +compel Captain McAlpine to give all attention to the care of his ship. +That was of more importance than the little party on the iceberg, who +must be left to themselves for the time, since any effort to reach +them would endanger the vessel, the loss of which meant the loss of +everything, including the little company that found itself in sudden +and dire peril. + +What might take place during the storm and darkness his imagination +shuddered to picture. Had the boat been found where he left it a short +time before, desperate rowing would have carried them to the +"Nautilus" in time to escape the full force of the storm. That was +impossible now, and as to the future who could say? + +The rowboat, as will be remembered, was simply drawn a short distance +up the icy incline, where it ought to have remained until the return +of the party. Such would have been the fact under ordinary +circumstances, for the mighty bulk of the iceberg prevented it feeling +the shock of any disturbance that could take place in its majestic +sweep through the Arctic Ocean, except from its base striking the +bottom of the sea, or a readjustment of its equilibrium, as they had +observed in the case of the smaller berg. It might crush the "Great +Eastern" if it lay in its path, but that would have been like a wagon +passing over an egg-shell. + +In leaving the boat as related, the stern lay in the water. Even then +it would have been secure, but for the agitation caused by the coming +gale. That began swaying the rear of the craft, whose support was so +smooth that it speedily worked down the incline and floating into the +open water instantly worked off beyond reach. + +The boys knowing so little what all this meant and what was before +them, were disposed to make light of their misfortune. + +"By the great horned spoon, but that is bad!" exclaimed Jack, pointing +out on the water, where the boat was seen bobbing on the rising waves, +fully a hundred yards away, with the distance rapidly increasing. + +It seems as if in the few minutes intervening, night had fully +descended. The wind had risen to a gale, and, even at that short +distance the little craft was fast growing indistinct in the gathering +gloom. + +"It isn't very pleasant," replied Rob, "but it might be worse." + +"I should like to know how it could be worse," said the sailor, +turning reprovingly toward him; "I wonder if I can do it." + +The last words were uttered to himself, and he hastily laid down his +gun on the ice by his side. Then he began taking off his outer coat. + +"What do you mean to do?" asked the amazed Fred. + +"I believe I can swim out to the boat and bring it back," was the +reply, as he continued preparations. + +"You musn't think of such a thing," protested Rob; "the water is cold +enough to freeze you to death. If you can't reach it, you will have to +come back to us, with your clothing frozen stiff, and nothing will +save you from perishing." + +"I'll chance that," said Jack, who, however, continued his +preparations more deliberately, and with his eye still on the receding +boat. + +He was about to take the icy plunge, in the last effort to save +himself and friends, when he stopped, and, straightening up, watched +the craft for a few seconds. + +"No," said he, "it can't be done; the thing is drifting faster than I +can swim." + +Such was the evident fact. While the vast mass of ice, as has been +explained elsewhere, was under the impulse of a mighty under-current, +the small craft was swept away by the surface current which flowed in +the opposite direction. + +Even while the party looked, the boat faded from sight in the gloom. + +"I can't see it," said Rob, who, like the others, was peering intently +into the darkness. + +"Nor I either," added Fred. + +"And what's more, you'll never see it again," commented Jack, who +began slowly donning his outer garments; "younkers, I've been in a +good many bad scraps in my life, and more than once would have sworn I +was booked for Davy Jones' locker, but this is a little the worst of +'em all." + +His young friends looked wonderingly at him, unable to understand the +cause of such extreme depression on the part of one whom they knew to +be among the bravest of men, and in a situation that did not strike +them as specially threatening. + +"Don't you think this iceberg will hold together until morning?" asked +Rob. + +"It'll hold together for months," was the answer, "and like enough +will travel hundreds of miles through the Gulf Stream before it goes +to nothing." + +"Then we are sure of a ship to keep us from drowning." + +"I aint meaning that," said Jack, who was rapidly recovering his +equanimity, though it was plain he was strongly affected by the woful +turn the adventure had taken. + +"And," added Fred, "Captain McAlpine knows where we are; he will +remain in the neighborhood until morning--" + +"How do you know he will?" broke in Jack, impatiently. + +"What's to hinder him?" asked Fred, in turn, startled by the abrupt +question; "he knows how to sail the 'Nautilus,' and has taken it +through many gales worse than this." + +"How do you know he has?" + +"Gracious, Jack, I don't know anything about it; I am only saying what +appears to me to be the truth." + +"I don't want to hurt your feelings, lads, but I can't help saying you +don't know what you're talking about. A couple of young land lubbers +like you don't see things as they show themselves to one who was born +and has lived all his life on the ocean, as you may say. I don't mean +to scare you more than I oughter, but you can just make up your minds, +my hearties, that you never was in such a fix as this, and if you live +to be a hundred years old you'll never be in another half as bad." + +These were alarming words, but, inasmuch as Jack did not accompany +them with any explanation, neither Rob nor Fred were as much impressed +as they would have been had he explained the grounds for his extreme +fear. What they saw was an enforced stay on the iceberg until the +following day. Although in a high latitude, the night was not +unusually long, and, though it was certain to be as uncomfortable as +can well be imagined, they had no doubt they would survive it and live +to laugh at their mishap. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +AN ICY COUCH + + +By this time the sailor felt that he had forgotten himself in the +agitation caused by the loss of the boat. Although he might see the +dark future with clearer vision than his young friends, it was his +duty to keep their sight veiled as long as he could. Time enough to +face the terrors and their direful consequences when the possibility +of avoiding them no longer existed. + +It will be recalled that when the little party stepped out from the +small boat upon the iceberg they did so on the side farthest from the +"Nautilus," so that all view of the ship was shut off, and neither +Captain McAlpine nor any of his crew could observe the action of Jack +and the boys. + +The skipper had warrant for supposing that such an experienced sailor +as the one in charge of the lads would be quick to notice the +threatening change in the weather, and would make all haste to return. +Inasmuch as he had failed to do so, the party must be left to +themselves for the time, while the commander gave his full attention +to the care of the ship--a responsibility that required his utmost +skill, with no slight chance of his failure. + +The storm or squall, or whatever it might be termed, was one of those +sudden changes, sometimes seen in the high latitudes, whose coming is +so sudden that there is but the briefest warning ere it bursts in all +its fury. + +By the time our friends reached the spot where they expected to find +their boat it was almost as dark as night. This darkness deepened so +rapidly, after losing sight of the craft, that they were unable to see +more than fifty feet in any direction. Fortunately, before leaving the +"Nautilus," they had donned their heaviest clothing, so that they were +quite well protected under the circumstances. Had they neglected this +precaution they must have perished of the extreme cold that followed. + +Accompanying the oppressive gloom was a marked falling of the +temperature, and a fierceness of blast which, so long as they were +exposed to it, cut them to the bone. The gale, instead of blowing in +their faces, swept along the side of the iceberg. They had but to +withdraw, therefore, only a short distance when they were able to take +shelter behind some of the numerous projections, and save themselves +from its full force. + +All at once the air was full of millions of particles of snow, which +eddied and whirled in such fantastic fashion that when they crouched +down they were so blinded that they could not see each other's forms, +although near enough to clasp hands. + +This lasted but a few minutes, when it ceased as suddenly as it began. +The air was clear, but the gloom was profound. They could see nothing +of the raging ocean, nor of a tall spire-like mass of ice, which +towered a hundred feet above their heads, within a few yards of them, +and which had attracted their admiration on their first visit. + +It was blowing great guns. The sound of the waves, as they broke +against the solid abutment of ice, and were dashed into spray and +spume, was like that of the breakers in a hurricane. Inconceivable as +was the bulk of the berg, they plainly felt it yield to the resistless +power of the ocean. It acquired a slow sea-saw motion, more alarming +than the most violent disturbance they had ever known on the +"Nautilus" in a storm. The movement was slight, but too distinct to be +mistaken. + +For some time the three huddled together, under the protection of the +friendly projection, and no one spoke a word. They had laid down their +guns, for there was no need of keeping them in their hands. The metal +was so intensely cold that it could be noted through the protection of +their thick mittens, and they needed every atom of vitality in their +shivering bodies. They pressed closer together and found comfort in +the mutual warmth thus secured. + +The sky was blackness itself. There was no glimpse of moon or friendly +star. They were adrift on an iceberg in darkness and gloom in the +midst of a trackless ocean. Whither they were going, when the +terrifying voyage should end, what was to be the issue, only One knew. +They could but pray and trust and hope and await the end. + +It is a curious feature of this curious human nature of ours that the +most hopeless depression of spirits is frequently followed by a +rebound, as the highest spirits are quickly succeeded by the deepest +dejection. Our make-up is such that nature reacts, and neither state +can continue long without change, unless the conditions are +exceptional. Were it otherwise, many a strong mind would break down +under its weight of trouble. + +The three had remained crouching together silent and motionless for +some minutes, no one venturing to express a hope or opinion, when Rob +Carrol suddenly spoke, in the cheeriest tones. + +"I'll tell you what we'll do, fellows." + +"What's that?" asked Fred, quick to seize the relief of hearing each +other's voices. + +"Let's start a fire." + +"A good idee," assented Jack Cosgrove, falling into the odd mood that +had taken possession of his companions; "you gather the fuel and I'll +kindle it. It happens I haven't such a thing as a match about me, but +I'll find a way to start it." + +"Rob and I have plenty, but, if we hadn't, we could rub some pieces of +ice together till the friction started a flame." + +"The Esquimaux have another plan," added Rob. "They will trim a piece +of ice in the form of a convex lens and concentrate the sun's rays on +the object they want to set on fire. Why not try that?" + +"I am afraid there isn't enough sunlight to amount to anything," +replied Fred, craning his head forward and peering through the gloom, +as if searching for the orb of day. + +"That isn't the only way of getting up steam," remarked Jack, who, +just like his honest self, was striving to dispose of his body so as +to give each of the boys the greatest possible amount of warmth; "I +know a better one." + +"Let's hear it." + +"Race back and forth along the side of the berg till we start the +blood circulating; nothing like that." + +"Suppose we should slip, Jack?" + +"Then you'd flop into the sea; it's a good thing to take a bath when +your blood is heated too much." + +"If there was only a footpath where we could do that, it would be a +good plan," observed Rob, "but, as it is, we shall have to huddle +together till morning, when I hope Captain McAlpine will send a boat +after us." + +The boys noticed that Jack made no reply to this. They expected an +encouraging response, but he remained silent, as though he was +considering difficulties, dangers, complications, and perils of which +they could form no idea. + +Meanwhile the gale raged with resistless fury. There was no more fall +of snow, but the wind was like a hurricane. The most vivid idea of its +awful power was gained when the friends, far removed from the water's +edge, and at no small elevation above it, felt drops of spray flung in +their faces. + +The thunder of the surges, shattered into mist and foam against the +adamantine side of the iceberg, was so overpowering that, had not the +heads of the three been close, they would not have heard each other's +voices. The see-sawing of the colossal mass was more perceptible than +ever, and caused them to think, with unspeakable dread, of the +possibility of the berg breaking apart, or overturning like the other, +in the effort to preserve its equilibrium. + +The gale whistled around and among the projections of the ice with a +weird, uncanny sound, alike and yet different from that heard when it +moans through the network of ropes and rigging of a great ship. The +question was whether such a vast volume of wind, impinging against the +thousands of square feet of ice, would not affect the course and speed +of the mass. If the hurricane drove in the same direction as the +controlling current, it ought to be of much help. If opposed, it might +check it; if quartering, it might make a radical change in its course. + +All these speculations were in vain, however, and, as has been said, +there was nothing to be done, but to wait and trust in the only One +who could help them, and who had been so merciful in the past that +their faith in His goodness and protecting care could not be shaken. + +"My lads," said Jack, when the silence which followed their brief +conversation had lasted some minutes, "there's only one thing to do, +and that's to make ourselves as comfortable as we can where we are." + +"Isn't that what we are doing?" asked Rob. + +"Of course it is, but I didn't know but what you was trying to conjure +up some other plan. If so, give it up, say your prayers, and go to +bed." + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +MISSING + + +It is at such times that a person realizes his helplessness and utter +dependence on the great Father of all. Too much are we prone to forget +such dependence, when all goes well, and too often the prayer for help +and guidance is put off until too late. + +It was a commendable trait in all three of the parties whose +experience I have set out to tell that they never forgot their duty in +this all-important matter. Rob and Fred were full of animal life and +spirits, and the elder especially was inclined, from this very excess +of health and strength, to overstep at times the bounds of propriety, +but both remembered the lessons learned in infancy at the mother's +knee, and never failed to commend themselves to their heavenly parent, +not only on waking in the glad morning, but on closing their eyes at +night. + +Jack Cosgrove had one of those impressionable natures, tinged with +innocent superstition, which is often seen in those of his calling. +His faith possessed the simplicity of a child, and, though many of his +doings might not square with those of a Christian, yet at heart he +devoutly believed in the all-protecting care of his Maker, and was +never ashamed, no matter what his surroundings, to call upon Him for +help and guidance. + +And so, as the three pressed closer together, adjusting themselves as +best they could to pass the long, dismal hours ere the sun would shine +upon them again, they were silent, and all, at the same time, communed +with God, as fervently and trustfully as ever a dying Christian did +when stretched upon his bed of mortal illness. + +Had they possessed a blanket among them they could have spread it upon +the ice, lain down upon it, and, wrapping it as best they could, +passed the night with a fair degree of comfort. That, however, was out +of the question. They, therefore, seated themselves under the lee, as +may be said of the mass of ice, which protected them against the gale, +their bodies pressed as closely together as well could be, and in this +sitting posture prepared to go to sleep, if it should so prove that +the blessing could be won. + +One can become accustomed to almost anything. An abrupt change from +the comfortable cabin of the "Nautilus" to the bleak situation on the +iceberg would have filled them with a dread hardly less trying than +death itself; but they had already been in the situation long enough +to grow used to it. The ponderous swaying of the frozen structure, the +thunderous dash and roar of the waves against its base, the screaming +of the gale and the darkness of the arctic night; all these were +sounds and sensations which in a certain sense grew familiar to them +and did not disturb them as the hours passed. + +It cannot be said that an icy seat or rest forms the most comfortable +support for the body, whose warmth is likely to melt the frozen +surface, but the thick clothing of the party did much to avert +unpleasant consequences. Had Jack or Rob or Fred been alone, the +penetrating cold most likely would have overcome him, but as has been +shown, the mutual warmth rendered their situation less trying than +would be supposed. + +When an hour had passed, with only an occasional word spoken, Jack +addressed each of the boys in turn by name. There was no response, and +he spoke in a louder tone with the same result. + +"They're asleep," he said to himself, "and I'm glad of it, though the +sleep that sometimes comes to a chap in these parts at such times is +the kind that doesn't know any waking in this world. I've no doubt, +howsumever, that they're all right." + +With a vague uneasiness, natural under the circumstances, he passed +his hands over their faces and pinched their arms, as if to assure +himself there was no mistake. + +The boys were so muffled up in their thick coats and sealskin caps +that were drawn about their ears, behind which the collars of their +coats were raised, that only the ends of their noses and a slight +portion of their cheeks could be felt. He removed his heavy mitten +from one hand, and, reaching under the protecting covering about the +cheeks and neck, found a healthy glow which told him all was well, +and, for the time at least, he need feel no further anxiety, so far as +they were concerned. + +"Which being the case," he added, drawing on his mitten again, and +making sure their coverings were adjusted, "I'll take a little trip +myself into the land of nod." + +But this trip was easier thought of than made. His rugged body, with +its powerful vitality, would have soon succumbed to drowsiness, could +his mind have been free of its distressing fear for the two young +friends under his charge. But, though he had said little, he knew far +more than he dare tell them. He had shown his alarm on discovering the +loss of the boat, but though some impatient expressions escaped him, +he did not explain what was in his mind. + +His belief was that before morning should come the "Nautilus" would be +driven so far from her course that she would be nowhere in sight, and, +towering as was the iceberg in its height and proportions, it would be +invisible from the deck of the ship, or, if visible, could not be +identified among the others drifting through the icy ocean. Well +aware, too, he was of the terrific strength of the gale sweeping +across the deep, he trembled for the safety of the "Nautilus" and +those on board, hardly less than he did for himself and friends. The +hurricane was resistless in its power, and would drive the ship +whither it chose like a cockle-shell. Icebergs were moving hither and +thither through the darkness, less affected by the wind and waves than +the vessel, and a collision was among the possibilities, if not the +probabilities. + +Inasmuch as the "Nautilus" was likely to go down under the fury of the +elements, or, if she rode through it, was certain to be too far +removed to be of help to the three, the question to consider was what +hope of escape remained to the latter. + +Although vessels penetrate Baffin Bay and far into the Arctic Ocean, +they are so few in number that days and weeks may pass without any two +of them gaining sight of each other. A shipwrecked sailor afloat in +the South Sea, on a spar, was as likely to be picked up by some +trading ship as were Jack and his companions, by any of the whalers or +ships in that high latitude. + +And then, supposing they did catch sight of some stray vessel, who of +the captain and crew would be looking for living persons on board an +iceberg? Why would they give the latter any more attention than the +scores of the mountainous masses afloat in their path and which it was +their first care to avoid? + +If a ship should pass so near to them that they could make their +signals seen there would be hope; but the chances of anything of that +kind were too remote to be regarded. + +Such being the outlook, where was there ground for hope? They were +beyond sight of the Greenland coast, and were doubtless drifting +farther away every hour. Nothing in the nature of succor was to be +hoped for from land, and the brave-hearted Jack was obliged to say to +himself that, so far as human eye could see, there was none from any +source. Cold, starvation, and death seemed among the certainties near +at hand. + +And having reached this disheartening belief, he closed his eyes and +joined his young friends in the land of dreams. + +Having sunk into slumber, the sailor was likely to remain so until +morning, unless some unexpected circumstance should break in upon his +rest, and it did. + +It was Rob Carrol, who, probably because of his cramped position, +first regained consciousness. As his senses gradually came back to +him, and the thunder of the surges and the shrieking of the gale broke +in upon his brain, he stretched his benumbed limbs and yawned in an +effort to make his situation more comfortable. + +It struck him that there had been a change in their relative positions +while asleep. Not wishing to awake his companions, he carefully +shifted his limbs and body, so as not to disturb them. While doing so, +he extended his hand to touch them. + +He groped along one figure, which he knew at once was Jack, but he +felt no other. With a vague fear he straightened up, leaned over, and +hastily extended his arms about him, as far as he could reach. The +next moment he roughly shook the shoulder of the sailor, and called +out in a husky voice: + +"Jack! Jack! wake up! Fred is gone!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +A POINT OF LIGHT + + +Jack Cosgrove was awake on the instant. Not until he had groped around +in the darkness and repeated the name of Fred several times in a loud +voice would he believe he was not with them. + +"Well, by the great horned spoon!" he exclaimed, "that beats +everything. How that chap got away, and why he done it, and where he's +gone to gets me." + +"I wonder if he took his gun," added Rob, stooping over and examining +the depression in the ice, where the three laid their weapons before +composing themselves for sleep; "yes," he added directly after, "he +took his rifle with him." + +As may be supposed, the two were in a frenzied state of mind, and for +several minutes were at a loss what to do, if, indeed, they could do +anything. They knew not where to look for their missing friend, nor +could they decide as to what had become of him. + +One fearful thought was in the minds of both, but neither gave +expression to it; each recoiled with a shudder from doing so. It was +that he had wandered off in his sleep and fallen into the sea. + +Despite their distress and dismay, they noticed several significant +facts. The wind that blew like a hurricane when they closed their +eyes, had subsided. When they stood up, so that their heads arose +above the projections that had protected them, the breeze was so +gentle that it was hard to tell from which direction it came. It would +be truth to say there was no wind at all. + +Further, there was a marked rise in the temperature. In fact, the +weather was milder than any experienced after leaving St. John, and +was remarked by Rob. + +"You don't often see anything of the kind," replied the sailor; +"though I call something of the kind to mind on that voyage in these +parts in the 'Mary Jane,' which was smashed by the iceberg." + +But their thoughts instantly reverted to the missing boy. Rob had +shouted to him again and again in his loudest tones, had whistled +until the echo rang in his own ears, and had listened in vain for the +response. + +The tumultuous waves did not subside as rapidly as they arose. They +broke against the walls of the iceberg with decreasing power, but with +a boom and crash that it would seem threatened to shatter the vast +structure into fragments. There were occasional lulls in the +overpowering turmoil, which were used both by Rob and Jack in calling +to the missing one, but with no result. + +"It's no use," remarked the sailor, after they had tired themselves +pretty well out; "wherever he is, he can't hear us." + +"I wonder if he will ever be able to hear us," said Rob, in a choking +voice, peering around in the gloom, his eyes and ears strained to the +highest tension. + +"I wish I knew," replied Jack, who, though he was as much distressed +as his companion, was too thoughtful to add to the grief by any words +of his own. "I hope the lad is asleep somewhere in these parts, but I +don't know nothing more about him than you." + +"And I know nothing at all." + +"Can you find out what time it is?" + +That was easily done. Stooping down so as to protect the flame from +any chance eddy of wind, Rob ignited a match on his clothing and +looked at his watch. + +"We slept longer than I imagined, Jack; day-break isn't more than +three or four hours off." + +"That's good, but them hours will seem the longest that you ever +passed, my hearty." + +There could be no doubt on that point, as affected both. + +"Why, Jack," called out Rob, "the stars are shining." + +"Hadn't you observed that before? Yes; there's lots of the twinklers +out, and the storm is gone for good." + +Every portion of the sky except the northern showed the glittering +orbs, and, for the moment, Rob forgot his grief in the surprise over +the marked change in the weather. + +"This mildness will bring another change afore long," remarked Jack. + +"What's that?" + +"Fogs. We'll catch it inside of twenty-four hours, and some of them +articles in this part of the world will beat them in London town; +thick enough for you to lean against without falling." + +As the minutes passed, with the couple speculating as to what could +have happened to Fred Warburton, their uneasiness became so great that +they could not remain idle. They must do something or they would lose +command of themselves. + +Rob was on the point of proposing a move, with little hope of its +amounting to anything, when the sailor caught his arm. + +"Do you see that?" + +The darkness had so lifted that the friends could distinguish each +other's forms quite plainly, and the lad saw that Jack had extended +his arm, and was pointing out to sea. The fellow was startled, as he +had good cause to be. + +Apparently not far off was something resembling a star, low down in +the horizon and gliding over the surface of the deep. Now and then it +disappeared, but only for a moment. At such times it was evidently +shut from sight by the crests of the intervening waves. + +It was moving steadily from the right to the left, the friends, of +course, being unable to decide what points of the compass these were. +Its motion in rising and sinking, vanishing and then coming to view +again, advancing steadily all the while, left no doubt as to its +nature. + +"It's the 'Nautilus'!" exclaimed Rob; "Captain McAlpine is looking for +us." + +"That's not the 'Nautilus'," said Jack; "for she doesn't show her +lights in that fashion. Howsumever, it's a craft of some kind, and if +we can only make 'em know we're here they'll lay by and take us off in +the morning." + +As the only means of reaching the ears of the strangers the two began +shouting lustily, varying the cries as fancy suggested. In addition, +Jack fired his gun several times. + +While thus busied they kept their gaze upon the star-like point of +light on which their hopes were fixed. + +It maintained the same dancing motion, all the while pushing forward, +for several minutes after the emission of the signals. + +"She has stopped!" was the joyful exclamation of Rob, who postponed a +shout that was trembling on his lips; "they have heard us and will +soon be here." + +Jack was less hopeful, but thought his friend might be right. The +motion of the star from left to right had almost ceased, as if the +boat was coming to a halt. Still the sailor knew that the same effect +on their vision would be produced if the vessel headed either away +from or toward the iceberg; it was one of these changes of direction +that he feared had taken place. + +Up and down the light bobbed out of sight for a second, then gleaming +brightly as if the obscuring clouds had been brushed aside from the +face of the star, which shone through the intervening gloom like a +beacon to the wanderer. + +"Yes, they are coming to us," added Rob, forgetting his lost friend in +his excitement; "they will soon be here. I wonder they don't hail us." + +"Don't be too sartin, lad," was the answer of the sailor; "if the boat +was going straight from us it would seem for a time as though she was +coming this way; I b'lieve she has changed her course without a +thought of us." + +They were cruel words, but, sad to say, they proved true. The time was +not long in coming when all doubt was removed. The star dwindled to a +smaller point than ever, seemed longer lost to view, until finally it +was seen no more. + +"Do you suppose they heard us?" asked Rob, when it was no longer +possible to hope for relief from that source. + +"Of course not; if they had they would have behaved like a Christian, +and stood by and done what they could." + +"Ships are not numerous in this latitude, and it may be a long time +before we see another." + +"The chances p'int that way, and yet you know there's a good many +settlements along the Greenland coast. It isn't exactly the place I'd +choose for a winter residence--especially back in the country--but +there are plenty who like it." + +"In what way can that affect us?" + +"There are ships passing back and forth between Denmark and Greenland, +and a number v'yage to the United States, and I'm hoping we may be run +across by some of them--Hark!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +HOPE DEFERRED + + +A hoarse, tremulous sound came across the ocean. There was no +mistaking its character; it was from the whistle of a steamer, the one +whose light led them to hope for a time that their rescue was at hand. +It sounded three times, and evidently the blasts were intended as a +signal, though, of course, they bore no reference to the two persons +listening so intently on the iceberg. + +"That was the last thing I expected to hear in this latitude," +remarked Rob, turning to his companion. + +"I don't know why," replied Jack; "they have such craft plying along +the Greenland coast. What's more, I've heard that same whistle before +and know the boat; it's the 'Fox'." + +"Not the 'Fox' I have read about as having to do with the Franklin +expedition?" said the youth, in astonishment. + +"The identical craft." + +"You amaze me." + +Those of my readers who are familiar with the history of Arctic +exploration will recall this familiar name. It was the steam tug in +which sailed the party that succeeded in finding traces of the +ill-fated Franklin expedition of near a half century ago. It afterward +came into the possession of the company that owns the cryolite mine at +Ivigtut, and is now used to carry laborers and supplies from +Copenhagen to that place. While at Ivigtut, it is occasionally +employed to tow the Greenland ships in and out of the fiord. + +Ah, if its crew had only heard the shouts and signals of the couple on +the iceberg, how blessed it would have been! But its lights had +vanished long ago, and, if its whistle sounded again, it was so far +away that it could not reach the listening ears. + +The restlessness of the friends, to which I have referred, now led +them to attempt a search, if it may so be called, for the missing +Fred. This of necessity was vague and blind, and was accompanied with +but a grain of hope. Neither had yet referred to the awful dread that +was in their thoughts, but weakly trusted they might find the poor +fellow somewhere near asleep or senseless from a fall. + +Morning was still several hours distant, but the clearing of the air +enabled them to pick their way with safety, so long as they took heed +to their footsteps. + +"I will go down toward the spot where the boat gave us the slip," said +Jack, "and I don't know what you can do, unless you go with me." + +"There's no need of that; of course I can't make my way far, while the +night lasts, but I remember that we penetrated some way beyond this +place before camping for the night; I'll try it." + +"Keep a sharp lookout, my hearty, or there'll be another lad lost, and +then what will become of Jack Cosgrove?" + +"Have no fear of me," replied Rob, setting out on the self-imposed +expedition. + +He paused a few steps away and turned to watch the sailor, who was +carefully descending the incline, at the base of which they had +landed. + +"I hope he won't find Fred, or rather that he won't find any signs of +his having gone that way," said Rob to himself with a shudder. + +As the figure of the man slowly receded, it grew more indistinct until +it faded from sight in the gloom. Still the youth looked and listened +for the words which he dreaded to hear above everything else in the +world. + +Jack Cosgrove received a good scare while engaged on his perilous +task. He was half-way down the incline, making his way with the +caution of a timid skater, when, like a flash, his feet flew from +under him, and, falling upon his back, he slid rapidly toward the +waves at the base of the berg. + +But the brave fellow did not lose his coolness or presence of mind. +His left hand grasped his rifle, and, throwing out his right, he +seized a projection of ice, checking himself within a few feet of the +water and near enough for the spray from the fierce waves to be flung +over him. + +"This isn't the time for a bath," he muttered, carefully climbing to +his feet and retreating a few paces; "it would have been a pretty hard +swim out there with my heavy clothing, though I think I could manage +it." + +After all, what could he hope to accomplish by this hunt for Fred +Warburton? If he had wandered in that direction and fallen into the +sea, he had left no traces that could be discovered in the gloom of +the night. He could not have gone thither and stayed there that was +certain. + +The sailor having withdrawn beyond the reach of the waves, sat down in +as disconsolate a mood as can be imagined. A suspicion that Rob might +follow caused him to turn his head and look over his shoulder. + +"I don't see anything of him, and I guess he'll stay up there; I hope +so, for Jack Cosgrove isn't in the mood to see or talk with any one +'cepting that lad which he won't never see nor talk to agin." + +Convincing himself that he was safe against a visit from the elder +youth, the sailor bowed his head, and, for several minutes, wept like +one with an uncontrollable grief. + +When his sorrow had partially subsided, he spent a brief while with +his head still bowed in communion with his Maker. + +"I don't know but what the lad is luckier than me or Rob," he added, +reviewing the situation in his mind; "for we've got to foller him +sooner or later. It isn't likely that any ship will come as nigh to +this thing as the 'Fox' did awhile ago, and I can't see one chance in +ten thousand of our being took off. We haven't a mouthful of food, +and there's no way of our getting any. After a time we will have to +lay down and starve or freeze to death, or both. Poor Fred has been +saved all that--" + +He checked his musings, for at that moment a peculiar sound broke upon +his ear. It resembled that caused by the exhaust of a steamer at low +pressure. One less experienced than he would have been deceived into +the belief that such was its source, but Jack did not hold any such +false hope for a minute even. He understood it too well. + +It was made by a whale "blowing." One of those monster animals was +disporting himself in the vicinity of the iceberg, and the sailor had +heard the same sound too often to mistake it. + +Shifting his position so as to bring him nearer the sea, he stooped +and peered out in the gloom, in the direction whence came the noise. +There was enough starlight for him to trace the outline of the +mountainous waves, as they arose against the sky, though they were +dimly defined and might have misled another. + +While gazing thus, a huge mass took vague form. It was the head of a +gigantic leviathan of the deep, which for a moment was projected +against the sky and then sank out of sight with the same noise that +had attracted Jack's notice in the first place. + +The blowing was heard at intervals, for several minutes, until the +distance shut it from further notice. + +"I wonder if Rob noticed it," the sailor asked himself; "for if he +did, he will make the mistake of believing the 'Fox' has come to take +us off, and we're done with this old berg." + +But nothing was heard from the youth, and the sailor remained seated +on the shelf of ice, a prey to his gloomy reflections. He had made up +his mind to stay where he was until the coming of day, when the +question of what was to be done would be speedily settled. + +Meanwhile, he wanted no company but his own thoughts. He had kept up +with the elder youth, and carefully withheld his fears and beliefs +from him. He felt that he could do so no longer. The farce had been +played out, and the truth must be spoken. + +It was impossible to note the passage of time. Jack carried no watch, +but each of the boys owned an excellent timepiece. He probably fell +into a doze, for, when he roused himself once more, he saw that the +night was nearly over. + +"I wonder what Rob is doing," he said, rising to his feet, stretching +his arms, and looking in the direction where he expected to see his +friend; "I hope nothing hain't happened to him." + +This affliction was spared the sailor, for while he was peering +through the increasing light, he caught sight of the figure of Rob +making his way toward him. + +"Hello, Jack, have you found anything?" + +"No; have you?" + +"I think I have; come and see." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +A STARTLING OCCURRENCE + + +As may be supposed, Jack Cosgrove was all excitement on the instant. +He had not expected any such reply, and he was eager to learn the +cause. As he started forward, he instinctively glanced down in quest +of evidence that Fred had passed there. There was none so far as he +could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been +able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, +and some of them more than once. + +"What is it?" he asked, as he reached his friend. + +"It may mean nothing, but a little distance beyond where we camped the +ice is broken and scratched as though some one has been that way." + +"So there has, we were there yesterday afternoon." + +"I haven't forgotten that, but these marks are at a place where we +haven't been, that is unless it was Fred." + +"How did you manage to find them in the dark?" + +"I didn't; I groped over the ice as far as I could, and then sat down +and waited for day. I must have slept awhile, but when it was growing +light I happened to look around, and there, within a few feet of me, +on my right hand, I noticed the ice scratched and broken, as though +some one had found it hard work to get along. I was about to start +right after him, when I thought it best to tarry for you. It is now so +much lighter that we shall learn something worth knowing." + +Even in their excitement they paused a few minutes to gaze out upon +the ocean, as it was rapidly illumined by the rising sun. Before long +their vision extended for miles, but the looked-for sight was not +there. On every hand, as far as the eye could penetrate, was nothing +but the heaving expanse of icy water. + +Whether they were within a comparatively short distance of Greenland +or not, they were not nigh enough to catch the first glimpse of the +coast. + +Several miles to the eastward towered an iceberg, apparently as large +as the one upon which they were drifting. Its pinnacles, domes, +arches, plateaus, spires, and varied forms sparkled and scintillated +in the growing sunlight, displaying at times all the colors of the +spectrum, and making a picture beautiful beyond description. + +To the northward and well down in the horizon, was another berg, +smaller than the first, and too far off to attract interest. A still +smaller one was visible midway between the two, and a peculiar +appearance of the sea in the same direction, Jack said, was caused by +a great ice field. + +Not a ship was to be seen anywhere. Their view to the southward was +excluded by the bulk of the iceberg, on which they were floating. + +"There's nothing there for us," remarked Rob with a sigh. + +"You're right; lead the way and let's see what you found." + +It took them but a few minutes to reach the place the lad had in mind, +and they had no sooner done so than the sailor was certain an +important discovery had been made. + +Where there was so much irregularity of shape as on an iceberg, a +clear description is impossible; but, doing the best we can, it may be +said that the spot was a hundred feet back from where the three +huddled together with an expectation of spending the night until +morning. It was only a little higher, and was attained by carefully +picking one's way over the jagged ice, which afforded secure footing, +now that day had come. + +Adjoining the place, from which the party diverged to the left, was a +lift or shelf on the right, and distant only two or three paces. It +was no more than waist high, and, therefore, was readily reached by +any one who chose to clamber upon it. + +It is no easy matter to trace one over the ice, but the signs of which +Rob had spoken were too plain to be mistaken. There were scratches, +such as would have been made by a pair of shoes, a piece of the edge +was broken off, and marks beyond were visible similar to those which +it would be supposed any one would make in clambering over the flinty +surface. + +Jack stood a minute or two studying these signs as eagerly as an +American Indian might scrutinize the faint trail of an enemy through +the forest. + +"By the great horned spoon!" he finally exclaimed; "but that does look +encouraging; I shouldn't wonder if the chap did make his way along +there in the night, but why he done it only he can tell. Howsumever, +where has he gone?" + +That was the question which Rob Carrol had asked himself more than +once, and was unable to answer. The ice, for a distance of another +hundred feet, looked as if it might be scaled, but, just beyond that, +towered a perpendicular wall, like the side of a glass mountain. There +could be no progress any farther in that direction, nor, so far as +could be judged, could any one advance by turning to the right or +left. + +There must be numerous depressions and cavities, sufficient to hide a +dozen men, and it was in one of these the couple believed they would +find the dead or senseless body of their friend. + +"Jack," said Rob, "take my gun." + +"What for?" + +"I'll push on ahead as fast as I can; I can't wait, and the weapon +will only hinder me." + +"I've an idee of doing something of the kind myself, so we'll leave +'em here. I don't think they'll wash away like the boat," he added, as +he carefully placed them on the shelf, up which they proceeded to +climb. + +But Rob was in advance and maintained his place, gaining all the time +upon his slower companion, who allowed him to draw away from him +without protest. + +"There's no need of a chap tiring himself to death," concluded Jack, +as he fell back to a more moderate pace; "he's younger nor me, and it +won't hurt him to get a bump or so." + +Rob was climbing with considerable skill. In his eagerness he slipped +several times, but managed to maintain his footing and to advance with +a steadiness which caused considerable admiration on the part of his +more sluggish companion. + +He used his eyes for all they were worth, and the signs that had +roused his hope at first were still seen at intervals, and cheered him +with the growing belief that he was on the right track. + +"But why don't we hear something of him?" he abruptly asked himself, +stopping short with shuddering dread in his heart; "he could not have +remained asleep all this time, and, if he has been hurt so as to make +him senseless, more than likely he is dead." + +The youth was now nearing the ice wall, to which we have referred, and +beyond which it looked impossible to go. The furtive glances into the +depressions on his right and left showed nothing of his loved friend, +and the evidences of his progress were still in front. The solution of +the singular mystery must be at hand. + +Unconsciously Rob slowed his footsteps, and looked and listened with +greater care than before. + +"What can it mean? Where can he have gone? I see no way by which he +could have pushed farther, and yet he is not in sight--" + +He paused, for he discovered his error. The path, if such it may be +termed, which he had been following, turned so sharply to the right +that it could not be seen until one was upon it. How far it penetrated +in that direction remained to be learned. + +Rob turned about and looked at Jack, who was several rods to the rear, +making his way upward with as much deliberation as though he felt no +personal interest in the business. + +"I'm going a little farther, Jack, but I think we're close upon him +now. Hurry after me!" + +"Ay, ay," called the sailor, in return; "when you run afoul of the lad +give him my love and tell him I'm coming." + +This remark proved that he shared the hope of Rob, who was now acting +the part of pioneer, and it did not a little to encourage the boy to +push on with the utmost vigor at his command. + +The sailor was somewhat winded from his unusual exertions, and, +believing there was no immediate need of his help, sat down for a few +minutes to regain his breath. + +"He'll yell the moment he catches sight of anything, and he can do +that so well that he don't need any help from me--by the great horned +spoon! what's the meaning of that?" + +Rob Carrol, who had been out of sight but a few seconds, now burst to +view again, the picture of terror. He was plunging toward the sailor +with such desperate haste that he continually stumbled and bruised +himself. But he instantly scrambled up again, glancing in mortal +fright over his shoulder, and barely able to gasp as he dashed toward +the sailor: + +"O Jack! we're lost! we're lost! Heaven help us!" + + + + +CHAPTER X + +AN UGLY CUSTOMER + + +Rob Carrol had good cause for his panic. Full of high hope, he hurried +along the ice between crags which shut him out of sight, for the time, +from Jack Cosgrove, who was resting himself after his hard climb. The +youth was thinking of no one and nothing else, except his friend Fred +Warburton, who had vanished so mysteriously the night before. + +The signs in the icy track he was following convinced him that he was +close upon the heels of his chum, who could not have wandered much +farther in advance. His hope was tinged with the deepest anxiety, for +it was impossible to account for Fred's long absence and silence, +except upon the theory that some grievous injury had befallen him. + +The searcher's nerves were strung to the highest point, and he was +pushing forward with unabated vigor, when his heart almost stood +still, as he caught a peculiar sound among the masses of ice. + +"That's Fred," he concluded; "he's alive, thank God!" and then he +called to his friend: + +"Fred! Fred, old fellow, where are you? Speak, I beg of you." + +The words were trembling on his lips, when what seemed to be a huge +pile of snow just in advance, arose from the ice and began swinging +toward him. + +Paralyzed for the moment by the amazing sight, and wondering whether +his senses were not betraying him, Rob stood motionless, as if rooted +to the spot. + +But the next minute that same mass of snow assumed more definite +shape, and an unmistakable growl issued from somewhere within the +interior. + +That was enough. Rob knew what it was that was sweeping down upon him +like a young avalanche. He had almost stumbled over a huge polar bear, +ravenous and fierce with hunger, and with a courage that made him +afraid of neither man nor beast. + +He must have been half asleep when roused by the approach and the +voice of the lad. Opening his great eyes, he saw before him a fine +breakfast in the shape of a plump lad, and he proceeded to go for him +with a vim and eagerness that would not be denied. + +It was about this time that Rob whirled on his heel and started on the +back track, with all the desperate hurry at his command. It will be +remembered that he had no gun with him, he and Jack having left the +weapons on the ice a considerable distance away. Both were without any +means of defense, unless the sheath knife which the sailor always +carried may be considered a weapon, and the only possible hope for +them was to secure their rifles before the monster secured them. + +When the lad's frenzied cry broke upon Jack, he sprang from the seat +where he had been resting, and stood staring and wondering what it all +could mean. He saw the boy's cap fly from his head, and he noted his +terrified glances behind him. The next moment the polar bear plunged +into sight, and the sailor grasped the situation. + +Even then he failed to do the wisest thing. Instead of realizing that +but one course could save them, and that was by dashing back to the +guns, he hastily drew his knife and awaited the coming of the brute +with a view of checking his attack upon the lad. + +It was more creditable to Jack's chivalry than to his sagacity that he +should do this thing. + +Even Rob, despite his extreme fright, saw the mistake his friend was +making, and called to him: + +"Quick, Jack! Get the guns and shoot him!" + +"I shouldn't wonder now if that was a good idea," reflected the +sailor, shoving his knife back, and whirling about to do as urged. + +The situation was so critical that even his sluggish blood was +stirred, and he never moved so fast as he did for the succeeding +seconds. Indeed, it was altogether too fast, for he fell headlong with +such violence that he was partially stunned, and by the time he +regained his feet Rob was upon him. + +Meanwhile the polar bear was making matters lively. He was hustling +for his breakfast, and he kept things on the jump. He was at home amid +the snow and ice, and, with little effort, got forward faster than the +fugitives possibly could; he was overhauling Rob hand over hand. + +To continue his flight, even for the brief remaining distance, was to +insure his certain death. Rob saw him, and, when the ponderous beast +was almost upon him, he made a desperate leap from the icy path, +landing on his hands and knees several feet to the left, and instantly +scrambling up again. + +The manoeuvre was so unexpected by the pursuer that he passed +several paces beyond before he could stop. Turning his head, with his +huge jaws so far apart that his red tongue and long white teeth +showed, he prepared to continue his pursuit of the lad who had escaped +him for the moment by such an exceedingly narrow chance. + +But it so happened that Jack Cosgrove just then was also climbing to +his feet from his thumping fall, and, being but a short way from the +brute, he drew his attention to himself. + +The bear's appetite was in that rugged state that he was not +particular as to whether his meal was made from a boy or full-grown +man, and, since the latter was within most convenient reach, he +shifted his design to him. + +"By the great horned spoon!" muttered the sailor, quick to see how +matters had turned; "but it's Jack Cosgrove that is to have all this +fun to himself, and he's enjoying it." + +The single recourse still presented itself; nothing could be done to +check the furious beast until one of the rifles was turned against +him, but it did seem for a time as if fate itself was fighting in +favor of the brute. + +Jack's tumble and flurry had so mixed him up that the rifles were +forgotten, until he took several steps on his flight, when he recalled +the fatal oversight, and hastily turned to rectify it; but the +precious moments wasted made it too late. The bear was actually +between him and the weapons, and, to attempt to reach them, except by +a roundabout course, was to fling himself into the embrace of those +resistless claws. + +He was too wise to attempt it. The first thing to do was to get +himself out of reach of the terror that was bearing down upon him with +the certainty of death. + +"If there was only a tree that I could climb," he reflected, leaping, +tumbling, and laboring forward as best he could; "he couldn't nab me, +but I don't see any tree, and that chap's hungry enough to eat a +stewed anchor." + +In the fearful hurry and panic some moments passed before Rob Carrol +comprehended the abrupt change in the plan of campaign. At the moment +he expected to feel the claw of the brute, he looked back and saw he +was pressing Jack hard. Furthermore, the latter, instead of hurrying +for the guns, was drawing away from them. + +That was a bad outlook, but it suggested to the youth that the chance +had come for him to do something effective. + +He lost no time in seizing the chance. He turned again in his course, +and moved around toward the spot where the weapons had been left near +at hand. Could he have been sure of a few minutes there would have +been no trouble in managing it, but events were going with such a rush +that there was not a spare second at command. + +The guns being near and lower in elevation than themselves, were in +plain sight. Rob saw the barrels and the iron work gleaming in the +morning sunlight, so that he could make no mistake in locating them, +but his attention was so riveted on the prizes that he paid no heed to +his footsteps, or, rather, he paid less heed than was necessary. + +He was within fifty feet, and was counting upon the quickness with +which he would end the sport of the brute when he discovered that he +was on the brink of an irregular depression in the ice. He tried +desperately to check himself or turn aside, but it was beyond his +ability and over he went. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +LIVELY TIMES + + +Rob's fall was not far, and his heavy clothing saved him from the +bruises that otherwise might have disabled him. He stared about him +and saw that he had fallen into a rough depression of the ice from six +to eight feet in depth, and of about the same diameter. + +"Here's a go," he reflected; "I wonder whether the bear will follow me +here, but he's giving his full attention to poor Jack, and won't hunt +for me until he is through with him." + +It was characteristic of the lad that, knowing the imminent peril of +his friend, he should feel more anxious about him than himself. All +thought of the missing Fred was shut out for the moment. + +The first thing for Rob to do was to get out of the hole into which he +had fallen. He did not wait, but, throwing off his outer coat, flung +it upon the edge of the depression, and then, leaping upward, caught +the margin with his mittened hands. As I stated at the beginning, he +was a fine athlete, but the task was almost impossible. The purchase +was so slight that when he put forth his strength and attempted to +draw himself upward, his mittens slipped, as though they were oiled. + +Then he snatched off the mittens, threw them upon his coat, and again +made the attempt; he failed as before. + +"I've got to stay here while the bear kills poor Jack," was his +despairing thought; "I can do nothing, when, if I were up there, I +could lay hold of one of the guns and save him." + +The reflection was so bitter that he could not rest. Walking rapidly +around the depression, he jumped upward at every step or two and +repeated the effort. Failure followed failure, and he was once more in +despair. + +Again he made the attempt, and his hand struck a knob-like projection, +which afforded just the purchase wanted. Grasping it with all his +might, he quickly drew himself upward, and was once more on what might +be considered the surface proper of the iceberg. + +At the moment of climbing into sight he heard the report of a gun. + +"Ah, Jack has managed to reach his rifle, and has given the brute a +shot--no, he hasn't, either!" + +To his unbounded amazement, he saw the sailor fleeing and dodging for +life, with the bear still at his heels. But he had no gun in his hand, +and, casting his eye below him, Rob observed both weapons lying where +they were placed by the owners a short time before. + +Who had fired that gun whose report he just heard? + +It was an absorbing question, indeed, but there was no time just then +to give it a thought. Rob was much nearer the rifles than either Jack +or the bear, and he now hastened thither, taking care that his last +mishap was not repeated. + +From what has been told it will be understood that Jack Cosgrove found +no time for the grass to grow under his feet. He had pulled himself +through many a narrow peril, but he was sure he was never quite so +hard pressed as now. He tried dodging and sudden turns in the line of +his flight, and doubtless saved himself more than once by such means; +but the discouraging fact was ever with him that his relentless enemy +could travel tenfold faster and better than he over the ice, and +sooner or later was certain to run him down unless turned aside by +some one else. + +Jack naturally wondered what had become of Rob, who was so active only +a short time before. His furtive glances showed him nothing of his +friend, but he had no chance to speculate, nor did he call upon him +for help, as the lad had appealed to him but a short time before. + +The sorely pressed fugitive drew his knife to be prepared for the +final struggle that was at hand. He had met polar bears before, and he +knew what such a conflict meant. + +He was wise enough, too, not to postpone the struggle until his own +strength was exhausted by running. He whirled about, when the brute +was no more than ten feet distant, and grasping his knife by the tip +of the blade, drove it with all the vicious fury at his command +straight at the head of the bear. + +The sailor was an adept at this species of throwing, and had often +given exhibitions of his skill on shipboard. It was not to be expected +that he could kill such a gigantic animal by flinging his sheath knife +at him, but it sped so true and with such power, that, striking his +neck, it inflicted a deep wound, sinking so deep, indeed, that it +remained in the wound. + +At this juncture the rifle, whose report Rob heard, was fired. The +sailor supposed, as a matter of course, that Rob discharged it, for +there could be no doubt the bear was the target. The bullet struck him +near the junction of the left leg, and there could be no mistake about +his being hit hard. He uttered a peculiar whining moan, stopped for +the moment, and then resumed his pursuit with such a marked limp that +his progress was perceptibly decreased. + +Seeing his own advantage, Jack was wise enough to use it. In his +desperation he had deprived himself of his only weapon, and he was +defenseless. But with a limping bear lumbering after him, and with the +short respite he had gained, he fancied he could hold his own in a +foot-race. So he wheeled and went at it again. + +By this time, and, indeed, a minute before, Rob had reached the spot +where the two guns lay, and with both in his grasp he set off in hot +haste to overtake the brute. He meant to get so near that when he +fired there could be no miss. + +To his exasperation, he stumbled and came within a hair of going into +the very hole from which he had extricated himself with so much +difficulty. But he escaped, and finding neither weapon injured, he +resumed his pursuit, cheered by the apparent fact that the bear was no +longer able to gain upon the fugitive. + +Jack had run as close to the edge of the iceberg as possible, and to +venture nearer would be at the imminent risk of going into the icy +sea. He perforce turned, and sped in the direction of the lad, who was +hastening to his help. + +This suited Rob, for there was no call for him to continue his +pursuit, since the bear was approaching "head on." The youth stopped +as soon as he saw the change, and prepared to close matters. + +The opening could not have been better, and, dropping one rifle at his +feet, Rob steadied himself and took careful aim at the beast. He +pointed the gun not at his head, but at a point just below, hoping to +reach his heart. + +He saw the snowy coat stained crimson from the wound made by Jack's +knife, and he limped heavily. + +"Look out you don't hit me!" called the panting sailor, whose grim +humor showed itself at the most inopportune times. + +"Get out of the way, then!" called Rob, in turn; "you're right in +front of me." + +Jack dodged to one side, being at the moment about midway between his +friend and pursuer, and less than twenty feet from either. + +The next instant the lad pulled trigger. + +But the bear did not stop, and showed no evidence of having been so +much as harmed. + +"You missed him, you lubber! Let me have the other gun, and show you +how to bring down game." + +There was no time for any such proceeding, and, dropping the +discharged weapon, Rob instantly stooped and caught up the second. + + [Illustration: JUST THEN THE REPORT OF ANOTHER GUN SOUNDED + + (See page 106)] + +Just then another gun sounded from a point higher up the berg, and the +huge brute stopped. He seemed dazed, and, half-rearing on his +haunches, picked at the wound, as though he fancied a splinter was +there, which he could draw from his flesh. + +"He's going to attack us with the knife!" called Jack, who saw that +the danger was over; "and I shouldn't wonder if he knows how to do it +better than you can manage your gun." + +"Keep out of the way, Jack, and I'll finish him." + +Rob had brought the second weapon to a level, and the opening was, if +possible, more favorable than before. + +Again he pulled trigger, and this shot did the business. The monster, +one of the largest and fiercest of his species, went down in a +helpless mass, and expired before their eyes. + +"Hello, you chaps would be in a pretty scrape if it wasn't for me!" + +Jack and Rob turned toward the point whence the voice came and saw +Fred Warburton hastening toward them with his smoking rifle in hand. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +FRED'S EXPERIENCE + + +Both Jack Cosgrove and Rob Carrol could have shouted with joy at the +sight of the missing boy, and the sound of his voice. More than once, +during the stirring minutes that they were trying to save themselves +from the irrestrainable bear, they thought of the shot that was fired +by neither of them, and which, therefore, they naturally attributed to +their friend. + +The second shot left no doubt of its source, and here now was the +youth hurrying down from some point near where the brute had come, +laughing like his own natural self. + +It need not be said that his hand was shaken heartily by the sailor +and his companion, and that he was overwhelmed with questions as to +his singular action. + +The story of Fred was curious, and yet it had been partially +discounted by his chum. + +It was not to be supposed that he would leave the comparative comfort +he enjoyed when huddled close to his friends without good cause, and +in that case he would have notified them of his intention, to save +them from alarm. + +The experience of the day disturbed him, and caused him to dream +dreams of the most vivid nature. Several times, during the preceding +years, he had walked in his sleep, and his departure from the camp, as +they called it, was as unknown to himself as to his friends. + +It was evident that he managed the business with great skill, since +neither of the others was disturbed. He picked up his gun and went off +in the direction followed by Rob, clambering farther up the side of +the iceberg than was supposed possible. + +"I think," said Fred, "that I can read the cause for what I did while +unconscious. You remember we had much to say about the 'Nautilus' +being driven out of sight by the gale, and I recall that, before going +to sleep, I wondered whether we could not climb to a higher portion of +the berg and signal to them. + +"I suppose that was what set my mind and muscles to work when +unconscious, and impelled me to try what I never would have tried with +my full senses about me. + +"When I came to myself I was in a cavity in the ice, where the +protection against the gale was much better than our camp. It was a +regular bowl or hollow, which would have been just the place for us +three. But daylight had come, the weather was so moderate that I did +not suffer from cold, and there was nothing, therefore, to be feared +from that cause. + +"As you may suppose, it took me sometime before I could recall myself, +but I was not long in suspecting the truth. I was so comfortable in +the position involuntarily assumed that I lay still while pondering +matters. When ready, I was on the point of rising, when I heard a +slight noise on the ice above me. + +"'That's Jack or Rob,' I thought; 'they are looking for me, and I will +give them a scare.' + +"I lay still, expecting one of you to pass so close that you would +discover me, but though I could follow the movement by sound, and +though the object passed close to me it was not quite close enough to +be seen, I rose softly to my feet and peered over the edge of the +cavity in which I was resting. + +"Well, Rob was startled when he stumbled over that polar bear, but he +was no more frightened than I, when I discovered that instead of it +being one of you, it was that frightful brute which had swung by +within a few feet of where I lay. + +"You can see the curious shape of matters. The bear had come from some +point beyond where I lay, and, making his way down the ice, had now +placed himself between me and you. The only means of my reaching you +was by passing close to him. That meant a fight to the death. + +"I noticed his tremendous size, and from what I have heard they are +among the most dangerous beasts in the world--" + +"You're right there, my hearty," interrupted Jack; "if there was ever +any doubt in my mind, which there wasn't, it was settled by that +little scrimmage awhile ago." + +"I had my gun, and, at first, was half-disposed to take a shot, but +the chance was a poor one, for he was walking straight away, and it +was impossible to do more than sound him. That would render him +furious and cause him to attack me. Our rifles were not repeating +ones, and before I could get another charge ready, he would be upon +me, and it might be that several well-aimed shots would be necessary +to finish him." + +"You had good sense," said Rob; "he would have made mince-meat of you +in a fight." + +"You must remember that while I could see the bear from where I peered +over the edge of the ice, I could not catch the first sight of you. +The brute seemed to be following some sort of a path, while the masses +of ice were so piled upon both sides and beyond him that all farther +view was shut off. + +"While I was watching the enormous white body swinging along, it +stopped, and then to my dismay, he turned about and started back. + +"'He's coming for me!' was my conclusion, 'and now there will be a row +sure.' + +"I braced myself to receive him, but, inasmuch as he had not yet seen +me, and, inasmuch as he had once passed my shelter, without +discovering me, there was hope that he would do the same again. So +'Brer rabbit, he lay low,' and I listened for him to go by. As soon as +he was at a safe distance, I intended to climb out and hurry to you. +We three ought to be enough for him, and I had no fear but that you +might manage him between you without my help." + +"That was my opinion at that time," added Fred, with a twinkle of his +eye, "but it isn't now. While I was crouching there I heard you +calling me. You can understand why I didn't answer. I preferred to +remain mum so long as that bear was between me and you and coming +toward me." + +"We did a lot of shouting last night," said Rob. + +"That's the first I knew of it. But the minutes passed without the +bear being heard. I listened as intently as I knew how, but no sound +reached me. + +"'I wonder if he intends to promenade back and forth,' was my thought, +as I ventured to peep out once more, with great caution; 'this is +getting interesting.' + +"Well, I was surprised when I saw him. He was less than a dozen yards +off, and lying down, with his head still turned away from me. His +action was just as if he had learned that his breakfast was going to +come up that path, and he intended to wait until it walked into his +arms." + +"And that is pretty nearly what I did," said Rob, with a smiling +glance at the carcass. + +"His head being still away I dared not fire, nor would it have done +for me to call to you or answer your signals. It was plain to me that +he had no suspicion that the choicest kind of meal was right near him, +and it wouldn't have been wise for me to apprise him of the fact; it +might have made things unpleasant all around. + +"You needn't be told what followed. I watched him a few minutes, +during which he was as motionless as the iceberg itself, and then I +settled down to await developments. + +"While seated, of course I saw nothing of him, and the first notice I +received of what was going on was when I heard Rob shouting. I sprang +out of my shelter, and, as you will remember, saved you both from +being devoured by the monster. Isn't he, or, rather, wasn't he a big +fellow?" added Fred, stepping over to the enormous carcass and +touching it with his foot. + +"He's the biggest I've ever seen," assented Jack, "and I'm thankful +that we got off as well as we did. It's no use of denying that your +shots helped us through." + +"Possibly, but it was Rob after all who wound up the business," Fred +hastened to say, lest he might be thought of wishing to take undue +credit to himself. + +"There's worse eating, too, than bear meat." + +It was Jack who made this remark, and the others caught its +significance. They were thus provided with the means of living for a +long time on the iceberg, and might hope for some means of rescue in +the course of a week or two. + +Rob was about to make some characteristic reply, when the sailor +pointed out to sea. + +"Do you obsarve that?" he asked. "It's just what I was afeared of, and +I don't like it at all." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE FOG + + +It will be recalled that when Jack and Rob awoke, during the preceding +night, they noticed a marked change in the temperature, and the sailor +prophesied an unwelcome change in the weather. Following the direction +pointed by him, his friends saw what he meant. The rise had caused one +of those fogs that have been fatal so often to ships off the banks of +Newfoundland, and which frequently wrap the southern coast of +Greenland in a mist as impenetrable as that which overshadows at times +the British metropolis. + +"You see," added Jack, "it might be that some whaler or other vessel +is cruising in these latitudes, and will come close enough for us to +observe 'em and they us, provided the sun was shining, but, the way +matters are turning out, they might pass within a biscuit's toss 'out +either of us knowing it." + +"Well," was the philosophical comment of Fred, "we have so much to be +thankful for that I can't complain over a small matter like that." + +"It may be a bigger matter than you think, but I'm as thankful as you, +all the same." + +"Gracious!" exclaimed Rob, with a sigh; "I'm hungry." + +"There's your supper." + +Both boys, however, shook their heads, and Rob replied: + +"I'm not hungry enough to eat raw bear's meat." + +"It's a thousand times better than starving to death." + +As the sailor spoke, he walked to the carcass and withdrew his knife +from the wound. + +"You'll come to it bime-by; I've seed the time when I was ready to +chaw up a pair of leather breeches, but that isn't half as bad as +being in an open boat under the equator, with not a drop of water for +three days." + +"We can never suffer from that cause so long as this iceberg holds +out. How is it with you, Fred? Are you ready for bear steak?" + +"I would be too glad to dine on it, if there was some means of cooking +it, but that is out of the question. I think I'll wait awhile." + +"I'll keep you company," remarked Jack, who felt no such repugnance +against the primitive meal, but was willing to defer the feast out of +regard for them. + +The party watched the fog settling over the sea, until, as the sailor +had told them it would do, it shut out all vision beyond a hundred +feet or less. + +"I would give a good deal to know one thing," said Fred, after several +minutes' silence, as he seated himself, "and that is just where we +are." + +"I can tell you," said Rob. + +"Where?" + +"On an iceberg in the Greenland Sea." + +"I am not so sure of that, my hearty," put in Jack; "there's no doubt, +of course, that we're on the berg, but I wouldn't bet that we're +drifting through the Greenland Sea." + +"Why, the 'Nautilus' was so far north when we left it, and this +iceberg was moving so slowly that we couldn't have gone as far as all +that." + +Jack saw that his meaning was not understood. + +"What I was getting at is this: Of course, when them bergs slip off +into the ocean, most of them start southward for a more congen'l +clime, but all of 'em don't do it by any means. There is a current off +the western coast of Greenland which runs toward the North Pole, and +we may be in that." + +"But this extends so far down that it must strike the other current, +which flows in the opposite direction." + +"That may and may not be, and it may be, too, that if it does, the +upper current is the stronger. I've been calling to mind the bearing +of the ship and berg, and I've an idee we're going northward. Bime-by +the berg may change its mind and flop about and start for New York or +South America, but I don't believe it's doing so now." + +This was important information, provided it was true, and there was +good reason to believe that Jack Cosgrove knew far better than they +what he was talking about. + +"Then if we keep on we'll strike the North Pole," remarked Rob, +gravely. + +"Yes, if we keep on, but we're pretty sure to stop or change our +course before we get beyond Davis Strait or Christianshaab or Ivignut. +Anyway, this old berg will keep at it till she fetches up in southern +waters." + +The words of Jack had opened a new and interesting field for +discussion. Its ending had not been thought of by the boys in their +calculations; and, despite their faith in their more experienced +companion, they believed he was mistaken. They had never heard of +anything of the kind he had mentioned, and it did not seem reasonable +that such a vast mass, after heading southward, should change its +direction. Even though it was drifting north when first seen, it must +have started still farther north in order to reach the latitude where +first observed. + +By this time all hope of being rescued by the "Nautilus" had been +given up, unless some happy accident should lead it to come upon the +iceberg. The party, therefore, began considering other means of escape +from their unpleasant quarters. + +As is well known, there are a number of Danish settlements scattered +along the west coast of Greenland, the bleak, desolate eastern shore +being inhabited only by wandering Esquimaux. It might be that the berg +would sweep along within sight of land, and the friends would be able +to attract the attention of some of the native fishing boats, or +possibly larger craft. It was a remote hope, indeed, but it was all +they saw before them. At any rate, the polar bear had provided them +with the means of postponing starvation to an indefinite period, for +there was enough meat in his carcass to afford nourishment for many +days to come. + +"I wonder whether there are more polar bears on this craft?" remarked +Rob, rising to his feet and looking around as if he half expected to +discover another of the monsters making for them. + +"Little danger of that," replied Jack, "and it's so mighty seldom that +any of 'em are fools enough to allow themselves to be carried off like +this one did that I never dreamed of anything of the kind. It does +happen now and then, but not often, though you may read of such +things." + +"I suppose he would have stayed here until he starved to death," was +the inquiring remark of Fred. + +"He might and he might not; when he had got it through his skull that +there was nothing to eat on the berg he would have plunged into the +sea and started for land, provided it was in sight, and he would have +reached it, too. When he landed he would have been hungry enough to +attack the first saw-mill he came to, and I wouldn't like to be the +first chap he met." + +"I don't see how he could have been fiercer than he was." + +"He meant business from the first; and, if he had caught sight of you +when you lay asleep in that cavity in the ice he would have swallowed +you before you could wake." + +"Well, he didn't do it," replied Fred, with a half-shudder and laugh, +"so what's the good of thinking about it? Rob, it strikes me," he +added, with a quizzical look at the boy, "that raw bear's meat might +not be so bad after all." + +"Of course it isn't!" Jack was quick to say, springing to his feet and +stepping forward, knife in hand. + +It was evident from the manner in which he conducted the business that +he had done it before. He extracted a goodly-sized piece from near the +shoulder, and dressed it as well as he could with the only means at +command. + +Rob had hit upon what might be called a compromise. When one of the +three slices, into which the portion was divided, was handed to him, +he struck match after match from the rubber safe he carried, and held +the tiny flame against different portions of the meat. + +Anything like cooking was out of the question, but he succeeded in +scorching it slightly, and giving it a partial appearance of having +seen the fire. + +"There!" he exclaimed, in triumph, holding it aloft; "it's done to a +turn, that is the first turn. It's cooked, but it's a little rare, +I'll admit." + +Meanwhile, Fred imitated him, using almost all the matches he +possessed. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +A COLLISION + + +Jack scorned everything of the kind, and he ate his piece with as much +gusto as if it had passed through the hands of a professional cook. +The boys managed to dispose of considerable, so that it may be said +the little party made a fair meal from the supply so unexpectedly +provided them. + +The primitive meal finished, the three friends remained seated and +discussed the future, which was now the all-important question before +them. + +"How long is this fog likely to last?" asked Fred. + +"No one can answer that," replied Jack; "a brisk wind may drive it +away, a rain would soon finish it, or it may go before colder weather, +or it may last several days." + +"Meanwhile we can do nothing but drift." + +"That's about all we can do any way," was the truthful remark of the +sailor; "we'll make the bear last as long as we can." + +"I think he will last a good while," observed Rob, with a +half-disgusted look at the carcass; "it will do when there's nothing +else to be had, but I never can fancy it without cooking." + +At that moment they received a startling shock. A peculiar shiver or +jar passed through the iceberg, as though from a prodigious blow that +was felt through every part--an impossible occurrence. + +"What can that mean?" asked the lads, in consternation. + +"By the great horned spoon!" was the reply of the frightened Jack; "I +hope we won't feel it again." + +"But what is it?" + +"The berg scraped the bottom of the sea just then. There it goes +again!" + +A shock, fully as violent as before, went through and through the vast +mass of ice. It lasted only a second or two, but the sensations of the +party were like those of the housekeeper who wakes in the night, to +feel his dwelling swaying under the grasp of the earthquake. + +None needed to be told of the possible consequences of drifting into +shallow water. If the base of the iceberg, extending far down into the +depths of the ocean, should strike some projecting mountain peak of +the deep, or a plateau, the berg was liable to overturn, with an +appalling rush, beyond the power of mind to conceive. In such an event +there was no more chance of the party saving themselves than there +would be in the crater of a bursting volcano. + +Well might they look blankly in each other's faces, for they were +helpless within the grasp of a power that was absolutely resistless. + +They sat silent and waiting, but, as minute after minute passed, +without the shock being repeated, hope returned, and they ventured to +speak in undertones, as though fearful that the sound of their voices +would precipitate the calamity. + +"That satisfies me I was right," said Jack, compressing his lips and +shaking his head. + +"In what respect?" asked Fred. + +"We're drifting toward the North Pole, and we are not far from the +Greenland coast." + +"But are there not shallow places in the ocean, hundreds of miles from +land, where such a great iceberg as this might touch bottom?" + +"Yes, but there are not many in this part of the world. The thing may +swing out of this current, or get into another which will start it +southward, but I don't believe it has done it yet." + +"Sailing on an iceberg is worse than I imagined," was the comment of +Rob; "I'm more anxious than ever to leave this; it isn't often that a +passenger feels like complaining of the bigness of the craft that +bears him over the deep, but that's the trouble in this case." + +"If the capsize does come," said Jack, "it will be the end of us; we +would be buried hundreds of fathoms under the ice." + +"There can be no doubt of that, but I say, Jack, isn't there something +off yonder? I can't make it out, but it seems to me that it is more +than the fog." + +While the three were talking, Fred Warburton was seated so as to face +the open sea, the others being turned sideways and giving no heed to +that point of the compass. + +It will be remembered that at this time they were inclosed in the +all-pervading fog, which prevented them seeing as far as the length of +the mountain of ice on which they were seated. Turning toward the +water and peering outward, they saw the cause of the boy's question. +The vapor itself appeared to be assuming shape, vague, indistinct, +undefined, and almost invisible, but nevertheless perceptible to all. + +The sailor was the first to see what it meant. Leaping to his feet he +emitted his favorite exclamation: + +"By the great horned spoon! it's another berg!" + +With awful slowness and certainty the mass of fog disclosed more and +more distinctly the misty contour that had caught the eye of Fred +Warburton. At first it was like a pile of denser fog, rolling along +the surface of the sea, but the outlines became more distinct each +moment, until the form of an iceberg was clearly marked in the wet +atmosphere. + +The new one was much smaller than that upon which they were afloat, +but it was of vast proportions for all that, enough to crush the +largest ship that ever floated, as though it were but a toy in its +path. + +But the fearful fact about its appearance was that the two bergs were +approaching each other, under the influence of adverse currents! + +A collision was inevitable, and the boys contemplated it with hardly +less dismay than they did the overturning of the larger one a short +time before. + +"This is no place for us!" called out Jack, the moment after his +exclamation; "let's get out!" + +He started up the path from which the polar bear had come, with his +young friends at his heels. They did not stop until they could go no +farther, when they turned about and shudderingly awaited the +catastrophe that was at hand. + +Their withdrawal from the edge of the iceberg to a point some distance +away dimmed their vision, but the smaller berg was easily +distinguished through the obscurity. + +The two continued to approach with a slowness that could hardly have +caused a shock in a couple of ships, but where the two masses were so +enormous the momentum was beyond calculation. + +The frightful crisis was not without its grim humor. The boys braced +themselves against the expected crash as if in a railway train with a +collision at hand. They lost sight of the fact that no force in nature +could produce any such sudden jarring and jolting as they apprehended. + +The two bergs seemed to be lying side by side, within a few inches +really, but without actually touching. + +"Why don't they strike?" asked Rob, in an awed whisper. + +"There it comes!" exclaimed Fred; "hold fast!" + +The smaller berg was seen to sway and bow, as if that, too, had swept +against the bottom of the sea, and it was shaken through every part. + +But amazing fact to the lads! they felt only the slightest possible +tremor pass through the support upon which they had steadied +themselves against the expected shock. + +The smaller berg acted like some monster that has received a mortal +hurt. It seemed to be striving to disentangle itself from the fatal +embrace of its conqueror, but was unable to do so. Nearly conical in +shape, a peak rose more than a hundred feet in air, ending in a +tapering point almost as delicate as a church spire. + +The crash of the immense bodies caused the breaking off of this icy +monument a couple of rods from the top, and the mass, weighing many +tons toppled over and fell upon the larger berg with a violence that +shattered it into thousands of fragments, bits of which were carried +to the feet of the awed party. Then, as if the smaller one saw that it +was idle to resist longer, it began moving with the larger, which +forced it along its own course as a tug pushes a floating chip in +front of it. + +The danger was over, if, indeed, there had been any danger. It was a +minute or two before the boys comprehended it all, but when Rob did, +he sprang to his feet and swung his cap over his head. + +"Hurrah for our side! We beat 'em hands down!" + +"I fancy it is quite safe to count on our keeping the right of way," +added Fred, whose mental relief at the outcome was as great as his +companion's. "I thought we would be tumbled about when the two came +together, as if we were in an overturned wagon, but I can understand +now how that could never be." + +"But wait till we butt against an iceberg bigger than ours," said Rob, +with a shake of his head. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE SOUND OF A VOICE + + +For hours the fog showed no signs of lifting. The three remained +seated near the carcass of the polar bear, discussing the one question +that had already been discussed so long, until there really seemed +nothing left to say. + +Not long after the collision between the icebergs a singular thing +took place. It was evident that the two were acted upon each by a +diverse current, but the preponderating bulk of the greater was not +disturbed by the smaller. The latter, however, as if anxious to break +away from its master, began slowly grinding along the face, until, +after awhile, it swung clear and gradually drifted out of sight in the +misty vapor. + +"She will know better than to tackle one bigger than herself," was the +remark of Rob Carrol, "which reminds me that if there should happen to +be a bigger iceberg than this floating around loose we sha'n't be in +any danger." + +"And why not?" + +"Because being so big it will be under the influence of the same +current as this and going in the same direction, so there won't be +much chance of our coming together." + +"Unless the big one should overtake us," suggested Fred. + +"Even then it would find it hard to run over us, so there isn't much +to be feared from that; what I do dread is that we shall strike some +shallow place in the sea that will make this thing turn a somersault." + +"It would be a terrible thing," said Fred, unable to drive it from his +thoughts. + +"Is it possible for the berg to strike something like that and stick +fast, without shifting its centre of gravity?" + +The question was addressed to Jack Cosgrove, but he did not attempt to +answer until the last clause was explained to him. + +"Oh! yes; that has been seen many times. A berg will ground itself +just like a boat, and stay for days and weeks until a storm breaks it +up, or it shakes itself loose. I don't believe if we do strike bottom +again that there's much danger of capsizing." + +"Why didn't you tell us that before?" asked Rob, reprovingly; "we +might have been saved all this worry." + +"It's only guesswork, any way, so you may as well keep on worrying, +for, somehow or other, you seem to enjoy it." + +"I think there is a thinning of the fog," remarked Fred, some time +later. + +"A little, but not much; it's growing colder, too; we'll run into keen +weather afore reaching the Pole." + +"I shouldn't wonder if it came pretty soon. Hello!" added Rob, looking +at his watch; "it is past noon." + +"Do you want your dinner?" asked Jack, with a grin. + +Both lads gave an expression of disgust, the elder replying: + +"I can stand it for twenty-four hours before hankering for another +slice of bear steak, and I shouldn't be surprised if Fred feels the +same way." + +"You are correct, my friend." + +"Ah, you chaps can get used to anything!" was the self-complacent +remark of the sailor, as he assumed a comfortable attitude on the ice. + +While the boys talked thus, Jack was carefully noting the weather. He +saw with pleasure that the fog was steadily clearing, and that, before +night, the atmosphere was likely to be wholly clear again. That fact +might avail them nothing, but it was a thousand-fold better than the +mist, in which they might drift within a hundred feet of friends +without either party suspecting it. + +From what has been told, it will be understood that no one of the +three built any hope of a rescue by the "Nautilus." The violent gale +had driven her miles away, and a search on her part for this +particular iceberg would be like the hunt of one exploring party for +another that had been lost years before. + +But it was not to be supposed that Captain McAlpine would quietly +dismiss all care concerning the lads from his mind. One of them was a +son of a leading director of the Hudson Bay Company, and the other was +a favorite of the son and his father. For the skipper to return to +London at the end of several months with the report that he had left +them on an iceberg in the Greenland Sea would be likely to subject him +to unpleasant consequences. + +The most natural course of the captain, as it seemed to the sailor, +after making the best search he could, was to put into some of the +towns along the coast, and organize several parties to go out in +search of them. + +"He is no fool," thought Jack, as he turned the subject over in his +mind without speaking, "and he must have took the bearings of the ship +and the berg as I did. He won't be able to keep track of us, but he +will know better than to sail exactly in the wrong direction, as most +other folks would do. Yes," he remarked to his friends, as he looked +off over the sea, "the weather is clearing and the fog will be all +gone before night." + +This was gratifying information, though neither youth could tell +precisely why it should give them special ground for hope. + +You will understand one of the trials of the boys when adrift on the +iceberg. The latter was moving slowly, and, though in a direction +different from the surface current, yet it was barely perceptible. No +other objects were in sight than the berg itself, which gave the +impression to the passengers that it was motionless on the vasty deep. +You know how much harder it is to wait in a train at a station than it +is in one in motion. If they could have realized that the berg was +actually moving, no matter in what direction, the relief would have +been great. As it was, they felt as though they were simply waiting, +waiting for they knew not what. + +The afternoon was more than two-thirds gone when the last vestige of +the fog vanished. The sun shone out, and, looking off to sea, the +power of the eye itself was the only limit to the vision. + +Without explaining the meaning of his action, Jack Cosgrove made his +way down the path to the place where they had spent most of the +preceding night, and climbing upon a slight elevation, stood for a +full minute looking fixedly off over the sea. He shaded his eyes +carefully with his hand, and stood as motionless as a stone statue. + +"He either sees or expects to see something," said Rob, who, like his +companion, was watching him with much interest. + +"He is so accustomed to the ocean that his eyes are better than ours," +said Fred. + +"I can't make out anything." + +Suddenly Jack struck his thigh with his right hand and wheeled about, +showing a face aglow with feeling. + +"By the great horned spoon, I knowed it." + +"What have you discovered, Jack?" + +"You chaps just come this way," he said, crooking his stubby +forefinger toward them, "and put yourself alongside of me and take the +sharpest squint you can right over yonder." + +Doing as directed, they finally agreed, after some hard looking, that +they saw what seemed to be a long, low, white cloud in the horizon. + +"That's Greenland," was the astonishing reply; "I don't know what +part, but it's solid airth with snow on it." + +This was interesting, indeed, though it was still difficult to +understand what special hope the fact held out to them. + +It seemed to grow slightly more distinct as the afternoon advanced. +Since it was hardly to be supposed that the iceberg was approaching +land, this was undoubtedly caused by the contour of the coast. + +When night began closing in the party fired their guns repeatedly, +thinking possibly the reports might attract notice from some of the +natives fishing in the vicinity. The chance, however, was so +exceedingly slight that they made preparations for spending the night +as before--that is, huddled together against the projecting ice. There +was hardly a breath of air stirring, though the temperature continued +falling. + +"I hear it!" exclaimed Fred, starting to his feet, within five minutes +after seating themselves as described. + +"What's that?" asked the amazed Rob; "are you crazy?" + +"Listen!" + +They did so. There was no mistake about it. They caught the sound of a +vigorously moved paddle, and, had any doubt remained, it was +dissipated by the loud call in a peculiar voice, and with an odd +accent: + +"Holloa! holloa! holloa!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +LAND HO! + + +The boys could hardly credit their senses. Just as they had settled +themselves to spend another long, dismal night on the iceberg, the +sound of a paddle broke upon their ears, followed, the next moment, by +a hail in unmistakable English. + +"It's Captain McAlpine or one of the men!" exclaimed Rob, breaking +into such a headlong rush down the incline that it threatened to +precipitate him into the sea before he could check himself. + +Fred was at his heels, and Jack tumbled against him. He knew that that +voice was no Caucasian's. Despite the English word, he recognized it +as belonging to a native Esquimau. + +"We're coming!" called back Jack, in turn; "just hold on a few minutes +and we'll be there--by the great horned spoon!" + +He bumped flat on his back, and shot down the incline so fast that he +knocked the heels from under Fred, and the two, impinging against Rob, +prostrated him also, the three shooting forward like so many sleighs +going down a toboggan slide. + +"Never mind, lads; we'll stop when we strike water," called the +sailor, so pleased that he recked little of the consequences. All the +same, however, each exerted himself desperately to stop, and, barely +succeeded in doing so, on the very edge of the incline. + +Then they perceived one of the long, narrow native boats, known as a +kayak, drawn up alongside the wharf, as it may be called, with the +Esquimau in the act of stepping out. + +He contemplated the sight in silent wonderment, for, it is safe to +say, he had never been approached in that fashion before. + +Jack was the first to recover the perpendicular, and he impulsively +reached out his mittened hand to the native, who was clad in furs, +with a short jacket and a hood, which covered all his head, excepting +the front of his face. + +"How do you do, my hearty? I never was so glad to see any one in my +life as I am to see you." + +"Glad to meet you," replied the Esquimau, somewhat abashed by the +effusive greeting; "where you come from?" + +"From the iceberg," and then reflecting that this good friend was +entitled to a full explanation, the sailor added: + +"We visited this berg, yesterday, from the ship "Nautilus;" our boat +was carried away before we knew it, and the gale drove the ship so far +out of her course that we haven't seen a thing of her since. How came +you to know we were here?" + +"Heard gun go off--didn't know where it be--hear it again--then know +it here--then come to you." + +"Were you ashore?" + +"Started out to fish--you go ashore with me?" + +"You can just bet we will; your kayak is strong enough to take us all, +isn't it?" + +"If sit still--make no jump," was the reply of the native, who was +plainly pleased at the part of the good Samaritan he was playing. + +"These are my friends, Rob Carrol and Fred Warburton," said Jack, +introducing the lads, each of whom shook the hand of the native, whom +they felt like embracing in a transport of pleasure. + +Since the native had come out for the purpose of taking them off, +there was no delay in embarking. The long boat, which the Esquimau +handled with such skill, was taxed to carry the unusual load, and Jack +suggested that he should wait till the boys were taken ashore, when +the native could return for him, but their friend said that was +unnecessary, and, inasmuch as the land was fully three miles distant, +the task would have been a severe one. The sea was not ugly, and the +Esquimau assured them there would be no trouble in landing them +safely, if they "dressed" carefully and guarded against any sudden +shifting of position. + +All understood the situation too well to make any mistake in this +respect, and, in a few minutes, everything was in readiness. The +native sat in the middle of the boat and swayed his long paddle with a +dexterity that aroused the admiration of his passengers. It was not +the kind of paddling to which Jack Cosgrove was accustomed, though he +could have picked it up with readiness, and he was just the one to +appreciate work of that kind. + +Rob was nearest the prow, and, as the craft whirled about and headed +toward land, he caught a shower of spray which was dashed over his +clothing and in his face. That, however, meant nothing, and he gave no +heed to it. Immediately the craft was skimming over the waves at a +speed of fully five knots. + +The occasion was hardly one for conversation, and Rob cautiously moved +sideways and turned his head, so as to watch the advance. The weather, +as will be remembered, was perfectly clear; the stars were shining and +he could see for a considerable way over the water. + +It was trying to the nerves of so brave a lad as he to observe a huge +wave rushing like a courser straight toward them and looking as if +nothing could save the boat from swamping; but, under the consummate +handling of its owner, it arose to meet the wall of water and rode it +easily. Then, as it plunged into the trough on the other side, it +seemed as if about to dive into the depths of the sea, but immediately +arose again with inimitable grace and readiness. + +Then, perhaps, would follow a short distance of comparatively smooth +water, quickly succeeded by the plunging and rising as before. + +All at once the surface became smooth. Before Rob could guess its +meaning something grated against the front of the kayak and slid along +the side, followed by another and another. The native slowed his +paddling and pushed on with extreme care. + +He had entered a field of floating ice, through which it was necessary +to force his way with all caution. This was proven by the many turns +he made, and it was then that his skill showed in a more striking +light than before. + +He sat facing the prow and was obliged to look over the head of Rob +and along each side of him. His quick eye took in the size and contour +of the drift ice, and, hardly checking his own progress, he shot to +the right, then to the left, turning so quickly that the bodies of his +passengers swayed under the sudden impulse, but all the time he +continued his advance, apparently with undiminished speed. + +Meanwhile Jack Cosgrove, from his seat at the rear, was looking still +farther ahead in the effort to gain sight of the welcome land, which +never was so dear to him as when on the iceberg. Once he fancied he +caught the twinkle of a light so low down that it was on shore, but it +vanished quickly and he believed he was mistaken. + +It was not long, however, before his penetrating vision discovered +that for which he was yearning. The unmistakable outline of the coast +arose to view, rising gradually from the edge of the water until lost +in the gloom beyond. It was white with snow, as a matter of course, +the depth probably being several feet. The sight of any considerable +portion of Greenland free of its snowy mantle would be a sight, +indeed. + +The floating ice continued all the way to land, and the closer the +latter was approached the more difficult became the progress. But the +native was equal to the task. He had been through it too often to +hesitate more than a few seconds when some larger obstacle than usual +interposed across his path. It was very near land that the greatest +peril of all was encountered. The kayak glided over a cake of ice, the +Esquimau believing it would pass readily underneath the craft and out +beyond the stern, but its buoyancy was greater than he supposed, and +it swayed the boat with such force that it came within a hair of +capsizing. + +"All right!" he called, cheerily, righting the craft with several +quick, powerful strokes of his paddle. Then he shot between two other +enormous cakes, wedged his way through a narrow passage, and the prow +crunched into the snow that came down to the water's edge. + +"Here we are, and thank the Lord!" called out Rob, leaping with a +single bound upon the solid earth; "I feel like giving three cheers, +for if ever Providence favored a lot of scamps, we are the ones." + +Fred followed as the kayak turned sideways, so as to permit all to +step out, but Jack paused, opposite the native, and peered into his +face. Something in the Esquimau's voice struck him as familiar. + +"What's your name?" he asked, still scrutinizing him as closely as he +could in the gloom. + +"Docak," was the reply. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +DOCAK AND HIS HOME + + +"By the great horned spoon, I suspected it! Docak, I'm mighty glad to +see you; I'm Jack Cosgrove, and put it there!" + +The native was not so demonstrative as his English friend, but he +certainly was as delighted and surprised to meet him in this +extraordinary manner as was the sailor to meet him. + +They shook hands heartily, and Docak indulged in his peculiar laugh, +which was accompanied by little, if any noise, but was indicative of +genuine pleasure. + +The reader will recall that this was the second time Docak had rescued +Jack Cosgrove, the other instance having occurred a number of years +before, when Captain McAlpine's ship was destroyed by collision with +an iceberg. + +"You're my guardian angel!" was the exclamation of the happy sailor; +"I might have known that if anybody was to save us you was the chap to +do it. Come up here, boys, and shake hands with Docak ag'in, for he's +one of the best fellows living." + +Rob and Fred were only too glad to do as invited, and cordial +relations were at once established. + +"Is your home where it was when I was here last?" Jack asked. + +"Yes, off dere," replied Docak, turning about and pointing inland; +"not far--soon get dere." + +Jack gave a low whistle expressive of astonishment. + +"Now, lads," he said, addressing the youths, "I rather think you'll +own that Jack Cosgrove knows a thing or two about icebergs." + +"I think Fred and I have also learned something, but what are you +driving at?" + +"We're well up toward Davis Strait, and there's more than a hundred +miles of Greenland coast to the south of us. That old berg has struck +a bee line for the North Pole, but it won't reach there, eh, Docak?" + +"No; soon turn around--go back." + +"Now, isn't that one of the strangest things you ever heard of, lads? +The place where the 'Mary Jane' went down, afore that berg, three +years ago, was mighty nigh the very spot where Docak found us. I +remember he brought us ashore in his kayak--" + +"Dis same boat," interrupted the native with a grin, perceptible in +the twilight. + +"There you are, and, if he keeps on, I'll begin to think that one of +you chaps is Captain McAlpine himself, and the other Bill Hardin, who +was saved with us." + +"It is a most remarkable coincidence," said Fred, and Rob added that +he had never read or heard anything like it. + +But it occurred to Docak that he was not acting the part of hospitable +host, by keeping his friends standing on the edge of the sea, while +the reminiscences went on. He stooped and drew his boat far up the +bank. The tide was at its height, so there was no fear of its playing +the trick our friends had suffered. Then he turned about and started +inland, the others following in Indian file. + +He was treading a path, a foot or more deep in the snow, and worn as +hard as a rock. The ascent was gentle, and a hundred yards from the +shore he arrived at the entrance to his home, where a surprise awaited +the boys. + +When seen for the first time the hut of the Esquimaux suggest the sod +houses common on the Western plains of our country, except that the +homes of the far North are entered by means of a burrow. Where such +frightful cold reigns for months every year the first consideration +with the native is to secure protection against it; everything is +sacrificed to that. + +The walls are of alternate layers of stone and sod, and are about +three feet in thickness. The highest clear space within is from four +to five feet. The building contains an entry-way, a kitchen, and a +living room. The entry is four or five yards in length, two feet or +less wide, and no more than a yard in height. It will thus be seen +that even a small boy would have to stoop to pass through it, while +the interior of the hut itself will not allow a full-grown Esquimau to +stand erect. To this fact may be attributed in some degree the stoop +shoulders so common among the men. + +Half-way between the beginning of the entry and the main rooms was an +opening leading to the kitchen. This was small, shaped like a +bee-hive, and with a hole at the apex for the escape of the smoke. The +floor was bare ground, the hearth consisting of a number of stones +placed close together, on which the iron kettles sat, while the fire +of driftwood burned beneath. The height of the kitchen is less than +that of the main room, so that only the women can stand erect in the +highest portion. + +When the weather is very severe the cooking is done in the main room, +by means of the big oil-lamp, while the thick walls and the heavy furs +of the inmates enable them to laugh at the raging blizzard outside. + +It was along such a passage as the one described that Docak led the +way, followed by Jack Cosgrove, Rob, and Fred, each trailing his +rifle, and happy beyond measure that everything with them had turned +out so well. + +The main room into which the little party entered was about four yards +square. It had a board floor and a ceiling--luxuries not generally +found in the native homes except in the settlements. The walls were +furred off and ceiled, and the spaces closely stuffed with moss. The +wall on the right of the main room had a single window with twelve +panes of glass. + +The main room was the most interesting part of the structure. Along +the front of the window ran a wooden bench, near the end of which, +toward the entrance, stood a Danish stove. In the corner beyond the +other end of the bench was a table. To the left of that was the +lamp-stand, directly opposite to which on the other side of the room +was a second and shorter bench. + +The whole left-hand side of the room, as you entered, consisted of a +platform, about six feet long. It was elevated a foot above the floor, +the side next to the wall being a few inches higher. At night it was +covered with feather beds, which are rolled back during the day, so +that the front may be used for other purposes. The lamp used in the +Esquimau houses is simply a large, green stone, with a hollow scooped +in the top. This contains seal oil, a piece of moss serving as a wick. + +It may be well to tell you something in this place about the dress of +the Esquimaux, referring now to those who live near the settlements, +most of whom are of mixed blood. In the interior, and, along the east +coast of Greenland, are met the wild natives, who are muffled in the +thickest furs, and bear little resemblance to the class to which Docak +and his acquaintances belonged. + +These men wore jackets, trousers, moccasins, and generally +undershirts, drawers, and socks. The rule is for them to go +bareheaded, though a hat or cap is frequently seen. The clothing, +except the moccasins, is made from woolen or cotton stuff, bought off +the Danish Governor. + +The jacket is of gingham, with sleeves and a hood that can be drawn +over the head, and fitted in place by drawing and tying a string that +passes under the chin. When venturing out in his kayak, or in severe +weather, Docak, like most of his friends, wore a jacket and hood +combined. This was of sealskin, with the leather side out. The +trousers are constructed of the same material with the hair out. +Sometimes they are lined with sealskin, with the hair in. + +The moccasins are well-shaped sealskin boots, reaching nearly to the +knees. When the socks are not woolen, the hair is turned toward the +skin. The mittens are of seal leather, with no hair on either side, +and are much inferior to many of our own country, for purposes of +warmth and comfort. + +The Esquimau women are shorter of stature than the men, and walk with +short, mincing steps, showing a stoop similar to their husbands. They +have small hands and feet, with faces that any one would pronounce +good looking. They comb their hair to an apex, which, if the woman is +married, is tied with a blue ribbon; if a widow, with black; and if a +maiden, with green. + +The females generally wear collars of beads, with lace-work patterns +and vivid colors. The waist is generally of woolen stuff, and here the +same fondness for bright colors displays itself. It has no buttons, +and is donned and doffed by passing over the head, and is fastened at +the waist with a belt. Then come a pair of short trousers of sealskin, +which are tastefully ornamented. Below these are the long-legged +moccasins, also ornamented by the deft handiwork of the native owners. +The dress of the children is the same as the parents. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +A NEW EXPEDITION + + +Docak had no children, the single son born to him ten years before +having died in infancy. His wife was about his age, and had noticeably +lighter skin and bright brown eyes. It was evident that she had more +white blood in her veins than her husband, who was of mixed breed. + +Docak did not knock before entering. His wife was trimming the lamp at +the moment, and looked around to see whom he had brought with him. She +must have felt surprised, but, if so, she concealed all evidence of +it. She smiled in her pleasant way, showing her fine white teeth, and +said in a low, soft voice, "Con-ji-meet," which is the native word for +welcome. + +Her first curiosity was concerning the boys, with whom she shook +hands, but, when she turned to the grinning Jack, she made no effort +to hide her astonishment, for he had addressed her by name. + +"Crestana, I guess you haven't forgot Jack Cosgrove?" + +"Oh! oh! oh! dat you--much glad! much glad!" she said, laughing more +heartily than her husband had done. + +She was very vivacious, and, though she could not speak the English +tongue as well as he, she made it up by her earnestness. + +"So glad--much glad--whale kill vessel ag'in? Docak bring no ice? +Where capen? How you be? Crestana glad to see you--yes, heap much +glad." + +"By the great horned spoon," said Jack, holding the small hand of +Crestana in his hearty grasp, and looking around at the others with +one of his broadest grins; "the women are the same the world over; +they can talk faster than a Greenland harrycane, and when they're glad +they're glad all over, and clean through. Docak, you're a purty good +chap, but you aint half good enough for such a wife as Crestana, and +that reminds me we're as hungry as git out." + +The wife evidently thought the sailor was a funny fellow, for she +broke into merry laughter again, and, disengaging her hand, hurried +into the kitchen, where she had been busying herself with her +husband's supper. + +The visitors, knowing how heartily welcome they were, seated +themselves on the benches, doffed their heavy outer clothing, and made +themselves as much at home as if in the cabin of the "Nautilus." They +leaned their rifles in the corner near the table, alongside of the +long muzzle-loader and several spears belonging to Docak. + +A large supply of dry driftwood was piled near the window, and from +this the native kept such a glow in the stove that the whole interior +was filled with grateful warmth. + +In the course of a few moments Crestana bustled in, her pretty teeth +showing between her lips as she chatted with Jack and her husband. She +drew the table out near the middle of the room, and quickly brought in +some fish, "done to a turn." She furnished coffee, too, and the three +guests who partook of her hospitality insist to this day that never in +the wide world will they ever taste such fragrant coffee and such +delicately-flavored fish as they feasted upon that night in Docak's +hut. But we must not forget that they had the best sauce ever +known--hunger. + +The meal was enlivened by lively conversation, in which Jack managed +to tell the story of the mishap that had befallen himself and +companions. She showed less interest in the boys than in the sailor, +though, as may be supposed, Rob and Fred were charmed with her +simplicity and good-nature. She placed spoons, knives and forks, cups, +saucers, and plates before them, and there was a neatness about +herself and the room which added doubly to its attractiveness, and did +much to enlighten the youths about these people, whom they supposed to +be barely half civilized. + +When the meal was finished, and the wife occupied herself in clearing +away things, Docak brought out a couple of pipes, filled with tobacco, +and offered one each to Rob and Fred. They, declining with thanks, he +did the same to Jack, who accepted one, and a minute later the two +were puffing away like a couple of veteran devotees of the weed. + +The boys felt some curiosity to learn how it was that Docak, whose +manner of living proved that he knew the ways of the more civilized +people among the settlements, made his home in this lonely place, far +removed from all neighbors. They could not learn everything that +evening but they ascertained it afterward. + +Docak had lived awhile in Invernik, and then took up his residence at +Ivigtut, where he lived until four or five years before Rob and Fred +met him. It was in the latter place he married Crestana, and it was +there that his only child died. + +The loss of the little one made him morose for awhile, and he got into +a difficulty with one of his people, in which, in the eyes of the law, +Docak was wholly to blame. He was punished, and, in resentment, he +withdrew to a place on the west coast, about sixty miles north of the +famous cryolite mines. There he lived, alone with his wife, as +serenely contented as he could be anywhere. He made occasional visits +to Ivigtut, to Invernik, Julianshaab, and other settlements, but it +was only for the purpose of getting ammunition and other supplies +which could be obtained in no other way. + +Docak was not only a skilled fisherman, but, what is rare among his +class of people, he was a great hunter. He was sometimes absent for +days at a time in the interior, traveling many miles on snow-shoes, +forcing his way over the icy mountains and braving the Arctic blasts +that had driven back many a hardy European from his search for the +North Pole. + +While he was absent his wife went about her duties with calm +contentment, where a more sensitive person would have gone out of her +mind from very loneliness and desolation. + +Our friends having effected their escape from the iceberg, it was time +to decide what next should be done. + +The most obvious course was to go to Ivigtut, where they could obtain +the means of returning to England, most likely by way of Denmark, and +possibly might hear something of the "Nautilus," if she had survived +the gale which caused her to part company with Jack and the boys. + +The kayak was strong enough to carry them, and Docak could make the +voyage in a couple of days. This Rob and Fred supposed would be the +plan adopted, but the native put another idea into their heads which +caused in a twinkling a radical change of programme, and brought an +experience to the two of which neither dreamed. + +While Docak and Jack sat beside each other on the longer bench, +smoking and talking, the native frequently cast admiring glances at +the rifles leaning against the wall in the corner. Finally he rose, +and, walking over, examined the three weapons, taking up each in turn +and holding it so the light from the lamp fell upon it. He was most +struck with Rob's, which had more ornamentation than the others. It +was a modern loader, but not a repeater. + +"He berry good," he remarked, setting it down again in the corner and +resuming his place on the bench beside his friend; "why you not go +hunting with me 'fore go to Ivigtut?" + +Jack saw the eyes of the boys sparkle at the suggestion. Why not, +indeed, go on a hunting excursion into the interior before they +returned to the settlement? What was to prevent? It would take but a +few days, and there is royal game to be found in Greenland. + +Docak explained that this was the time of the year when he was +accustomed to indulge in a long hunt. Twelve months before he had +brought down some animals rarely ever encountered in that portion of +the country, and he was hopeful of doing the same again, when he could +have his friends to help. + +So the matter needed only to be broached to be settled. The whole +party would go on a hunt, and they would start the following morning, +returning whenever they deemed best, and then making their way to +Ivigtut at a leisurely rate, set about their return home, if that +should be deemed the best course. + +The warmth and smoke in the room led the boys to decide to step +outside a brief while, to inhale the crisp air, and, inviting Fred to +follow, Rob sprang up and hurried in a stooping posture through the +long entry-way. Fred stopped a minute in the road to peep through the +opening into the kitchen, where the thrifty housewife was busy. + +She smiled pleasantly at him, and he might have lingered had he not +heard the voice of his friend. + +"Hurry out, Fred! Here's the most wonderful sight you ever saw. Quick, +or you will lose it!" + +Fred lost no time in rushing after Rob, whose excitement was fully +justified. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +A WONDERFUL EXHIBITION + + +Unto no one, excepting him who journeys far into the Northland, is +given it to view such an amazing picture as was now spread out before +the enraptured gaze of Rob Carrol and Fred Warburton. In Northern +Siberia, the Scandinavian Peninsula, the upper portion of the American +Continent, and the Arctic Sea, the traveler learns in all its +wonderful fullness of glory the meaning of the Aurora Borealis or +Northern Lights. + +The boys had had partial glimpses of the scene on their voyage through +the Greenland Sea, and there were flickerings of light which caught +their eye on the trip from the iceberg to the mainland, and the short +walk to Docak's hut, but it was during their short stay in the rude +dwelling that the mysterious scene-shifters of the skies unfolded +their magnificent panorama in all its overwhelming grandeur. + +Radiating from a huge nucleus, which seemed to be the North Pole +itself, shot the streamers of light, so vast in extent that their +extremities struck the zenith, withdrawing with lightning-like +quickness, and succeeded by others with the same celerity and +displaying all the vivid hues of the rainbow. + +At times these dartings resembled immense spears, and then they +changed to bands of light, turning again into ribbons which shivered +and hovered in the sky, with bewildering variation, turning and +doubling upon themselves, spreading apart like an immense fan, and +then trembling on the very verge of the horizon, as if about to vanish +in the darkness of night. + +At the moment the spectators held their breath, fearing that the +celestial display was ended; the streamers, spears, bands of violet, +indigo, blue, orange, red, green, and yellow, with the innumerable +shades, combinations, and mingling of colors, shot out and spread over +the sky like the myriad rays of the setting sun. + +This continued for several minutes, marked by irregular degrees of +intensity, so impressive in its splendor that neither lad spoke, for +he could make no comment upon the exhibition, the like of which is +seen nowhere else in nature. + +But once both gave a sigh of amazed delight when a ribbon, combining +several vivid colors, quivered, danced, and streamed far beyond the +zenith, with a wary appearance that suggested that some giant, +standing upon the extreme northern point of the earth, had suddenly +unrolled this marvelous ribbon and was waving it in the eyes of an +awestruck world. + +One of the most striking features of those mysterious electrical +phenomena known as the Northern Lights is the absolute silence which +accompanies them. The genius of man can never approach in the smallest +degree the beauties of the picture without some noise, but here nature +performs her most wonderful feat in utter stillness. The panorama may +unfold, roll together, spread apart again with dazzling brilliancy and +suddenness, but the strained ear catches no sound, unless dissociated +altogether from the phenomenon itself, such as the soft sighing of the +Arctic wind over the wastes of snow, or through the grove of solemn +pines. + +There were moments when the effulgence spread over the earth, like the +rays of the midnight sun, and the lads, standing in front of the +primitive dwelling of the Esquimau, resembled a couple of figures +stamped in ink in the radiant field. + +For nearly an hour the rapt spectators stood near the entrance to the +native dwelling, insensible to the extreme cold, and too profoundly +impressed to speak or stir; but the heavens had given too great a +wealth of splendor, brilliancy, color, and celestial scene-shifting to +continue it long. The subtle exchange of electrical conditions must +have reached something like an equipoise, and the overwhelming beauty +and grandeur exhausted itself. + +The ribbons and streamers that had been darting to and beyond the +zenith, shortened their lightning excursions into space, leaping forth +at longer intervals and to a decreasing distance, until they ceased +altogether, displaying a few flickerings in the horizon, as though +eager to bound forth again, but restrained by a superior hand with the +command, "Enough for this time." + +Fred drew a deep sigh. + +"I never dreamed that anywhere in the world one could see such a sight +as that." + +"It is worth a voyage from home a hundred times over, and I don't +regret our stay on the iceberg, for we would have been denied it +otherwise." + +"If there are any people living near the North Pole, it must be like +dwelling in another world. I don't see how they stand it." + +"I believe that the Northern Lights have their origin between here and +the Pole," said Fred; "though I am not sure of that." + +"The magnetic pole, which must be the source of the display, is south +of the earth's pole, and I suppose that's the reason for the belief +you mention. But it is enough to fill one with awe, when he gazes on +the scene and reflects that the world is one great reservoir of +electricity, which, if left free for a moment by its Author, would +shiver the globe into nothingness, and leave only an empty void where +the earth swung before." + +"I pity the man who says, 'There is no God,' or who can look unmoved +to the very depths of his soul by such displays of infinite power." + +"There are no such persons," exclaimed Rob, impatiently; "they may +repeat the words, because they think it brave and smart before their +companions, but they don't believe themselves. It is impossible." + +"Why didn't we think to tell Jack and Docak, that they might have +enjoyed the scene with us?" + +"The native Esquimaux see it too often to care about it. It is hard to +understand how any one can become accustomed to it, but we know it is +so. As for Jack, he must have looked upon it many times before, when +he was in this latitude. Gracious! but it has become cold," added Rob, +with a shiver. + +"It isn't any colder than it has been all the evening, but we forgot +about it while the exhibition was going on." + +The boys turned about, and, ducking their heads, made their way along +the long entry, quickly debouching into the warmth and glow of the +living room, where Docak and the sailor, having laid away their pipes, +were talking like a couple of old friends who had not seen each other +for years and were exchanging experiences. Crestana had finished her +work in the kitchen and joined them. She was sitting on the shorter +bench, and, like a thrifty housewife, was engaged in repairing some of +her husband's bulky garments, with big needles and coarse thread. + +She looked up with her pleasant smile, as the boys entered, their +bodies shivering and their teeth chattering from the extreme cold. + +"You chaps must have found it mighty pleasant out-doors," remarked the +sailor. + +"Ah! Jack, if you had been with us, you would have seen a sight worth +a journey around the world." + +"What was it? Another polar bear, or two of them?" + +"The Northern Lights, and O--" + +"The Northern Lights," interrupted their friend, with a sniff of +disgust; "is that all?" + +The boys looked at him, too horrified to speak. + +"I'll own that they are rather purty, and the first two or three times +a chap looks onto 'em he is apt to hold his breath, and rub his eyes, +but, when you've seed 'em as often as me, it'll get to be an old +story. Besides Docak and me had more important bus'ness to talk +about." + +"What was that?" + +"This hunting trip; it's all fixed." + +"When do we start?" + +"To-morrow morning. There's no saying how long we'll be gone, and I've +told him that it doesn't make any difference to us, so we get back +some time this year." + +"Can we travel without snow-shoes?" + +"Luckily we can, for Docak has only two pair. This fog and a little +rain we've had have formed a crust on the snow hard enough to bear a +reindeer, so that we can travel over it as easy as if it were solid +ice. The only thing to be feared is another deep fall of snow afore we +can get back. That would make hard traveling, but then a hunter must +take some risk and who cares? We may see sights and meet fun that will +last us a lifetime." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +THE HERD OF MUSK OXEN + + +One of the most interesting animals found in the frozen regions of the +North is the musk ox, his favorite haunt being on the mainland of the +Continent in the neighborhood of the Arctic circle, though he is +occasionally met in Greenland. + +The fact that the animal has no muzzle has led some naturalists to +separate him from the ox species and give him the name of Ovibos. He +is smaller in size than his domestic brother, very low on his legs, +and covered with a wealth of wool and dark brown hair, which, during +the cold weather, almost touches the ground. A whitish spot on the +back is called the saddle, though it is not to be supposed that it is +ever intended for that purpose. + +One of the most striking features of the musk ox is his horns, which +sometimes weigh fifty or sixty pounds. They are flattened at the base, +the flat sides turned outward, and form a sort of shield or protection +for the face. + +At certain seasons he is one of the most odoriferous animals in +creation. During the spring the musky odor is so strong that it can be +detected on the first knife thrust into his body. At other seasons it +is hardly perceptible, and the eating is excellent. + +Although his legs are so short he can travel swiftly, and shows a +facility in climbing mountains that no one would suspect on looking at +the animal the first time. It suggests the chamois in this respect. He +feeds on lichens during a part of the year, and on grass and moss +during the rest. + +Some distance back of the native Esquimau's hut, the land inclined +upward, becoming quite rough and mountainous not far from the coast. + +It was among these wild hilly regions that a herd of musk oxen, +numbering eleven, were browsing one afternoon, with no thought of +disturbance from man or beast. Perhaps the last should be excepted, +for the oxen are accustomed to herd together for the purpose of mutual +protection against the ravening wolves who would make short work of +one or two of them, when detached from the main herd. But it is not to +be supposed that the thought of bipedal foes entered their thick +skulls, for the Esquimau is not a hunter as a rule, and confines his +operations to fishing in the waters near his home. + +The herd referred to had gradually worked their way upward among the +mountains, until they reached a plateau, several acres in extent. +There a peculiar swirling gale had, at some time or other, swept most +of the space quite clear of snow, and left bare the stubby grass and +moss, which, at certain seasons, formed the only sustenance of the +animals. + +It was a lucky find for the oxen, for in the far North, with its ice +and snow, it is an eternal battle between the wild animals and +starvation, the victory not infrequently being with the latter. It was +rare that the oxen found food so plentiful, and they were certain to +remain there, if permitted, until hardly a spear was left for those +who might come after them. + +The largest ox of the party was grazing along the upper edge of the +plateau, some rods removed from the others. He had struck a spot where +the grass and moss were more abundant, and he was putting in his best +work. + +Suddenly he caught a suspicious sound. Throwing up his head, with the +food dripping from the motionless jaws, he stared in the direction +whence it came, possibly with the fear of wolves. + +Instead of seeing one of the latter he descried an object fully as +terrifying in the shape of a young man, clad in thick clothing from +head to foot, and with a rifle in his hands. The name of this young +man was Fred Warburton, and he had reached this advantageous spot +after long and careful climbing from the plain below. He was studying +the creatures closely, now that he had succeeded in gaining a nearer +view, for, on the way thither, Docak had told him much concerning +them, and they had become objects of great interest. + +Fred was alone, and had spent several minutes in surveying the brutes +before he coughed with the purpose of attracting attention for a few +seconds. Then, slipping his mitten from his right hand, the lad +brought his rifle to his shoulder and sighted at the animal. + +He had forgotten to inquire at what part to aim, but it seemed to him +that the head was the most vulnerable, and he directed his weapon at a +point midway between the eyes and near the centre of the forehead. + +At the very instant of pressing the trigger the ox slightly lowered +his head, and, instead of boring its way through the skull, the bullet +impinged against the horny mass above, and glanced off without causing +injury. + +Fred was startled when he observed the failure, for his friends were +too far away to give him support, and it was necessary to place +another cartridge in the chamber of his weapon before it could be +used. He proceeded to do so, without stirring a foot, and with a +coolness which no veteran hunter ever excelled. + +But if Fred stood still the musk ox was very far from doing so. + +One glance only at the youth was enough, when, with a snort, he +whirled about, galloped a few paces, and then wheeled with marked +quickness, and faced the young hunter again. While engaged in this +performance his snortings drew the attention of his companions, who, +throwing up their heads, galloped to him, and the whole eleven +speedily stood side by side, facing the point whence the attack had +come. + +They were of formidable appearance, indeed, for, with lowered heads, +they pawed up the earth and began cautiously advancing upon the boy, +who had his cartridge in place and was ready for another shot. But +instead of one musk ox he was confronted by eleven! + +"My gracious!" he said to himself; "this is a larger contract than I +thought of. If they will only come at me one at a time I wouldn't +mind. I wonder where the other folks are?" + +He glanced right and left, but nothing was to be seen of Rob or Jack +or Docak. It looked as if a line of retreat should be provided, and he +ventured a glance to the rear. + +He saw a mass of rocks within a hundred yards, against which a good +deal of snow had been driven, and he concluded that that was the only +available refuge, with no certainty that it would prove a refuge at +all. + +"Being as I shall have to fetch up there to save myself, and being +that those beasts can travel faster than I, it wouldn't be a bad idea +to begin edging that way now." + +He would have been glad to whirl about and dash off, reserving his +shot until he reached the rocks, but for his belief that such an +attempt would be fatal to himself. Nothing encourages man or animal so +much as the sight of a flying foe, and he was sure that he would +instantly have the whole herd at his heels, and they would overhaul +him too before he could attain his shelter. + +It was a test of his nerves, indeed. There were eleven musk oxen, +heads lowered, eyes staring, with low, muttering bellows, pawing and +flinging the dirt behind them, while they continued advancing upon the +motionless lad, who, having but one shot immediately at command, +sought to decide where it could be sent so as to do the most good. + +The fellow at which he fired was the largest of the herd, and it was +plain to see that he was commander-in-chief. Upon receiving the shot +on his horns he had summoned his followers about him, and no doubt +told them of the outrage and whispered in their ears the single word +"Vengeance." + +It naturally struck Fred that the single shot should be directed at +the leader, for possibly, if he fell, the others would be thrown into +a panic and scatter. At any rate, it was the only hope, and, without +waiting a tenth part of the time it has taken us to tell it, he +brought his rifle to a level and aimed at the big fellow. + +The distance was so short that there was no excuse for repeating his +blunder, or, rather, accident. He sighted the best he knew how, and, +while the fellow was still pawing and advancing, let fly, hitting him +fairly between the eyes. + +The lad paused just long enough to learn that his shot was effective, +when he whirled on his heel, without waiting for more, and ran as he +never ran before. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +CLOSE QUARTERS + + +At this moment, when it would be thought that the incident was at its +most thrilling crisis, it assumed a ludicrous phase, at which any +spectator must have laughed heartily. + +Fred, as I have said, made for the protecting rocks, with all the +energy of which he was capable. On the way thither he dropped one +mitten, then his gun flew from his grasp, and a chill passed through +his frame, at the consciousness that he had lost his only means of +defense; but he dared not check himself long enough to pick it up, for +in fancy he heard the whole ten thundering after him and almost upon +his heels. + +The distance to travel was short, but it seemed twice its real extent, +and he feared he would never reach it. He was running for life, +however, and he got over the ground faster than would be supposed. +Panting and half-exhausted, he arrived at last, and darted +breathlessly behind the rugged mass of boulders. + +His heart almost gave way when he found it what he feared; a simple +pile of stones, partly covered with snow, but presenting nothing that +could be used for protection. The only portion was the top, but that +was too high for him to climb the perpendicular sides. + +It was at this moment he cast a terrified glance behind him, and +uttered the single exclamation: + +"Well, if that doesn't beat all creation!" + +What did he see? + +The whole ten musk oxen scampering in the opposite direction, +apparently in as great a panic as himself. + +The truth of it is the musk ox is one of the most cowardly animals in +existence. All the pawing of dirt, the bellowing, and threatening +advance upon an enemy is simply "bluff." At the first real danger he +takes himself off like the veritable booby that he is. + +As soon as Fred could recover his wind he broke into laughter at the +thought of his causeless scare. He might as well have stood his ground +and fired into them at his leisure. + +"I'm glad Rob didn't see me," he reflected as he came from behind the +rock and set out to regain his lost weapon and mitten; "he would have +had it on me bad--" + +A shiver ran through him, for he surely heard something like a chuckle +that had a familiar sound. + +He looked around, but could discover no cause for it. + +"No; it wouldn't have done for him or Jack to have had a glimpse of me +running away from the oxen that were going just as hard from me--" + +"Hello, Fred, where's your gun?" + +It was Rob Carrol and no one else, who stepped into sight from the +other side of the rocks and came toward him, shaking so much with +mirth that he could hardly walk. + +"What's the matter with you?" demanded Fred, savagely; "you seem to +find cause for laughter where no one else can." + +"O Fred! if you only could have seen yourself tearing for the rocks, +your gun flying one way, your mitten another, your eyes bulging out, +and you too scared to look behind at the animals that were going still +faster right from you, why you would have tumbled down and called it +the funniest sight in the world." + +"If I had seen you with your life in danger I wouldn't have stopped to +laugh, but would have gone to your help." + +"So would I have gone to yours, but the trouble was your neck wasn't +in danger, though I guess you thought it was." + +"Why didn't you fire into the herd?" + +"What for? They were too far off to take the chances of bringing them +down, and you had killed the leader." + +"Why, then, didn't you yell to me to stop my running?" + +"I tried to, but couldn't for laughing; then, too, Fred, it wasn't +long before you found it out yourself. If, when we get home, you want +to enter the races as a sprinter, I will back you against the field. I +tell you, old fellow, you surpassed yourself." + +By this time the younger lad had rallied, and saw that his exhibition +of ill-temper only made him ridiculous. He turned toward his companion +with a smile, and asked, in his quaint way: + +"What'll you take, Rob, not to mention this to Jack or any of the rest +of our friends?" + +"I'll try not to do so, but, if it should happen to drop from me some +time, don't get mad and tear your hair." + +"Never mind," said Fred, significantly; "this hunt isn't finished yet, +and I may get a chance to turn the laugh on you." + +"If you do, then I'll make the bargain." + +"Perhaps you will, but that will be as I feel about it. But, I say, +did you ever know of any such cowardly animals as the musk ox? If +they had gone for me, where would I have been?" + +"I doubt whether they could have caught you, but they are stupid +cowards, who don't know their own strength." + +"I wonder whether they always act this way." + +"Most of the time, but not always. I heard Docak telling Jack how he +once put two bullets into a bull, which kept on for him like a steam +engine. He flung himself behind a lot of rocks, just as you did, when +the beast was right upon him. He struck the stones with such force +that he shattered his horns and was thrown back on the ground like a +ball. Before he could rise his wounds overcame him, and he gave it up, +but it was a narrow escape for the Esquimau." + +"It might have been the same with me," added Fred, who could not +recall, without a shudder, those few seconds when he faced the leader +with his herd ranged alongside of him; "but all's well that ends well. +Where are Jack and Docak?" + +As if in answer to the question the reports of the guns broke upon +their ears at that moment, and they saw the two hunters standing on +the lower edge of the plateau, firing into the terrified animals that +were almost upon them. Instead of turning to run, as Fred had done, +immediately after firing, they quietly held their places and began +coolly reloading their pieces. + +There was good ground for their self-confidence. Their shots were so +well aimed that two of the oxen tumbled to the ground, while the +others, whirling again, came thundering in the direction of the rocks, +near which the lads were watching them. + +"That sight is enough to scare any one," remarked Fred. + +"If you want to turn and run again," said Rob, "I'll pick up your gun +and both of your mittens, if you drop them." + +"Don't fret yourself; if I can beat you when you had that polar bear +at your heels no beast could overtake me." + +"The difference between that and this was that the brute was at my +heels, while your pursuers were running the other way. However, we'll +drop the matter, old fellow, since I have had all the fun I want out +of it. It may be upon me next time." + +"I hope it will, and, if so, I won't forget it; but, Rob, this begins +to look serious." + +Although the youths were in plain view, the musk oxen continued their +flight straight toward them. Unless they changed very quickly or the +lads got out of the way a collision was certain. + +"You may stay here if you think it smart," said Fred, a second later, +"but I don't." + +Despite the exhibition he had made of himself a few minutes before he +moved briskly toward the rocks, behind which he whisked like one who +had no time to waste. + +To show him how causeless was his alarm, Rob raised his gun, and, +taking a quick aim at the foremost, let fly. + +"That'll settle them!" he called out; "see how quickly they will turn +tail." + +But they did not adopt this course as promptly as Rob expected. He had +struck one of them, but without inflicting much hurt. There is a +latent courage in every beast, which, under certain stress, can be +aroused to activity, and this shot had done it. + +Rob stood his ground for an instant or two. Then he awoke to the fact +that his shot was not going to turn a single one of the eight musk +oxen from his course. They thundered toward him like so many furies, +and were almost upon him before he realized that he had already waited +too long. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +FRED'S TURN + + +At the moment Rob Carrol wheeled to run the foremost of the musk oxen +was upon him. + +This animal was the largest of the herd, after the fall of the leader, +whose place he had undoubtedly taken by the unanimous wish of the +survivors. + +Perhaps he was eager to prove to his companions his worthiness to fill +the shoes of the late lamented commander, for, although one of the +most dreaded of enemies stood directly in his path, and had just +emptied his gun at him, he charged upon him like a cyclone. + +Meanwhile, Fred Warburton, having darted behind the rocks, lost no +time in slipping another cartridge in his gun. He would have assumed +any risk before permitting harm to come to his friend, but, somehow or +other, he yearned for the chance of saving him from just such a +disaster as was now upon him. + + [Illustration: THE OX BOUNDED DIRECTLY OVER HIS BODY + + (See page 199)] + +Had Rob started a moment sooner he would have escaped, but in his +desperate haste he fell headlong, and the ox bounded directly over his +body, fortunately, without touching him. + +The other animals were unequal to the draught upon their courage, and +diverged sharply, some to the right and the rest to the left, circling +back over the plateau on whose margin Jack Cosgrove and Docak were +waiting until they came within certain range. + +"Fred, fire quick! my gun's unloaded!" called Rob from where he lay on +the ground; "don't wait a second or it'll be too late!" + +Fred did fire, sending the bullet with such accuracy that it wound up +the business. Precisely the same catastrophe, described by the +Esquimau to the sailor took place. The ox, coming with such desperate +speed, was carried forward by its own terrific momentum. It may be +said that he was dead before he could fall; he certainly was +unconscious of what he was doing, for he crashed against the rocks, as +if driven from an enormous catapult and then collapsed, in a senseless +heap, with his flat horns smashed and broken to fragments. + +Fred Warburton saw that his "turn" had arrived, and he made the most +of it. Rob had been merciless to him, and he was now ready to pay him +off in his own coin. + +"I wouldn't lie down there, Rob," he said, gravely, "for the ground +must be cold." + +"It does seem rather chilly--that's a fact," replied his friend, who, +knowing what was coming, slowly climbed to his feet; "I didn't think +of that when I lay down." + +"What made you lie down at all?" + +"You see I noticed that the creature didn't mean to turn about and +travel the other way as yours did; there was the difference. Then I +knew, too, that he must be tired from running so hard, and it struck +me as a kind thing to do to serve as a rug or carpet for him." + +"You did so, and no mistake. If I'm not in error," continued Fred, +with a quizzical expression, "I heard you call out a minute ago +something about my hurrying up and firing so as to save your life." + +"I say anything like that! What put such an idea in your head? It must +have been the echo of your voice, when you were running away from the +ox that was running away from you." + +And Rob assumed an expression of innocent surprise that would have +convinced any one else than Fred of his mistake. + +"It is singular, but no doubt I am in error," said he, resignedly. "It +must have been some one else that sprawled on the ground, and begged +me to shoot quick or he was a goner; it must have been another +vaunting young man, who looked up so pityingly, and was too scared to +try to get on his feet until I shot the ox for him, just as I did the +polar bear, when another minute would have finished him; but I'd like +to see that other fellow," added Fred, looking around, as if in quest +of him. + +"I'll help you search," said Rob, in the same serious manner; "and as +soon as I run across him I'll introduce you two. You'll be congenial +to each other. Until then suppose we let the matter rest." + +"I won't promise that," returned Fred, following up his advantage; "it +depends on whether certain other matters are referred to." + +Rob now laughed outright and offered his hand, which his friend +readily took. + +The words were uttered hurriedly, for it was hardly the time or place +for conversation. The popping of rifles was renewed from another part +of the plateau, and several other musk oxen had tumbled to the ground. +A half-dozen survivors managed to get it through their heads that they +had enemies on both sides, and, seeing an opening, they plunged +through it and were seen no more. + +The boys devoted some minutes to inspecting the two animals that had +fallen by the rifle of Fred Warburton. They were a couple of the +largest specimens of their kind, but the description already given +renders anything like a repetition unnecessary. + +Although it was the favorable season of the year, the youths detected +a slight musky odor exhaling from the bodies, which was anything but +pleasant. + +Docak and Jack were observed approaching across the plateau. Both were +in high spirits over the success that had marked this essay in hunting +the musk ox, and the Esquimau assured them that despite the odor to +which they objected, he would furnish them with one of the best +suppers they had ever eaten. The lads, however, could not feel quite +assured on that point. + +It may as well be stated in this place that the spot where the animals +were shot was about thirty miles inland from the home of Docak, and +a great many leagues south of Upernavik, the most northernmost +settlement on the Greenland coast. It is beyond this quaint Arctic +town, in the neighborhood of Melville Bay, that the musk ox has his +true _habitat_. There, although the animals are diminishing in +number, he may be found by any one who chooses to hunt for him. + +The fact that Docak had met them so far south was extraordinary, and, +up to the previous year, he had never known of such a thing, nor did +he believe there were any besides this particular herd within hundreds +of miles of the spot, nor that they were likely ever to be seen there +again. + +It took our friends two days and a part of a night to reach this +portion of the Arctic highlands. They had looked for foxes, reindeer, +ptarmigan, hares, and other game on the way, but failed to run across +any game until they came upon the musk oxen. Had not the Esquimau been +thoughtful enough to bring a lunch of cold fish, they would have +suffered from hunger. As it was, all felt the need of food, and the +prospect of a dinner upon the game at their feet was inviting, indeed. + +The Esquimau would not have bothered with the cooking had he been +alone, but, out of deference to his friends, he prepared to make a +meal according to their tastes. + +Inasmuch as so much game had been bagged, they could afford to be +choice. They cut the tongues from the animals, together with some +slices from the tenderest portion of their bodies, and had sufficient +to satisfy all their appetites and leave something over. + +No better place for camping was likely to be found than these hills, +but a shelter was desirable, and Docak set out to lead the way further +among them. His manner showed that he was familiar with the section, +for he did not go far before he came upon the very place for which +Fred Warburton longed when making his desperate flight from the bull +that he supposed was at his heels. + +It was a cavern among the rocks, as extensive as his own living room +at home, and approached by an entrance, which if not so extended as +his own entry, was of still less dimensions, causing them to stoop and +creep for part of the way. + +"Me be here 'fore," said he; "like de place?" + +"I should say we did," replied the pleased Rob, echoing the sentiments +of his friends; "but we shall need some fuel to cook the food and keep +warm, and wood isn't very abundant in this part of the world." + +"We git wood," was the rather vague reply, whose meaning was not +understood until they had penetrated into the cavern, which was +lightened by a crevice on one side of the entrance. This permitted +enough daylight to enter to reveal the interior quite plainly. It took +the boys a few minutes to accustom their eyes to the gloom, but when +they did so they were no less pleased than surprised at what they saw. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +IN THE CAVERN + + +That which the astonished visitors looked upon was a pile of wood at +one side of the cavern big enough to build a roaring fire that would +last for hours. This place must have formed the headquarters of Docak +when indulging in the occasional hunts that are anything but popular +among the coast natives. + +The Esquimau did not carry lucifer matches with him, but, on the other +hand, he was not forced to use the primitive means common among +savages. He possessed a flint and tinder such as our forefathers used +and are still popular in some parts of the world. + +But Rob and Fred did not exhaust their supply of matches in trying to +scorch the bear steak on the iceberg, and when everything was ready to +start the blaze they did so with little trouble. The smoke bothered +them at first, but it gradually wound its way through the opening, so +that breathing became quite comfortable. + +Docak cooked the tongues with a skill born of long experience. There +was just the faintest trace of musk, but not enough to interfere with +the vigorous appetites, which could afford to disregard trifles. The +meal proved to be what he had promised--one of the most grateful they +had ever eaten. + +There was a good deal left after the supper was finished, and this was +laid aside for future contingencies, since the experience of their +approach to this spot taught them to be prepared for an extended +deprivation of food. Indeed, the native Esquimau sometimes goes for +days, apparently with no craving in that direction, though it must be +there all the same. When he finally secures nourishment, he stuffs +prodigiously--so much so indeed that a civilized person would die of +gluttony. He calmly waits, however, until able to hold a little more, +when he resumes cramming the food down his throat, keeping it up until +at last he is satisfied. Then he sleeps, hour after hour, and, on +waking, is ready to resume his frightful gormandizing. + +By the time the meal was finished the long Arctic night began closing +in. Looking through the crevice on the side, and the entrance, they +saw that the day was fast fading. The air was as clear as crystal and +very cold. The boys had no extra garments to bring with them, but +Docak, despite his cumbrous suit, carried the fur of a polar bear that +he had shot a couple of years before. This was not only warm, but had +the advantages over many pelts of being vermin proof. + +When traveling over the snow Docak had a way of using this extra +garment, like a shawl, so that his arms were free. It was now spread +upon the solid rock, and, though it was not extensive enough to wrap +about the forms of the four, it furnished a couch for all, as they lay +with their bodies near together, and it was most welcome indeed. + +It might seem that our friends ran an imprudent risk in venturing this +far from the coast without snow-shoes; for, in the event of a thaw, +the work of traveling the thirty miles would tax their endurance to +the utmost. The snow was several feet deep on a level, and was drifted +in places as high as a house. Who could make his way through instead +of over this? + +But all misgivings on that score were ended by Docak telling his +friends there would be no thaw for days, weeks, and, perhaps, not for +months. It was more likely to be the other way. + +The surface, as I have intimated, was as easily walked upon as the +floor of a house. So long as it remained thus there was no need of +snow-shoes or anything like artificial help. + +The fire made it so cheerful and the warmth was so pleasant that it +was decided to keep it going for an hour or two, and then let it die +out after they fell asleep. There would be considerable fuel left for +morning, and the blaze was not really necessary, unless the weather +should take one of those appalling plunges during which a red-hot +stove seems to lose all power. + +As was Docak's custom, when staying in an inclosed place like this, he +sauntered out doors before lying down to slumber, in order to take a +look at the weather and the surroundings. The life of the Esquimaux +makes them wonderfully skillful readers of impending changes of +temperature. Signs which are invisible to others are as intelligible +to them as the pages of a printed book to us. + +The native remained absent a considerable while, until his friends +began speculating as to the cause. + +"Maybe he has caught sight of another of those musk oxen, and wants to +bring him down," suggested Rob. + +"There is no call to do that when so many of them lie on the frozen +ground, where they will keep for months unless the wolves find them." + +"They'll be pretty certain to do that," continued Rob; "but then he +may have caught sight of a bull, and both may want to try a race by +starting in opposite directions and seeing which can travel first +around the world." + +"That would be a sight worth seeing," Fred hastened to say, "unless he +fell down and bawled for some one to come to his help, after firing +his gun and missing the game by about a rod." + +Jack Cosgrove looked wonderingly at his young friends, puzzled to know +what this curious talk meant. To him there was no sense in it. Rob and +Fred thought they had ventured as far upon forbidden ground as was +prudent, so they veered off. + +While they were talking Docak reappeared. His feet were heard on the +crust of the snow for several seconds before he was visible, for there +was no call to guard against noise. + +As he straightened up in the cavern he stood a moment without +speaking. Then, stepping to the wood, he threw a number of sticks on +the blaze, causing an illumination that made the interior as light as +day. + +Jack was better acquainted with the native's moods than the boys could +be expected to be, and the first sight of the honest fellow's +countenance by the added light told him he was troubled over +something. Evidently he had made some unpleasant discovery. + +"He'll let me know what it is," concluded the sailor, deeming it best +not to question him; "I can't imagine what would make him feel so +uneasy, but he's got something on his mind--that's sartin." + +Docak was on the point of speaking more than once, but some impulse +led him to close his lips at the moment the all-important matter was +about to become known. He probably would have kept it to himself +altogether had not a question of Rob given him an opportunity too +inviting to be resisted. + +"Which course will we take to-morrow, Docak?" + +"Dat way--we trabel fast as can, too." + +The astonishment of the three may be understood when they saw him +point directly toward his own home--that is, in the direction of the +seacoast, and over the course they had just completed. + +Their purpose when they set out was to penetrate at least double the +distance in the interior, and now he declared for a withdrawal. + +Not only that, but the manner of the native proved that he considered +the crisis imminent, and that no time was to be lost in carrying out +his unexpected decision. + +Jack knew him so well that he was right in deciding that his hesitancy +of manner was caused by his doubt whether he should insist upon his +friends starting at once, or allow them to defer it until morning. + +"What's the trouble, Docak?" asked the sailor, now that the subject +was broached; "I never saw you look so scared--" + +At that moment the dismal cry of a wolf reached their ears, quickly +followed by others. The gaunt creatures that seem born ravenously +hungry, and always remain so, had scented the rich feast that awaited +them on the plateau, and were hurrying thither from all directions. +Soon nothing would be left but the bones of the game brought down by +the rifles of the hunters. + +Rob and Fred naturally concluded the moment these sounds were +identified that it was because of them the native was frightened, he +having discovered them before the rest; but Jack knew it was from some +other reason. He saw nothing alarming in the approach of a pack of +wild animals. The four were well armed, they had a fire, were in a +cavern, and could stand off all the wolves in Greenland for a time at +least. + +"No, it isn't that," muttered the sailor; "but if he doesn't choose to +tell I sha'n't coax him." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +UNWELCOME CALLERS + + +Within the following fifteen minutes it seemed as if a thousand wolves +had arrived on the plateau, and were fighting, feasting, snarling, and +rending the bodies of the musk oxen to fragments. They were far enough +removed from the cavern for the inmates to hear each other readily, +while discussing the curious occurrence. + +The boys could not contemplate a visit from the ravening beasts with +the indifference of their companions. To them it seemed that the +brutes would be rendered ten-fold fiercer by their taste of blood, and +would not stop until they had devoured them. + +"Do you think they will visit us?" asked Rob of Docak. + +The latter was standing in the middle of the cavern, in the attitude +of listening. He nodded his head, and replied: + +"Yes--eat ox--den come here." + +"If that is so I think we ought to prepare for them," suggested Fred, +who shared the nervousness of his friend. + +"How can we prepare more than we're prepared now?" asked Jack; +"they've got to come in that opening one at a time, and it will be fun +for us to set back here and pick 'em off." + +"Provided they don't crowd in so fast that we can't do it." + +"With four guns, I reckon we oughter take care of ourselves." + +"Dere fire, too," remarked the Esquimau, jerking his head in the +direction of the flames. + +"Ah, I forgot that," said Rob, with a sigh of relief, recalling the +dread which all animals have of fire. Indeed, he felt certain at the +moment that the burning wood would prove far more effective than their +weapons in keeping off the wolves. + +It would be supposed that the bodies on the plateau were enough to +keep the brutes occupied for a long time, and to afford them a meal +sufficient to satisfy them for the night; but who ever saw a wolf when +not ravenously hungry? They howled, and snarled, and fought, and +pressed around the carcasses in such numbers that, when only the bones +remained, it may be said that their appetites were but fairly whetted, +and they were more eager than ever after additional prey. + +Fully a score, in their keenness of scent, had been quick to strike +the trail of the surviving musk oxen that had fled from the hot fire +of the hunters. The scent was the more easily followed since a couple +of the animals had been wounded, and there can be little doubt that +all fell before the ferocity of their assailants, though the musk ox +makes a brave fight ere he succumbs to those cowardly creatures. + +Darting hither and yon, with their pointed snouts skimming over the +ground, it was not Long before several struck the footprints of the +party that had taken refuge in the cavern. A dozen or, perhaps, a +score would not have dared attack them had they not been inflamed by +the taste of food already secured. As it was, they were aroused to +that point that they were ready to assail any foe that could help to +satisfy their voracity. + +"Here they come!" exclaimed Rob Carrol, springing to his feet, with +rifle ready. + +"Yes--dey come--dat so." + +While the native was speaking he stood motionless, but with inimitable +dexterity brought his gun to a level, and, apparently without any aim +at all, let drive into the pack crowding toward the entrance to the +cavern. + +No aim was necessary, for the wolves pressed so close that no one +person could fail to bring down one at least of them. + +Amid the snarling and growling rang out a single sharp yelp, which +proved that some member of the pack was "hit hard." Whether struck +mortally or not made no difference, for the moment blood appeared upon +him his comrades fell upon him with unspeakable ferocity and tore him +limb from limb. + +The shot had the effect, too, of driving them away from the entrance +for a brief while, but they speedily returned, crowding so far forward +that their eyes, lank jaws, and noses showed plainly in the reflection +of the firelight. + +It was evident that the shot of the Esquimau produced no permanent +effect upon them. It may have been, indeed, that they wished for a +second that it might afford them the pretext for feasting upon another +of their fellow-citizens. + +But the fire was burning brightly, and they dreaded that. So long as +it was going and the hunters kept close to the flame, they were safe +against the fangs of the wolves. + +"That's too good a chance to be lost," remarked Rob, discharging his +rifle among the animals. + +Fred was but a moment behind him, so that two, if not more, of the +brutes were slain and afforded an appetizer for the rest. Docak had +lost no time in ramming another charge into his gun, while Jack +Cosgrove held his fire, as if expecting some emergency, when a quick +shot was likely to be necessary. + +"It don't strike me as a good thing for all our guns to be empty at +the same time," was his sensible remark, "so s'pose we take turns in +banging into 'em." + +"Dat right--dat good," commented the Esquimau, and the boys promised +to follow the suggestion. + +The scene at this time was striking. Looking toward the entrance to +the cavern, nothing could be observed but the fronts of the fierce +animals, all fighting desperately to get at the opening, all eager +beyond expression to reach the serene hunters within, but restrained +by the glowing fire beyond, to which they dared not go. + +Quick to note their dread of this element, the boys became more +composed, though both could not help thinking how it would be if there +were no fire. The fuel if judiciously used was sufficient to last +until daylight, by which time the courage of the brutes would ooze +away to that extent that they would be likely to withdraw. + +But the party could not spend all their time in the cavern, and, if +attacked on the open plain, it would require the hardest kind of +fighting to beat off their assailants. + +"But what is the use of speculating about the future?" Rob asked +himself, as, seeing that it was his turn, he drove another bullet +among the brutes, doubling up one like a jack-knife, while his +comrades proceeded to "undouble" him in the usual style. + +"Suppose," said Fred, "we should keep this up until we killed a +hundred, wouldn't the rest have enough to eat by that time?" + +"No," replied Jack, who had seen the animals before; "the rest of 'em +would be as hungry as ever after eating 'em. You may keep the thing +going till there is only two left, and then shoot one of 'em; the +other will gulp him down in a dozen mouthfuls, and then lick his chops +and whine for more." + +Docak looked at his friend and grinned at this graphic illustration of +the voracity of the lupus species. + +However, it was quite clear that our friends were wasting a good deal +of ammunition, which might be needed before their return. So they +seated themselves on the floor of the cavern near the fire, that was +kept going with moderate vigor, and exchanging a few words now and +then as the turmoil permitted, they sent a shot into the pack, when +some of the foremost ventured to thrust their snouts too far into the +cavern. + +"If they only had sense enough to combine into one rush," said Fred, +"they could wipe us out in a twinkling." + +"That's just what they would do if it wasn't for the fire," was the +reply of his friend; "but it does seem to me that they must get tired +after awhile." + +"I can't detect any signs of it yet. Let me try something." + +Catching a brand from the fire, Rob whirled it about his head until it +was fanned into a roaring blaze, when he hurled it right among the +howling horde. + +The scampering that followed was laughable. In a second or two not a +wolf was visible, and only the smoking torch lay on the ground where +it had fallen just outside the entrance. + +It was expected they would soon return, and some of them did sneak +back within a short distance, but the smoldering brand was a terror to +them so long as it held any life, and they waited until it was utterly +extinguished before venturing closer. + +Meanwhile, Docak showed such disquiet and concern over something else +that Jack Cosgrove, well knowing it must be serious, determined to +force him to an explanation, for he had racked his brain in vain to +think what grisly dread was looming in front of them. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +THE COMING SHADOW + + +Docak, the Esquimau, had no wish to affect any mystery as to the cause +of his misgiving. He had not mentioned it of his own accord, because +he was debating in his mind which of two courses to adopt: to remain +longer in the cavern or to set out at once for his home on the coast. +It may be said that except for the appearance of the wolves he would +have insisted that the start should be made without delay, and pushed +with the utmost vigor until their destination was reached. + +But this was not to be thought of under the circumstances. To venture +outside the cavern was to invite an instant attack by the brutes who +were in that state that they possessed a daring foreign to their +nature. + +Docak explained that an alarming change of weather was at hand. He +knew the signs so well that there was no mistake on his part. As he +had promised, it was not in the nature of a thaw or rising +temperature, but may be explained by that expressive word with which +the reader is familiar--blizzard. + +Whoever has gone through one of those frightful visitations will never +forget it. That one of a few years ago was so general throughout our +country that the memory must remain through life with us. + +But a blizzard in the Arctic regions is a terror, indeed. It meant in +the present instance a snowstorm that might last for days, a hurricane +of wind, and a temperature of such fearful cold that would consume +almost like fire. + +With several feet of snow on the surface of that which now covered the +ground, and too fine to bear the weight of the lightest animal, with +the air white with billions of particles, eddying, whirling, and +flying hither and thither, so that one could not see a step in +advance--with the gale careering like a demon across the snowy +wastes--the strongest hunter might well shrink from attempting a +journey one-tenth of that which lay between them and the coast. + +When Jack suggested that Docak might be mistaken, he shook his head so +decisively that it sent a chill through the boys, who were watching +his dusky countenance and listening to his words. Such a man spoke +that whereof he knew. He would hold out hope, if he had justification +for doing so, but he saw none. + +That the blizzard was at hand, that it was already careering from the +far North and must speedily arrive, was as good as demonstrated. The +only chance that Docak saw was that it might prove of shorter duration +than he feared. If it should last no more than twelve or possibly +twenty-four hours, they might struggle through it, without serious +consequences, but if beyond that (as he was almost certain it would +be), there was little hope. + +However, since they must stay where they were until the following +morning, preparations were made for spending the night, which, it will +be borne in mind, was by no means as long as many which they have at +certain seasons in the high latitudes. + +It was decided that Rob should sit up until midnight and then awake +Fred, who, after standing guard for several hours, would arouse Jack +to take charge until daylight. Inasmuch as this was the Esquimau's own +proposition, which, as will be perceived, relieved him of duty for any +part of the night, the others understood its significance. He was +reserving himself for the time when there was likely to be more urgent +need of his services. + +No comment was made on the fact, and the simple preparations were +quickly finished. Docak added a caution to his friends that they +should be as sparing as possible in the use of the fuel. They had +already consumed a moiety of it, and the approach of the blizzard +would render it valuable beyond estimate. Enough only to hold the +wolves at a safe distance was to be burned. + +Thus it came about that an hour later Rob Carrol was the only one +awake in the cavern. The others were huddled together on the bear +skin, quietly sleeping, while he kept off drowsiness by pacing slowly +back and forth over the brief space within. + +"It's getting colder," he said to himself more than once; "I had a +hope that Docak might be wrong, but he isn't; we shall catch it within +a few hours. This is a bad place to be snowed up." + +He glanced continually toward the entrance, for he could not forget +the wolves which were the indirect cause of their coming peril. They +seemed, in spite of the disgusted remarks of Jack, to have become +satisfied that nothing was to be gained by hovering about the refuge. +So many of their comrades had fallen, and the fire burned so +persistently, that the others must have felt a certain degree of +discouragement. + +Now and then a howl echoed among the desolate hills, with a strange +power, and was immediately answered by scores from as many different +points, but there was no such eager crowding as marked the first +appearance of the brutes. Rob glanced repeatedly at the opening +without seeing one of them. + +But the youth was too wise to be caught off his guard. He allowed the +fire to smolder until the figures of his friends were only barely +visible in the gloom, and his own form became shadowy, as it slowly +moved back and forth over the floor of the cavern, with his rifle +ready for instant use. + +He heard a soft tip tipping on the snow, and there was no mistaking +its meaning. + +"They're there," he said, peering outward in the gloom and listening +intently, "and are as watchful for a chance as ever." + +Turning toward the crevice which admitted light, and was too straight +to allow the smallest wolf to pass through, he caught the glow of a +pair of eyes. + +They were motionless, and the wolf evidently was studying the interior +with a view of learning the prospect for an excursion within. + +The temptation to fire was strong, but the eyes noiselessly vanished +before the gun could be brought to a level. + +Rob stood intently listening. He heard the stealthy footsteps pass +along the side of the cavern toward the front, and he moved in that +direction, but placed himself at one side, so as to be out of sight of +any one looking directly into the mouth. He had not long to wait, when +the same keenness of ear told him that the brute was cautiously +entering. The fire was smoldering lower than ever, the brand at the +entrance had died out long before, and no one could be seen on guard. +The brute must have made up his mind that he had "struck it rich." In +his selfishness he did not summon his friends to the feast, but +resolved to devour the four persons all by himself, and that, too, +after having had his full share of the musk ox and his fallen friends! + +There was just enough light in the cavern for Rob to note everything. +Being at one side of the entrance, he could not be detected by the +sneaking brute, which also was invisible to him. He must come further +forward before they could discern each other. + +The wolf, one of the largest of his species, stood just outside with +his ears pricked, his head raised, and his eyes roaming over the +interior. Everything looked promising, but he had learned to be +suspicious of those bipeds, whose hands were always against them. + +He stood in this attitude for several minutes, as stationary as if +carved in stone. Then he lifted one of his fore-feet, held it +suspended, as though he were pointing game, and then advanced a couple +of steps. This brought him far enough into the cavern for the lad to +see the end of his nose, but the beast still failed to detect that +shadow at one side of the entrance that was calmly awaiting the +critical moment. + +But he saw the dimly outlined forms near the smoldering fire, and +licked his chops in anticipation. Nothing could be more favorable for +the grandest feast of his life. + + [Illustration: THE WOLF LICKED HIS CHOPS IN ANTICIPATION + + (See page 232)] + +At that moment a howl rent the air at no great distance. It must have +startled this prowler, and told him that, if he delayed his meal any +longer, he must share it with an unlimited number. + +He started on a silent walk, straight for the forms, heedless of the +figure that had pointed the rifle at him, while he was yet out of +sight. All was like the tomb until the gun was fired. Then since the +muzzle almost touched the brute, why--enough has been said. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +WALLED IN + + +By daybreak, when all the party were awake, the blizzard foretold by +the native had fully arrived. + +It was a terror, indeed. The cold was frightful, and the air outside +was white with snow, which was driven horizontally by the hurricane, +as though shot from the mouths of myriad pieces of ordnance. It +shrieked about the cavern, and drove the white particles so fiercely +through the narrow crevice that Docak hastened to shove his bear-skin +into it. This only partially filled the opening and the snow spun in +around it clean across the flinty floor. + +The regular entrance was partly protected by its own projection, but, +at times, a blast entered that fairly took away their breath. The fire +was necessary to keep from freezing, but the supply of fuel was +growing low, and the last stick must soon be reached. What then would +be the fate of the party if the blizzard continued? + +It was useless to discuss the future and no one did so; the present +was with them, and the question was how to live from hour to hour. + +On shooting the intruding wolf, Rob had flung his carcass away. The +report awakened the others, and, rising to his feet, Docak passed far +enough outside to bring it in again. He did not speak, but all +understood the meaning of the action; that body might be the means of +saving them from starvation. + +Enough of the previous night's meal remained to afford a nourishing +breakfast, but they partook sparingly, preferring to use that in +preference to the new supply. Happily thirst was a torture that need +never be apprehended. + +Jack Cosgrove braved the blast to that degree that he forced himself +through the opening and stood several minutes outside, shading his +eyes and striving to pierce the blinding turmoil. + +All in vain. The gale almost carried him off his feet, and his vision +could no more penetrate the furious swirl of snow than if it were the +darkest night that ever covered the earth. The cold was so piercing +that he was glad to hasten back among his friends, and shiver and +crouch over the fire. + +"By the great horned spoon, Docak! s'pose we had started for home last +night?" + +"Wish had," was the sententious response. + +"Why, we wouldn't have been half-way there by this time, and we would +have perished all together." + +"We trabel fast--mebbe storm not dere yet." + +This intimation that the blizzard might be less terrific at so slight +a distance was incredible, but the Esquimau was positive that it would +have been far better had they set out early in the evening. By rapid +traveling they might have covered the greater part of the distance +before morning, and could have fought the few remaining miles in the +teeth of the gale. + +But it was equally useless to discuss what might have been. They were +imprisoned in the cavern, thirty miles from succor and with no +possibility that any friends would ever take the trouble to search for +their bodies. All they could do was to rely upon Heaven and their own +exertions. + +Without any explanation as to his intentions, and leaving his gun +behind him, the native plunged through the opening and disappeared in +the blizzard outside. + +Born and reared in Greenland, amid Arctic snows and appalling +tempests, the hardy Esquimau was far better fitted to undergo such +trials of endurance than could be any native of a temperate clime. + +"Where do you suppose he has gone?" asked Rob, wonderingly. + +"I don't know," replied Jack; "but if he goes far he'll never come +back again." + +"It doesn't seem to me," said Fred, coming to the question of the +present for the first time, "that the outlook is as bad as he would +make us believe." + +"Why not?" + +"We have enough food to last a week or two, or even longer, and the +blizzard certainly won't keep it up that long." + +"You can't be sartin about that," said Jack; "it may last for several +weeks, but s'pose it's only for three or four days, there are two big +things that we must face." + +"What are they?" + +"What to do after it stops; the snow will be several feet deep on top +of that which is now on the ground; it will be too fine and soft to +bear our weight, and can be traveled over only with snow-shoes which +we haven't got. How then are we going to fight our way thirty miles +through it?" + +"It will be a hard job, but no greater than that which many explorers +have undergone. With Docak as our guide, I think we can pull through." + +"But what is the other matter you refer to?" asked Rob. + +"This wood will soon go, and then how are we going to keep from +freezing to death?" + +"If we will huddle together as closely as we can with the bear-skin +wrapped about us I think we can stand it." + +"I like the way you chaps talk," said the sailor, admiringly, "and if +we have to go down we'll do so with colors flying. It's the +downheartedness of Docak that knocks me askew; if he would show a +braver front I would feel better." + +"Possibly he is more hopeful than he pretends." + +"No, he isn't that sort of chap; he knows better than we just what all +this means. Whew!" + +The exclamation was caused by a sudden outburst that sent the snow +whirling through the opening and the crevice, from which the bear-skin +dropped, as if struck a blow from the other side. Jack ran forward, +picked it up, and thrust it back, hardly able to breathe from the fury +of the gale in his face. + +The snow shot through the opening, too, scattering the brands of fire +in every direction. Had the shelter been anything else excepting the +solid rock that it was, it must have been swept like chaff from its +foundations. + +The explosion, as it may be called, lasted but a minute or so. The +boys hastily gathered up the scattered brands and flinging them +together they were fanned by the tempest into a vigorous flame, whose +warmth, slight as it was, was grateful beyond measure to the three +gathered around it. + +"Docak is wrong in regretting that we did not start last night," said +Jack Cosgrove; "that style of storm is raging at this moment over +hundreds of miles, and it would have made short work of us." + +"What about the 'Nautilus,' if she is in it?" + +"She can manage it if she has plenty of sea room, but I hope she is +far enough off to dodge this blizzard. She ought to be at any rate." + +The gale did the party an unexpected favor. It was a substantial one, +too, which they appreciated. It drove the snow against the troublesome +crevice with such fury that it quickly formed a solid bank, extending +far above it. This ended the drifting of the particles inside and +protected them from the cutting wind. + +At the same time it did something of the same nature with the +entrance, where it soon became banked to that extent that little blew +within, and the gale hardly disturbed them. + +Seeing what had taken place, Jack withdrew the bear-skin from where it +had been stuffed into the opening and spread it in the farthermost +corner of the cavern. + +"Come, my hearties," said he, cheerfully, "we've got nothing to do but +to make ourselves comfortable. We won't burn any more wood till Docak +comes back." + +They huddled together, and, though the cold made their teeth chatter +and their bodies shiver, they found considerable relief and were +willing to hope on. + +They could feel no anxiety about the absent native. It was certain he +would not go far enough from the cavern to endanger his safety or to +imperil his return. Some definite object must have led him forth. + +"I wonder if it is for food," suggested Fred. + +"No; for there's no possibility that the wolves left anything," +replied Rob; "and then, too, we have enough to last a good while." + +At that moment there was a flurry at the entrance and the Esquimau, +resembling a snow man, stooped and pushed his way in. + +Entering, he flung a half-dozen small sticks upon the tiny pile at the +side of the cavern. He had gone forth in quest of fuel and was able to +secure only that miserable supply, really not worth taking into +account. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +"COME ON!" + + +The Esquimau's depression continued. After flinging down the few bits +of wood he looked across the cavern to where the friends were huddled +together, but did not speak. Then he glanced at the crevice, now so +completely blocked with snow that they were protected against any more +drifting in upon them. + +The three respected his silence, and held their peace. He stood a +minute or two, looking gloomily into the fire, which he replenished, +partly from the scant supply he had brought. While it was gaining +strength he drew his knife, deftly cut a number of pieces from the +frozen body of the wolf, and proceeded to cook them over the blaze. +Had he been alone he would have devoured them raw, but he knew the +sentiments of his companions. + +"Well, Docak," said Jack, feeling that the silence ought not to +continue, "it looks as if we are in for a long stay. We shall have +enough to keep us alive a good while, and, when you're ready, you can +come and snuggle down beside us." + +"Not now," he replied, continuing his culinary work, with what seemed +a wasteful disregard of fuel until he was through. + +When nothing more remained worth attention he held up a piece, +considerably scorched, and, looking at the others, asked: + +"Eat now?" + +"No; we'll wait till morning," replied Rob, speaking for the rest. + +"All right." + +But he was not disposed to wait if they were. He made quite a meal, +with as much evident enjoyment as if it had been upon the choicest +part of the musk ox. He took care, however, to leave a good supply +against the "rainy day" that he felt no doubt would come to them all. + +The dismal day wore slowly away, and with a feeling of unutterable +loneliness they saw the second night of their enforced stay in the +cavern close around them. The cold seemed to intensify with the +approach of darkness, and the supply of wood had grown so slight that +the warmth was barely perceptible. + +The blizzard raged with unabated fury. The gale shrieked around the +rocks, the blinding snow whirled and eddied until it seemed that it +must bury them out of sight, and the outlook was woeful enough to +chill the bravest heart. The three in the corner adhered to their +resolution not to eat any of the food prepared before the morrow. They +might need it then to aid their systems in withstanding the terrific +strain, but, as in the case of the bear on the iceberg, it must be the +last resort. + +The Esquimau declined their invitation to join them in the corner. He +was thickly clad, and was so accustomed to the rigors of the Arctic +winter that he needed no such help. He seated himself near by, and +talked a little, until, at a late hour, troubled sleep settled over +all. + +A gleam of hope came with the break of day. Docak was the first to +awake, and, without disturbing the others, he forced his way through +the entrance and took a survey of the weather and his surroundings. + +The blizzard was over. The fall of snow had ceased, little wind was +stirring, but the cold was terrible. Toughened as he was, he shrank +when first exposed to it. The party had been walled in so tightly that +the warmth of their bodies was of more help than would be suspected. + +Quick to note the change in the weather the native studied the sky +with its numerous signs in the effort to learn what was likely to come +in the near future. + +Great as was his skill at this it was now taxed to the utmost. The sun +was not visible, and the difficulty became the greater; but he tarried +until he had perfected his theory. + +The discouraging feature which the native saw about the matter was +that the blizzard had ceased for a time only. He believed it would +soon resume its fury, fully as great, if not greater than before, and +it might continue for days and possibly weeks. If, when that time +should come, it found them in the cavern they were doomed beyond the +power of mortal man to save themselves. + +But the prospect was equally hopeless, if the lull lasted only a few +hours, for, when it should break forth again it would overtake them in +the open plain (provided they made the start he had in mind), where no +screen against its resistless power could be secured. + +It should be understood that Docak's solicitude was on account of his +friends. Had he been alone he would not have hesitated to set out for +the coast, and with every reason, too, to believe he could make it, +even, if the battle of the elements were renewed when but a small part +of the way thither. + +But he had three others in charge, and it was hard to decide whether +to urge them to make the attempt now or wait awhile, in the hope that +he could settle with certainty the extent of the cessation of the +blizzard. + +The additional snow was between two and three feet deep, where it had +not been drifted by the gale. With the help of snow-shoes it would +have been an easy matter to skim over it, but there were no snow-shoes +to be had, as has been shown, the new fall was of such fine character +that they would sink its full depth when essaying to walk upon it. + +When he turned about and re-entered the cavern his friends were astir. +Their appetites had assumed that edge that they eagerly attacked some +of the meat prepared the night before. The few embers had been stirred +into a sickly blaze, but not another stick remained. The warmth was +only perceptible when the chilled hands were held almost against it. + +The Esquimau smiled grimly when he saw what they were doing, but with +the reticence that had marked his course since refuge was taken in the +cavern, he held his peace. Jack greeted him pleasantly, and he nodded +in return, and then again passed outside. + +The sailor and lads had peeped after him, and discovered that the fall +of snow was over, and the wind was not blowing. This gave them +considerable hope, inasmuch as they were unable to read its full +meaning like the native. + +"It's easy enough to see what he has on his mind," remarked Jack. + +"What is it?" queried Rob. + +"He is considering whether we shall make a start now for the coast or +wait awhile longer." + +"What's the use of waiting," asked Rob, "when it can't be any better +and may grow worse? The snow that has fallen will stay where it is for +months, so we can gain nothing there. I'm in favor of starting for +home while it is yet morning." + +"That's the way it strikes me, but he'll make up his mind, and +whatever he says we'll do. He isn't in the mood to take any advice +from us; I never seed him so glum before." + +"We're quite well protected," added Fred, who was eager to be off if +that should be the decision; "we have the thickest kind of clothing, +heavy shoes, and warm undergarments. Then we mustn't forget that when +we start through the snow the labor will help to warm us. Fact is, I +don't understand why Docak hesitates." + +The Esquimau used less time than they supposed in reaching his +conclusion. But, with a view of giving him a hint of their wishes, +Jack and the boys prepared themselves as if it had been settled that +they should venture at once upon the perilous attempt. They carefully +adjusted their clothing, tying the lower parts of their trousers about +their ankles, so as to keep out the snow, buttoned their heavy coats +to their chins, pulled up the collars more carefully, and fixed their +caps in place, though all this had been done to a certain extent +before. + +When nothing remained they ranged themselves in a row beside the +entrance and awaited the appearance of their guide. + +He came in the course of a few minutes. He started slightly when he +read the meaning of it all. + +"We're ready," said Jack, with a smile. + +"All right--we go--foller me--come on!" and he led the way out, and +they turned their backs on the cavern forever. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +A HOPELESS TASK + + +A fearful task confronted the little party. Thirty miles of snow, +several feet deep, lay between them and their only haven of refuge, +and they were without sled or snow-shoe. If they succeeded in their +prodigious task, it must be done by sheer strength and the power of +continued desperation. + +But, with compressed lips and the resolution to do or die, they bent +to the work without faltering. + +The Esquimau naturally took the lead to break the way so far as he +could; Jack Cosgrove came next, then Rob Carrol, while Fred Warburton +brought up the rear. + +The first move that the native made proved he was a veteran. He +plunged in, following the decline down to the plateau, which was the +scene of their adventures two days before. He walked like one who had +only an ordinary tramp before him. In truth, he could have gone faster +and done better, but he accommodated himself to his friends, to whom +the labor was new and trying to a degree. + +None spoke for a long time. It requires strength to do even so slight +a thing as that, and no one had an ounce to spare. The question that +was uppermost in the minds of the three was whether they would be able +to hold out to the end. + +"I don't see why we can't," reflected Fred, who, being at the rear, +had an easier task than any of the others; "it would be well enough if +we had snow-shoes, but neither Jack nor Rob nor I can use them, and we +would flounder around a good deal worse than we are doing now and +likely enough wouldn't get ahead at all." + +The meditations of Rob Carrol were of a similar strain. + +"I've seen better fun than this, but it beats staying in the cavern +and freezing to death on wolf steak. I believe I'm strong enough to +see the business through; I hope Fred won't give out, for he isn't as +strong as Jack and I. I believe Docak enjoys it. Gracious! if I ever +live to get out of this outlandish country, I'll never set foot in it +again. I haven't lost any North Pole, and those that think they have +can do their own hunting for it." + +The sun still remained obscured, and the wonder of the three was how +their guide kept his bearings, after debouching from the highlands and +entering upon the broad, undulating plain which stretched away to +Davis Strait and Baffin's Bay. There was no misgiving, however, in +that respect. Docak could not go astray, or, at least, if there was +any likelihood of his doing so, not one of his friends was able to +help him. + +As the boys had anticipated, the labor of walking in this difficult +fashion soon generated a warmth in their bodies that was a vast +comfort, after sitting benumbed and shivering so long in the cavern. +Despite the extreme cold they felt no discomfort, for the air was +quite dry, and less trying, therefore, than a damp atmosphere would +have been, even though twenty-five degrees higher. + +But it is in such an Arctic climate that one can have his limbs or a +portion of his body hopelessly frozen without suspecting it. All were +so effectually protected that only a small portion of their faces, +their eyes, and tips of their noses were exposed. + +The bear-skin, which has been referred to as belonging to Docak, was +carried by him after his usual manner. He would have offered it to his +friends in turn, had he not known that it would soon have become a +burden which he could carry better than they. + +Jack, who trod close on the heels of the Esquimau, was admiring the +sturdy manner in which he plowed through the snow, his labor being +much greater than any one of those who followed him, when the native +turned his head and scanned his face with curious intensity. Pausing +for the moment in his labor, he leaned to one side, and did the same +to the others. His act was all the more singular since he did not +speak. The lads smiled under their head-coverings, but their faces +were so wrapped up that the relaxation of the features could not be +perceived. + +"I wonder why he did that," thought all three. + +"The chap has been acting curious ever since this trouble began," +continued the sailor, "and I wouldn't be s'prised if he's just a +little off." + +"Can it be," asked Rob, following up a whimsical idea, "that he fears +we aren't ourselves? He has started out to take us to the seacoast, +and doesn't mean that anybody else shall rope himself in on him. I +guess he's satisfied, though we're so covered up that our nearest +friends wouldn't know us." + +For fully an hour the party toiled on, and all, with the exception of +the leader, began to feel the effects of the severe exertion. Still, +no one protested or asked for rest; each determined to keep it up, if +possible, until the leader chose to halt. + +But Docak did not forget them. At the end of the time named he turned +about, and, with something of his old pleasantry, said: + +"Much tired--wait while--den go on." + +Each of the boys longed to ask him what he thought of the prospect of +getting through, but forebore, recalling his moodiness, which might be +still upon him despite his present manner. + +"I think we're doing quite well, Docak," said Jack; "it's a little +hard, but we can take a breathing spell now and then, and keep at it +till we strike your home." + +Had the Esquimau made any response to this half-inquiring remark the +sailor would have followed it up, but he did not. On the contrary, he +was busy studying the sky and the surrounding landscape, doubtless +with a view of determining what weather changes impended. + +The others did the same, but though Jack had learned a good deal of +the science at sea he was now at a loss. The dull, leaden sky, so +obscured that it was impossible to tell in what part of the heavens +the sun was, told him nothing beyond the fact that more snow was +likely to fall before many hours. + +As the best thing that could be done, the friends studied the actions +of the Esquimau. + +The result of his survey was not satisfactory--that was clear. He +shook his head and muttered something in his own language, which had +anything but a pleasant effect on the others. + +The scene was one of utter loneliness and desolation. North, east, +south, and west stretched the snowy plain, unrelieved by tree, house, +or sign of a living creature. Far up in the sky sounded the honk of +some wild fowl, and, looking aloft, a line of black specks could be +seen, sailing swiftly southward through space, as if to escape the +Arctic cold that would soon smother everything in its icy embrace. + +The rest was barely ten minutes, when Docak, looking at his +companions, asked: + +"Be rested? We go on?" + +"Yes; we're ready," replied Jack. + +"All right--work hard now--don't get tired." + +"I won't, if I can help it; but the only way I know of is to stand +still, which don't pay in this kind of business." + +The Esquimau bent to his work, as if striving for a wager. He had a +way not only of stepping down in the soft snow, but of shoving it +partly aside from his path. It would have been the severest kind of +labor for anyone else, and it is hard to understand how he managed it +so well. It was a great help to the one immediately behind him. Jack +would have been glad to lighten the task for the boys, but that was +out of his power, and he wasted no strength in the attempt. + +The party was becoming accustomed to the work. That the guide was +aware of this was proven when he kept at it fully twice as long as +before. They were going slowly--very slowly--but there was comfort in +the consciousness that every step taken was toward safety, and the +task before them was lessened, even to that small extent. + +At the moment the boys were beginning to think it about time another +halt was called, Docak stopped in his former abrupt way, and, leaning +to one side, peered into each face in turn. + +Something in Fred's appearance caught his attention, and, with an +exclamation, he sprang out of the path, and hurried back to where the +lad stood, wondering what was the matter with the fellow. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +TEN MILES + + +Docak, when flurried, generally forgot his broken English, and spoke +in his own tongue. Before Fred could divine his intention he had +slipped off one of his mittens, grasped a handful of snow, and +throwing one arm about the boy's neck, began rubbing his nose as +though he meant to rub it out of existence. + +The watchful native was on the watch for the first sign of freezing in +the case of his companions, and, discovering that the youngest member +was becoming a victim without himself or friends suspecting it, he +resorted to heroic measures, with no unnecessary delay. + +Fred understood what it all meant, and, like the sensible boy he was, +submitted with good grace, though the vigorous handling to which that +organ was subjected made it hard for him to keep from protesting. Not +only that, but, when the Esquimau, pausing to inspect his work, said: + +"All right," Fred thanked him. + +Jack and Rob, who looked grinningly on, while the performance lasted, +now asked Docak whether they were in need of a similar manipulation. +He took another look at the faces, and gave Rob's a slight rubbing, +but said nothing more was needed. + +It was a piece of thoughtfulness on the part of the native, for which +he deserved to receive gratitude. But for him Fred Warburton, and +probably the others, would have suffered injuries from which they +never could have recovered. + +Having rested but a brief while, Docak moved on, and the dismal +procession wound its way slowly through the snow, which clogged their +feet and obstructed their path to that extent that more than once the +hardy guide had to come to a full halt that he might decide in what +way to flank the obstacle. + +The blizzard had played fantastic tricks with the snow. In many places +it was drifted to a depth of six or eight feet, through which, as may +be supposed, it was the severest labor to force a path. In others, +again, it had swept the crust entirely clear of the new layer, so that +they walked as easily as when making their way from the coast. +Unfortunately, these bare places, as they may be called, were not only +few and far apart, but of such slight extent that their aid counted +for little. + +There is nothing more cheering than the certainty that we are +approaching our goal, even though the rate of progress is more tardy +than we wish. As the afternoon drew to a close Fred was positive they +had made fully twenty miles. Rob believed it was more, but, to be on +the safe side, fell in with his friend's figures. When Jack was +appealed to he declined to hazard a guess, saying he preferred to wait +till the halt for the night, when he would leave it to Docak. + +"He'll tell you within a quarter of a mile," added the sailor, "and he +won't make a mistake. I can let you know one thing, howsumever, my +hearties, and that is that you'll find it a good deal less than you +think." + +"I don't know about that," said Rob; "Fred and I have calculated the +matter pretty closely." + +"You may think so, but you haven't. We have worked hard enough to +tramp a hundred miles, but we haven't been able to use it in the best +way." + +Another fact, which might mean a good deal or little, was that a +marked moderation in the temperature took place in the course of the +afternoon. What this portended was left to the Esquimau to determine. +Toiling through the snow was not favorable to conversation, and it was +dropped. + +With only short halts the party pushed onward, until night began +settling over the dreary landscape. They would have kept on had not +the darkness been impenetrable. The sun had not shown itself during +the day, and the obscurity was so dense that not a solitary star +twinkled overhead. + +"Besides," as the boys concluded, "the rest of the distance is so +brief that we can afford to leave it until morning, by which time we +will be fully rested. Inasmuch as it is necessary to pass a night on +the road, one spot is as good as another." + +Camping at such times is simple. They were in the middle of a snowy +waste, without tree or rock to shelter. Starting a fire, of course, +was out of the question. A slight wind was blowing, and though less +rigorous than that of the preceding night, it was necessary to protect +themselves from its force while they were idle. + +For a few minutes Docak acted like a man seized with convulsions or +the St. Vitus' dance. He leaped about, kicked, and swung his arms, the +snow flying in a storm from him, until, at the end of a few minutes, +he had scooped out a bowl-like space, large enough to hold the party. +In doing this he cleared the way down to the lower crust only, which +was strong enough to bear their weight. To have dug to the ground +would have been too laborious, and no special advantage was to be +gained by doing so. + +This completed, he carefully spread his bear-skin on the hard surface, +and the four seated themselves back to back. They had camped for the +night. + +The discomforts of this primitive method were less than would be +supposed. There is warmth in snow, as you are well aware, cold being a +negative existence, and, so long as they were below the surface, they +could not be reached by the wind that swept across the dismal waste. +Then, too, the change in the temperature was in the right direction as +affecting their comfort, so there was little fear of suffering before +morning. + +When they were adjusted for the night, Rob asked the question of Docak +which had been in his mind for hours: + +"How far have we got toward home?" + +Fred was confident the answer would be twenty miles; while Rob was +quite hopeful it would be more. Judge, therefore, their consternation +when the reply struck their ears: + +"Purty near ten mile--not quite--purty near." + +The hopes of the boys sank to zero. Jack, knowing they had placed +their estimate too high, still believed it greater than was the fact. + +Ten miles! Barely a third of the distance between the cavern and the +first place that could offer refuge. + +They had used a day in advancing thus far. At that rate two more days, +and possibly nights, remained ere the terrible task would be ended. +They had eaten the last mouthful before starting, leaving behind some +food which they might have brought, but which was not deemed +necessary. + +It was not the prospect of hunger that appalled them. In such a severe +climate they could go a couple of days without food, and not suffer +greatly, though the draught upon their strength would be trying to the +last degree. + +The great question was whether the task they had essayed was a +possible one. Recalling the terrific exertions of the day, their +exhaustion, and the repeated rests that were necessary, they might +well doubt their ability, though it need not be said there was no +thought of giving up so long as life and strength held out. + +"Ten miles," repeated Fred Warburton; "are the Esquimau miles the same +as our English, or aren't they double their length?" + +"I don't know about that," said Rob; "they must get their ideas from +the Danes, who have a system of measurement different from ours, but +it don't matter in this instance." + +"Why not?" + +"When we set out, and after reaching the hills, Docak told us we were +thirty miles from home; he tells us now that we are ten miles less." + +"Not quite ten mile--purty near," interrupted the native. + +"Well, calling it ten miles, we have come about one-third of the way +to the coast. No matter what system of measurement is followed we +can't figure out that we have gone further than that." + +"And not quite that far," suggested Jack, who was not less +disappointed than they, but was quicker to rally. + +"It isn't the thing calculated to make a chap feel good to learn a +thing like that," he added; "but all we've got to do is to buckle down +to it and we'll get there one of these days, with fair sailing and no +more squalls." + +"It is those squalls or blizzards, Jack, that are the real danger +before us." + +It was Rob who made this remark, and his friends knew he spoke the +truth. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +THE LAST PAUSE + + +The night slowly settled over the snow waste, and the little party, +feeling no discomfort because of the cold, gradually sank into +unconsciousness. + +Just before slumber weighed down their eye-lids the dismal howl of a +wolf echoed faintly across the plain. All heard it, and Jack and the +boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the +hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his +heels. Jack asked the Esquimau whether they ought not to prepare for a +fight, but he replied that there were no preparations to make. Each +had his loaded gun and a good supply of ammunition; they could fight +as well there as in any other place. + +Docak showed no trepidation of voice and manner, and his coolness had +a good effect upon the others. They were sure that, if there was any +cause for alarm, he would feel it. + +This confidence proved well placed; for that single cry was all that +reached their ears. They slept, and were not molested. + +But sometime during the night the fine snow began sifting downward, +falling so gently that even the Esquimau was not disturbed. Through +the long gloomy hours it silently descended, until when the daylight +stole over the desolate plain, fully six inches had been added to the +mass that covered the earth long before. + +Sitting nearly upright and back to back, the pressure upon the +sleepers was so slight and gradual that no discomfort resulted. All +were so worn out that their slumber was profound, doubtless lasting as +long as it would have done had no such snowfall taken place. + +It was Jack Cosgrove who first opened his eyes, and his amazement may +be imagined when he saw their laps buried out of sight, only the +outlines of their limbs showing, while head and shoulders were +weighted down with the feathery mass. + +"By the great horned spoon!" he called, shaking himself free and +rising to his feet, with such a flurry that the others were aroused; +"wake up, for we're all snowed under, and, if we wait a few minutes +longer, we'll be buried clean out of sight." + +"What's the matter?" called Rob, being the next to climb to his feet; +"has the snow tumbled in on us?" + +"Yes; and more of it is tumbling every minute." + +Docak was astonished that he had not been the first to awake, for his +mind was burdened with anxiety for the rest. He forgot that, inasmuch +as his labors had been far greater than theirs, his weariness of body +was in more need of rest. + +"What time be it?" he asked of the boys, who carried watches. + +The answer showed that day had dawned more than two hours before. He +sighed at the knowledge of the precious time wasted. Harder work than +ever was before them, and when night came again they might count +themselves fortunate if one-half the remaining distance was +accomplished. + +Rising to their feet, with their heads above the surface, they found +the snow falling so fast that they could not see fifty feet in any +direction. + +"How can Docak keep his bearings?" asked Rob, in a low voice, of the +others, when the native, walking a few feet, paused and looked +earnestly about him. + +"It doesn't seem to me that it is any harder for him to do so than it +was yesterday when there was no snow falling." + +"There is a big difference. We couldn't have done any better in the +one case than the other, but he could see the sky. He knew where the +sun was, though we did not; and there must have been something in the +looks of the landscape to help, but there is none of that now." + +"I can give you the right answer to Fred's question," said Jack, in +the same guarded undertone. + +"What is it?" + +"When you ask whether Docak can keep the p'ints of the compass in his +mind, and make sure that he is heading straight for home, the real +answer is--he can't." + +There could be no denying that the sailor spoke the truth. The native, +like the Indians further south, may have possessed a subtle skill in +the respect named beyond the comprehension of his more civilized +neighbors, but, in all cases, there is a limit to such ability. Where +there is nothing to afford guide or clue no living man can walk in a +straight line--hour after hour, or hold his way undeviatingly toward a +fixed point of the compass. + +But, admitting this unquestioned truth, nothing was more self-evident +than that it was sure death to stay where they were; the one and only +thing left to them was to push on while the opportunity was theirs. + +The Esquimau was a man of deeds rather than words. He showed no +disposition to discuss the situation, and, beyond a few insignificant +words, said nothing to his companions, who were as eager to be on the +move as he. He stood a minute or two in study, and then, uttering the +words: + +"Come on--work hard--neber stop," began pushing through the snow with +the vigor shown the day before. + +The others followed in the order named, and with a resolution as +strong as his to keep it up to the last verge of endurance. + +It was necessary. In no other way could they escape the frightful doom +that impended. Another condition was equally necessary; their efforts +must be rightly directed. The guide must lead them toward the +sea-coast. Had he the power to do so? The test was now going on, and +the question would soon be settled. + +They were terrible words spoken by Jack, but the time had passed when +he felt it necessary to mince matters. He had done so at the +beginning, but his companions were not children unable to bear the +truth, however unpleasant it might be. + +But, despite the good reason in what he said, neither Rob nor Fred +quite credited its full meaning. While they could not explain how any +person could guide himself unerringly, when there was no visible help +for the eye, they believed that somehow or other he would "get there +just the same." + +They proved their own earnestness when Docak, after a long struggle +through the clogging snow, stopped, turned about, and said: + +"You be tired--then rest awhile." + +"No," responded Fred, "I want no rest." + +"Push on, then," added Rob, "unless you are tired yourself, Docak." + +The idea that the native needed rest caused him a half-smile, as he +faced forward and resumed his weary plowing through the snowy mass. + +There was no call now to watch the countenances of the youths to +protect them against freezing. The weather was so moderate that they +would have felt more comfortable with their outer covering removed. If +the blizzard had come back, it was in such a mild form that it could +lay no claim to the name. It was simply snowing hard, and there was +only a breath of air at intervals. Had there been anything approaching +the hurricane of two days before, they could not have fought their way +for a single rod. + +When the guide, after another long interval, proposed a brief rest, it +was acquiesced in by all. They had kept at it longer than before, and +the pause must have been grateful to Docak himself. + +"We are not going fast," remarked Rob, "but I am sure we have covered +a good deal of ground since starting, and when we go into camp +to-night there ought not to be many miles between us and the sea." + +"Remember the mistake we made in our calculations," said Fred, +warningly, "and don't count too much." + +"How far have we come?" asked Jack, putting the question directly to +the Esquimau. + +"Dunno," he answered, turning about and resuming his labor. + +"That's the last time I will ask him anything," growled the sailor, +displeased at the curt treatment. + +A sad story awaits our pen. The poor hunters toiled on, on, on, slower +and still more slowly, with the snow falling thicker and still more +thickly, and the uncertainty growing more intensified as the day wore +away. With short intervals of rest they kept at it with heroic +courage, until at last the shades of night began closing once more +around them. Then, all of a sudden, the Esquimau uttered a despairing +cry and threw himself down in the snow. + + [Illustration: THE ESQUIMAU UTTERED A DESPAIRING CRY AND THREW + HIMSELF IN THE SNOW + + (See page 277)] + +He had made a terrifying discovery. They had come back to the very +spot where they spent the previous night. All day long they had +journeyed in an irregular circle, as lost persons almost invariably +do, and the dreadful labor was utterly thrown away. + +The Esquimau had essayed a task beyond his power, and he now threw up +his hands and would struggle no more. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +ANOTHER SOUND + + +The little party were overwhelmed with dismay. The very man on whom +they had relied from the beginning, the one who had conducted them +thus far, and the one who, under heaven, could alone guide them to +safety, had thrown up his hands and yielded the struggle. He lay on +the snow limp, helpless, and despairing. + +The new fall of snow had almost obliterated their trail, but enough +remained to identify it beyond mistake. The cavity which Docak had +scooped out, and in which they slept, was recognized on the first +glance. The whole day, from the moment of starting, had been wasted, +in laboring to their utmost strength, in getting back to the very +point from which they set out, and which itself was twenty miles from +the sea-coast. + +The tendency that every one shows to travel in a circle, when lost, +has been explained in various ways. It is probably due to the fact +that one side of every person is more developed than the other. A +right-handed individual gradually veers to the left, a left-handed one +to the right, while a really ambidextrous one ought to keep straight +ahead. + +Jack and the boys remained silent for a moment. They looked down on +the prostrate figure, and finally Fred asked: + +"What's the matter, Docak?" + +"Gib up--no use--we die--neber see home 'gin." + +The words were uttered with all the dejection that it is possible to +conceive, and the native did not move. He acted as if the power to do +so had gone from him. + +Suddenly, to the astonishment of the others, Jack Cosgrove gave him a +thumping kick. + +"Get up!" he commanded; "if you're such a lubber as all this, I'll +take you by the neck and boot you all the way across Greenland." + +And as a guarantee of his good faith he yanked Docak to his feet, and +made ready for a still harder kick, when the fellow moved nimbly out +of the way. + +"If you are too big a calf to go on, I'll take the lead, and when I +flop it'll be after all the rest of you've gone down." + +The breezy style in which the sailor took hold of matters produced an +inspiriting effect on the others. Despite the grim solemnity of the +moments, both Rob and Fred laughed, as much at the quickness with +which Docak responded as anything else. + +"Since we are here at the same old spot," said Rob, "and it is growing +dark, we might as well go into camp." + +"That's the fact, as we won't have to scoop out a new place to sleep +in. I suppose, Docak, you're able to sleep, aint you?" + +The native made no answer, and the party silently placed themselves in +position for another night's rest, Docak not refusing to huddle in +among them. But there was little talking done. No one could say +anything to comfort the others, and each was busy with his own +thoughts. + +It need not be said that, despite the fearful gloom and these +forebodings, they were ravenously hungry. Their bodies were in need of +sustenance, and the probability that they could not get it for an +indefinite time to come was enough to deepen the despair that was +stealing into every heart. + +It was unto Fred Warburton that something in the nature of a +revelation came in the darkness of that awful night. His senses +remained with him for some time after the others were asleep, as he +knew from their deep, regular breathing. + +The snowfall had almost ceased, and he sat wondering whether, after +all, the end was at hand, and he was asking himself whether, such +seeming of a surety to be the fact, it was worth while to rise from +their present position and try to press on further. If die they must, +why not stay where they were and perish together? + +These thoughts were stirring his mind, with many other solemn +meditations, which crowd upon every person who, in his right senses, +sees himself approaching the Dark River, when it seemed to him that +there was sounding, at intervals, an almost inaudible roar, so faint +and dull that for awhile he paid no heed to it, deeming it some +insignificant aural disturbance, such as causes a buzzing or ringing +at times in the head. + +But it obtruded so continually that he began to suspect it was a +reality and from some point outside of himself. + +It was a low, almost inaudible murmur, sometimes so faint that he +could not hear it, and again swelling out just enough to make it +certain it had an actuality. + +Suddenly the heart of the lad almost stood still. + +"It's the ocean!" he whispered; "the air has become so still that I +can hear it. The plain is open, there has been a big storm, and the +distance is not too great for it to reach us. But, no, it is from the +wrong direction; it can't be the sea." + +The next moment he laughed at himself. Having fixed in his mind the +course to the home of Docak, and, hearing the roar from another point +of the compass, it did not at once occur to him that he himself might +be mistaken. + +"If Docak, with all his experience could not keep himself from going +astray, what wonder that I should drift from my moorings? Yes, that is +the sound of the distant ocean or that part known as Davis' Strait and +Baffin's Bay. We can now tell which course to take to get out of this +accursed country." + +He wished to awake his friends, and in view of their hungry condition, +urge that they should set out at once; but they were so wearied that +the rest would be grateful, and it was needed. And so, while not +exactly clear as to what should be done, he fell asleep and did not +open his eyes until morning. + +Docak was the first to rouse himself. He found that the snow was +falling again, with the prospect worse than ever. + +Fred sprang to his feet and quickly told what he had discovered the +evening before. + +"It was the ocean," he added, with a shake of his head: "I have heard +it too often to make a mistake--listen!" + +All were silent, but the strained ear could catch no sound like the +hollow roar which reached the youth a few hours before. + +"I don't care; I was not mistaken," he insisted. + +"Why don't we hear it now?" asked Rob, anxious to believe what he +said, but unable fully to do so. + +"There was no snow falling at the time; the air was clearer then, and +what little wind there was must have been in the right direction." + +"Where did sound come from?" asked the Esquimau, looking earnestly at +Fred and showing deep interest in his words. + +"From off yonder," replied the lad, pointing in the proper direction. + +"He right--dat so--he hear sea," said Docak, who, to prove the truth +of his words, pointed down at the dimly marked trail. It led in the +precise course indicated by Fred. In other words, when the Esquimau +resumed the journey on the preceding morning, at which time his +bearings were correct, he went of a verity directly toward his own +home, which was the route now pointed by Fred Warburton. + +The others saw the point, and admitted that the declaration of the lad +had been proven to be correct beyond question. + +And yet, while all this was interesting in its way, and for the time +encouraged the others, of what possible import was it? The conditions +were precisely the same as twenty-four hours before, except they were +less favorable, for the comrades in distress were hungrier and weaker. + +But they could not hear the ocean, the snow was falling, and there was +no way of guiding themselves. + +They could only struggle on as before, hoping that possibly before +wandering too far astray they might be able to catch the roar that +would be an infallible guide to them in their despairing groping for +home. + +The three looked at Docak, expecting him to take the lead, as he had +done from the start. It may be said that Jack Cosgrove had kicked the +Esquimau into his proper place and he was prepared to stay there as +long as he could. + +But the native, instead of moving off, stood with his head bent and +his ears bared in the attitude of intense attention. + +They judged that he was striving to catch a sound of the ocean. But he +was not. + +Truth to tell, Docak had detected another sound of a totally different +character, but far more important than the hollow roar of the far-away +Arctic Sea. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +THE WILD MEN OF GREENLAND + + +A sharp bark broke the stillness, a peculiar cry followed, and then, +out from the swirl and flurry of the eddying snow, came a string of +Esquimau dogs. There were six couples fastened to a rude sleigh, and +at the side of the frisky animals skurried one of the wild men of +Greenland on snow-shoes, and with a whip in hand having a short stock +and a very long lash. + +Directly behind him followed two similar teams, and then a fourth +emerged with seven spans of dogs. There was a driver to each, and the +sleighs were loaded with pelts intended for the nearest settlement. +Not one of the Esquimaux was riding, though it was their custom to do +so for a goodly portion of the way. + +This singular collection of men and animals were approaching in a line +that would have carried them right over the amazed party that were +about to start on their hopeless attempt to reach the sea coast, had +they not veered to one side. + +When the foremost driver discerned the four figures through the snow +he emitted a sharp cry, not dissimilar to that of his own dogs, and +the obedient animals halted. The others did the same, and in a few +minutes the four teams, with their drivers, were ranged about the +others. + +These individuals were genuine Esquimaux, the real wild men of +Greenland. Their homes were far in the interior, and only at rare +intervals did they venture forth with their dogs and sleighs to the +coast settlements, where they were welcome, for they never failed to +bring a good supply of peltries with them, for which they found ready +barter among the agents of the Danish government. + +There was no mixed blood among these Esquimaux. They were +copper-colored, short, of stocky build, and with more muscular +development in the lower limbs than is seen among the coast natives. +The latter, giving most of their time to fishing and the use of the +paddle, have powerful arms and shoulders, but as a rule are weak in +the legs. + +They were warmly clad in furs, their heads being covered with hoods +similar to that worn by Docak, but there was nothing in the nature of +the dress ornamentation which he displayed. + +None of the party could speak English, but that made no difference, +since Docak understood their curious gibberish. An animated +conversation began at once between him and the four, who gathered +about him while Jack and the boys stood silently listening and looking +upon the singular scene. + +What the guide said was in the nature of "business." They had talked +but a short while when one of the wild men went to his sleigh and +brought forth a big piece of cooked reindeer meat, evidently a part of +their own liberal supply of provisions, and offered it to Jack. The +latter accepted with thanks, shown more plainly by manner than his +words. + +And didn't those three fellows have a feast, with Docak himself as a +participant? You need to be told no more on that point. + +The guide, after the brisk interview, explained the meaning of the +conversation to his friends. + +The Esquimaux were on their way to Ivigtut, some forty miles in a +southwest direction. They had come a long way from the interior, +having been three days on the road, and it was their intention to push +matters so vigorously that they would reach the famous mining town +that night. + +But, best of all, they agreed to carry the three whites as passengers. +They could be stowed in the sleighs among the peltries, as the drivers +were accustomed to do at times, though they were capable of keeping +pace with the dogs hour after hour without fatigue. They would do so +now on their snow-shoes, and the three could ride all the way to +Ivigtut. + +It meant the rescue and salvation of the party, who were in the +uttermost depths of despair but a few minutes before, and tears of +thankfulness came to the eyes of all three. + +"We haven't much money with us," said Rob, addressing Docak, "but we +will pay them as well as we can when we reach Ivigtut." + +"Don't want much," replied the grinning guide, "jes' little +money--two, t'ree bits." + +"We'll give 'em all we've got," added Jack; "but what about you, +Docak?" + +"Me go home," was the answer, accompanied by one of his pleasing +grins. + +"Can you find the way?" + +"Me all right now--hark! hear de water?" + +He spoke the truth, it being a singular fact that the atmospheric +conditions had changed to that degree that the dull, hollow moaning +for which they had listened so long in vain was now audible to all. It +was like a beacon light, which suddenly flames out on the top of a +high hill, for the guidance of the belated traveler. There could be no +going astray, with that sound always in his ears, and strengthened by +his meal of venison, the hardy native would press on until he ducked +his head and passed through the entry of his home. + +It might well be questioned how the wild men could maintain their +bearings, but they had come unerringly across the snowy wastes from +their distant homes, and the boom of the ocean was as sure an aid to +them as it was to Docak. No fear but that they would go as straight as +an arrow to Ivigtut. + +There was no call for delay or ceremony. A long journey was before +them, and it being the season when the days were not unusually long, +they must be improved to the utmost. The wild men beckoned to the +three to approach the sleighs, where, with a little dexterous +manipulation of the bundles, they made room for each. + +Jack found himself seated at the rear of one of the odd vehicles, +which consisted mainly of runners, but had a framework at the back +that gave grateful rest to the body. The peltries were fastened in +front and around him, some being used to cover his limbs, and a part +of his body, so that he could hardly have been more comfortable. The +runners were made very broad to prevent them sinking in the snow. But +for that, it would have been hard work for the nimble dogs to drag +them and their loads with any kind of speed. The situation of the boys +was similar to the sailor's. + +The arrangement left one of the sleighs without an occupant. This was +well, since the wild men could take turns in riding, when they felt +the need, and the whites need not walk a step of the way to Ivigtut. + +While the confab was going on, the dogs were having their own fun. +Quick to obey the order to halt they squatted on their haunches facing +in all directions, and for a time were quite motionless and well +behaved, but it was not long before their natural mischievousness +asserted itself, and they began frolicking with each other. They were +snapping, barking, snarling, and then half of them were rolling over +in the snow, fighting with good nature, the evil of which was that it +tangled the simple harness into the worst sort of knots, which +undoubtedly was just what the canines wanted to do. + +The head driver spoke angrily to them, cracked his long whip, and, +bringing the knot down on their bodies, or about their ears, added +their yelps of pain to the general turmoil, while the confusion was +greater than before. + +He was used to the dogs, knowing every one of the half-hundred, and +was quick to detect which was the ringleader. This canine belonged to +the rear team, and not only started the rumpus, but kept it going with +the utmost enthusiasm. He knew the driver would be after him, and he +dodged and whisked among the others so dexterously that the well-aimed +lash cracked against the side of some innocent spectator more than it +touched him. + +But the driver was not to be baffled in that fashion. Dropping the +whip, he plunged after the criminal, and, seizing him with both hands, +gave him several vigorous bites on the nose, which made him howl with +pain. When released he was the meekest member of the party, all of +whom sat quiet, while the angry Esquimau devoted himself to unraveling +matters. + +Rob Carrol had not forgotten the admiration which Docak showed more +than once for his rifle. When the native came over to the sleigh to +shake his hand, as he was bidding all good-bye, the boy said: + +"Docak, I meant that you should have this on our return from the hunt. +I sha'n't need it any more; accept it as a reminder of this little +experience we had together." + +The Esquimau was so taken aback that for a moment he could not speak. +Before he recovered himself, Jack and Fred added their requests that +he would not refuse the present. His gratitude was deep, and found +expression only in a few broken words as he turned away. + +It had been on the point of the sailor's tongue several times to +apologize for the kick of the evening before, but he felt that the +result of it all was a sufficient apology of itself. Besides, there +are some matters in life which it is best to pass over in silence. + +The wild men showed little sentiment in their nature. Seeing that all +was ready, they cracked their whips, called out to their dogs, and off +they went. + +Jack and the boys turned their heads to take a last look at Docak, who +had served them so faithfully and well. As they did so, they observed +him plowing through the snow again to the westward, his form quickly +disappearing among the myriad snowflakes. They never saw him again. + +The first thought that came to each of the passengers, after the start +was fairly made, was that the forty miles' journey could not be +accomplished before nightfall. The sleighs were so heavily loaded with +pelts and themselves that they formed quite a task for the dogs, which +of necessity sank deep in the snow. But they tugged and kept at it +with a spirit worthy of all admiration. + +But one of the remarkable features of the blizzard and snow storm that +had come so near destroying our friends quickly made itself apparent, +and raised their hopes to the highest point. + +The fall of snow decreased until at the end of half an hour not an +eddying flake was in the air. The sun, after struggling awhile, +managed to show itself, and the glare of the excessively white surface +fairly blinded the passengers for a time. They noticed, however, that +the depth of the last fall continued to grow less, until to their +unbounded amazement and relief it disappeared altogether. They struck +the hard surface, which was like a smooth floor, and capable of +bearing ten times the weight of the sleighs without yielding. + +This proved that the blizzard was of less extent than supposed. The +wild men more than likely were beyond its reach, while Docak and his +companions were caught in its very centre. Its fury extended southward +but a short way, and the party had now crossed the line. The country +before them was like that over which Jack and the boys set out to +prosecute their hunt for game. + +The travelers were like athletes, who, emerging from a struggle with +the angry waters, find themselves on solid land, free to run and leap +to their heart's content. They had shaken off the incubus, and now +sped forward with renewed speed and ease. The small feet of the dogs +slipped occasionally, but they readily secured enough grip, and the +sleighs, hardly scratching the frozen surface, required but a +fractional part of their strength. Several uttered their odd barks of +pleasure, at finding their labor so suddenly turned into what might be +called a frolic. + +But the wild men were a source of never-ending wonder to the whites. +They sped forward through the soft snow, with no more apparent effort +than the skilled skater puts forth, and when they struck the smooth +surface, they became more like skaters than snow-shoe travelers. They +cracked their whips about the ears of the dogs, called sharply, and +made them yelp from the stinging bites of the whips handled with a +dexterity that would have flicked off a fly from the front dog's ears, +had there been one there. + +(If we were not opposed to all forms of slang, we would be tempted to +say just here that there are no flies on the Esquimaux canines.) + +The brutes were quick to respond, and galloped swiftly with their +drivers skimming by their side, holding them to the task by their +continued orders and cracking of whips. They gave no more attention to +the passengers than if they were not present. + +The latter were delighted, for there was every reason why they should +be. Their limbs still ached from the severe exertion through which +they had gone, and the sensation of being wrapped about with furs and +fixed in a comfortable seat was pleasant of itself. Then to know that +they were speeding toward safety--what more could be asked? + +The sleigh containing Jack Cosgrove was in the advance; Rob came next, +then Fred, while the one loaded only with peltries held its place at +the rear. + +When the smooth surface was reached, they drew quite near each other, +the friends finding themselves almost side by side. + +"This is what I call ginooine pleasure," said the sailor, turning his +head and addressing the boys. + +"Yes, I'm enjoying it," replied Rob. + +"So am I," added Fred; "it makes up for what we suffered." + +"We'll skim along in this style all day as if we was on the sea in a +dead calm; nothing like a capsize--" + +At that very moment, the sailor's sleigh went over. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +CONCLUSION + + +No one can question that many animals have the propensity to fun and +frolic. It may be absent in some, but it certainly is not lacking in +the canine species. + +It didn't take three teams of dogs long to discover that their +passengers belonged to the most verdant specimens of their kind, and +when the brutes struck the smooth surface, where traveling was but a +pastime, they decided to have some sport at their expense. + +At the moment Jack Cosgrove was uttering his words to his young +friends, he failed to notice a small hillock just ahead and at one +side of the course they were following. But the leading dogs saw it, +and, veering off, they made straight for it with increased speed, +heedless of the shouts and cracking of the driver's whip. Before he +could restrain them, the sleigh collided with the obstruction, +overturned in a twinkling and Jack found, as he after described it, +that his nose was plowing through the snow with the whole plaguey load +on top of him. + +He was dragged a hundred feet before extricating himself, and before +the driver could check the animals, who looked so meek and sorrowful +that he visited them with slight punishment. Matters, however, were +soon righted and the journey resumed, amid the laughter of the boys in +which the sailor heartily joined. + +Within the next hour Rob's sleigh went over and he had an almost +similar experience. But he was expecting something of the kind, and +prepared for it, so that he emerged from underneath before being +dragged far. + +Fred got it, too, despite the apparent efforts of the drivers to +restrain the dogs. By the time matters were once more righted and +under way, the suspicion was confirmed among the passengers that the +wild men were in the plot and enjoyed the ludicrous turn of affairs as +much as did the brutes themselves. But Jack and the lads were the last +to complain, and were quite willing that such good allies should have +a little sport at their expense. It was noticeable that after all had +been capsized, nothing of the kind took place again. + +At noon an hour's halt was made. The Esquimaux produced their cooked +venison and all ate. The snow, although it seems to add to one's +thirst, when first used, served excellently in the place of water. + +As well as they could by signs, the passengers offered to walk and +allow the Esquimaux to ride. Where the surface was so favorable this +would have imposed no hard work, but the natives refused, even +declining to ride alternately in the rear sleigh. + +The dogs were tired enough to give no trouble during the noon halt. +They sat around on their haunches and eagerly devoured the bits of raw +meat tossed to them. When one or two showed a disposition to stir up +matters, an angry warning and snap of the whip from one of the drivers +brought him to his senses, and he deferred the amusement to a more +convenient season. + +The Esquimaux chatted volubly among themselves, and, although our +friends could not catch the meaning of anything said, they were sure +they had made good progress toward Ivigtut, which, barring accident, +would be reached by nightfall. + +The journey was pressed with the same vigor through the afternoon, the +men seeming as tireless as the dogs, who trotted along as they might +have done over the bare ground without any load impeding their +movements. + +The sun was still above the horizon when the party reached the crest +of the mountains near the coast, and saw before them, nestling at the +curve of a fiord, a collection of low, weather-beaten houses, +dispersed along the slope of the hills, with a wharf at the water's +edge, on which lay a large number of blocks of the peculiar white ore +known as cryolite. + +"Vee-tut, vee-tut!" exclaimed one of the drivers, addressing the +passengers with great animation. This was the nearest he was able to +come to pronouncing the name "Ivigtut." + +Yes, this was the mining town famous the world over as containing the +only cryolite mines so far discovered on the globe. + +Ivigtut is in latitude sixty-one degrees and twelve minutes north, its +climate being severe at certain seasons, but comparatively moderate +during summer. Then there are one hundred and thirty picked men from +Copenhagen engaged in the quarries, the number being a little more +than one-half as great in winter. Only one or two Esquimaux are to be +found about the place, and the only family that of the superintendent, +who has his wife and her maid with him. + +The principal work of the employees is in quarrying the cryolite and +piling it on the wharf, ready for shipment both to the Old and New +World. And now how many of my readers can tell me what cryolite is? +Shall I explain? + +Do you know that most of the sal-soda, the bicarbonate of soda, the +alum, and the caustic soda used in your homes is dug out of a mountain +in Greenland? + +In 1806, a German named Giesecke, believing that valuable minerals +might be found in Greenland, applied to the Danish Government for +permission to prospect the mountains. He did so, all the way from Cape +Farewell, living with the Danish governors or among the Esquimaux, as +circumstances required, until he reached Arsuk Fiord. + +At this place he heard of a deposit of ice that never melted and which +was on the edge of the fiord. It was powdered, was used by the natives +in tanning skins, and acted on a greasy hide like soap. The prospector +gathered a number of specimens and started with them for Germany, for +the substance was entirely new and required analysis. + +On the homeward voyage the Danish ship was captured by a British +man-of-war and the specimens of cryolite went to an English +institution, where they were analyzed for the first time. It was +interesting of itself, but pronounced comparatively worthless. + +It remained for a distinguished chemist named Thomson to discover that +sal-soda and bicarbonate of soda can be made cheaply from the +substance. It is free from all impurities, and steps were taken to +develop the quarry. The first attempt was in 1852, but regular work +did not begin until six years later, and more years passed before any +money was made out of the mine. + +Up to 1864 the entire product of the quarry went to Europe. In that +year the American firm known as the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing +Company, of Natrona and Philadelphia, began to import it. The ships +used are made as strongly as possible, for they have to force their +way through fields of floating ice, craunch into huge blocks, and keep +a sharp lookout for icebergs. + +Small quantities of cryolite have been found in the Ural Mountains and +a trace was discovered at Pike's Peak, in our own country, some years +ago, but it did not pan out. A genuine cryolite mine within easy reach +would prove a bonanza to the discoverer. + +Cryolite in appearance resembles white quartz or ice, with a mixture +of snow in it. Although generally white, it is not always so. It is +sometimes a light brown or a dark color, due either to vegetable +matter that has soaked into it or the presence of iron. + +What I have related and considerably more, our friends learned during +their stay at Ivigtut. + +Finding themselves at the end of their journey, the three climbed out +of the sleighs, their limbs considerably cramped from their +long-constrained posture. They shook hands with the Esquimaux, who +understood that form of salutation, and who grinned the delight they +could not form the words to speak. + +To one of them Jack presented his gun and Fred gave his to another. +This quite overwhelmed them, but the whites divided nearly all the +money they had among them between the other two. The wild men were +paid triple what they expected for the inestimable service rendered +the party, who regretted that they could not do a good deal more for +them. + +They parted on the edge of the town, and, just as night began settling +over Ivigtut, the three came down the slope and showed themselves +among the employees, where their appearance attracted considerable +curiosity. + +Rob's first inquiry was for the superintendent of the mines. He was +directed to a one-story house painted blue, near the rear of which +rose a staff from which the flag of Denmark floated. + +At the eastern end of the settlement was a somewhat similar house +painted black, where the comptroller, or representative of the king +lived, while near the centre were two other structures, from which +puffs of steam rose. + +The visitors received the kindest hospitality from the superintendent, +whose name was G. E. Schmidt. He listened to their story with deep +interest, and insisted that they should make their home with him as +long as they could stay in Ivigtut. He brought in his wife and +introduced them to her. + +They found her a most pleasant lady, and the three soon felt entirely +at home. + +"By the way," he asked, as the preparations for supper progressed, +"what did you say was the name of the ship on which you left London?" + +"The 'Nautilus,'" replied Rob; "we fear she foundered in the gale a +few days ago which separated us from her." + +"I'm not so fearful about that," put in Jack; who felt that such +remarks were a slight upon the ship to which he was attached; "she has +rid out a good many tough storms, and I don't see why she couldn't +pull through that one." + +"Let us hope that she did," said the superintendent, kindly, and with +a twinkle of his fine eyes which the others did not notice. + +"I was hopeful that she had possibly made her way to Ivigtut," added +Fred, who continued, turning to the sailor, "we forgot to take a look +in the harbor." + +"No use of that," replied Jack; "she might have come in at some of the +other ports, but not here." + +"I suppose, Mr. Schmidt, that we can go home by way of Denmark?" + +"There will be no trouble about that; the only inconvenience is that +it will extend the trip much longer than is pleasant, but I understand +that you contemplated a visit to one of the posts of the Hudson Bay +Company." + +"Yes, the destination of the 'Nautilus' is York Factory." + +"Then your friends at home will feel no alarm, since you will be the +first to carry the news there, unless possibly Captain McAlpine turned +immediately about and started for England." + +It struck Rob Carrol as singular that the superintendent should +mention the name of the skipper of the "Nautilus" when no one of the +visitors had yet done so. Where could he have learned it? His +companions did not notice the odd fact and he was too polite to ask +their host to explain. + +"We rarely receive a visit from the English vessels," continued Mr. +Schmidt, "though now and then one drops down on us, but there is an +American line, inasmuch as a good deal of cryolite goes to the United +States. How would you like to make a voyage to that part of the +country?" + +"It would be pleasant, but hardly practicable," replied Rob, who could +not forget that the funds of the company were at a frightfully low +ebb. "We shall have to defer that treat to some more convenient +season." + +"I cannot tell you how pleased I am to receive this visit," said the +superintendent; "you must stay several weeks with me, and visit the +mines and see all there is to be seen. I hardly suppose you would care +to make a hunting trip into the interior?" he added, with a smile. + +"No, we have had enough of that to last several lifetimes," replied +Jack, uttering at the same time the sentiments of his friends. + +"I don't wonder; there is too much snow and cold weather for real +sport, except at certain seasons. I must see the men who brought you +in. The real wild Esquimaux live on the east coast, where the climate +is so terrible that the whites rarely, if ever, visit them, and they +are beyond the control of all except their own. If these fellows of +yours make their homes in the interior, they are very different from +all the Esquimaux of which I know anything. I think there is some +mistake about it." + +"We know nothing, of course, beyond what Docak told us." + +"He is an unusually intelligent native, and I know him very well. He +is a little morose at times, and I understand has caused some trouble +at the other settlements, but he is a worthy fellow for all that. By +the way, I have a friend who is expected to supper with me this +evening. It will be a pleasure, I am sure, for you to meet him." + +"It will be a pleasure to meet any of your friends," Rob hastened to +say, for his heart had already warmed to the genial and hospitable +gentleman. + +"If I am not mistaken, he has arrived," added Mr. Schmidt, rising from +his chair and stepping to the door. + +The next moment he admitted a stalwart, whiskered, sun-browned man, in +middle life, and, shaking his hand, turned to his other guests. + +"Permit me, captain, to introduce you to Messrs. Cosgrove, Carrol, and +Warburton." + +"Wal, by the great horned spoon!" exclaimed the sailor, springing to +his feet and striding across the room, "where did you come from, +captain?" + +It was Captain McAlpine, of the "Nautilus," standing before them, +smiling, bewildered, and happy, as he gazed into the faces of his +friends whom he had mourned for days under the fear that they were +dead. + +The laughing Rob and Fred were right behind Jack, and they shook the +hands of the good old sailor, and felt like throwing their arms about +his neck and hugging him. + +"I must apologize for this little joke," said Superintendent Schmidt, +who enjoyed it fully, "but really I couldn't help it. Captain McAlpine +arrived at Ivigtut yesterday, and came straight to me with news of +what had happened. He was driven far away from the iceberg, as you +know, and had searched for it in vain. At a loss what to do, he put +into Ivigtut to consult with me." + +By this time the excitement was about over, and all seated themselves +as the servant came in and lighted the lamps. Mr. Schmidt continued: + +"The occurrence was so extraordinary that I was at a loss how to +advise him, and his purpose in coming here this evening was that we +might discuss the question and decide it." + +"You see," observed the captain (and he thereby verified the words of +Jack Cosgrove, uttered several days before), "I observed that that +iceberg wasn't sailing straight for the Equator, and I got the idea +that it was to be looked for further up north, though as likely as not +it would change its course and head south again. The only thing for me +was to try to get another ship or two to jine me in a search for you. +I was going to find out whether that could be done, but now there +isn't any need of it." + +"Thank Heaven, no!" fervently responded Rob Carrol; "we have had a +close call, and the only regret we shall feel in leaving Greenland is +that it will take us away from our friends." + +"It is I who feel that, but it is one of the sure penalties of our +existence. Supper, I see, is ready; will you kindly walk out with me?" +he asked, rising to his feet, and leading the way. + +And perhaps it is as well that we should say good-bye to the party, +now that they are seated around the board with keen appetites, +cheerful conversation, and happy hearts; for of the visit made to the +cryolite mines the next day, the sailing of the "Nautilus" two days +later, the voyage through Hudson Bay to York Factory, the visit there, +the safe return to England, and the settling down of Rob Carrol and +Fred Warburton to the sober business of life--why, all these may be +covered in a paragraph, and so we say, "Good-bye." + + +THE END + + + + + +~The Young Boatman~ + +BY HORATIO ALGER, JR. + +369 Pages Illustrated + +Cloth, $1.25 + +This is an interesting story of a boy who is obliged to support +himself and his mother by rowing passengers across the Kennebec River. +To add to his trials, his intemperate stepfather, after serving a term +of imprisonment, returns home and endeavors to compel the boy to pay +over his small earnings to him. This the boy, who was appropriately +nicknamed Grit, refuses to do, and after a struggle the stepfather +retires from the conflict and returns to his thieving habits. + +Shortly after Grit discovers a conspiracy to rob the bank and promptly +communicates his knowledge to the president, who succeeds in +frustrating the plans of the robbers and secures their arrest. + +Grit's cheerful manner and kindly good nature, coupled with the most +sterling honesty, cause him to be held in high esteem by all who know +him. His manly courage and self-reliance are often sorely tested, but +his indomitable pluck transmutes calamity into success. + +The book is full of incident and adventure of just the right sort to +hold the attention of any bright boy. + +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. + +~The Penn Publishing Company~ + +~1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia~ + + + + +~The Moncasket Mystery~ + +~AND~ + +~How Tom Hardy Solved It~ + +BY SIDNEY MARLOW + +375 pages Illustrated + +Cloth, $1.25 + +The tone of this book is earnestly and emphatically moral, and the +author understands that nothing makes morality so attractive to youth +as to find it coupled with ingenuity, energy, and pluck. + +There is no "cant" and no "can't" about Tom Hardy, the decidedly +vigorous hero of this story. He is a safe and worthy companion of any +boy or girl, and it is predicted that he will not only win a warm +place for himself in the hearts of all who make his acquaintance, but +that he will gallantly retain it long after the covers shall have +closed upon this chronicle of his efforts and adventures. He is an +admirable boy, yet the author, in defiance of the usual method in +modern juvenile fiction, has refused to sacrifice all of the other +characters to the single hero. Even those whose parts are but the +slightest have been so attractively presented that the reader feels +that if the events had chanced to require it each one of them would +have become a hero. + +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. + +~The Penn Publishing Company~ + +~1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia~ + + + + +~Chasing a Yacht~ + +BY JAMES OTIS + +Author of + +"The Braganza Diamond," "Toby Tyler," etc. + +350 pages Illustrated + +Cloth, $1.25 + +Two boys have engaged to run a steam yacht for the double purpose of +pleasure and profit, and after carefully fitting her up they launch +her, only to find the next morning that she is gone--stolen--as they +later discover, by two other boys who had been refused a half-interest +in her. The rightful owners start in hot pursuit, and in an attempt to +recapture the steamer are themselves made prisoners. It is the +intention of the thieves to hold the owners prisoners until the Hudson +River is reached and then put them ashore, but their plans miscarry +owing to the intervention of two rather rough citizens who find their +way aboard the yacht and make themselves generally at home. +Fortunately one of the owners manages to effect his escape, and +gaining the assistance of the authorities the little vessel is +speedily restored to them. + +The story is full of adventure, and the heroes are both bright and +manly fellows, who make the best of their temporary hardships. The +story will be found to enlist the interest at the outset, and to hold +it until the last page is turned. + +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. + +~The Penn Publishing Company~ + +~1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia~ + + + + +~The Braganza Diamond~ + +BY JAMES OTIS + +Author of + +"Chasing a Yacht," "Toby Tyler," etc. + +383 pages Illustrated + +Cloth, $1.25 + +Long before the opening events of this story the fragments of this +celebrated gem are supposed to have been taken from a wreck by an old +sea captain, and secreted by him on a lonely island in Roanoke Sound. + +This aged captain, now quite feeble, sends for his niece and her +daughter. They invite two bright boys to accompany them, and engaging +a steam launch the four, in company with the owner--a trusty +sailor--set out for the lonely island. Arriving there they are +distressed at finding the captain already dead. To add to their +discomfort they also discover that the former owners of the diamond +have appeared upon the scene. The little party is forcibly made +prisoner, and their captors demand that they forthwith produce the +precious stone. This, of course, they are unable to do, but +discovering among the old captain's effects a curious cryptogram, they +are led to hope that its solution may reveal the secret hiding place +of the diamond, and thus restore to them their freedom. This theory +eventually proves correct, but not until after the party has endured +many hardships, and passed through many exciting experiences. + +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. + +~The Penn Publishing Company~ + +~1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia~ + + + + +~The Odds Against Him, or Carl Crawford's Experience~ + +BY HORATIO ALGER, JR. + +350 pages Illustrated + +Cloth, $1.25 + +The hero of this story had to leave home on account of the +ill-treatment he received from his stepmother, who had a son of her +own about the same age. Dr. Crawford, a man of considerable wealth, +but of weak, vacillating mind, loved his son, but was afraid to show +his true feelings in the presence of his wife. After leaving home and +meeting with a number of adverse experiences, Carl eventually obtained +employment in a factory. He soon gained the confidence of his +employer, and after frustrating an attempt of the book-keeper to rob +the safe, he was appointed as a traveler, and, visiting Chicago, he +discovered that his stepmother had another husband living. Her success +in getting a will made in her own favor, an attempt on the life of her +husband, etc., are all defeated, and Carl came out victorious in the +end. + +The book is full of bright, cheerful, and amusing incidents, showing +that a boy of good, honest, sterling, industrious habits can always +secure friends, and succeed in earning a good living. + +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. + +~The Penn Publishing Company~ + +~1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia~ + + + + +~The Story of the Iliad~ + +FOR BOYS AND GIRLS + +BY DR. EDWARD BROOKS, A.M. + +370 pages Profusely Illustrated + +Cloth Binding, $1.25 + +White and Silver Edition, $1.50 + +This is a story of absorbing interest both to young and old. It +relates in a simple prose narrative the leading incidents of one of +the greatest literary works of the world--the Iliad of Homer. Many of +its names are household words among educated people, and its incidents +are a constant source of allusion and illustration among the best +speakers and writers. No one with any claim to literary culture can +afford to be ignorant of them. + +The object of the work is two-fold--first, to present to young people +an interesting story which will be read with pleasure and at the same +time cultivate a taste for good literature; second, to give a popular +knowledge of this famous work of Homer and thus afford a sort of +stepping-stone to one of the grandest poetical structures of all time. + +It is thus a book for the home circle, and should be in every +household in the land. It is recommended especially for School +Libraries and young folks' Reading Circles, and also to schools as a +Supplementary Reader. + +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. + +~The Penn Publishing Company~ + +~1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia~ + + + + +~The Story of the Odyssey~ + +FOR BOYS AND GIRLS + +BY DR. EDWARD BROOKS, A.M. + +370 pages Profusely Illustrated + +Cloth Binding, $1.25 + +White and Silver Edition, $1.50 + +The Odyssey of Homer combines the romance of travel with that of +domestic life, and it differs from the Iliad, which is a tale of the +camp and battle-field. Although the ancient author concentrates the +attention on a single character--Ulysses--he refers to several +beautiful women, including some of the goddesses. After the siege of +Troy, Ulysses started on a voyage of discovery and adventure in +unknown lands, which, although described with poetic exaggeration, +"has been a rich mine of wealth for poets and romancers, painters and +sculptors, from the date of the age which we call Homer's down to our +own." + +In this wonderful poem lie the germs of thousands of volumes which +fill our modern libraries. Without some knowledge of it, readers will +miss the point of many things in modern art and literature. + +Ulysses was brave and valiant as a soldier, and was distinguished for +his wisdom and shrewdness which enabled him to extricate himself from +the difficulties which to others would seem insurmountable. + +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. + +~The Penn Publishing Company~ + +~1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia~ + + + + +~Harry Ambler, and How He Saved the Homestead~ + +BY SIDNEY MARLOW + +350 Pages Illustrated + +Cloth, $1.25 + +This is a narrative of a bright, active, and courageous boy, suddenly +thrown upon his own resources and subjected to the malicious plots of +a powerful enemy. The effectual and yet not unnatural manner in which +the hero turns his enemy's weapons to his own defence, constitutes, +perhaps, the chief charm of the book. + +The story abounds in humorous and exciting situations, yet it is in no +objectionable way sensational. There is nothing in it that will tend +to create or encourage a taste for mere reckless adventure. + +The author has given more attention to the delineation of his +characters than is usual in juvenile literature, thus making the story +pleasant reading, even for those who have passed the outer line of +boyhood. + +He believes in a "moral," but not in those bits of abstract virtue +which are so frequently forced into juvenile stories, only to be +"skipped" by the youthful reader. He would create a personal sympathy +with the best efforts of fallible boys and girls, rather than an +admiration for the mere name of virtue. + +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. + +~The Penn Publishing Company~ + +~1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia~ + + + + +~The Campers Out~ + +~OR~ + +~The Right Path and the Wrong~ + +BY EDWARD S. ELLIS, A.M. + +363 pages Illustrated + +Cloth, $1.25 + +This is one of the most interesting works of an author whose +productions are widely read and deservedly popular on both sides of +the Atlantic. Mr. Ellis has in perfection the faculty of making his +stories not only entertaining in the highest degree but instructive +and elevating. A leading journal truthfully stated that no mother need +hesitate to place any story of which Mr. Ellis is the author in the +hands of her boy, for he is sure to be instructed as well as +entertained. + +"The Campers Out" is bright, breezy, and full of adventure of just the +right sort to hold the attention of any young mind. It is clean, pure, +and elevating, and the stirring incidents with which it is filled +convey one of the most forceful of morals. It traces the "right path" +and the "wrong path" of several boys with such striking power that old +and young will be alike impressed by the faithful portrayal of +character, and be interested from beginning to end by the succession +of exciting incidents. + +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. + +~The Penn Publishing Company~ + +~1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia~ + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Among the Esquimaux, by Edward S. 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Ellis—A Project +Gutenberg eBook</title> +<link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg"> +<style type="text/css"> + + body {margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%;} + + p {text-indent: 0em; + text-align: justify; + margin-top: .80em; + margin-bottom: .80em; + line-height: 1.20em;} + + .sc {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .ctr {text-align: center;} + .ctrbold {text-align: center; + font-weight: bold;} + .ctrsmall {text-align: center; + font-size: 90%;} + .ctrsmaller {text-align: center; + font-size: 80%;} + .ctrsmallest {text-align: center; + font-size: 70%;} + .ctrlarge {text-align: center; + font-size: 120%;} + .ctrtoppad {text-align: center; + padding-top: 2em;} + + .small {font-size: 90%;} + .smaller {font-size: 80%;} + .smallest {font-size: 70%;} + + /* hide the TN about the cover image by default */ + div.covernote {visibility: hidden; + display: none;} + + #coverpage {border: .1em solid black;} + + @media print, handheld + {.figcenter {text-align: center; + margin: 2em auto auto auto;} + .figleft {margin: .5em 1em .5em 1em;} + body {margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 5%;} + table {font-size: small;}} + + img {max-width: 100%; + height:auto;} + .figcenter {clear: both; + margin: 2em 0em 2em 0em; + text-align: center; + max-width: 100%;} + + .figleft {float: left; + clear: left; + margin: .5em 1em .5em 1em;} + + .caption {font-size: small; + text-align: center; + text-indent: 0; + margin: 0.30em 0;} + + .booktitle {font-weight: bold; + text-align: center; + font-size: 112%; + padding-top: 2em; + page-break-before: always;} + + .titlepage {font-weight: bold; + line-height: 1.5em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + font-size: 130%;} + + h1 {text-align: center; + font-size: 150%; + font-weight: bold; + line-height: 1.5em; + padding-top: 2em; + letter-spacing: .1em; + page-break-after: avoid;} + + h2 {text-align: center; + font-size: 115%; + font-weight: bold; + padding-top: 3.5em; + padding-bottom: 1em; + page-break-before: always;} + + hr {width: 65%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 17.5%; + margin-right: 17.5%; + clear: both;} + + hr.med {width: 50%; + height: .1em; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 25%; + margin-right: 25%; + clear: both;} + + hr.short {width: 35%; + height: .1em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-left: 32.5%; + margin-right: 32.5%; + clear: both;} + + hr.tiny {width: 15%; + margin-top: 1.5em; + margin-bottom: 1.5em; + margin-left: 42.5%; + margin-right: 42.5%; + clear: both;} + + table {margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + margin-top: 0em; + margin-bottom: 0em;} + + td.chpt {vertical-align: top; + text-align: right; + padding-right: .6em;} + + td.txt {vertical-align: top; + text-align: left; + font-variant: small-caps;} + + td.pg {vertical-align: bottom; + text-align: right; + padding-left: 1em;} + + .tn {font-size: small; + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + padding: .2em 1em .2em 1em; + background-color: #faebd0; + border-style: solid; + border-width: .1em;} + + a:link {color: #00F; + text-decoration:none;} + a:visited {color:#F00; + text-decoration:none;} + +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Among the Esquimaux, by Edward S. Ellis + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Among the Esquimaux + or Adventures under the Arctic Circle + +Author: Edward S. Ellis + +Release Date: March 23, 2014 [EBook #45192] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX *** + + + + +Produced by Greg Bergquist and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figcenter"><img width="500" height="299" src="images/001.jpg" alt="NO USE, LADS! THE BOAT HAS KEEN SWEPT AWAY"> +<p class="caption">"NO USE, LADS! THE BOAT HAS BEEN SWEPT AWAY" +<br>(See page 37) +</p> +</div> + + + +<h1> +Among the Esquimaux +<br> +<span class="smallest">OR</span> +<br> +Adventures under the Arctic Circle +</h1> +<br> +<div class="titlepage"> +<p class="ctrsmaller"> +BY +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +EDWARD S. ELLIS, A.M. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +AUTHOR OF "The Campers Out," Etc., Etc. +</p> + +<br> +<p class="ctrsmaller"> +PHILADELPHIA<br> +THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY<br> +1894 +</p> + +<p class="ctrsmaller"> +<span class="sc">Copyright 1894 by The Penn Publishing Company</span> +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="med"> + + +<h2> +CONTENTS +</h2> + +<table summary="Contents"> +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><small>CHAP.</small></td> +<td class="txt"> </td> +<td class="pg"><small>PAGE</small></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">I</td> +<td class="txt">Two Passengers on the "Nautilus"</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#I">7</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">II</td> +<td class="txt">A Colossal Somersault</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#II">16</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">III</td> +<td class="txt">An Alarming Situation</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#III">27</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">IV</td> +<td class="txt">Adrift</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#IV">38</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">V</td> +<td class="txt">An Icy Couch</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#V">46</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">VI</td> +<td class="txt">Missing</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#VI">55</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">VII</td> +<td class="txt">A Point of Light</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#VII">64</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">VIII</td> +<td class="txt">Hope Deferred</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#VIII">73</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">IX</td> +<td class="txt">A Startling Occurrence</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#IX">82</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">X</td> +<td class="txt">An Ugly Customer</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#X">91</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XI</td> +<td class="txt">Lively Times</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XI">99</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XII</td> +<td class="txt">Fred's Experience</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XII">108</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XIII</td> +<td class="txt">The Fog</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XIII">117</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XIV</td> +<td class="txt">A Collision</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XIV">126</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XV</td> +<td class="txt">The Sound of a Voice</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XV">135</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XVI</td> +<td class="txt">Land Ho!</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XVI">144</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XVII</td> +<td class="txt">Docak and His Home</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XVII">153</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XVIII</td> +<td class="txt">A New Expedition</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XVIII">162</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XIX</td> +<td class="txt">A Wonderful Exhibition</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XIX">171</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XX</td> +<td class="txt">The Herd of Musk Oxen</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XX">180</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XXI</td> +<td class="txt">Close Quarters</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XXI">189</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XXII</td> +<td class="txt">Fred's Turn</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XXII">198</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XXIII</td> +<td class="txt">In the Cavern</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XXIII">207</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XXIV</td> +<td class="txt">Unwelcome Callers</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XXIV">216</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XXV</td> +<td class="txt">The Coming Shadow</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XXV">225</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XXVI</td> +<td class="txt">Walled In</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XXVI">234</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XXVII</td> +<td class="txt">"Come On!"</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XXVII">243</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XXVIII</td> +<td class="txt">A Hopeless Task</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XXVIII">251</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XXIX</td> +<td class="txt">Ten Miles</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XXIX">260</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XXX</td> +<td class="txt">The Last Pause</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XXX">269</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XXXI</td> +<td class="txt">Another Sound</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XXXI">278</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XXXII</td> +<td class="txt">The Wild Men of Greenland</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XXXII">287</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="chpt">XXXIII</td> +<td class="txt">Conclusion</td> +<td class="pg"><a href="#XXXIII">301</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<hr class="small"> + +<p class="booktitle"> +AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="I"> </a> +CHAPTER I +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +TWO PASSENGERS ON THE "NAUTILUS" +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +The good ship "Nautilus" had completed the greater part of her voyage +from London to her far-off destination, deep in the recesses of +British America. This was York Factory, one of the chief posts of the +Hudson Bay Company. +</p> + +<p> +Among the numerous streams flowing into Hudson Bay, from the frozen +regions of the north, is the Nelson River. Near the mouth of this and +of the Hayes River was erected, many years ago, Fort York, or York +Factory. The post is not a factory in the ordinary meaning of the +word, being simply the headquarters of the factors or dealers in furs +for that vast monopoly whose agents have scoured the dismal regions to +the north of the Saskatchewan, in the land of Assiniboine, along the +mighty Yukon and beyond the Arctic Circle, in quest of the fur-bearing +animals, that are found only in their perfection in the coldest +portions of the globe. +</p> + +<p> +The buildings which form the fort are not attractive, but they are +comfortable. They are not specially strong, for, though the structure +has stood for a long time in a country which the aborigines make their +home, and, though it is far removed from any human assistance, its +wooden walls have never been pierced by a hostile bullet, and it is +safe to say they never will be. Somehow or other, our brethren across +the northern border have learned the art of getting along with the +Indians without fighting them. +</p> + +<p> +The voyageurs and trappers, returning from their journeys in canoes or +on snow-shoes to the very heart of frozen America, first catch sight +of the flag floating from the staff of York Factory, and they know +that a warm welcome awaits them, because the peltries gathered amid +the recesses of the frigid mountains and in the heart of the land of +desolation are sure to find ready purchasers at the post, for the +precious furs are eagerly sought for in the marts of the Old and of +the New World. +</p> + +<p> +It is a lonely life for the inhabitants of the fort, for it is only +once a year that the ship of the company, after breasting the fierce +storms and powerful currents of the Atlantic, sails up the great mouth +of Baffin Bay, glides through Hudson Strait, and thence steals across +the icy expanse of Hudson Bay to the little fort near the mouth of the +Nelson. +</p> + +<p> +You can understand how welcome the ship is, for it brings the only +letters, papers, and news from home that can be received until another +twelvemonth shall roll around. Such, as I have said, is the rule, +though now and then what may be termed an extra ship makes that long, +tempestuous voyage. Being unexpected, its coming is all the more +joyful, for it is like the added week's holiday to the boy who has +just made ready for the hard work and study of the school-room. +</p> + +<p> +You know there has been considerable said and written about a railway +to Hudson Bay, with the view of connection thence by ship to Europe. +Impracticable as is the scheme, because of the ice which locks up +navigation for months every year, it has had strong and ingenious +advocates, and considerable money has been spent in the way of +investigation. The plan has been abandoned, for the reasons I have +named, and there is no likelihood that it will ever be attempted. +</p> + +<p> +The "Nautilus" had what may be called a roving commission. It is easy +to understand that so long as the ships of the Hudson Bay Company have +specific duties to perform, and that the single vessel is simply +ordered to take supplies to York Factory and bring back her cargo of +peltries, little else can be expected from her. So the staunch +"Nautilus" was fitted out, placed under the charge of the veteran +navigator, Captain McAlpine, who had commanded more than one Arctic +whaler, and sent on her westward voyage. +</p> + +<p> +The ultimate destination of the "Nautilus" was York Factory, though +she was to touch at several points, after calling at St. John, +Newfoundland, one of which was the southern coast of Greenland, where +are located the most famous cryolite mines in the world, belonging, +like Greenland itself, to the Danish Government. +</p> + +<p> +There is little to be told the reader about the "Nautilus" itself or +the crew composing it, but it so happened that she had on board three +parties, in whose experience and adventures I am sure you will come to +feel an interest. These three were Jack Cosgrove, a bluff, hearty +sailor, about forty years of age; Rob Carrol, seventeen, and Fred +Warburton, one year younger. +</p> + +<p> +Rob was a lusty, vigorous young man, honest, courageous, often to +rashness, the picture of athletic strength and activity, and one whom +you could not help liking at the first glance. His father was a +director in the honorable Hudson Bay Company, possessed considerable +wealth, and Rob was the eldest of three sons. +</p> + +<p> +Fred Warburton, while displaying many of the mental characteristics of +his friend, was quite different physically. He was of much slighter +build, not nearly so strong, was more quiet, inclined to study, but as +warmly devoted to the splendid Rob as the latter was to him. +</p> + +<p> +Fred was an orphan, without brother or sister, and in such straitened +circumstances that it had become necessary for him to find some means +of earning his daily bread. The warm-hearted Rob stated the case to +his father, and said that if he didn't make a good opening for his +chum he himself would die of a broken heart right on the spot. +</p> + +<p> +"Not so bad as that, Rob," replied the genial gentleman, who was proud +of his big, manly son; "I have heard so much from you of young Mr. +Warburton that I have kept an eye on him for a year past." +</p> + +<p> +"I may have told you a good deal about him," continued Rob, earnestly, +"but not half as much as he deserves." +</p> + +<p> +"He must be a paragon, indeed, but, from what I can learn, my son, he +has applied himself so hard to his studies while at school that he +ought to have a vacation before settling down to real hard work; what +do you think about it, Robert?" +</p> + +<p> +"A good idea, provided I take it with him," added the son, slyly. +</p> + +<p> +"I see you are growing quite pale and are losing your appetite," +continued the parent, with a grave face, which caused the youth to +laugh outright at the pleasant irony. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes," said the big boy, with the same gravity; "I suffer a great loss +of appetite three or four times every day; in fact, I feel as though I +couldn't eat another mouthful." +</p> + +<p> +"I have observed that phenomenon, my son, but it never seems to attack +you until the table has been well cleared of everything on it. Ah, my +boy!" he added, tenderly, laying his hand on his head; "I am thankful +that you are blessed with such fine health. Be assured there is +nothing in this world that can take its place. With a conscience void +of offense toward God and man, and a body that knows no ache nor pain, +you can laugh at the so-called miseries of life; they will roll from +you like water from a duck's back." +</p> + +<p> +"But, father, have you thought of any way of giving Fred a vacation +before he goes to work? You know he is as poor as he can be, and can't +afford to do nothing and pay his expenses." +</p> + +<p> +"The plan I have in mind," replied the father, leaning back in his +chair and twirling his eyeglasses, "is this: next week the 'Nautilus,' +one of the company's ships, will leave London for York Factory, which +is a station deep in the heart of British America. She will touch at +St. John, Greenland, and several other points on her way, and may stop +several weeks or months at York Factory, according to circumstances. +If it will suit your young friend to go with her, I will have him +registered as one of our clerks, which will entitle him to a salary +from the day the 'Nautilus' leaves the dock. The sea voyage will do +him good, and when he returns, at the end of a year or less, he can +settle down to hard work in our office in London. Of course, if Fred +goes, you will have to stay at home." +</p> + +<p> +Rob turned in dismay to his parent, but he observed a twitching at the +corners of his mouth, and a sparkle of the fine blue eyes, which +showed he was only teasing him. +</p> + +<p> +"Ah, father, I understand you!" exclaimed the big boy, springing +forward, throwing an arm about his neck and kissing him. "You wouldn't +think of separating us." +</p> + +<p> +"I suppose not. There! get along with you, and tell your friend to +make ready to sail next week, his business being to look after you +while away from home." +</p> + +<p> +And that is how Rob Carrol and Fred Warburton came to be +fellow-passengers on the ship "Nautilus" on the voyage to the far +North. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="II"> </a> +CHAPTER II +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +A COLOSSAL SOMERSAULT +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +The voyage of the "Nautilus" was uneventful until she was far to the +northward in Baffin Bay. It was long after leaving St. John that our +friends saw their first iceberg. They should have seen them before, as +Captain McAlpine explained, for, as you well know, those mountains of +ice often cross the path of the Atlantic steamers, and more than once +have endangered our great ocean greyhounds. No doubt numbers of them +were drifting southward, gradually dissolving as they neared the +equator, but it so happened that the "Nautilus" steered clear of them +until many degrees to the north. +</p> + +<p> +The captain, who was scanning the icy ocean with his glass, apprised +the boys that the longed-for curiosity was in sight at last. As he +spoke, he pointed with his hand to the north-west, but though they +followed the direction with their eyes, they were disappointed. +</p> + +<p> +"I see nothing," said Rob, "that looks like an iceberg." +</p> + +<p> +"And how is it with you, Mr. Warburton?" asked the skipper, lowering +his instrument, and turning toward the younger of the boys, who had +approached, and now stood at his side. +</p> + +<p> +"We can make out a small white cloud in the horizon, that's all," said +Fred. +</p> + +<p> +"It's the cloud I'm referring to, boys; now take a squint at that same +thing through the glass." +</p> + +<p> +Fred leveled the instrument and had hardly taken a glance, when he +cried: +</p> + +<p> +"Oh! it's an iceberg sure enough! Isn't it beautiful?" +</p> + +<p> +While he was studying it, the captain added: "Turn the glass a little +to the left." +</p> + +<p> +"There's another!" added the delighted youth. +</p> + +<p> +"I guess we've struck a school of 'em," remarked Rob, who was using +his eyes as best he could; "I thought we'd bring up the average before +reaching Greenland." +</p> + +<p> +"It's a sight worth seeing," commented Fred, handing the glass to his +friend, whose pleasure was fully as great as his own. +</p> + +<p> +The instrument was passed back and forth, and, in the course of a +half-hour, the vast masses of ice could be plainly discerned with the +unaided eye. +</p> + +<p> +"That proves they are coming toward us, or we are going toward them," +said Rob. +</p> + +<p> +"Both," replied Captain McAlpine; "we shall pass within a mile of the +larger one." +</p> + +<p> +"Suppose we run into it?" +</p> + +<p> +The old sea-dog smiled grimly, as he replied: +</p> + +<p> +"I tried it once, when whaling with the 'Mary Jane.' I don't mean to +say I did it on purpose, but there was no moon that night, and when +the iceberg, half as big as a whole town, loomed up in the darkness, +we hadn't time to get out of its path. Well, I guess I've said +enough," he remarked, abruptly. +</p> + +<p> +"Why, you've broken off in the most interesting part of the story," +said the deeply interested Fred. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, that was the last of the 'Mary Jane.' The mate, Jack Cosgrove, +and myself were all that escaped out of a crew of eleven. We managed +to climb upon a small shelf of ice, just above the water, where we +would have perished with cold had not an Esquimau fisherman, named +Docak, seen us. We were nearer the mainland than we dared hope, and he +came out in his kayak and took us off. He helped us to make our way to +Ivignut, where the cryolite mines are, and thence we got back to +England by way of Denmark. No," added Captain McAlpine, "a prudent +navigator won't try to butt an iceberg out of his path; it don't pay." +</p> + +<p> +"It must be dangerous in these waters, especially at night." +</p> + +<p> +"There is danger everywhere and at all times in this life," was the +truthful remark of the commander; "and you know that the most constant +watchfulness on the part of the great steamers cannot always avert +disaster, but I have little fear of anything from icebergs." +</p> + +<p> +You need to be told little about those mountains of ice which +sometimes form a procession, vast, towering, and awful, that stream +down from the far North and sail in all their sublime grandeur +steadily southward until they "go out of commission" forever in the +tepid waters of the tropic regions. +</p> + +<p> +It is a strange spectacle to see one of them moving resistlessly +against the current, which is sometimes dashed from the corrugated +front, as is seen at the bow of a steamboat, but the reason is simple. +Nearly seven-eighths of an iceberg is under water, extending so far +down that most of the bulk is often within the embrace of the counter +current below. This, of course, carries it against the weaker flow, +and causes many people to wonder how it can be thus. +</p> + +<p> +While the little group stood forward talking of icebergs, they were +gradually drawing near the couple that had first caught their +attention. By this time a third had risen to sight, more to the +westward, but it was much smaller than the other two, though more +unique and beautiful. It looked for all the world like a grand +cathedral, whose tapering spire towered fully two hundred feet in air. +It was easy to imagine that some gigantic structure had been submerged +by a flood, while the steeple still reared its head above the +surrounding waters as though defying them to do their worst. +</p> + +<p> +The other two bergs were much more enormous and of irregular contour. +The imaginative spectator could fancy all kinds of resemblances, but +the "cold fact" remained that they were simply mountains of ice, with +no more symmetry of outline than a mass of rock blasted from a quarry. +</p> + +<p> +"I have read," said Fred, "that in the iceberg factories of the north, +as they are called, they are sometimes two or three years in forming, +before they break loose and sweep off into the ocean." +</p> + +<p> +"That is true," added Captain McAlpine; "an iceberg is simply a chunk +off a frozen river, and a pretty good-sized one, it must be admitted. +Where the cold is so intense, a river becomes frozen from the surface +to the ground. Snow falls, there may be a little rain during the +moderate season, then snow comes again, and all the time the water +beneath is freezing more and more solid. Gravity and the pressure of +the inconceivable weight beyond keeps forcing the bulk of ice and snow +nearer the ocean, until it projects into the clear sea. By and by it +breaks loose, and off it goes." +</p> + +<p> +"But why does it take so long?" +</p> + +<p> +"It is like the glaciers of the Alps. Being solid as a rock while the +pressure is gradual as well as resistless, it may move only a few feet +in a month or a year; but all the same the end must come." +</p> + +<p> +The captain had grown fond of the boys, and the fact that the father +of one of them was a director of the company which employed him +naturally led him to seek to please them so far as he could do so +consistent with his duty. He caused the course of the "Nautilus" to be +shifted, so that they approached within a third of a mile of the +nearest iceberg, which then was due east. +</p> + +<p> +Sail had been slackened and the progress of the mass was so slow as to +be almost imperceptible. This gave full time for its appalling +grandeur to grow upon the senses of the youths, who stood minute after +minute admiring the overwhelming spectacle, speechless and awed as is +one who first pauses at the base of Niagara. +</p> + +<p> +Naturally the officers and crew of the "Nautilus" gave the sight some +attention, but it could not impress them as it did those who looked +upon it for the first time. +</p> + +<p> +The second iceberg was more to the northward, and the ship was heading +directly toward it. It was probably two-thirds the size of the first, +and, instead of possessing its rugged regularity of outline, had a +curious, one-sided look. +</p> + +<p> +"It seems to me," remarked Rob, who had been studying it for some +moments, "that the centre of gravity in that fellow must be rather +ticklish." +</p> + +<p> +"It may be more stable than the big one," said Fred, "for you don't +know what shape they have under water; a good deal must depend on +that." +</p> + +<p> +Jack Cosgrove, the sailor, who had joined the little party at the +invitation of the captain, ventured to say: +</p> + +<p> +"Sometimes them craft get top-heavy and take a flop; I shouldn't be +s'prised if that one done the same." +</p> + +<p> +"It must be a curious sight; I've often wondered how Jumbo, the great +elephant, would have looked turning a somersault. An iceberg +performing a handspring would be something of the same order, but a +hundred thousand times more extensive. I would give a good deal if one +of those bergs should take it into his head to fling a handspring, but +I don't suppose—" +</p> + +<p> +"Look!" broke in Fred, in sudden excitement. +</p> + +<p> +To the unbounded amazement of captain, crew, and all the spectators, +the very thing spoken of by Rob Carrol took place. The vast bulk of +towering ice was seen to plunge downward with a motion, slow at first, +but rapidly increasing until it dived beneath the waves like some +enormous mass of matter cast off by a planet in its flight through +space. As it disappeared, two-fold as much bulk came to view, there +was a swirl of water, which was flung high in fountains, and the waves +formed by the commotion, as they swept across the intervening space, +caused the "Nautilus" to rock like a cradle. +</p> + +<p> +The splash could have been heard miles away, and the iceberg seemed to +shiver and shake itself, as though it were some flurried monster of +the deep, before it could regain its full equilibrium. Then, as the +spectators looked, behold! where was one of those mountains of ice +they saw what seemed to be another, for its shape, contour, +projections, and depressions were so different that no resemblance +could be traced. +</p> + +<p> +"She's all right now," remarked Jack Cosgrove, whose emotions were +less stirred than those of any one else; "she's good for two or three +thousand miles' voyage, onless she should happen to run aground in +shoal water." +</p> + +<p> +"What then would take place, Jack?" asked Fred. +</p> + +<p> +"Wal, there would be the mischief to pay gener'ly. Things would go +ripping, tearing, and smashing, and the way that berg would behave +would be shameful. If anybody was within reach he'd get hurt." +</p> + +<p> +Rob stepped up to the sailor as if a sudden thought had come to him. +Laying his hand on his arm, he said, in an undertone: +</p> + +<p> +"I wonder if the captain won't let us visit that iceberg?" +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="III"> </a> +CHAPTER III +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +AN ALARMING SITUATION +</span> +</h2> + +<p> +The boldness of the proposition fairly took away the breath of the +honest sailor. He stared at Rob as though doubting whether he had +heard aright. He looked at the smiling youth from head to foot, and +stared a full minute before he spoke. +</p> + +<p> +"By the horned spoon, you're crazy, younker!" +</p> + +<p> +"What is there so crazy about such an idea?" asked Fred, as eager to +go on the excursion as his friend. +</p> + +<p> +Jack removed his tarpaulin and scratched his head in perplexity. He +voided a mouthful of tobacco spittle over the taffrail, heaved a +prodigious sigh, and then muttered, as if to himself: +</p> + +<p> +"It's crazy clean through, from top to bottom, sideways, +cat-a-cornered, and every way; but if the captain says 'yes' I'll take +you." +</p> + +<p> +Rob stepped to where the skipper stood, some paces away, and said: +</p> + +<p> +"Captain McAlpine, being as this is the first time Fred and I ever had +a good look at an iceberg, we would be much obliged if you will allow +Jack to row us out to it. We want to get a better view of it than we +can from the deck of the ship. Jack is willing, and we will be much +obliged for your permission." +</p> + +<p> +Fred was listening breathlessly for the reply, which, like Rob, he +expected would be a curt refusal. Great, therefore, was the surprise +of the two when the good-natured commander said: +</p> + +<p> +"The request doesn't strike me as very sensible, but, if your hearts +are set on it, I don't see any objection. Yes, Jack has my permission +to take you to that mass of ice, provided you don't stay too long." +</p> + +<p> +"He's crazy, too!" was the whispered exclamation of the sailor, who, +nevertheless, was pleased to gratify his young friends. +</p> + +<p> +The preparations were quickly made. Fred had heard that polar bears +are occasionally found on the icebergs which float southward from the +Arctic regions, and he insisted that they ought to take their rifles +and ammunition along. Rob laughed, but fortunately he followed his +advice, and thus it happened that the couple were as well supplied in +that respect as if starting out on a week's hunt in the interior of +the country. +</p> + +<p> +When Jack was urged to do the same he resolutely shook his head, and +then turned about and accepted a weapon from the captain, who seemed +in the mood for humoring every whim of the youths that afternoon. +</p> + +<p> +"Take it along, Jack," he said; "there may be some tigers, leopards, +boa-constrictors, and hyenas prowling about on the ice. They may be on +skates, and there is nothing like being prepared for whatever comes. +Good luck to you!" +</p> + +<p> +Rob placed himself in the bow of the small boat, and Fred in the +stern, while the sailor, sitting down near the middle, grasped the +oars and rowed with that long, steady stroke which showed his mastery +of the art. There was little wind stirring, and the waves were so +slight that they were easily ridden. The sea was of a deep green +color, and when the spray occasionally dashed over the lads it was as +cold as ice itself. By this time the iceberg had drifted somewhat to +the southward, but its progress was so slow as to suggest that the two +currents which swept against it were nearly of the same strength. Had +it been earlier in the day it would probably have remained visible to +the "Nautilus" until sunset. +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile, a fourth mass rose to sight in the rim of the eastern +horizon, so that there seemed some truth in Rob's suggestion that they +had run into a school of them. They felt no interest, however, in any +except the particular specimen before them. +</p> + +<p> +How it grew upon them as they neared it! It seemed to spread right and +left, and to tower upward toward the sky, until even the reckless Rob +was hushed into awed silence and sat staring aloft, with feelings +beyond expression. It was much the same with Fred, who, sitting at the +stern, almost held his breath, while the overwhelming grandeur hushed +the words trembling on his lip. +</p> + +<p> +The mass of ice was hundreds of feet in width and length, while the +highest portion must have been, at the least, three hundred feet above +the surface of the sea. What, therefore, was the bulk below. Its +colossal proportions were beyond imagination. +</p> + +<p> +The part within their field of vision was too irregular and shapeless +to admit of clear description. If the reader can picture a mass of +rock and <i>débris</i> blown from the side of a mountain, multiplied a +million times, he may form some idea of it. +</p> + +<p> +The highest portion was on the opposite side. About half-way from the +sea, facing the little party, was a plateau broad enough to allow a +company of soldiers to camp upon it. To the left of this the ice +showed considerable snow in its composition, while, in other places, +it was as clear as crystal itself. In still other portions it was dark +or almost steel blue, probably due to some peculiar refraction of +light. There were no rippling streams of water along and over its +side, for the weather was too cold for the thawing which would be +plentiful when it struck a warmer latitude. +</p> + +<p> +But there were caverns, projections, some sharp, but most of them +blunt and misshapen, steps, long stretches of vertical wall as smooth +as glass, up which the most agile climber could never make his way. +</p> + +<p> +Courageous as Rob Carrol unquestionably was, a feeling akin to terror +took possession of him when they were quite near the iceberg. He +turned to suggest to Jack that they had come far enough, when he +observed that the sailor had turned the bow of the boat to the right, +though he was still rowing moderately. +</p> + +<p> +He was the only one that was not impressed by the majesty of the +scene. Squinting one eye up the side of the towering mass, he +remarked: +</p> + +<p> +"There's enough ice there to make a chap's etarnal fortune, if he +could only hitch on and tow it into London or New York harbor; but +being as we've sot out to take a view of it, why we'll sarcumnavigate +the thing, as me cousin remarked when he run around the barn to dodge +the dog that was nipping at his heels." +</p> + +<p> +The voice of the sailor served to break the spell that had held the +tongues of the boys mute until then, and they spoke more cheerily, but +unconsciously modulated their voices, as a person will do when walking +through some great gallery of paintings or the aisles of a vast +cathedral. +</p> + +<p> +They were so interested, however, in themselves and their novel +experience that neither looked toward the "Nautilus," which was +rapidly passing from sight, as they were rowed around the iceberg. Had +they done so, they would have seen Captain McAlpine making eager +signals to them to return, and, perhaps, had they listened, they might +have heard his stentorian voice, though the moderate wind, blowing at +right angles, was quite unfavorable for hearing. +</p> + +<p> +Unfortunately not one of the three saw or heard the movement or words +of the skipper, and the little boat glided around the eastern end of +the mountainous mass and began slowly creeping along the further side. +</p> + +<p> +"Hello!" called out Rob, "there's a good place to land, Jack; let's go +ashore." +</p> + +<p> +"Go ashore!" repeated the sailor, with a scornful laugh; "what kind of +a going ashore do you call that?" +</p> + +<p> +While there was nothing especially desirable in placing foot upon an +iceberg, yet, boy-like, the two friends felt that it would be worth +something to be able to say on their return home that they had +actually stood upon one of them. +</p> + +<p> +Inasmuch as the whole thing was a fool's errand in the eyes of Jack +Cosgrove, he thought it was well to neglect nothing, so he shied the +boat toward the gently sloping shelf, which came down to the water, +and, with a couple of powerful sweeps of the oars, sent the bow far up +the glassy surface, the stoppage being so gradual as to cause hardly a +perceptible shock. +</p> + +<p> +"Out with you, younkers, for the day will soon be gone," he called, +waiting for the two to climb out before following them. +</p> + +<p> +They lost no time in obeying, and he drew the boat so far up that he +felt there was no fear of its being washed away during their absence. +All took their guns, and, leaving it to the sailor to act as guide, +they began picking their way up the incline, which continued for fully +a dozen yards from the edge of the water. +</p> + +<p> +"This is easy enough," remarked Rob; "if we only had our skates, we +might—confound it!" +</p> + +<p> +His feet shot up in the air, and down he came with a bump that shook +off his hat, and would have sent him sliding to the boat had he not +done some lively skirmishing to save himself. Fred laughed, as every +boy does under similar circumstances, and he took particular heed to +his own footsteps. +</p> + +<p> +Jack had no purpose of venturing farther than to the top of the gentle +incline, since there was no cause to do so; but, on reaching the +point, he observed that it was easy to climb along a rougher portion +to the right, and he led the way, the boys being more than willing to +follow him. +</p> + +<p> +They continued in this manner until they had gone a considerable +distance, and, for the first time, the guide stopped and looked +around. As he did so, he uttered an exclamation of amazement: +</p> + +<p> +"Where have been my eyes?" he called out, as if unable to comprehend +his oversight. +</p> + +<p> +"What's the matter?" asked the boys, startled at his emotion, for +which they saw no cause. +</p> + +<p> +"There's one of the biggest storms ever heard of in these latitudes, +bearing right down on us; it'll soon be night, and we shall be catched +afore we reach the ship, lads! there isn't a minute to lose; it's all +my fault." +</p> + +<p> +He led the way at a reckless pace, the youths following as best they +could, stumbling at times, but heeding it not as they scrambled to +their feet and hurried after their friend, more frightened, if +possible, than he. +</p> + +<p> +He could out-travel them, and was at the bottom of the incline first. +Before he reached it, he stopped short and uttered a despairing cry: +</p> + +<p> +"No use, lads! the boat has been swept away!" +</p> + +<p> +Such was the fact. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="IV"> </a> +CHAPTER IV +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +ADRIFT +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +Jack Cosgrove, of the "Nautilus," was not often agitated by anything +in which he became involved. Few of his perilous calling had gone +through more thrilling experiences than he, and in them all he had +acquired a reputation for coolness that could not be surpassed. +</p> + +<p> +But one of the few occasions that stirred him to the heart was when +hurrying to disembark from the iceberg, in the desperate hope of +reaching the ship before the bursting of the gale and the closing of +night, he found that the little boat had been swept from its +fastenings, and the only means of escape was cut off. +</p> + +<p> +There was more in the incident than occurred to Rob Carrol and Fred +Warburton, who hastened after him. He had been in those latitudes +before, and the reader will recall the story Captain McAlpine told to +the boys of the time Jack was one of three who escaped from the +collision of the whaling ship with an iceberg in the gloom of a dark +night. +</p> + +<p> +Had it been earlier in the day, and had no storm been impending, he +could have afforded to laugh at this mishap, for at the most, it would +have resulted in a temporary inconvenience only. The skipper would +have discovered their plight sooner or later, and sent another boat to +bring them off, but the present case was a hundred-fold more serious +in every aspect. +</p> + +<p> +In the first place, the fierce disturbance of the elements would +compel Captain McAlpine to give all attention to the care of his ship. +That was of more importance than the little party on the iceberg, who +must be left to themselves for the time, since any effort to reach +them would endanger the vessel, the loss of which meant the loss of +everything, including the little company that found itself in sudden +and dire peril. +</p> + +<p> +What might take place during the storm and darkness his imagination +shuddered to picture. Had the boat been found where he left it a short +time before, desperate rowing would have carried them to the +"Nautilus" in time to escape the full force of the storm. That was +impossible now, and as to the future who could say? +</p> + +<p> +The rowboat, as will be remembered, was simply drawn a short distance +up the icy incline, where it ought to have remained until the return +of the party. Such would have been the fact under ordinary +circumstances, for the mighty bulk of the iceberg prevented it feeling +the shock of any disturbance that could take place in its majestic +sweep through the Arctic Ocean, except from its base striking the +bottom of the sea, or a readjustment of its equilibrium, as they had +observed in the case of the smaller berg. It might crush the "Great +Eastern" if it lay in its path, but that would have been like a wagon +passing over an egg-shell. +</p> + +<p> +In leaving the boat as related, the stern lay in the water. Even then +it would have been secure, but for the agitation caused by the coming +gale. That began swaying the rear of the craft, whose support was so +smooth that it speedily worked down the incline and floating into the +open water instantly worked off beyond reach. +</p> + +<p> +The boys knowing so little what all this meant and what was before +them, were disposed to make light of their misfortune. +</p> + +<p> +"By the great horned spoon, but that is bad!" exclaimed Jack, pointing +out on the water, where the boat was seen bobbing on the rising waves, +fully a hundred yards away, with the distance rapidly increasing. +</p> + +<p> +It seems as if in the few minutes intervening, night had fully +descended. The wind had risen to a gale, and, even at that short +distance the little craft was fast growing indistinct in the gathering +gloom. +</p> + +<p> +"It isn't very pleasant," replied Rob, "but it might be worse." +</p> + +<p> +"I should like to know how it could be worse," said the sailor, +turning reprovingly toward him; "I wonder if I can do it." +</p> + +<p> +The last words were uttered to himself, and he hastily laid down his +gun on the ice by his side. Then he began taking off his outer coat. +</p> + +<p> +"What do you mean to do?" asked the amazed Fred. +</p> + +<p> +"I believe I can swim out to the boat and bring it back," was the +reply, as he continued preparations. +</p> + +<p> +"You musn't think of such a thing," protested Rob; "the water is cold +enough to freeze you to death. If you can't reach it, you will have to +come back to us, with your clothing frozen stiff, and nothing will +save you from perishing." +</p> + +<p> +"I'll chance that," said Jack, who, however, continued his +preparations more deliberately, and with his eye still on the receding +boat. +</p> + +<p> +He was about to take the icy plunge, in the last effort to save +himself and friends, when he stopped, and, straightening up, watched +the craft for a few seconds. +</p> + +<p> +"No," said he, "it can't be done; the thing is drifting faster than I +can swim." +</p> + +<p> +Such was the evident fact. While the vast mass of ice, as has been +explained elsewhere, was under the impulse of a mighty under-current, +the small craft was swept away by the surface current which flowed in +the opposite direction. +</p> + +<p> +Even while the party looked, the boat faded from sight in the gloom. +</p> + +<p> +"I can't see it," said Rob, who, like the others, was peering intently +into the darkness. +</p> + +<p> +"Nor I either," added Fred. +</p> + +<p> +"And what's more, you'll never see it again," commented Jack, who +began slowly donning his outer garments; "younkers, I've been in a +good many bad scraps in my life, and more than once would have sworn I +was booked for Davy Jones' locker, but this is a little the worst of +'em all." +</p> + +<p> +His young friends looked wonderingly at him, unable to understand the +cause of such extreme depression on the part of one whom they knew to +be among the bravest of men, and in a situation that did not strike +them as specially threatening. +</p> + +<p> +"Don't you think this iceberg will hold together until morning?" asked +Rob. +</p> + +<p> +"It'll hold together for months," was the answer, "and like enough +will travel hundreds of miles through the Gulf Stream before it goes +to nothing." +</p> + +<p> +"Then we are sure of a ship to keep us from drowning." +</p> + +<p> +"I aint meaning that," said Jack, who was rapidly recovering his +equanimity, though it was plain he was strongly affected by the woful +turn the adventure had taken. +</p> + +<p> +"And," added Fred, "Captain McAlpine knows where we are; he will +remain in the neighborhood until morning—" +</p> + +<p> +"How do you know he will?" broke in Jack, impatiently. +</p> + +<p> +"What's to hinder him?" asked Fred, in turn, startled by the abrupt +question; "he knows how to sail the 'Nautilus,' and has taken it +through many gales worse than this." +</p> + +<p> +"How do you know he has?" +</p> + +<p> +"Gracious, Jack, I don't know anything about it; I am only saying what +appears to me to be the truth." +</p> + +<p> +"I don't want to hurt your feelings, lads, but I can't help saying you +don't know what you're talking about. A couple of young land lubbers +like you don't see things as they show themselves to one who was born +and has lived all his life on the ocean, as you may say. I don't mean +to scare you more than I oughter, but you can just make up your minds, +my hearties, that you never was in such a fix as this, and if you live +to be a hundred years old you'll never be in another half as bad." +</p> + +<p> +These were alarming words, but, inasmuch as Jack did not accompany +them with any explanation, neither Rob nor Fred were as much impressed +as they would have been had he explained the grounds for his extreme +fear. What they saw was an enforced stay on the iceberg until the +following day. Although in a high latitude, the night was not +unusually long, and, though it was certain to be as uncomfortable as +can well be imagined, they had no doubt they would survive it and live +to laugh at their mishap. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="V"> </a> +CHAPTER V +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +AN ICY COUCH +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +By this time the sailor felt that he had forgotten himself in the +agitation caused by the loss of the boat. Although he might see the +dark future with clearer vision than his young friends, it was his +duty to keep their sight veiled as long as he could. Time enough to +face the terrors and their direful consequences when the possibility +of avoiding them no longer existed. +</p> + +<p> +It will be recalled that when the little party stepped out from the +small boat upon the iceberg they did so on the side farthest from the +"Nautilus," so that all view of the ship was shut off, and neither +Captain McAlpine nor any of his crew could observe the action of Jack +and the boys. +</p> + +<p> +The skipper had warrant for supposing that such an experienced sailor +as the one in charge of the lads would be quick to notice the +threatening change in the weather, and would make all haste to return. +Inasmuch as he had failed to do so, the party must be left to +themselves for the time, while the commander gave his full attention +to the care of the ship—a responsibility that required his utmost +skill, with no slight chance of his failure. +</p> + +<p> +The storm or squall, or whatever it might be termed, was one of those +sudden changes, sometimes seen in the high latitudes, whose coming is +so sudden that there is but the briefest warning ere it bursts in all +its fury. +</p> + +<p> +By the time our friends reached the spot where they expected to find +their boat it was almost as dark as night. This darkness deepened so +rapidly, after losing sight of the craft, that they were unable to see +more than fifty feet in any direction. Fortunately, before leaving the +"Nautilus," they had donned their heaviest clothing, so that they were +quite well protected under the circumstances. Had they neglected this +precaution they must have perished of the extreme cold that followed. +</p> + +<p> +Accompanying the oppressive gloom was a marked falling of the +temperature, and a fierceness of blast which, so long as they were +exposed to it, cut them to the bone. The gale, instead of blowing in +their faces, swept along the side of the iceberg. They had but to +withdraw, therefore, only a short distance when they were able to take +shelter behind some of the numerous projections, and save themselves +from its full force. +</p> + +<p> +All at once the air was full of millions of particles of snow, which +eddied and whirled in such fantastic fashion that when they crouched +down they were so blinded that they could not see each other's forms, +although near enough to clasp hands. +</p> + +<p> +This lasted but a few minutes, when it ceased as suddenly as it began. +The air was clear, but the gloom was profound. They could see nothing +of the raging ocean, nor of a tall spire-like mass of ice, which +towered a hundred feet above their heads, within a few yards of them, +and which had attracted their admiration on their first visit. +</p> + +<p> +It was blowing great guns. The sound of the waves, as they broke +against the solid abutment of ice, and were dashed into spray and +spume, was like that of the breakers in a hurricane. Inconceivable as +was the bulk of the berg, they plainly felt it yield to the resistless +power of the ocean. It acquired a slow sea-saw motion, more alarming +than the most violent disturbance they had ever known on the +"Nautilus" in a storm. The movement was slight, but too distinct to be +mistaken. +</p> + +<p> +For some time the three huddled together, under the protection of the +friendly projection, and no one spoke a word. They had laid down their +guns, for there was no need of keeping them in their hands. The metal +was so intensely cold that it could be noted through the protection of +their thick mittens, and they needed every atom of vitality in their +shivering bodies. They pressed closer together and found comfort in +the mutual warmth thus secured. +</p> + +<p> +The sky was blackness itself. There was no glimpse of moon or friendly +star. They were adrift on an iceberg in darkness and gloom in the +midst of a trackless ocean. Whither they were going, when the +terrifying voyage should end, what was to be the issue, only One knew. +They could but pray and trust and hope and await the end. +</p> + +<p> +It is a curious feature of this curious human nature of ours that the +most hopeless depression of spirits is frequently followed by a +rebound, as the highest spirits are quickly succeeded by the deepest +dejection. Our make-up is such that nature reacts, and neither state +can continue long without change, unless the conditions are +exceptional. Were it otherwise, many a strong mind would break down +under its weight of trouble. +</p> + +<p> +The three had remained crouching together silent and motionless for +some minutes, no one venturing to express a hope or opinion, when Rob +Carrol suddenly spoke, in the cheeriest tones. +</p> + +<p> +"I'll tell you what we'll do, fellows." +</p> + +<p> +"What's that?" asked Fred, quick to seize the relief of hearing each +other's voices. +</p> + +<p> +"Let's start a fire." +</p> + +<p> +"A good idee," assented Jack Cosgrove, falling into the odd mood that +had taken possession of his companions; "you gather the fuel and I'll +kindle it. It happens I haven't such a thing as a match about me, but +I'll find a way to start it." +</p> + +<p> +"Rob and I have plenty, but, if we hadn't, we could rub some pieces of +ice together till the friction started a flame." +</p> + +<p> +"The Esquimaux have another plan," added Rob. "They will trim a piece +of ice in the form of a convex lens and concentrate the sun's rays on +the object they want to set on fire. Why not try that?" +</p> + +<p> +"I am afraid there isn't enough sunlight to amount to anything," +replied Fred, craning his head forward and peering through the gloom, +as if searching for the orb of day. +</p> + +<p> +"That isn't the only way of getting up steam," remarked Jack, who, +just like his honest self, was striving to dispose of his body so as +to give each of the boys the greatest possible amount of warmth; "I +know a better one." +</p> + +<p> +"Let's hear it." +</p> + +<p> +"Race back and forth along the side of the berg till we start the +blood circulating; nothing like that." +</p> + +<p> +"Suppose we should slip, Jack?" +</p> + +<p> +"Then you'd flop into the sea; it's a good thing to take a bath when +your blood is heated too much." +</p> + +<p> +"If there was only a footpath where we could do that, it would be a +good plan," observed Rob, "but, as it is, we shall have to huddle +together till morning, when I hope Captain McAlpine will send a boat +after us." +</p> + +<p> +The boys noticed that Jack made no reply to this. They expected an +encouraging response, but he remained silent, as though he was +considering difficulties, dangers, complications, and perils of which +they could form no idea. +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile the gale raged with resistless fury. There was no more fall +of snow, but the wind was like a hurricane. The most vivid idea of its +awful power was gained when the friends, far removed from the water's +edge, and at no small elevation above it, felt drops of spray flung in +their faces. +</p> + +<p> +The thunder of the surges, shattered into mist and foam against the +adamantine side of the iceberg, was so overpowering that, had not the +heads of the three been close, they would not have heard each other's +voices. The see-sawing of the colossal mass was more perceptible than +ever, and caused them to think, with unspeakable dread, of the +possibility of the berg breaking apart, or overturning like the other, +in the effort to preserve its equilibrium. +</p> + +<p> +The gale whistled around and among the projections of the ice with a +weird, uncanny sound, alike and yet different from that heard when it +moans through the network of ropes and rigging of a great ship. The +question was whether such a vast volume of wind, impinging against the +thousands of square feet of ice, would not affect the course and speed +of the mass. If the hurricane drove in the same direction as the +controlling current, it ought to be of much help. If opposed, it might +check it; if quartering, it might make a radical change in its course. +</p> + +<p> +All these speculations were in vain, however, and, as has been said, +there was nothing to be done, but to wait and trust in the only One +who could help them, and who had been so merciful in the past that +their faith in His goodness and protecting care could not be shaken. +</p> + +<p> +"My lads," said Jack, when the silence which followed their brief +conversation had lasted some minutes, "there's only one thing to do, +and that's to make ourselves as comfortable as we can where we are." +</p> + +<p> +"Isn't that what we are doing?" asked Rob. +</p> + +<p> +"Of course it is, but I didn't know but what you was trying to conjure +up some other plan. If so, give it up, say your prayers, and go to +bed." +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="VI"> </a> +CHAPTER VI +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +MISSING +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +It is at such times that a person realizes his helplessness and utter +dependence on the great Father of all. Too much are we prone to forget +such dependence, when all goes well, and too often the prayer for help +and guidance is put off until too late. +</p> + +<p> +It was a commendable trait in all three of the parties whose +experience I have set out to tell that they never forgot their duty in +this all-important matter. Rob and Fred were full of animal life and +spirits, and the elder especially was inclined, from this very excess +of health and strength, to overstep at times the bounds of propriety, +but both remembered the lessons learned in infancy at the mother's +knee, and never failed to commend themselves to their heavenly parent, +not only on waking in the glad morning, but on closing their eyes at +night. +</p> + +<p> +Jack Cosgrove had one of those impressionable natures, tinged with +innocent superstition, which is often seen in those of his calling. +His faith possessed the simplicity of a child, and, though many of his +doings might not square with those of a Christian, yet at heart he +devoutly believed in the all-protecting care of his Maker, and was +never ashamed, no matter what his surroundings, to call upon Him for +help and guidance. +</p> + +<p> +And so, as the three pressed closer together, adjusting themselves as +best they could to pass the long, dismal hours ere the sun would shine +upon them again, they were silent, and all, at the same time, communed +with God, as fervently and trustfully as ever a dying Christian did +when stretched upon his bed of mortal illness. +</p> + +<p> +Had they possessed a blanket among them they could have spread it upon +the ice, lain down upon it, and, wrapping it as best they could, +passed the night with a fair degree of comfort. That, however, was out +of the question. They, therefore, seated themselves under the lee, as +may be said of the mass of ice, which protected them against the gale, +their bodies pressed as closely together as well could be, and in this +sitting posture prepared to go to sleep, if it should so prove that +the blessing could be won. +</p> + +<p> +One can become accustomed to almost anything. An abrupt change from +the comfortable cabin of the "Nautilus" to the bleak situation on the +iceberg would have filled them with a dread hardly less trying than +death itself; but they had already been in the situation long enough +to grow used to it. The ponderous swaying of the frozen structure, the +thunderous dash and roar of the waves against its base, the screaming +of the gale and the darkness of the arctic night; all these were +sounds and sensations which in a certain sense grew familiar to them +and did not disturb them as the hours passed. +</p> + +<p> +It cannot be said that an icy seat or rest forms the most comfortable +support for the body, whose warmth is likely to melt the frozen +surface, but the thick clothing of the party did much to avert +unpleasant consequences. Had Jack or Rob or Fred been alone, the +penetrating cold most likely would have overcome him, but as has been +shown, the mutual warmth rendered their situation less trying than +would be supposed. +</p> + +<p> +When an hour had passed, with only an occasional word spoken, Jack +addressed each of the boys in turn by name. There was no response, and +he spoke in a louder tone with the same result. +</p> + +<p> +"They're asleep," he said to himself, "and I'm glad of it, though the +sleep that sometimes comes to a chap in these parts at such times is +the kind that doesn't know any waking in this world. I've no doubt, +howsumever, that they're all right." +</p> + +<p> +With a vague uneasiness, natural under the circumstances, he passed +his hands over their faces and pinched their arms, as if to assure +himself there was no mistake. +</p> + +<p> +The boys were so muffled up in their thick coats and sealskin caps +that were drawn about their ears, behind which the collars of their +coats were raised, that only the ends of their noses and a slight +portion of their cheeks could be felt. He removed his heavy mitten +from one hand, and, reaching under the protecting covering about the +cheeks and neck, found a healthy glow which told him all was well, +and, for the time at least, he need feel no further anxiety, so far as +they were concerned. +</p> + +<p> +"Which being the case," he added, drawing on his mitten again, and +making sure their coverings were adjusted, "I'll take a little trip +myself into the land of nod." +</p> + +<p> +But this trip was easier thought of than made. His rugged body, with +its powerful vitality, would have soon succumbed to drowsiness, could +his mind have been free of its distressing fear for the two young +friends under his charge. But, though he had said little, he knew far +more than he dare tell them. He had shown his alarm on discovering the +loss of the boat, but though some impatient expressions escaped him, +he did not explain what was in his mind. +</p> + +<p> +His belief was that before morning should come the "Nautilus" would be +driven so far from her course that she would be nowhere in sight, and, +towering as was the iceberg in its height and proportions, it would be +invisible from the deck of the ship, or, if visible, could not be +identified among the others drifting through the icy ocean. Well +aware, too, he was of the terrific strength of the gale sweeping +across the deep, he trembled for the safety of the "Nautilus" and +those on board, hardly less than he did for himself and friends. The +hurricane was resistless in its power, and would drive the ship +whither it chose like a cockle-shell. Icebergs were moving hither and +thither through the darkness, less affected by the wind and waves than +the vessel, and a collision was among the possibilities, if not the +probabilities. +</p> + +<p> +Inasmuch as the "Nautilus" was likely to go down under the fury of the +elements, or, if she rode through it, was certain to be too far +removed to be of help to the three, the question to consider was what +hope of escape remained to the latter. +</p> + +<p> +Although vessels penetrate Baffin Bay and far into the Arctic Ocean, +they are so few in number that days and weeks may pass without any two +of them gaining sight of each other. A shipwrecked sailor afloat in +the South Sea, on a spar, was as likely to be picked up by some +trading ship as were Jack and his companions, by any of the whalers or +ships in that high latitude. +</p> + +<p> +And then, supposing they did catch sight of some stray vessel, who of +the captain and crew would be looking for living persons on board an +iceberg? Why would they give the latter any more attention than the +scores of the mountainous masses afloat in their path and which it was +their first care to avoid? +</p> + +<p> +If a ship should pass so near to them that they could make their +signals seen there would be hope; but the chances of anything of that +kind were too remote to be regarded. +</p> + +<p> +Such being the outlook, where was there ground for hope? They were +beyond sight of the Greenland coast, and were doubtless drifting +farther away every hour. Nothing in the nature of succor was to be +hoped for from land, and the brave-hearted Jack was obliged to say to +himself that, so far as human eye could see, there was none from any +source. Cold, starvation, and death seemed among the certainties near +at hand. +</p> + +<p> +And having reached this disheartening belief, he closed his eyes and +joined his young friends in the land of dreams. +</p> + +<p> +Having sunk into slumber, the sailor was likely to remain so until +morning, unless some unexpected circumstance should break in upon his +rest, and it did. +</p> + +<p> +It was Rob Carrol, who, probably because of his cramped position, +first regained consciousness. As his senses gradually came back to +him, and the thunder of the surges and the shrieking of the gale broke +in upon his brain, he stretched his benumbed limbs and yawned in an +effort to make his situation more comfortable. +</p> + +<p> +It struck him that there had been a change in their relative positions +while asleep. Not wishing to awake his companions, he carefully +shifted his limbs and body, so as not to disturb them. While doing so, +he extended his hand to touch them. +</p> + +<p> +He groped along one figure, which he knew at once was Jack, but he +felt no other. With a vague fear he straightened up, leaned over, and +hastily extended his arms about him, as far as he could reach. The +next moment he roughly shook the shoulder of the sailor, and called +out in a husky voice: +</p> + +<p> +"Jack! Jack! wake up! Fred is gone!" +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="VII"> </a> +CHAPTER VII +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +A POINT OF LIGHT +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +Jack Cosgrove was awake on the instant. Not until he had groped around +in the darkness and repeated the name of Fred several times in a loud +voice would he believe he was not with them. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, by the great horned spoon!" he exclaimed, "that beats +everything. How that chap got away, and why he done it, and where he's +gone to gets me." +</p> + +<p> +"I wonder if he took his gun," added Rob, stooping over and examining +the depression in the ice, where the three laid their weapons before +composing themselves for sleep; "yes," he added directly after, "he +took his rifle with him." +</p> + +<p> +As may be supposed, the two were in a frenzied state of mind, and for +several minutes were at a loss what to do, if, indeed, they could do +anything. They knew not where to look for their missing friend, nor +could they decide as to what had become of him. +</p> + +<p> +One fearful thought was in the minds of both, but neither gave +expression to it; each recoiled with a shudder from doing so. It was +that he had wandered off in his sleep and fallen into the sea. +</p> + +<p> +Despite their distress and dismay, they noticed several significant +facts. The wind that blew like a hurricane when they closed their +eyes, had subsided. When they stood up, so that their heads arose +above the projections that had protected them, the breeze was so +gentle that it was hard to tell from which direction it came. It would +be truth to say there was no wind at all. +</p> + +<p> +Further, there was a marked rise in the temperature. In fact, the +weather was milder than any experienced after leaving St. John, and +was remarked by Rob. +</p> + +<p> +"You don't often see anything of the kind," replied the sailor; +"though I call something of the kind to mind on that voyage in these +parts in the 'Mary Jane,' which was smashed by the iceberg." +</p> + +<p> +But their thoughts instantly reverted to the missing boy. Rob had +shouted to him again and again in his loudest tones, had whistled +until the echo rang in his own ears, and had listened in vain for the +response. +</p> + +<p> +The tumultuous waves did not subside as rapidly as they arose. They +broke against the walls of the iceberg with decreasing power, but with +a boom and crash that it would seem threatened to shatter the vast +structure into fragments. There were occasional lulls in the +overpowering turmoil, which were used both by Rob and Jack in calling +to the missing one, but with no result. +</p> + +<p> +"It's no use," remarked the sailor, after they had tired themselves +pretty well out; "wherever he is, he can't hear us." +</p> + +<p> +"I wonder if he will ever be able to hear us," said Rob, in a choking +voice, peering around in the gloom, his eyes and ears strained to the +highest tension. +</p> + +<p> +"I wish I knew," replied Jack, who, though he was as much distressed +as his companion, was too thoughtful to add to the grief by any words +of his own. "I hope the lad is asleep somewhere in these parts, but I +don't know nothing more about him than you." +</p> + +<p> +"And I know nothing at all." +</p> + +<p> +"Can you find out what time it is?" +</p> + +<p> +That was easily done. Stooping down so as to protect the flame from +any chance eddy of wind, Rob ignited a match on his clothing and +looked at his watch. +</p> + +<p> +"We slept longer than I imagined, Jack; day-break isn't more than +three or four hours off." +</p> + +<p> +"That's good, but them hours will seem the longest that you ever +passed, my hearty." +</p> + +<p> +There could be no doubt on that point, as affected both. +</p> + +<p> +"Why, Jack," called out Rob, "the stars are shining." +</p> + +<p> +"Hadn't you observed that before? Yes; there's lots of the twinklers +out, and the storm is gone for good." +</p> + +<p> +Every portion of the sky except the northern showed the glittering +orbs, and, for the moment, Rob forgot his grief in the surprise over +the marked change in the weather. +</p> + +<p> +"This mildness will bring another change afore long," remarked Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"What's that?" +</p> + +<p> +"Fogs. We'll catch it inside of twenty-four hours, and some of them +articles in this part of the world will beat them in London town; +thick enough for you to lean against without falling." +</p> + +<p> +As the minutes passed, with the couple speculating as to what could +have happened to Fred Warburton, their uneasiness became so great that +they could not remain idle. They must do something or they would lose +command of themselves. +</p> + +<p> +Rob was on the point of proposing a move, with little hope of its +amounting to anything, when the sailor caught his arm. +</p> + +<p> +"Do you see that?" +</p> + +<p> +The darkness had so lifted that the friends could distinguish each +other's forms quite plainly, and the lad saw that Jack had extended +his arm, and was pointing out to sea. The fellow was startled, as he +had good cause to be. +</p> + +<p> +Apparently not far off was something resembling a star, low down in +the horizon and gliding over the surface of the deep. Now and then it +disappeared, but only for a moment. At such times it was evidently +shut from sight by the crests of the intervening waves. +</p> + +<p> +It was moving steadily from the right to the left, the friends, of +course, being unable to decide what points of the compass these were. +Its motion in rising and sinking, vanishing and then coming to view +again, advancing steadily all the while, left no doubt as to its +nature. +</p> + +<p> +"It's the 'Nautilus'!" exclaimed Rob; "Captain McAlpine is looking for +us." +</p> + +<p> +"That's not the 'Nautilus'," said Jack; "for she doesn't show her +lights in that fashion. Howsumever, it's a craft of some kind, and if +we can only make 'em know we're here they'll lay by and take us off in +the morning." +</p> + +<p> +As the only means of reaching the ears of the strangers the two began +shouting lustily, varying the cries as fancy suggested. In addition, +Jack fired his gun several times. +</p> + +<p> +While thus busied they kept their gaze upon the star-like point of +light on which their hopes were fixed. +</p> + +<p> +It maintained the same dancing motion, all the while pushing forward, +for several minutes after the emission of the signals. +</p> + +<p> +"She has stopped!" was the joyful exclamation of Rob, who postponed a +shout that was trembling on his lips; "they have heard us and will +soon be here." +</p> + +<p> +Jack was less hopeful, but thought his friend might be right. The +motion of the star from left to right had almost ceased, as if the +boat was coming to a halt. Still the sailor knew that the same effect +on their vision would be produced if the vessel headed either away +from or toward the iceberg; it was one of these changes of direction +that he feared had taken place. +</p> + +<p> +Up and down the light bobbed out of sight for a second, then gleaming +brightly as if the obscuring clouds had been brushed aside from the +face of the star, which shone through the intervening gloom like a +beacon to the wanderer. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, they are coming to us," added Rob, forgetting his lost friend in +his excitement; "they will soon be here. I wonder they don't hail us." +</p> + +<p> +"Don't be too sartin, lad," was the answer of the sailor; "if the boat +was going straight from us it would seem for a time as though she was +coming this way; I b'lieve she has changed her course without a +thought of us." +</p> + +<p> +They were cruel words, but, sad to say, they proved true. The time was +not long in coming when all doubt was removed. The star dwindled to a +smaller point than ever, seemed longer lost to view, until finally it +was seen no more. +</p> + +<p> +"Do you suppose they heard us?" asked Rob, when it was no longer +possible to hope for relief from that source. +</p> + +<p> +"Of course not; if they had they would have behaved like a Christian, +and stood by and done what they could." +</p> + +<p> +"Ships are not numerous in this latitude, and it may be a long time +before we see another." +</p> + +<p> +"The chances p'int that way, and yet you know there's a good many +settlements along the Greenland coast. It isn't exactly the place I'd +choose for a winter residence—especially back in the country—but +there are plenty who like it." +</p> + +<p> +"In what way can that affect us?" +</p> + +<p> +"There are ships passing back and forth between Denmark and Greenland, +and a number v'yage to the United States, and I'm hoping we may be run +across by some of them—Hark!" +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="VIII"> </a> +CHAPTER VIII +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +HOPE DEFERRED +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +A hoarse, tremulous sound came across the ocean. There was no +mistaking its character; it was from the whistle of a steamer, the one +whose light led them to hope for a time that their rescue was at hand. +It sounded three times, and evidently the blasts were intended as a +signal, though, of course, they bore no reference to the two persons +listening so intently on the iceberg. +</p> + +<p> +"That was the last thing I expected to hear in this latitude," +remarked Rob, turning to his companion. +</p> + +<p> +"I don't know why," replied Jack; "they have such craft plying along +the Greenland coast. What's more, I've heard that same whistle before +and know the boat; it's the 'Fox'." +</p> + +<p> +"Not the 'Fox' I have read about as having to do with the Franklin +expedition?" said the youth, in astonishment. +</p> + +<p> +"The identical craft." +</p> + +<p> +"You amaze me." +</p> + +<p> +Those of my readers who are familiar with the history of Arctic +exploration will recall this familiar name. It was the steam tug in +which sailed the party that succeeded in finding traces of the +ill-fated Franklin expedition of near a half century ago. It afterward +came into the possession of the company that owns the cryolite mine at +Ivigtut, and is now used to carry laborers and supplies from +Copenhagen to that place. While at Ivigtut, it is occasionally +employed to tow the Greenland ships in and out of the fiord. +</p> + +<p> +Ah, if its crew had only heard the shouts and signals of the couple on +the iceberg, how blessed it would have been! But its lights had +vanished long ago, and, if its whistle sounded again, it was so far +away that it could not reach the listening ears. +</p> + +<p> +The restlessness of the friends, to which I have referred, now led +them to attempt a search, if it may so be called, for the missing +Fred. This of necessity was vague and blind, and was accompanied with +but a grain of hope. Neither had yet referred to the awful dread that +was in their thoughts, but weakly trusted they might find the poor +fellow somewhere near asleep or senseless from a fall. +</p> + +<p> +Morning was still several hours distant, but the clearing of the air +enabled them to pick their way with safety, so long as they took heed +to their footsteps. +</p> + +<p> +"I will go down toward the spot where the boat gave us the slip," said +Jack, "and I don't know what you can do, unless you go with me." +</p> + +<p> +"There's no need of that; of course I can't make my way far, while the +night lasts, but I remember that we penetrated some way beyond this +place before camping for the night; I'll try it." +</p> + +<p> +"Keep a sharp lookout, my hearty, or there'll be another lad lost, and +then what will become of Jack Cosgrove?" +</p> + +<p> +"Have no fear of me," replied Rob, setting out on the self-imposed +expedition. +</p> + +<p> +He paused a few steps away and turned to watch the sailor, who was +carefully descending the incline, at the base of which they had +landed. +</p> + +<p> +"I hope he won't find Fred, or rather that he won't find any signs of +his having gone that way," said Rob to himself with a shudder. +</p> + +<p> +As the figure of the man slowly receded, it grew more indistinct until +it faded from sight in the gloom. Still the youth looked and listened +for the words which he dreaded to hear above everything else in the +world. +</p> + +<p> +Jack Cosgrove received a good scare while engaged on his perilous +task. He was half-way down the incline, making his way with the +caution of a timid skater, when, like a flash, his feet flew from +under him, and, falling upon his back, he slid rapidly toward the +waves at the base of the berg. +</p> + +<p> +But the brave fellow did not lose his coolness or presence of mind. +His left hand grasped his rifle, and, throwing out his right, he +seized a projection of ice, checking himself within a few feet of the +water and near enough for the spray from the fierce waves to be flung +over him. +</p> + +<p> +"This isn't the time for a bath," he muttered, carefully climbing to +his feet and retreating a few paces; "it would have been a pretty hard +swim out there with my heavy clothing, though I think I could manage +it." +</p> + +<p> +After all, what could he hope to accomplish by this hunt for Fred +Warburton? If he had wandered in that direction and fallen into the +sea, he had left no traces that could be discovered in the gloom of +the night. He could not have gone thither and stayed there that was +certain. +</p> + +<p> +The sailor having withdrawn beyond the reach of the waves, sat down in +as disconsolate a mood as can be imagined. A suspicion that Rob might +follow caused him to turn his head and look over his shoulder. +</p> + +<p> +"I don't see anything of him, and I guess he'll stay up there; I hope +so, for Jack Cosgrove isn't in the mood to see or talk with any one +'cepting that lad which he won't never see nor talk to agin." +</p> + +<p> +Convincing himself that he was safe against a visit from the elder +youth, the sailor bowed his head, and, for several minutes, wept like +one with an uncontrollable grief. +</p> + +<p> +When his sorrow had partially subsided, he spent a brief while with +his head still bowed in communion with his Maker. +</p> + +<p> +"I don't know but what the lad is luckier than me or Rob," he added, +reviewing the situation in his mind; "for we've got to foller him +sooner or later. It isn't likely that any ship will come as nigh to +this thing as the 'Fox' did awhile ago, and I can't see one chance in +ten thousand of our being took off. We haven't a mouthful of food, +and there's no way of our getting any. After a time we will have to +lay down and starve or freeze to death, or both. Poor Fred has been +saved all that—" +</p> + +<p> +He checked his musings, for at that moment a peculiar sound broke upon +his ear. It resembled that caused by the exhaust of a steamer at low +pressure. One less experienced than he would have been deceived into +the belief that such was its source, but Jack did not hold any such +false hope for a minute even. He understood it too well. +</p> + +<p> +It was made by a whale "blowing." One of those monster animals was +disporting himself in the vicinity of the iceberg, and the sailor had +heard the same sound too often to mistake it. +</p> + +<p> +Shifting his position so as to bring him nearer the sea, he stooped +and peered out in the gloom, in the direction whence came the noise. +There was enough starlight for him to trace the outline of the +mountainous waves, as they arose against the sky, though they were +dimly defined and might have misled another. +</p> + +<p> +While gazing thus, a huge mass took vague form. It was the head of a +gigantic leviathan of the deep, which for a moment was projected +against the sky and then sank out of sight with the same noise that +had attracted Jack's notice in the first place. +</p> + +<p> +The blowing was heard at intervals, for several minutes, until the +distance shut it from further notice. +</p> + +<p> +"I wonder if Rob noticed it," the sailor asked himself; "for if he +did, he will make the mistake of believing the 'Fox' has come to take +us off, and we're done with this old berg." +</p> + +<p> +But nothing was heard from the youth, and the sailor remained seated +on the shelf of ice, a prey to his gloomy reflections. He had made up +his mind to stay where he was until the coming of day, when the +question of what was to be done would be speedily settled. +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile, he wanted no company but his own thoughts. He had kept up +with the elder youth, and carefully withheld his fears and beliefs +from him. He felt that he could do so no longer. The farce had been +played out, and the truth must be spoken. +</p> + +<p> +It was impossible to note the passage of time. Jack carried no watch, +but each of the boys owned an excellent timepiece. He probably fell +into a doze, for, when he roused himself once more, he saw that the +night was nearly over. +</p> + +<p> +"I wonder what Rob is doing," he said, rising to his feet, stretching +his arms, and looking in the direction where he expected to see his +friend; "I hope nothing hain't happened to him." +</p> + +<p> +This affliction was spared the sailor, for while he was peering +through the increasing light, he caught sight of the figure of Rob +making his way toward him. +</p> + +<p> +"Hello, Jack, have you found anything?" +</p> + +<p> +"No; have you?" +</p> + +<p> +"I think I have; come and see." +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="IX"> </a> +CHAPTER IX +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +A STARTLING OCCURRENCE +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +As may be supposed, Jack Cosgrove was all excitement on the instant. +He had not expected any such reply, and he was eager to learn the +cause. As he started forward, he instinctively glanced down in quest +of evidence that Fred had passed there. There was none so far as he +could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been +able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, +and some of them more than once. +</p> + +<p> +"What is it?" he asked, as he reached his friend. +</p> + +<p> +"It may mean nothing, but a little distance beyond where we camped the +ice is broken and scratched as though some one has been that way." +</p> + +<p> +"So there has, we were there yesterday afternoon." +</p> + +<p> +"I haven't forgotten that, but these marks are at a place where we +haven't been, that is unless it was Fred." +</p> + +<p> +"How did you manage to find them in the dark?" +</p> + +<p> +"I didn't; I groped over the ice as far as I could, and then sat down +and waited for day. I must have slept awhile, but when it was growing +light I happened to look around, and there, within a few feet of me, +on my right hand, I noticed the ice scratched and broken, as though +some one had found it hard work to get along. I was about to start +right after him, when I thought it best to tarry for you. It is now so +much lighter that we shall learn something worth knowing." +</p> + +<p> +Even in their excitement they paused a few minutes to gaze out upon +the ocean, as it was rapidly illumined by the rising sun. Before long +their vision extended for miles, but the looked-for sight was not +there. On every hand, as far as the eye could penetrate, was nothing +but the heaving expanse of icy water. +</p> + +<p> +Whether they were within a comparatively short distance of Greenland +or not, they were not nigh enough to catch the first glimpse of the +coast. +</p> + +<p> +Several miles to the eastward towered an iceberg, apparently as large +as the one upon which they were drifting. Its pinnacles, domes, +arches, plateaus, spires, and varied forms sparkled and scintillated +in the growing sunlight, displaying at times all the colors of the +spectrum, and making a picture beautiful beyond description. +</p> + +<p> +To the northward and well down in the horizon, was another berg, +smaller than the first, and too far off to attract interest. A still +smaller one was visible midway between the two, and a peculiar +appearance of the sea in the same direction, Jack said, was caused by +a great ice field. +</p> + +<p> +Not a ship was to be seen anywhere. Their view to the southward was +excluded by the bulk of the iceberg, on which they were floating. +</p> + +<p> +"There's nothing there for us," remarked Rob with a sigh. +</p> + +<p> +"You're right; lead the way and let's see what you found." +</p> + +<p> +It took them but a few minutes to reach the place the lad had in mind, +and they had no sooner done so than the sailor was certain an +important discovery had been made. +</p> + +<p> +Where there was so much irregularity of shape as on an iceberg, a +clear description is impossible; but, doing the best we can, it may be +said that the spot was a hundred feet back from where the three +huddled together with an expectation of spending the night until +morning. It was only a little higher, and was attained by carefully +picking one's way over the jagged ice, which afforded secure footing, +now that day had come. +</p> + +<p> +Adjoining the place, from which the party diverged to the left, was a +lift or shelf on the right, and distant only two or three paces. It +was no more than waist high, and, therefore, was readily reached by +any one who chose to clamber upon it. +</p> + +<p> +It is no easy matter to trace one over the ice, but the signs of which +Rob had spoken were too plain to be mistaken. There were scratches, +such as would have been made by a pair of shoes, a piece of the edge +was broken off, and marks beyond were visible similar to those which +it would be supposed any one would make in clambering over the flinty +surface. +</p> + +<p> +Jack stood a minute or two studying these signs as eagerly as an +American Indian might scrutinize the faint trail of an enemy through +the forest. +</p> + +<p> +"By the great horned spoon!" he finally exclaimed; "but that does look +encouraging; I shouldn't wonder if the chap did make his way along +there in the night, but why he done it only he can tell. Howsumever, +where has he gone?" +</p> + +<p> +That was the question which Rob Carrol had asked himself more than +once, and was unable to answer. The ice, for a distance of another +hundred feet, looked as if it might be scaled, but, just beyond that, +towered a perpendicular wall, like the side of a glass mountain. There +could be no progress any farther in that direction, nor, so far as +could be judged, could any one advance by turning to the right or +left. +</p> + +<p> +There must be numerous depressions and cavities, sufficient to hide a +dozen men, and it was in one of these the couple believed they would +find the dead or senseless body of their friend. +</p> + +<p> +"Jack," said Rob, "take my gun." +</p> + +<p> +"What for?" +</p> + +<p> +"I'll push on ahead as fast as I can; I can't wait, and the weapon +will only hinder me." +</p> + +<p> +"I've an idee of doing something of the kind myself, so we'll leave +'em here. I don't think they'll wash away like the boat," he added, as +he carefully placed them on the shelf, up which they proceeded to +climb. +</p> + +<p> +But Rob was in advance and maintained his place, gaining all the time +upon his slower companion, who allowed him to draw away from him +without protest. +</p> + +<p> +"There's no need of a chap tiring himself to death," concluded Jack, +as he fell back to a more moderate pace; "he's younger nor me, and it +won't hurt him to get a bump or so." +</p> + +<p> +Rob was climbing with considerable skill. In his eagerness he slipped +several times, but managed to maintain his footing and to advance with +a steadiness which caused considerable admiration on the part of his +more sluggish companion. +</p> + +<p> +He used his eyes for all they were worth, and the signs that had +roused his hope at first were still seen at intervals, and cheered him +with the growing belief that he was on the right track. +</p> + +<p> +"But why don't we hear something of him?" he abruptly asked himself, +stopping short with shuddering dread in his heart; "he could not have +remained asleep all this time, and, if he has been hurt so as to make +him senseless, more than likely he is dead." +</p> + +<p> +The youth was now nearing the ice wall, to which we have referred, and +beyond which it looked impossible to go. The furtive glances into the +depressions on his right and left showed nothing of his loved friend, +and the evidences of his progress were still in front. The solution of +the singular mystery must be at hand. +</p> + +<p> +Unconsciously Rob slowed his footsteps, and looked and listened with +greater care than before. +</p> + +<p> +"What can it mean? Where can he have gone? I see no way by which he +could have pushed farther, and yet he is not in sight—" +</p> + +<p> +He paused, for he discovered his error. The path, if such it may be +termed, which he had been following, turned so sharply to the right +that it could not be seen until one was upon it. How far it penetrated +in that direction remained to be learned. +</p> + +<p> +Rob turned about and looked at Jack, who was several rods to the rear, +making his way upward with as much deliberation as though he felt no +personal interest in the business. +</p> + +<p> +"I'm going a little farther, Jack, but I think we're close upon him +now. Hurry after me!" +</p> + +<p> +"Ay, ay," called the sailor, in return; "when you run afoul of the lad +give him my love and tell him I'm coming." +</p> + +<p> +This remark proved that he shared the hope of Rob, who was now acting +the part of pioneer, and it did not a little to encourage the boy to +push on with the utmost vigor at his command. +</p> + +<p> +The sailor was somewhat winded from his unusual exertions, and, +believing there was no immediate need of his help, sat down for a few +minutes to regain his breath. +</p> + +<p> +"He'll yell the moment he catches sight of anything, and he can do +that so well that he don't need any help from me—by the great horned +spoon! what's the meaning of that?" +</p> + +<p> +Rob Carrol, who had been out of sight but a few seconds, now burst to +view again, the picture of terror. He was plunging toward the sailor +with such desperate haste that he continually stumbled and bruised +himself. But he instantly scrambled up again, glancing in mortal +fright over his shoulder, and barely able to gasp as he dashed toward +the sailor: +</p> + +<p> +"O Jack! we're lost! we're lost! Heaven help us!" +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="X"> </a> +CHAPTER X +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +AN UGLY CUSTOMER +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +Rob Carrol had good cause for his panic. Full of high hope, he hurried +along the ice between crags which shut him out of sight, for the time, +from Jack Cosgrove, who was resting himself after his hard climb. The +youth was thinking of no one and nothing else, except his friend Fred +Warburton, who had vanished so mysteriously the night before. +</p> + +<p> +The signs in the icy track he was following convinced him that he was +close upon the heels of his chum, who could not have wandered much +farther in advance. His hope was tinged with the deepest anxiety, for +it was impossible to account for Fred's long absence and silence, +except upon the theory that some grievous injury had befallen him. +</p> + +<p> +The searcher's nerves were strung to the highest point, and he was +pushing forward with unabated vigor, when his heart almost stood +still, as he caught a peculiar sound among the masses of ice. +</p> + +<p> +"That's Fred," he concluded; "he's alive, thank God!" and then he +called to his friend: +</p> + +<p> +"Fred! Fred, old fellow, where are you? Speak, I beg of you." +</p> + +<p> +The words were trembling on his lips, when what seemed to be a huge +pile of snow just in advance, arose from the ice and began swinging +toward him. +</p> + +<p> +Paralyzed for the moment by the amazing sight, and wondering whether +his senses were not betraying him, Rob stood motionless, as if rooted +to the spot. +</p> + +<p> +But the next minute that same mass of snow assumed more definite +shape, and an unmistakable growl issued from somewhere within the +interior. +</p> + +<p> +That was enough. Rob knew what it was that was sweeping down upon him +like a young avalanche. He had almost stumbled over a huge polar bear, +ravenous and fierce with hunger, and with a courage that made him +afraid of neither man nor beast. +</p> + +<p> +He must have been half asleep when roused by the approach and the +voice of the lad. Opening his great eyes, he saw before him a fine +breakfast in the shape of a plump lad, and he proceeded to go for him +with a vim and eagerness that would not be denied. +</p> + +<p> +It was about this time that Rob whirled on his heel and started on the +back track, with all the desperate hurry at his command. It will be +remembered that he had no gun with him, he and Jack having left the +weapons on the ice a considerable distance away. Both were without any +means of defense, unless the sheath knife which the sailor always +carried may be considered a weapon, and the only possible hope for +them was to secure their rifles before the monster secured them. +</p> + +<p> +When the lad's frenzied cry broke upon Jack, he sprang from the seat +where he had been resting, and stood staring and wondering what it all +could mean. He saw the boy's cap fly from his head, and he noted his +terrified glances behind him. The next moment the polar bear plunged +into sight, and the sailor grasped the situation. +</p> + +<p> +Even then he failed to do the wisest thing. Instead of realizing that +but one course could save them, and that was by dashing back to the +guns, he hastily drew his knife and awaited the coming of the brute +with a view of checking his attack upon the lad. +</p> + +<p> +It was more creditable to Jack's chivalry than to his sagacity that he +should do this thing. +</p> + +<p> +Even Rob, despite his extreme fright, saw the mistake his friend was +making, and called to him: +</p> + +<p> +"Quick, Jack! Get the guns and shoot him!" +</p> + +<p> +"I shouldn't wonder now if that was a good idea," reflected the +sailor, shoving his knife back, and whirling about to do as urged. +</p> + +<p> +The situation was so critical that even his sluggish blood was +stirred, and he never moved so fast as he did for the succeeding +seconds. Indeed, it was altogether too fast, for he fell headlong with +such violence that he was partially stunned, and by the time he +regained his feet Rob was upon him. +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile the polar bear was making matters lively. He was hustling +for his breakfast, and he kept things on the jump. He was at home amid +the snow and ice, and, with little effort, got forward faster than the +fugitives possibly could; he was overhauling Rob hand over hand. +</p> + +<p> +To continue his flight, even for the brief remaining distance, was to +insure his certain death. Rob saw him, and, when the ponderous beast +was almost upon him, he made a desperate leap from the icy path, +landing on his hands and knees several feet to the left, and instantly +scrambling up again. +</p> + +<p> +The manœuvre was so unexpected by the pursuer that he passed +several paces beyond before he could stop. Turning his head, with his +huge jaws so far apart that his red tongue and long white teeth +showed, he prepared to continue his pursuit of the lad who had escaped +him for the moment by such an exceedingly narrow chance. +</p> + +<p> +But it so happened that Jack Cosgrove just then was also climbing to +his feet from his thumping fall, and, being but a short way from the +brute, he drew his attention to himself. +</p> + +<p> +The bear's appetite was in that rugged state that he was not +particular as to whether his meal was made from a boy or full-grown +man, and, since the latter was within most convenient reach, he +shifted his design to him. +</p> + +<p> +"By the great horned spoon!" muttered the sailor, quick to see how +matters had turned; "but it's Jack Cosgrove that is to have all this +fun to himself, and he's enjoying it." +</p> + +<p> +The single recourse still presented itself; nothing could be done to +check the furious beast until one of the rifles was turned against +him, but it did seem for a time as if fate itself was fighting in +favor of the brute. +</p> + +<p> +Jack's tumble and flurry had so mixed him up that the rifles were +forgotten, until he took several steps on his flight, when he recalled +the fatal oversight, and hastily turned to rectify it; but the +precious moments wasted made it too late. The bear was actually +between him and the weapons, and, to attempt to reach them, except by +a roundabout course, was to fling himself into the embrace of those +resistless claws. +</p> + +<p> +He was too wise to attempt it. The first thing to do was to get +himself out of reach of the terror that was bearing down upon him with +the certainty of death. +</p> + +<p> +"If there was only a tree that I could climb," he reflected, leaping, +tumbling, and laboring forward as best he could; "he couldn't nab me, +but I don't see any tree, and that chap's hungry enough to eat a +stewed anchor." +</p> + +<p> +In the fearful hurry and panic some moments passed before Rob Carrol +comprehended the abrupt change in the plan of campaign. At the moment +he expected to feel the claw of the brute, he looked back and saw he +was pressing Jack hard. Furthermore, the latter, instead of hurrying +for the guns, was drawing away from them. +</p> + +<p> +That was a bad outlook, but it suggested to the youth that the chance +had come for him to do something effective. +</p> + +<p> +He lost no time in seizing the chance. He turned again in his course, +and moved around toward the spot where the weapons had been left near +at hand. Could he have been sure of a few minutes there would have +been no trouble in managing it, but events were going with such a rush +that there was not a spare second at command. +</p> + +<p> +The guns being near and lower in elevation than themselves, were in +plain sight. Rob saw the barrels and the iron work gleaming in the +morning sunlight, so that he could make no mistake in locating them, +but his attention was so riveted on the prizes that he paid no heed to +his footsteps, or, rather, he paid less heed than was necessary. +</p> + +<p> +He was within fifty feet, and was counting upon the quickness with +which he would end the sport of the brute when he discovered that he +was on the brink of an irregular depression in the ice. He tried +desperately to check himself or turn aside, but it was beyond his +ability and over he went. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XI"> </a> +CHAPTER XI +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +LIVELY TIMES +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +Rob's fall was not far, and his heavy clothing saved him from the +bruises that otherwise might have disabled him. He stared about him +and saw that he had fallen into a rough depression of the ice from six +to eight feet in depth, and of about the same diameter. +</p> + +<p> +"Here's a go," he reflected; "I wonder whether the bear will follow me +here, but he's giving his full attention to poor Jack, and won't hunt +for me until he is through with him." +</p> + +<p> +It was characteristic of the lad that, knowing the imminent peril of +his friend, he should feel more anxious about him than himself. All +thought of the missing Fred was shut out for the moment. +</p> + +<p> +The first thing for Rob to do was to get out of the hole into which he +had fallen. He did not wait, but, throwing off his outer coat, flung +it upon the edge of the depression, and then, leaping upward, caught +the margin with his mittened hands. As I stated at the beginning, he +was a fine athlete, but the task was almost impossible. The purchase +was so slight that when he put forth his strength and attempted to +draw himself upward, his mittens slipped, as though they were oiled. +</p> + +<p> +Then he snatched off the mittens, threw them upon his coat, and again +made the attempt; he failed as before. +</p> + +<p> +"I've got to stay here while the bear kills poor Jack," was his +despairing thought; "I can do nothing, when, if I were up there, I +could lay hold of one of the guns and save him." +</p> + +<p> +The reflection was so bitter that he could not rest. Walking rapidly +around the depression, he jumped upward at every step or two and +repeated the effort. Failure followed failure, and he was once more in +despair. +</p> + +<p> +Again he made the attempt, and his hand struck a knob-like projection, +which afforded just the purchase wanted. Grasping it with all his +might, he quickly drew himself upward, and was once more on what might +be considered the surface proper of the iceberg. +</p> + +<p> +At the moment of climbing into sight he heard the report of a gun. +</p> + +<p> +"Ah, Jack has managed to reach his rifle, and has given the brute a +shot—no, he hasn't, either!" +</p> + +<p> +To his unbounded amazement, he saw the sailor fleeing and dodging for +life, with the bear still at his heels. But he had no gun in his hand, +and, casting his eye below him, Rob observed both weapons lying where +they were placed by the owners a short time before. +</p> + +<p> +Who had fired that gun whose report he just heard? +</p> + +<p> +It was an absorbing question, indeed, but there was no time just then +to give it a thought. Rob was much nearer the rifles than either Jack +or the bear, and he now hastened thither, taking care that his last +mishap was not repeated. +</p> + +<p> +From what has been told it will be understood that Jack Cosgrove found +no time for the grass to grow under his feet. He had pulled himself +through many a narrow peril, but he was sure he was never quite so +hard pressed as now. He tried dodging and sudden turns in the line of +his flight, and doubtless saved himself more than once by such means; +but the discouraging fact was ever with him that his relentless enemy +could travel tenfold faster and better than he over the ice, and +sooner or later was certain to run him down unless turned aside by +some one else. +</p> + +<p> +Jack naturally wondered what had become of Rob, who was so active only +a short time before. His furtive glances showed him nothing of his +friend, but he had no chance to speculate, nor did he call upon him +for help, as the lad had appealed to him but a short time before. +</p> + +<p> +The sorely pressed fugitive drew his knife to be prepared for the +final struggle that was at hand. He had met polar bears before, and he +knew what such a conflict meant. +</p> + +<p> +He was wise enough, too, not to postpone the struggle until his own +strength was exhausted by running. He whirled about, when the brute +was no more than ten feet distant, and grasping his knife by the tip +of the blade, drove it with all the vicious fury at his command +straight at the head of the bear. +</p> + +<p> +The sailor was an adept at this species of throwing, and had often +given exhibitions of his skill on shipboard. It was not to be expected +that he could kill such a gigantic animal by flinging his sheath knife +at him, but it sped so true and with such power, that, striking his +neck, it inflicted a deep wound, sinking so deep, indeed, that it +remained in the wound. +</p> + +<p> +At this juncture the rifle, whose report Rob heard, was fired. The +sailor supposed, as a matter of course, that Rob discharged it, for +there could be no doubt the bear was the target. The bullet struck him +near the junction of the left leg, and there could be no mistake about +his being hit hard. He uttered a peculiar whining moan, stopped for +the moment, and then resumed his pursuit with such a marked limp that +his progress was perceptibly decreased. +</p> + +<p> +Seeing his own advantage, Jack was wise enough to use it. In his +desperation he had deprived himself of his only weapon, and he was +defenseless. But with a limping bear lumbering after him, and with the +short respite he had gained, he fancied he could hold his own in a +foot-race. So he wheeled and went at it again. +</p> + +<p> +By this time, and, indeed, a minute before, Rob had reached the spot +where the two guns lay, and with both in his grasp he set off in hot +haste to overtake the brute. He meant to get so near that when he +fired there could be no miss. +</p> + +<p> +To his exasperation, he stumbled and came within a hair of going into +the very hole from which he had extricated himself with so much +difficulty. But he escaped, and finding neither weapon injured, he +resumed his pursuit, cheered by the apparent fact that the bear was no +longer able to gain upon the fugitive. +</p> + +<p> +Jack had run as close to the edge of the iceberg as possible, and to +venture nearer would be at the imminent risk of going into the icy +sea. He perforce turned, and sped in the direction of the lad, who was +hastening to his help. +</p> + +<p> +This suited Rob, for there was no call for him to continue his +pursuit, since the bear was approaching "head on." The youth stopped +as soon as he saw the change, and prepared to close matters. +</p> + +<p> +The opening could not have been better, and, dropping one rifle at his +feet, Rob steadied himself and took careful aim at the beast. He +pointed the gun not at his head, but at a point just below, hoping to +reach his heart. +</p> + +<p> +He saw the snowy coat stained crimson from the wound made by Jack's +knife, and he limped heavily. +</p> + +<p> +"Look out you don't hit me!" called the panting sailor, whose grim +humor showed itself at the most inopportune times. +</p> + +<p> +"Get out of the way, then!" called Rob, in turn; "you're right in +front of me." +</p> + +<p> +Jack dodged to one side, being at the moment about midway between his +friend and pursuer, and less than twenty feet from either. +</p> + +<p> +The next instant the lad pulled trigger. +</p> + +<p> +But the bear did not stop, and showed no evidence of having been so +much as harmed. +</p> + +<p> +"You missed him, you lubber! Let me have the other gun, and show you +how to bring down game." +</p> + +<p> +There was no time for any such proceeding, and, dropping the +discharged weapon, Rob instantly stooped and caught up the second. +</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img width="500" height="299" src="images/106.jpg" alt="JUST THEN THE REPORT OF ANOTHER GUN SOUNDED"> +<p class="caption">JUST THEN THE REPORT OF ANOTHER GUN SOUNDED +<br> +(See page 106) +</p> +</div> + +<p> +Just then another gun sounded from a point higher up the berg, and the +huge brute stopped. He seemed dazed, and, half-rearing on his +haunches, picked at the wound, as though he fancied a splinter was +there, which he could draw from his flesh. +</p> + +<p> +"He's going to attack us with the knife!" called Jack, who saw that +the danger was over; "and I shouldn't wonder if he knows how to do it +better than you can manage your gun." +</p> + +<p> +"Keep out of the way, Jack, and I'll finish him." +</p> + +<p> +Rob had brought the second weapon to a level, and the opening was, if +possible, more favorable than before. +</p> + +<p> +Again he pulled trigger, and this shot did the business. The monster, +one of the largest and fiercest of his species, went down in a +helpless mass, and expired before their eyes. +</p> + +<p> +"Hello, you chaps would be in a pretty scrape if it wasn't for me!" +</p> + +<p> +Jack and Rob turned toward the point whence the voice came and saw +Fred Warburton hastening toward them with his smoking rifle in hand. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XII"> </a> +CHAPTER XII +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +FRED'S EXPERIENCE +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +Both Jack Cosgrove and Rob Carrol could have shouted with joy at the +sight of the missing boy, and the sound of his voice. More than once, +during the stirring minutes that they were trying to save themselves +from the irrestrainable bear, they thought of the shot that was fired +by neither of them, and which, therefore, they naturally attributed to +their friend. +</p> + +<p> +The second shot left no doubt of its source, and here now was the +youth hurrying down from some point near where the brute had come, +laughing like his own natural self. +</p> + +<p> +It need not be said that his hand was shaken heartily by the sailor +and his companion, and that he was overwhelmed with questions as to +his singular action. +</p> + +<p> +The story of Fred was curious, and yet it had been partially +discounted by his chum. +</p> + +<p> +It was not to be supposed that he would leave the comparative comfort +he enjoyed when huddled close to his friends without good cause, and +in that case he would have notified them of his intention, to save +them from alarm. +</p> + +<p> +The experience of the day disturbed him, and caused him to dream +dreams of the most vivid nature. Several times, during the preceding +years, he had walked in his sleep, and his departure from the camp, as +they called it, was as unknown to himself as to his friends. +</p> + +<p> +It was evident that he managed the business with great skill, since +neither of the others was disturbed. He picked up his gun and went off +in the direction followed by Rob, clambering farther up the side of +the iceberg than was supposed possible. +</p> + +<p> +"I think," said Fred, "that I can read the cause for what I did while +unconscious. You remember we had much to say about the 'Nautilus' +being driven out of sight by the gale, and I recall that, before going +to sleep, I wondered whether we could not climb to a higher portion of +the berg and signal to them. +</p> + +<p> +"I suppose that was what set my mind and muscles to work when +unconscious, and impelled me to try what I never would have tried with +my full senses about me. +</p> + +<p> +"When I came to myself I was in a cavity in the ice, where the +protection against the gale was much better than our camp. It was a +regular bowl or hollow, which would have been just the place for us +three. But daylight had come, the weather was so moderate that I did +not suffer from cold, and there was nothing, therefore, to be feared +from that cause. +</p> + +<p> +"As you may suppose, it took me sometime before I could recall myself, +but I was not long in suspecting the truth. I was so comfortable in +the position involuntarily assumed that I lay still while pondering +matters. When ready, I was on the point of rising, when I heard a +slight noise on the ice above me. +</p> + +<p> +"'That's Jack or Rob,' I thought; 'they are looking for me, and I will +give them a scare.' +</p> + +<p> +"I lay still, expecting one of you to pass so close that you would +discover me, but though I could follow the movement by sound, and +though the object passed close to me it was not quite close enough to +be seen, I rose softly to my feet and peered over the edge of the +cavity in which I was resting. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, Rob was startled when he stumbled over that polar bear, but he +was no more frightened than I, when I discovered that instead of it +being one of you, it was that frightful brute which had swung by +within a few feet of where I lay. +</p> + +<p> +"You can see the curious shape of matters. The bear had come from some +point beyond where I lay, and, making his way down the ice, had now +placed himself between me and you. The only means of my reaching you +was by passing close to him. That meant a fight to the death. +</p> + +<p> +"I noticed his tremendous size, and from what I have heard they are +among the most dangerous beasts in the world—" +</p> + +<p> +"You're right there, my hearty," interrupted Jack; "if there was ever +any doubt in my mind, which there wasn't, it was settled by that +little scrimmage awhile ago." +</p> + +<p> +"I had my gun, and, at first, was half-disposed to take a shot, but +the chance was a poor one, for he was walking straight away, and it +was impossible to do more than sound him. That would render him +furious and cause him to attack me. Our rifles were not repeating +ones, and before I could get another charge ready, he would be upon +me, and it might be that several well-aimed shots would be necessary +to finish him." +</p> + +<p> +"You had good sense," said Rob; "he would have made mince-meat of you +in a fight." +</p> + +<p> +"You must remember that while I could see the bear from where I peered +over the edge of the ice, I could not catch the first sight of you. +The brute seemed to be following some sort of a path, while the masses +of ice were so piled upon both sides and beyond him that all farther +view was shut off. +</p> + +<p> +"While I was watching the enormous white body swinging along, it +stopped, and then to my dismay, he turned about and started back. +</p> + +<p> +"'He's coming for me!' was my conclusion, 'and now there will be a row +sure.' +</p> + +<p> +"I braced myself to receive him, but, inasmuch as he had not yet seen +me, and, inasmuch as he had once passed my shelter, without +discovering me, there was hope that he would do the same again. So +'Brer rabbit, he lay low,' and I listened for him to go by. As soon as +he was at a safe distance, I intended to climb out and hurry to you. +We three ought to be enough for him, and I had no fear but that you +might manage him between you without my help." +</p> + +<p> +"That was my opinion at that time," added Fred, with a twinkle of his +eye, "but it isn't now. While I was crouching there I heard you +calling me. You can understand why I didn't answer. I preferred to +remain mum so long as that bear was between me and you and coming +toward me." +</p> + +<p> +"We did a lot of shouting last night," said Rob. +</p> + +<p> +"That's the first I knew of it. But the minutes passed without the +bear being heard. I listened as intently as I knew how, but no sound +reached me. +</p> + +<p> +"'I wonder if he intends to promenade back and forth,' was my thought, +as I ventured to peep out once more, with great caution; 'this is +getting interesting.' +</p> + +<p> +"Well, I was surprised when I saw him. He was less than a dozen yards +off, and lying down, with his head still turned away from me. His +action was just as if he had learned that his breakfast was going to +come up that path, and he intended to wait until it walked into his +arms." +</p> + +<p> +"And that is pretty nearly what I did," said Rob, with a smiling +glance at the carcass. +</p> + +<p> +"His head being still away I dared not fire, nor would it have done +for me to call to you or answer your signals. It was plain to me that +he had no suspicion that the choicest kind of meal was right near him, +and it wouldn't have been wise for me to apprise him of the fact; it +might have made things unpleasant all around. +</p> + +<p> +"You needn't be told what followed. I watched him a few minutes, +during which he was as motionless as the iceberg itself, and then I +settled down to await developments. +</p> + +<p> +"While seated, of course I saw nothing of him, and the first notice I +received of what was going on was when I heard Rob shouting. I sprang +out of my shelter, and, as you will remember, saved you both from +being devoured by the monster. Isn't he, or, rather, wasn't he a big +fellow?" added Fred, stepping over to the enormous carcass and +touching it with his foot. +</p> + +<p> +"He's the biggest I've ever seen," assented Jack, "and I'm thankful +that we got off as well as we did. It's no use of denying that your +shots helped us through." +</p> + +<p> +"Possibly, but it was Rob after all who wound up the business," Fred +hastened to say, lest he might be thought of wishing to take undue +credit to himself. +</p> + +<p> +"There's worse eating, too, than bear meat." +</p> + +<p> +It was Jack who made this remark, and the others caught its +significance. They were thus provided with the means of living for a +long time on the iceberg, and might hope for some means of rescue in +the course of a week or two. +</p> + +<p> +Rob was about to make some characteristic reply, when the sailor +pointed out to sea. +</p> + +<p> +"Do you obsarve that?" he asked. "It's just what I was afeared of, and +I don't like it at all." +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XIII"> </a> +CHAPTER XIII +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +THE FOG +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +It will be recalled that when Jack and Rob awoke, during the preceding +night, they noticed a marked change in the temperature, and the sailor +prophesied an unwelcome change in the weather. Following the direction +pointed by him, his friends saw what he meant. The rise had caused one +of those fogs that have been fatal so often to ships off the banks of +Newfoundland, and which frequently wrap the southern coast of +Greenland in a mist as impenetrable as that which overshadows at times +the British metropolis. +</p> + +<p> +"You see," added Jack, "it might be that some whaler or other vessel +is cruising in these latitudes, and will come close enough for us to +observe 'em and they us, provided the sun was shining, but, the way +matters are turning out, they might pass within a biscuit's toss 'out +either of us knowing it." +</p> + +<p> +"Well," was the philosophical comment of Fred, "we have so much to be +thankful for that I can't complain over a small matter like that." +</p> + +<p> +"It may be a bigger matter than you think, but I'm as thankful as you, +all the same." +</p> + +<p> +"Gracious!" exclaimed Rob, with a sigh; "I'm hungry." +</p> + +<p> +"There's your supper." +</p> + +<p> +Both boys, however, shook their heads, and Rob replied: +</p> + +<p> +"I'm not hungry enough to eat raw bear's meat." +</p> + +<p> +"It's a thousand times better than starving to death." +</p> + +<p> +As the sailor spoke, he walked to the carcass and withdrew his knife +from the wound. +</p> + +<p> +"You'll come to it bime-by; I've seed the time when I was ready to +chaw up a pair of leather breeches, but that isn't half as bad as +being in an open boat under the equator, with not a drop of water for +three days." +</p> + +<p> +"We can never suffer from that cause so long as this iceberg holds +out. How is it with you, Fred? Are you ready for bear steak?" +</p> + +<p> +"I would be too glad to dine on it, if there was some means of cooking +it, but that is out of the question. I think I'll wait awhile." +</p> + +<p> +"I'll keep you company," remarked Jack, who felt no such repugnance +against the primitive meal, but was willing to defer the feast out of +regard for them. +</p> + +<p> +The party watched the fog settling over the sea, until, as the sailor +had told them it would do, it shut out all vision beyond a hundred +feet or less. +</p> + +<p> +"I would give a good deal to know one thing," said Fred, after several +minutes' silence, as he seated himself, "and that is just where we +are." +</p> + +<p> +"I can tell you," said Rob. +</p> + +<p> +"Where?" +</p> + +<p> +"On an iceberg in the Greenland Sea." +</p> + +<p> +"I am not so sure of that, my hearty," put in Jack; "there's no doubt, +of course, that we're on the berg, but I wouldn't bet that we're +drifting through the Greenland Sea." +</p> + +<p> +"Why, the 'Nautilus' was so far north when we left it, and this +iceberg was moving so slowly that we couldn't have gone as far as all +that." +</p> + +<p> +Jack saw that his meaning was not understood. +</p> + +<p> +"What I was getting at is this: Of course, when them bergs slip off +into the ocean, most of them start southward for a more congen'l +clime, but all of 'em don't do it by any means. There is a current off +the western coast of Greenland which runs toward the North Pole, and +we may be in that." +</p> + +<p> +"But this extends so far down that it must strike the other current, +which flows in the opposite direction." +</p> + +<p> +"That may and may not be, and it may be, too, that if it does, the +upper current is the stronger. I've been calling to mind the bearing +of the ship and berg, and I've an idee we're going northward. Bime-by +the berg may change its mind and flop about and start for New York or +South America, but I don't believe it's doing so now." +</p> + +<p> +This was important information, provided it was true, and there was +good reason to believe that Jack Cosgrove knew far better than they +what he was talking about. +</p> + +<p> +"Then if we keep on we'll strike the North Pole," remarked Rob, +gravely. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, if we keep on, but we're pretty sure to stop or change our +course before we get beyond Davis Strait or Christianshaab or Ivignut. +Anyway, this old berg will keep at it till she fetches up in southern +waters." +</p> + +<p> +The words of Jack had opened a new and interesting field for +discussion. Its ending had not been thought of by the boys in their +calculations; and, despite their faith in their more experienced +companion, they believed he was mistaken. They had never heard of +anything of the kind he had mentioned, and it did not seem reasonable +that such a vast mass, after heading southward, should change its +direction. Even though it was drifting north when first seen, it must +have started still farther north in order to reach the latitude where +first observed. +</p> + +<p> +By this time all hope of being rescued by the "Nautilus" had been +given up, unless some happy accident should lead it to come upon the +iceberg. The party, therefore, began considering other means of escape +from their unpleasant quarters. +</p> + +<p> +As is well known, there are a number of Danish settlements scattered +along the west coast of Greenland, the bleak, desolate eastern shore +being inhabited only by wandering Esquimaux. It might be that the berg +would sweep along within sight of land, and the friends would be able +to attract the attention of some of the native fishing boats, or +possibly larger craft. It was a remote hope, indeed, but it was all +they saw before them. At any rate, the polar bear had provided them +with the means of postponing starvation to an indefinite period, for +there was enough meat in his carcass to afford nourishment for many +days to come. +</p> + +<p> +"I wonder whether there are more polar bears on this craft?" remarked +Rob, rising to his feet and looking around as if he half expected to +discover another of the monsters making for them. +</p> + +<p> +"Little danger of that," replied Jack, "and it's so mighty seldom that +any of 'em are fools enough to allow themselves to be carried off like +this one did that I never dreamed of anything of the kind. It does +happen now and then, but not often, though you may read of such +things." +</p> + +<p> +"I suppose he would have stayed here until he starved to death," was +the inquiring remark of Fred. +</p> + +<p> +"He might and he might not; when he had got it through his skull that +there was nothing to eat on the berg he would have plunged into the +sea and started for land, provided it was in sight, and he would have +reached it, too. When he landed he would have been hungry enough to +attack the first saw-mill he came to, and I wouldn't like to be the +first chap he met." +</p> + +<p> +"I don't see how he could have been fiercer than he was." +</p> + +<p> +"He meant business from the first; and, if he had caught sight of you +when you lay asleep in that cavity in the ice he would have swallowed +you before you could wake." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, he didn't do it," replied Fred, with a half-shudder and laugh, +"so what's the good of thinking about it? Rob, it strikes me," he +added, with a quizzical look at the boy, "that raw bear's meat might +not be so bad after all." +</p> + +<p> +"Of course it isn't!" Jack was quick to say, springing to his feet and +stepping forward, knife in hand. +</p> + +<p> +It was evident from the manner in which he conducted the business that +he had done it before. He extracted a goodly-sized piece from near the +shoulder, and dressed it as well as he could with the only means at +command. +</p> + +<p> +Rob had hit upon what might be called a compromise. When one of the +three slices, into which the portion was divided, was handed to him, +he struck match after match from the rubber safe he carried, and held +the tiny flame against different portions of the meat. +</p> + +<p> +Anything like cooking was out of the question, but he succeeded in +scorching it slightly, and giving it a partial appearance of having +seen the fire. +</p> + +<p> +"There!" he exclaimed, in triumph, holding it aloft; "it's done to a +turn, that is the first turn. It's cooked, but it's a little rare, +I'll admit." +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile, Fred imitated him, using almost all the matches he +possessed. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XIV"> </a> +CHAPTER XIV +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +A COLLISION +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +Jack scorned everything of the kind, and he ate his piece with as much +gusto as if it had passed through the hands of a professional cook. +The boys managed to dispose of considerable, so that it may be said +the little party made a fair meal from the supply so unexpectedly +provided them. +</p> + +<p> +The primitive meal finished, the three friends remained seated and +discussed the future, which was now the all-important question before +them. +</p> + +<p> +"How long is this fog likely to last?" asked Fred. +</p> + +<p> +"No one can answer that," replied Jack; "a brisk wind may drive it +away, a rain would soon finish it, or it may go before colder weather, +or it may last several days." +</p> + +<p> +"Meanwhile we can do nothing but drift." +</p> + +<p> +"That's about all we can do any way," was the truthful remark of the +sailor; "we'll make the bear last as long as we can." +</p> + +<p> +"I think he will last a good while," observed Rob, with a +half-disgusted look at the carcass; "it will do when there's nothing +else to be had, but I never can fancy it without cooking." +</p> + +<p> +At that moment they received a startling shock. A peculiar shiver or +jar passed through the iceberg, as though from a prodigious blow that +was felt through every part—an impossible occurrence. +</p> + +<p> +"What can that mean?" asked the lads, in consternation. +</p> + +<p> +"By the great horned spoon!" was the reply of the frightened Jack; "I +hope we won't feel it again." +</p> + +<p> +"But what is it?" +</p> + +<p> +"The berg scraped the bottom of the sea just then. There it goes +again!" +</p> + +<p> +A shock, fully as violent as before, went through and through the vast +mass of ice. It lasted only a second or two, but the sensations of the +party were like those of the housekeeper who wakes in the night, to +feel his dwelling swaying under the grasp of the earthquake. +</p> + +<p> +None needed to be told of the possible consequences of drifting into +shallow water. If the base of the iceberg, extending far down into the +depths of the ocean, should strike some projecting mountain peak of +the deep, or a plateau, the berg was liable to overturn, with an +appalling rush, beyond the power of mind to conceive. In such an event +there was no more chance of the party saving themselves than there +would be in the crater of a bursting volcano. +</p> + +<p> +Well might they look blankly in each other's faces, for they were +helpless within the grasp of a power that was absolutely resistless. +</p> + +<p> +They sat silent and waiting, but, as minute after minute passed, +without the shock being repeated, hope returned, and they ventured to +speak in undertones, as though fearful that the sound of their voices +would precipitate the calamity. +</p> + +<p> +"That satisfies me I was right," said Jack, compressing his lips and +shaking his head. +</p> + +<p> +"In what respect?" asked Fred. +</p> + +<p> +"We're drifting toward the North Pole, and we are not far from the +Greenland coast." +</p> + +<p> +"But are there not shallow places in the ocean, hundreds of miles from +land, where such a great iceberg as this might touch bottom?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, but there are not many in this part of the world. The thing may +swing out of this current, or get into another which will start it +southward, but I don't believe it has done it yet." +</p> + +<p> +"Sailing on an iceberg is worse than I imagined," was the comment of +Rob; "I'm more anxious than ever to leave this; it isn't often that a +passenger feels like complaining of the bigness of the craft that +bears him over the deep, but that's the trouble in this case." +</p> + +<p> +"If the capsize does come," said Jack, "it will be the end of us; we +would be buried hundreds of fathoms under the ice." +</p> + +<p> +"There can be no doubt of that, but I say, Jack, isn't there something +off yonder? I can't make it out, but it seems to me that it is more +than the fog." +</p> + +<p> +While the three were talking, Fred Warburton was seated so as to face +the open sea, the others being turned sideways and giving no heed to +that point of the compass. +</p> + +<p> +It will be remembered that at this time they were inclosed in the +all-pervading fog, which prevented them seeing as far as the length of +the mountain of ice on which they were seated. Turning toward the +water and peering outward, they saw the cause of the boy's question. +The vapor itself appeared to be assuming shape, vague, indistinct, +undefined, and almost invisible, but nevertheless perceptible to all. +</p> + +<p> +The sailor was the first to see what it meant. Leaping to his feet he +emitted his favorite exclamation: +</p> + +<p> +"By the great horned spoon! it's another berg!" +</p> + +<p> +With awful slowness and certainty the mass of fog disclosed more and +more distinctly the misty contour that had caught the eye of Fred +Warburton. At first it was like a pile of denser fog, rolling along +the surface of the sea, but the outlines became more distinct each +moment, until the form of an iceberg was clearly marked in the wet +atmosphere. +</p> + +<p> +The new one was much smaller than that upon which they were afloat, +but it was of vast proportions for all that, enough to crush the +largest ship that ever floated, as though it were but a toy in its +path. +</p> + +<p> +But the fearful fact about its appearance was that the two bergs were +approaching each other, under the influence of adverse currents! +</p> + +<p> +A collision was inevitable, and the boys contemplated it with hardly +less dismay than they did the overturning of the larger one a short +time before. +</p> + +<p> +"This is no place for us!" called out Jack, the moment after his +exclamation; "let's get out!" +</p> + +<p> +He started up the path from which the polar bear had come, with his +young friends at his heels. They did not stop until they could go no +farther, when they turned about and shudderingly awaited the +catastrophe that was at hand. +</p> + +<p> +Their withdrawal from the edge of the iceberg to a point some distance +away dimmed their vision, but the smaller berg was easily +distinguished through the obscurity. +</p> + +<p> +The two continued to approach with a slowness that could hardly have +caused a shock in a couple of ships, but where the two masses were so +enormous the momentum was beyond calculation. +</p> + +<p> +The frightful crisis was not without its grim humor. The boys braced +themselves against the expected crash as if in a railway train with a +collision at hand. They lost sight of the fact that no force in nature +could produce any such sudden jarring and jolting as they apprehended. +</p> + +<p> +The two bergs seemed to be lying side by side, within a few inches +really, but without actually touching. +</p> + +<p> +"Why don't they strike?" asked Rob, in an awed whisper. +</p> + +<p> +"There it comes!" exclaimed Fred; "hold fast!" +</p> + +<p> +The smaller berg was seen to sway and bow, as if that, too, had swept +against the bottom of the sea, and it was shaken through every part. +</p> + +<p> +But amazing fact to the lads! they felt only the slightest possible +tremor pass through the support upon which they had steadied +themselves against the expected shock. +</p> + +<p> +The smaller berg acted like some monster that has received a mortal +hurt. It seemed to be striving to disentangle itself from the fatal +embrace of its conqueror, but was unable to do so. Nearly conical in +shape, a peak rose more than a hundred feet in air, ending in a +tapering point almost as delicate as a church spire. +</p> + +<p> +The crash of the immense bodies caused the breaking off of this icy +monument a couple of rods from the top, and the mass, weighing many +tons toppled over and fell upon the larger berg with a violence that +shattered it into thousands of fragments, bits of which were carried +to the feet of the awed party. Then, as if the smaller one saw that it +was idle to resist longer, it began moving with the larger, which +forced it along its own course as a tug pushes a floating chip in +front of it. +</p> + +<p> +The danger was over, if, indeed, there had been any danger. It was a +minute or two before the boys comprehended it all, but when Rob did, +he sprang to his feet and swung his cap over his head. +</p> + +<p> +"Hurrah for our side! We beat 'em hands down!" +</p> + +<p> +"I fancy it is quite safe to count on our keeping the right of way," +added Fred, whose mental relief at the outcome was as great as his +companion's. "I thought we would be tumbled about when the two came +together, as if we were in an overturned wagon, but I can understand +now how that could never be." +</p> + +<p> +"But wait till we butt against an iceberg bigger than ours," said Rob, +with a shake of his head. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XV"> </a> +CHAPTER XV +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +THE SOUND OF A VOICE +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +For hours the fog showed no signs of lifting. The three remained +seated near the carcass of the polar bear, discussing the one question +that had already been discussed so long, until there really seemed +nothing left to say. +</p> + +<p> +Not long after the collision between the icebergs a singular thing +took place. It was evident that the two were acted upon each by a +diverse current, but the preponderating bulk of the greater was not +disturbed by the smaller. The latter, however, as if anxious to break +away from its master, began slowly grinding along the face, until, +after awhile, it swung clear and gradually drifted out of sight in the +misty vapor. +</p> + +<p> +"She will know better than to tackle one bigger than herself," was the +remark of Rob Carrol, "which reminds me that if there should happen to +be a bigger iceberg than this floating around loose we sha'n't be in +any danger." +</p> + +<p> +"And why not?" +</p> + +<p> +"Because being so big it will be under the influence of the same +current as this and going in the same direction, so there won't be +much chance of our coming together." +</p> + +<p> +"Unless the big one should overtake us," suggested Fred. +</p> + +<p> +"Even then it would find it hard to run over us, so there isn't much +to be feared from that; what I do dread is that we shall strike some +shallow place in the sea that will make this thing turn a somersault." +</p> + +<p> +"It would be a terrible thing," said Fred, unable to drive it from his +thoughts. +</p> + +<p> +"Is it possible for the berg to strike something like that and stick +fast, without shifting its centre of gravity?" +</p> + +<p> +The question was addressed to Jack Cosgrove, but he did not attempt to +answer until the last clause was explained to him. +</p> + +<p> +"Oh! yes; that has been seen many times. A berg will ground itself +just like a boat, and stay for days and weeks until a storm breaks it +up, or it shakes itself loose. I don't believe if we do strike bottom +again that there's much danger of capsizing." +</p> + +<p> +"Why didn't you tell us that before?" asked Rob, reprovingly; "we +might have been saved all this worry." +</p> + +<p> +"It's only guesswork, any way, so you may as well keep on worrying, +for, somehow or other, you seem to enjoy it." +</p> + +<p> +"I think there is a thinning of the fog," remarked Fred, some time +later. +</p> + +<p> +"A little, but not much; it's growing colder, too; we'll run into keen +weather afore reaching the Pole." +</p> + +<p> +"I shouldn't wonder if it came pretty soon. Hello!" added Rob, looking +at his watch; "it is past noon." +</p> + +<p> +"Do you want your dinner?" asked Jack, with a grin. +</p> + +<p> +Both lads gave an expression of disgust, the elder replying: +</p> + +<p> +"I can stand it for twenty-four hours before hankering for another +slice of bear steak, and I shouldn't be surprised if Fred feels the +same way." +</p> + +<p> +"You are correct, my friend." +</p> + +<p> +"Ah, you chaps can get used to anything!" was the self-complacent +remark of the sailor, as he assumed a comfortable attitude on the ice. +</p> + +<p> +While the boys talked thus, Jack was carefully noting the weather. He +saw with pleasure that the fog was steadily clearing, and that, before +night, the atmosphere was likely to be wholly clear again. That fact +might avail them nothing, but it was a thousand-fold better than the +mist, in which they might drift within a hundred feet of friends +without either party suspecting it. +</p> + +<p> +From what has been told, it will be understood that no one of the +three built any hope of a rescue by the "Nautilus." The violent gale +had driven her miles away, and a search on her part for this +particular iceberg would be like the hunt of one exploring party for +another that had been lost years before. +</p> + +<p> +But it was not to be supposed that Captain McAlpine would quietly +dismiss all care concerning the lads from his mind. One of them was a +son of a leading director of the Hudson Bay Company, and the other was +a favorite of the son and his father. For the skipper to return to +London at the end of several months with the report that he had left +them on an iceberg in the Greenland Sea would be likely to subject him +to unpleasant consequences. +</p> + +<p> +The most natural course of the captain, as it seemed to the sailor, +after making the best search he could, was to put into some of the +towns along the coast, and organize several parties to go out in +search of them. +</p> + +<p> +"He is no fool," thought Jack, as he turned the subject over in his +mind without speaking, "and he must have took the bearings of the ship +and the berg as I did. He won't be able to keep track of us, but he +will know better than to sail exactly in the wrong direction, as most +other folks would do. Yes," he remarked to his friends, as he looked +off over the sea, "the weather is clearing and the fog will be all +gone before night." +</p> + +<p> +This was gratifying information, though neither youth could tell +precisely why it should give them special ground for hope. +</p> + +<p> +You will understand one of the trials of the boys when adrift on the +iceberg. The latter was moving slowly, and, though in a direction +different from the surface current, yet it was barely perceptible. No +other objects were in sight than the berg itself, which gave the +impression to the passengers that it was motionless on the vasty deep. +You know how much harder it is to wait in a train at a station than it +is in one in motion. If they could have realized that the berg was +actually moving, no matter in what direction, the relief would have +been great. As it was, they felt as though they were simply waiting, +waiting for they knew not what. +</p> + +<p> +The afternoon was more than two-thirds gone when the last vestige of +the fog vanished. The sun shone out, and, looking off to sea, the +power of the eye itself was the only limit to the vision. +</p> + +<p> +Without explaining the meaning of his action, Jack Cosgrove made his +way down the path to the place where they had spent most of the +preceding night, and climbing upon a slight elevation, stood for a +full minute looking fixedly off over the sea. He shaded his eyes +carefully with his hand, and stood as motionless as a stone statue. +</p> + +<p> +"He either sees or expects to see something," said Rob, who, like his +companion, was watching him with much interest. +</p> + +<p> +"He is so accustomed to the ocean that his eyes are better than ours," +said Fred. +</p> + +<p> +"I can't make out anything." +</p> + +<p> +Suddenly Jack struck his thigh with his right hand and wheeled about, +showing a face aglow with feeling. +</p> + +<p> +"By the great horned spoon, I knowed it." +</p> + +<p> +"What have you discovered, Jack?" +</p> + +<p> +"You chaps just come this way," he said, crooking his stubby +forefinger toward them, "and put yourself alongside of me and take the +sharpest squint you can right over yonder." +</p> + +<p> +Doing as directed, they finally agreed, after some hard looking, that +they saw what seemed to be a long, low, white cloud in the horizon. +</p> + +<p> +"That's Greenland," was the astonishing reply; "I don't know what +part, but it's solid airth with snow on it." +</p> + +<p> +This was interesting, indeed, though it was still difficult to +understand what special hope the fact held out to them. +</p> + +<p> +It seemed to grow slightly more distinct as the afternoon advanced. +Since it was hardly to be supposed that the iceberg was approaching +land, this was undoubtedly caused by the contour of the coast. +</p> + +<p> +When night began closing in the party fired their guns repeatedly, +thinking possibly the reports might attract notice from some of the +natives fishing in the vicinity. The chance, however, was so +exceedingly slight that they made preparations for spending the night +as before—that is, huddled together against the projecting ice. There +was hardly a breath of air stirring, though the temperature continued +falling. +</p> + +<p> +"I hear it!" exclaimed Fred, starting to his feet, within five minutes +after seating themselves as described. +</p> + +<p> +"What's that?" asked the amazed Rob; "are you crazy?" +</p> + +<p> +"Listen!" +</p> + +<p> +They did so. There was no mistake about it. They caught the sound of a +vigorously moved paddle, and, had any doubt remained, it was +dissipated by the loud call in a peculiar voice, and with an odd +accent: +</p> + +<p> +"Holloa! holloa! holloa!" +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XVI"> </a> +CHAPTER XVI +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +LAND HO! +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +The boys could hardly credit their senses. Just as they had settled +themselves to spend another long, dismal night on the iceberg, the +sound of a paddle broke upon their ears, followed, the next moment, by +a hail in unmistakable English. +</p> + +<p> +"It's Captain McAlpine or one of the men!" exclaimed Rob, breaking +into such a headlong rush down the incline that it threatened to +precipitate him into the sea before he could check himself. +</p> + +<p> +Fred was at his heels, and Jack tumbled against him. He knew that that +voice was no Caucasian's. Despite the English word, he recognized it +as belonging to a native Esquimau. +</p> + +<p> +"We're coming!" called back Jack, in turn; "just hold on a few minutes +and we'll be there—by the great horned spoon!" +</p> + +<p> +He bumped flat on his back, and shot down the incline so fast that he +knocked the heels from under Fred, and the two, impinging against Rob, +prostrated him also, the three shooting forward like so many sleighs +going down a toboggan slide. +</p> + +<p> +"Never mind, lads; we'll stop when we strike water," called the +sailor, so pleased that he recked little of the consequences. All the +same, however, each exerted himself desperately to stop, and, barely +succeeded in doing so, on the very edge of the incline. +</p> + +<p> +Then they perceived one of the long, narrow native boats, known as a +kayak, drawn up alongside the wharf, as it may be called, with the +Esquimau in the act of stepping out. +</p> + +<p> +He contemplated the sight in silent wonderment, for, it is safe to +say, he had never been approached in that fashion before. +</p> + +<p> +Jack was the first to recover the perpendicular, and he impulsively +reached out his mittened hand to the native, who was clad in furs, +with a short jacket and a hood, which covered all his head, excepting +the front of his face. +</p> + +<p> +"How do you do, my hearty? I never was so glad to see any one in my +life as I am to see you." +</p> + +<p> +"Glad to meet you," replied the Esquimau, somewhat abashed by the +effusive greeting; "where you come from?" +</p> + +<p> +"From the iceberg," and then reflecting that this good friend was +entitled to a full explanation, the sailor added: +</p> + +<p> +"We visited this berg, yesterday, from the ship "Nautilus;" our boat +was carried away before we knew it, and the gale drove the ship so far +out of her course that we haven't seen a thing of her since. How came +you to know we were here?" +</p> + +<p> +"Heard gun go off—didn't know where it be—hear it again—then know +it here—then come to you." +</p> + +<p> +"Were you ashore?" +</p> + +<p> +"Started out to fish—you go ashore with me?" +</p> + +<p> +"You can just bet we will; your kayak is strong enough to take us all, +isn't it?" +</p> + +<p> +"If sit still—make no jump," was the reply of the native, who was +plainly pleased at the part of the good Samaritan he was playing. +</p> + +<p> +"These are my friends, Rob Carrol and Fred Warburton," said Jack, +introducing the lads, each of whom shook the hand of the native, whom +they felt like embracing in a transport of pleasure. +</p> + +<p> +Since the native had come out for the purpose of taking them off, +there was no delay in embarking. The long boat, which the Esquimau +handled with such skill, was taxed to carry the unusual load, and Jack +suggested that he should wait till the boys were taken ashore, when +the native could return for him, but their friend said that was +unnecessary, and, inasmuch as the land was fully three miles distant, +the task would have been a severe one. The sea was not ugly, and the +Esquimau assured them there would be no trouble in landing them +safely, if they "dressed" carefully and guarded against any sudden +shifting of position. +</p> + +<p> +All understood the situation too well to make any mistake in this +respect, and, in a few minutes, everything was in readiness. The +native sat in the middle of the boat and swayed his long paddle with a +dexterity that aroused the admiration of his passengers. It was not +the kind of paddling to which Jack Cosgrove was accustomed, though he +could have picked it up with readiness, and he was just the one to +appreciate work of that kind. +</p> + +<p> +Rob was nearest the prow, and, as the craft whirled about and headed +toward land, he caught a shower of spray which was dashed over his +clothing and in his face. That, however, meant nothing, and he gave no +heed to it. Immediately the craft was skimming over the waves at a +speed of fully five knots. +</p> + +<p> +The occasion was hardly one for conversation, and Rob cautiously moved +sideways and turned his head, so as to watch the advance. The weather, +as will be remembered, was perfectly clear; the stars were shining and +he could see for a considerable way over the water. +</p> + +<p> +It was trying to the nerves of so brave a lad as he to observe a huge +wave rushing like a courser straight toward them and looking as if +nothing could save the boat from swamping; but, under the consummate +handling of its owner, it arose to meet the wall of water and rode it +easily. Then, as it plunged into the trough on the other side, it +seemed as if about to dive into the depths of the sea, but immediately +arose again with inimitable grace and readiness. +</p> + +<p> +Then, perhaps, would follow a short distance of comparatively smooth +water, quickly succeeded by the plunging and rising as before. +</p> + +<p> +All at once the surface became smooth. Before Rob could guess its +meaning something grated against the front of the kayak and slid along +the side, followed by another and another. The native slowed his +paddling and pushed on with extreme care. +</p> + +<p> +He had entered a field of floating ice, through which it was necessary +to force his way with all caution. This was proven by the many turns +he made, and it was then that his skill showed in a more striking +light than before. +</p> + +<p> +He sat facing the prow and was obliged to look over the head of Rob +and along each side of him. His quick eye took in the size and contour +of the drift ice, and, hardly checking his own progress, he shot to +the right, then to the left, turning so quickly that the bodies of his +passengers swayed under the sudden impulse, but all the time he +continued his advance, apparently with undiminished speed. +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile Jack Cosgrove, from his seat at the rear, was looking still +farther ahead in the effort to gain sight of the welcome land, which +never was so dear to him as when on the iceberg. Once he fancied he +caught the twinkle of a light so low down that it was on shore, but it +vanished quickly and he believed he was mistaken. +</p> + +<p> +It was not long, however, before his penetrating vision discovered +that for which he was yearning. The unmistakable outline of the coast +arose to view, rising gradually from the edge of the water until lost +in the gloom beyond. It was white with snow, as a matter of course, +the depth probably being several feet. The sight of any considerable +portion of Greenland free of its snowy mantle would be a sight, +indeed. +</p> + +<p> +The floating ice continued all the way to land, and the closer the +latter was approached the more difficult became the progress. But the +native was equal to the task. He had been through it too often to +hesitate more than a few seconds when some larger obstacle than usual +interposed across his path. It was very near land that the greatest +peril of all was encountered. The kayak glided over a cake of ice, the +Esquimau believing it would pass readily underneath the craft and out +beyond the stern, but its buoyancy was greater than he supposed, and +it swayed the boat with such force that it came within a hair of +capsizing. +</p> + +<p> +"All right!" he called, cheerily, righting the craft with several +quick, powerful strokes of his paddle. Then he shot between two other +enormous cakes, wedged his way through a narrow passage, and the prow +crunched into the snow that came down to the water's edge. +</p> + +<p> +"Here we are, and thank the Lord!" called out Rob, leaping with a +single bound upon the solid earth; "I feel like giving three cheers, +for if ever Providence favored a lot of scamps, we are the ones." +</p> + +<p> +Fred followed as the kayak turned sideways, so as to permit all to +step out, but Jack paused, opposite the native, and peered into his +face. Something in the Esquimau's voice struck him as familiar. +</p> + +<p> +"What's your name?" he asked, still scrutinizing him as closely as he +could in the gloom. +</p> + +<p> +"Docak," was the reply. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XVII"> </a> +CHAPTER XVII +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +DOCAK AND HIS HOME +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +"By the great horned spoon, I suspected it! Docak, I'm mighty glad to +see you; I'm Jack Cosgrove, and put it there!" +</p> + +<p> +The native was not so demonstrative as his English friend, but he +certainly was as delighted and surprised to meet him in this +extraordinary manner as was the sailor to meet him. +</p> + +<p> +They shook hands heartily, and Docak indulged in his peculiar laugh, +which was accompanied by little, if any noise, but was indicative of +genuine pleasure. +</p> + +<p> +The reader will recall that this was the second time Docak had rescued +Jack Cosgrove, the other instance having occurred a number of years +before, when Captain McAlpine's ship was destroyed by collision with +an iceberg. +</p> + +<p> +"You're my guardian angel!" was the exclamation of the happy sailor; +"I might have known that if anybody was to save us you was the chap to +do it. Come up here, boys, and shake hands with Docak ag'in, for he's +one of the best fellows living." +</p> + +<p> +Rob and Fred were only too glad to do as invited, and cordial +relations were at once established. +</p> + +<p> +"Is your home where it was when I was here last?" Jack asked. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, off dere," replied Docak, turning about and pointing inland; +"not far—soon get dere." +</p> + +<p> +Jack gave a low whistle expressive of astonishment. +</p> + +<p> +"Now, lads," he said, addressing the youths, "I rather think you'll +own that Jack Cosgrove knows a thing or two about icebergs." +</p> + +<p> +"I think Fred and I have also learned something, but what are you +driving at?" +</p> + +<p> +"We're well up toward Davis Strait, and there's more than a hundred +miles of Greenland coast to the south of us. That old berg has struck +a bee line for the North Pole, but it won't reach there, eh, Docak?" +</p> + +<p> +"No; soon turn around—go back." +</p> + +<p> +"Now, isn't that one of the strangest things you ever heard of, lads? +The place where the 'Mary Jane' went down, afore that berg, three +years ago, was mighty nigh the very spot where Docak found us. I +remember he brought us ashore in his kayak—" +</p> + +<p> +"Dis same boat," interrupted the native with a grin, perceptible in +the twilight. +</p> + +<p> +"There you are, and, if he keeps on, I'll begin to think that one of +you chaps is Captain McAlpine himself, and the other Bill Hardin, who +was saved with us." +</p> + +<p> +"It is a most remarkable coincidence," said Fred, and Rob added that +he had never read or heard anything like it. +</p> + +<p> +But it occurred to Docak that he was not acting the part of hospitable +host, by keeping his friends standing on the edge of the sea, while +the reminiscences went on. He stooped and drew his boat far up the +bank. The tide was at its height, so there was no fear of its playing +the trick our friends had suffered. Then he turned about and started +inland, the others following in Indian file. +</p> + +<p> +He was treading a path, a foot or more deep in the snow, and worn as +hard as a rock. The ascent was gentle, and a hundred yards from the +shore he arrived at the entrance to his home, where a surprise awaited +the boys. +</p> + +<p> +When seen for the first time the hut of the Esquimaux suggest the sod +houses common on the Western plains of our country, except that the +homes of the far North are entered by means of a burrow. Where such +frightful cold reigns for months every year the first consideration +with the native is to secure protection against it; everything is +sacrificed to that. +</p> + +<p> +The walls are of alternate layers of stone and sod, and are about +three feet in thickness. The highest clear space within is from four +to five feet. The building contains an entry-way, a kitchen, and a +living room. The entry is four or five yards in length, two feet or +less wide, and no more than a yard in height. It will thus be seen +that even a small boy would have to stoop to pass through it, while +the interior of the hut itself will not allow a full-grown Esquimau to +stand erect. To this fact may be attributed in some degree the stoop +shoulders so common among the men. +</p> + +<p> +Half-way between the beginning of the entry and the main rooms was an +opening leading to the kitchen. This was small, shaped like a +bee-hive, and with a hole at the apex for the escape of the smoke. The +floor was bare ground, the hearth consisting of a number of stones +placed close together, on which the iron kettles sat, while the fire +of driftwood burned beneath. The height of the kitchen is less than +that of the main room, so that only the women can stand erect in the +highest portion. +</p> + +<p> +When the weather is very severe the cooking is done in the main room, +by means of the big oil-lamp, while the thick walls and the heavy furs +of the inmates enable them to laugh at the raging blizzard outside. +</p> + +<p> +It was along such a passage as the one described that Docak led the +way, followed by Jack Cosgrove, Rob, and Fred, each trailing his +rifle, and happy beyond measure that everything with them had turned +out so well. +</p> + +<p> +The main room into which the little party entered was about four yards +square. It had a board floor and a ceiling—luxuries not generally +found in the native homes except in the settlements. The walls were +furred off and ceiled, and the spaces closely stuffed with moss. The +wall on the right of the main room had a single window with twelve +panes of glass. +</p> + +<p> +The main room was the most interesting part of the structure. Along +the front of the window ran a wooden bench, near the end of which, +toward the entrance, stood a Danish stove. In the corner beyond the +other end of the bench was a table. To the left of that was the +lamp-stand, directly opposite to which on the other side of the room +was a second and shorter bench. +</p> + +<p> +The whole left-hand side of the room, as you entered, consisted of a +platform, about six feet long. It was elevated a foot above the floor, +the side next to the wall being a few inches higher. At night it was +covered with feather beds, which are rolled back during the day, so +that the front may be used for other purposes. The lamp used in the +Esquimau houses is simply a large, green stone, with a hollow scooped +in the top. This contains seal oil, a piece of moss serving as a wick. +</p> + +<p> +It may be well to tell you something in this place about the dress of +the Esquimaux, referring now to those who live near the settlements, +most of whom are of mixed blood. In the interior, and, along the east +coast of Greenland, are met the wild natives, who are muffled in the +thickest furs, and bear little resemblance to the class to which Docak +and his acquaintances belonged. +</p> + +<p> +These men wore jackets, trousers, moccasins, and generally +undershirts, drawers, and socks. The rule is for them to go +bareheaded, though a hat or cap is frequently seen. The clothing, +except the moccasins, is made from woolen or cotton stuff, bought off +the Danish Governor. +</p> + +<p> +The jacket is of gingham, with sleeves and a hood that can be drawn +over the head, and fitted in place by drawing and tying a string that +passes under the chin. When venturing out in his kayak, or in severe +weather, Docak, like most of his friends, wore a jacket and hood +combined. This was of sealskin, with the leather side out. The +trousers are constructed of the same material with the hair out. +Sometimes they are lined with sealskin, with the hair in. +</p> + +<p> +The moccasins are well-shaped sealskin boots, reaching nearly to the +knees. When the socks are not woolen, the hair is turned toward the +skin. The mittens are of seal leather, with no hair on either side, +and are much inferior to many of our own country, for purposes of +warmth and comfort. +</p> + +<p> +The Esquimau women are shorter of stature than the men, and walk with +short, mincing steps, showing a stoop similar to their husbands. They +have small hands and feet, with faces that any one would pronounce +good looking. They comb their hair to an apex, which, if the woman is +married, is tied with a blue ribbon; if a widow, with black; and if a +maiden, with green. +</p> + +<p> +The females generally wear collars of beads, with lace-work patterns +and vivid colors. The waist is generally of woolen stuff, and here the +same fondness for bright colors displays itself. It has no buttons, +and is donned and doffed by passing over the head, and is fastened at +the waist with a belt. Then come a pair of short trousers of sealskin, +which are tastefully ornamented. Below these are the long-legged +moccasins, also ornamented by the deft handiwork of the native owners. +The dress of the children is the same as the parents. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XVIII"> </a> +CHAPTER XVIII +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +A NEW EXPEDITION +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +Docak had no children, the single son born to him ten years before +having died in infancy. His wife was about his age, and had noticeably +lighter skin and bright brown eyes. It was evident that she had more +white blood in her veins than her husband, who was of mixed breed. +</p> + +<p> +Docak did not knock before entering. His wife was trimming the lamp at +the moment, and looked around to see whom he had brought with him. She +must have felt surprised, but, if so, she concealed all evidence of +it. She smiled in her pleasant way, showing her fine white teeth, and +said in a low, soft voice, "Con-ji-meet," which is the native word for +welcome. +</p> + +<p> +Her first curiosity was concerning the boys, with whom she shook +hands, but, when she turned to the grinning Jack, she made no effort +to hide her astonishment, for he had addressed her by name. +</p> + +<p> +"Crestana, I guess you haven't forgot Jack Cosgrove?" +</p> + +<p> +"Oh! oh! oh! dat you—much glad! much glad!" she said, laughing more +heartily than her husband had done. +</p> + +<p> +She was very vivacious, and, though she could not speak the English +tongue as well as he, she made it up by her earnestness. +</p> + +<p> +"So glad—much glad—whale kill vessel ag'in? Docak bring no ice? +Where capen? How you be? Crestana glad to see you—yes, heap much +glad." +</p> + +<p> +"By the great horned spoon," said Jack, holding the small hand of +Crestana in his hearty grasp, and looking around at the others with +one of his broadest grins; "the women are the same the world over; +they can talk faster than a Greenland harrycane, and when they're glad +they're glad all over, and clean through. Docak, you're a purty good +chap, but you aint half good enough for such a wife as Crestana, and +that reminds me we're as hungry as git out." +</p> + +<p> +The wife evidently thought the sailor was a funny fellow, for she +broke into merry laughter again, and, disengaging her hand, hurried +into the kitchen, where she had been busying herself with her +husband's supper. +</p> + +<p> +The visitors, knowing how heartily welcome they were, seated +themselves on the benches, doffed their heavy outer clothing, and made +themselves as much at home as if in the cabin of the "Nautilus." They +leaned their rifles in the corner near the table, alongside of the +long muzzle-loader and several spears belonging to Docak. +</p> + +<p> +A large supply of dry driftwood was piled near the window, and from +this the native kept such a glow in the stove that the whole interior +was filled with grateful warmth. +</p> + +<p> +In the course of a few moments Crestana bustled in, her pretty teeth +showing between her lips as she chatted with Jack and her husband. She +drew the table out near the middle of the room, and quickly brought in +some fish, "done to a turn." She furnished coffee, too, and the three +guests who partook of her hospitality insist to this day that never in +the wide world will they ever taste such fragrant coffee and such +delicately-flavored fish as they feasted upon that night in Docak's +hut. But we must not forget that they had the best sauce ever +known—hunger. +</p> + +<p> +The meal was enlivened by lively conversation, in which Jack managed +to tell the story of the mishap that had befallen himself and +companions. She showed less interest in the boys than in the sailor, +though, as may be supposed, Rob and Fred were charmed with her +simplicity and good-nature. She placed spoons, knives and forks, cups, +saucers, and plates before them, and there was a neatness about +herself and the room which added doubly to its attractiveness, and did +much to enlighten the youths about these people, whom they supposed to +be barely half civilized. +</p> + +<p> +When the meal was finished, and the wife occupied herself in clearing +away things, Docak brought out a couple of pipes, filled with tobacco, +and offered one each to Rob and Fred. They, declining with thanks, he +did the same to Jack, who accepted one, and a minute later the two +were puffing away like a couple of veteran devotees of the weed. +</p> + +<p> +The boys felt some curiosity to learn how it was that Docak, whose +manner of living proved that he knew the ways of the more civilized +people among the settlements, made his home in this lonely place, far +removed from all neighbors. They could not learn everything that +evening but they ascertained it afterward. +</p> + +<p> +Docak had lived awhile in Invernik, and then took up his residence at +Ivigtut, where he lived until four or five years before Rob and Fred +met him. It was in the latter place he married Crestana, and it was +there that his only child died. +</p> + +<p> +The loss of the little one made him morose for awhile, and he got into +a difficulty with one of his people, in which, in the eyes of the law, +Docak was wholly to blame. He was punished, and, in resentment, he +withdrew to a place on the west coast, about sixty miles north of the +famous cryolite mines. There he lived, alone with his wife, as +serenely contented as he could be anywhere. He made occasional visits +to Ivigtut, to Invernik, Julianshaab, and other settlements, but it +was only for the purpose of getting ammunition and other supplies +which could be obtained in no other way. +</p> + +<p> +Docak was not only a skilled fisherman, but, what is rare among his +class of people, he was a great hunter. He was sometimes absent for +days at a time in the interior, traveling many miles on snow-shoes, +forcing his way over the icy mountains and braving the Arctic blasts +that had driven back many a hardy European from his search for the +North Pole. +</p> + +<p> +While he was absent his wife went about her duties with calm +contentment, where a more sensitive person would have gone out of her +mind from very loneliness and desolation. +</p> + +<p> +Our friends having effected their escape from the iceberg, it was time +to decide what next should be done. +</p> + +<p> +The most obvious course was to go to Ivigtut, where they could obtain +the means of returning to England, most likely by way of Denmark, and +possibly might hear something of the "Nautilus," if she had survived +the gale which caused her to part company with Jack and the boys. +</p> + +<p> +The kayak was strong enough to carry them, and Docak could make the +voyage in a couple of days. This Rob and Fred supposed would be the +plan adopted, but the native put another idea into their heads which +caused in a twinkling a radical change of programme, and brought an +experience to the two of which neither dreamed. +</p> + +<p> +While Docak and Jack sat beside each other on the longer bench, +smoking and talking, the native frequently cast admiring glances at +the rifles leaning against the wall in the corner. Finally he rose, +and, walking over, examined the three weapons, taking up each in turn +and holding it so the light from the lamp fell upon it. He was most +struck with Rob's, which had more ornamentation than the others. It +was a modern loader, but not a repeater. +</p> + +<p> +"He berry good," he remarked, setting it down again in the corner and +resuming his place on the bench beside his friend; "why you not go +hunting with me 'fore go to Ivigtut?" +</p> + +<p> +Jack saw the eyes of the boys sparkle at the suggestion. Why not, +indeed, go on a hunting excursion into the interior before they +returned to the settlement? What was to prevent? It would take but a +few days, and there is royal game to be found in Greenland. +</p> + +<p> +Docak explained that this was the time of the year when he was +accustomed to indulge in a long hunt. Twelve months before he had +brought down some animals rarely ever encountered in that portion of +the country, and he was hopeful of doing the same again, when he could +have his friends to help. +</p> + +<p> +So the matter needed only to be broached to be settled. The whole +party would go on a hunt, and they would start the following morning, +returning whenever they deemed best, and then making their way to +Ivigtut at a leisurely rate, set about their return home, if that +should be deemed the best course. +</p> + +<p> +The warmth and smoke in the room led the boys to decide to step +outside a brief while, to inhale the crisp air, and, inviting Fred to +follow, Rob sprang up and hurried in a stooping posture through the +long entry-way. Fred stopped a minute in the road to peep through the +opening into the kitchen, where the thrifty housewife was busy. +</p> + +<p> +She smiled pleasantly at him, and he might have lingered had he not +heard the voice of his friend. +</p> + +<p> +"Hurry out, Fred! Here's the most wonderful sight you ever saw. Quick, +or you will lose it!" +</p> + +<p> +Fred lost no time in rushing after Rob, whose excitement was fully +justified. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XIX"> </a> +CHAPTER XIX +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +A WONDERFUL EXHIBITION +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +Unto no one, excepting him who journeys far into the Northland, is +given it to view such an amazing picture as was now spread out before +the enraptured gaze of Rob Carrol and Fred Warburton. In Northern +Siberia, the Scandinavian Peninsula, the upper portion of the American +Continent, and the Arctic Sea, the traveler learns in all its +wonderful fullness of glory the meaning of the Aurora Borealis or +Northern Lights. +</p> + +<p> +The boys had had partial glimpses of the scene on their voyage through +the Greenland Sea, and there were flickerings of light which caught +their eye on the trip from the iceberg to the mainland, and the short +walk to Docak's hut, but it was during their short stay in the rude +dwelling that the mysterious scene-shifters of the skies unfolded +their magnificent panorama in all its overwhelming grandeur. +</p> + +<p> +Radiating from a huge nucleus, which seemed to be the North Pole +itself, shot the streamers of light, so vast in extent that their +extremities struck the zenith, withdrawing with lightning-like +quickness, and succeeded by others with the same celerity and +displaying all the vivid hues of the rainbow. +</p> + +<p> +At times these dartings resembled immense spears, and then they +changed to bands of light, turning again into ribbons which shivered +and hovered in the sky, with bewildering variation, turning and +doubling upon themselves, spreading apart like an immense fan, and +then trembling on the very verge of the horizon, as if about to vanish +in the darkness of night. +</p> + +<p> +At the moment the spectators held their breath, fearing that the +celestial display was ended; the streamers, spears, bands of violet, +indigo, blue, orange, red, green, and yellow, with the innumerable +shades, combinations, and mingling of colors, shot out and spread over +the sky like the myriad rays of the setting sun. +</p> + +<p> +This continued for several minutes, marked by irregular degrees of +intensity, so impressive in its splendor that neither lad spoke, for +he could make no comment upon the exhibition, the like of which is +seen nowhere else in nature. +</p> + +<p> +But once both gave a sigh of amazed delight when a ribbon, combining +several vivid colors, quivered, danced, and streamed far beyond the +zenith, with a wary appearance that suggested that some giant, +standing upon the extreme northern point of the earth, had suddenly +unrolled this marvelous ribbon and was waving it in the eyes of an +awestruck world. +</p> + +<p> +One of the most striking features of those mysterious electrical +phenomena known as the Northern Lights is the absolute silence which +accompanies them. The genius of man can never approach in the smallest +degree the beauties of the picture without some noise, but here nature +performs her most wonderful feat in utter stillness. The panorama may +unfold, roll together, spread apart again with dazzling brilliancy and +suddenness, but the strained ear catches no sound, unless dissociated +altogether from the phenomenon itself, such as the soft sighing of the +Arctic wind over the wastes of snow, or through the grove of solemn +pines. +</p> + +<p> +There were moments when the effulgence spread over the earth, like the +rays of the midnight sun, and the lads, standing in front of the +primitive dwelling of the Esquimau, resembled a couple of figures +stamped in ink in the radiant field. +</p> + +<p> +For nearly an hour the rapt spectators stood near the entrance to the +native dwelling, insensible to the extreme cold, and too profoundly +impressed to speak or stir; but the heavens had given too great a +wealth of splendor, brilliancy, color, and celestial scene-shifting to +continue it long. The subtle exchange of electrical conditions must +have reached something like an equipoise, and the overwhelming beauty +and grandeur exhausted itself. +</p> + +<p> +The ribbons and streamers that had been darting to and beyond the +zenith, shortened their lightning excursions into space, leaping forth +at longer intervals and to a decreasing distance, until they ceased +altogether, displaying a few flickerings in the horizon, as though +eager to bound forth again, but restrained by a superior hand with the +command, "Enough for this time." +</p> + +<p> +Fred drew a deep sigh. +</p> + +<p> +"I never dreamed that anywhere in the world one could see such a sight +as that." +</p> + +<p> +"It is worth a voyage from home a hundred times over, and I don't +regret our stay on the iceberg, for we would have been denied it +otherwise." +</p> + +<p> +"If there are any people living near the North Pole, it must be like +dwelling in another world. I don't see how they stand it." +</p> + +<p> +"I believe that the Northern Lights have their origin between here and +the Pole," said Fred; "though I am not sure of that." +</p> + +<p> +"The magnetic pole, which must be the source of the display, is south +of the earth's pole, and I suppose that's the reason for the belief +you mention. But it is enough to fill one with awe, when he gazes on +the scene and reflects that the world is one great reservoir of +electricity, which, if left free for a moment by its Author, would +shiver the globe into nothingness, and leave only an empty void where +the earth swung before." +</p> + +<p> +"I pity the man who says, 'There is no God,' or who can look unmoved +to the very depths of his soul by such displays of infinite power." +</p> + +<p> +"There are no such persons," exclaimed Rob, impatiently; "they may +repeat the words, because they think it brave and smart before their +companions, but they don't believe themselves. It is impossible." +</p> + +<p> +"Why didn't we think to tell Jack and Docak, that they might have +enjoyed the scene with us?" +</p> + +<p> +"The native Esquimaux see it too often to care about it. It is hard to +understand how any one can become accustomed to it, but we know it is +so. As for Jack, he must have looked upon it many times before, when +he was in this latitude. Gracious! but it has become cold," added Rob, +with a shiver. +</p> + +<p> +"It isn't any colder than it has been all the evening, but we forgot +about it while the exhibition was going on." +</p> + +<p> +The boys turned about, and, ducking their heads, made their way along +the long entry, quickly debouching into the warmth and glow of the +living room, where Docak and the sailor, having laid away their pipes, +were talking like a couple of old friends who had not seen each other +for years and were exchanging experiences. Crestana had finished her +work in the kitchen and joined them. She was sitting on the shorter +bench, and, like a thrifty housewife, was engaged in repairing some of +her husband's bulky garments, with big needles and coarse thread. +</p> + +<p> +She looked up with her pleasant smile, as the boys entered, their +bodies shivering and their teeth chattering from the extreme cold. +</p> + +<p> +"You chaps must have found it mighty pleasant out-doors," remarked the +sailor. +</p> + +<p> +"Ah! Jack, if you had been with us, you would have seen a sight worth +a journey around the world." +</p> + +<p> +"What was it? Another polar bear, or two of them?" +</p> + +<p> +"The Northern Lights, and O—" +</p> + +<p> +"The Northern Lights," interrupted their friend, with a sniff of +disgust; "is that all?" +</p> + +<p> +The boys looked at him, too horrified to speak. +</p> + +<p> +"I'll own that they are rather purty, and the first two or three times +a chap looks onto 'em he is apt to hold his breath, and rub his eyes, +but, when you've seed 'em as often as me, it'll get to be an old +story. Besides Docak and me had more important bus'ness to talk +about." +</p> + +<p> +"What was that?" +</p> + +<p> +"This hunting trip; it's all fixed." +</p> + +<p> +"When do we start?" +</p> + +<p> +"To-morrow morning. There's no saying how long we'll be gone, and I've +told him that it doesn't make any difference to us, so we get back +some time this year." +</p> + +<p> +"Can we travel without snow-shoes?" +</p> + +<p> +"Luckily we can, for Docak has only two pair. This fog and a little +rain we've had have formed a crust on the snow hard enough to bear a +reindeer, so that we can travel over it as easy as if it were solid +ice. The only thing to be feared is another deep fall of snow afore we +can get back. That would make hard traveling, but then a hunter must +take some risk and who cares? We may see sights and meet fun that will +last us a lifetime." +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XX"> </a> +CHAPTER XX +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +THE HERD OF MUSK OXEN +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +One of the most interesting animals found in the frozen regions of the +North is the musk ox, his favorite haunt being on the mainland of the +Continent in the neighborhood of the Arctic circle, though he is +occasionally met in Greenland. +</p> + +<p> +The fact that the animal has no muzzle has led some naturalists to +separate him from the ox species and give him the name of Ovibos. He +is smaller in size than his domestic brother, very low on his legs, +and covered with a wealth of wool and dark brown hair, which, during +the cold weather, almost touches the ground. A whitish spot on the +back is called the saddle, though it is not to be supposed that it is +ever intended for that purpose. +</p> + +<p> +One of the most striking features of the musk ox is his horns, which +sometimes weigh fifty or sixty pounds. They are flattened at the base, +the flat sides turned outward, and form a sort of shield or protection +for the face. +</p> + +<p> +At certain seasons he is one of the most odoriferous animals in +creation. During the spring the musky odor is so strong that it can be +detected on the first knife thrust into his body. At other seasons it +is hardly perceptible, and the eating is excellent. +</p> + +<p> +Although his legs are so short he can travel swiftly, and shows a +facility in climbing mountains that no one would suspect on looking at +the animal the first time. It suggests the chamois in this respect. He +feeds on lichens during a part of the year, and on grass and moss +during the rest. +</p> + +<p> +Some distance back of the native Esquimau's hut, the land inclined +upward, becoming quite rough and mountainous not far from the coast. +</p> + +<p> +It was among these wild hilly regions that a herd of musk oxen, +numbering eleven, were browsing one afternoon, with no thought of +disturbance from man or beast. Perhaps the last should be excepted, +for the oxen are accustomed to herd together for the purpose of mutual +protection against the ravening wolves who would make short work of +one or two of them, when detached from the main herd. But it is not to +be supposed that the thought of bipedal foes entered their thick +skulls, for the Esquimau is not a hunter as a rule, and confines his +operations to fishing in the waters near his home. +</p> + +<p> +The herd referred to had gradually worked their way upward among the +mountains, until they reached a plateau, several acres in extent. +There a peculiar swirling gale had, at some time or other, swept most +of the space quite clear of snow, and left bare the stubby grass and +moss, which, at certain seasons, formed the only sustenance of the +animals. +</p> + +<p> +It was a lucky find for the oxen, for in the far North, with its ice +and snow, it is an eternal battle between the wild animals and +starvation, the victory not infrequently being with the latter. It was +rare that the oxen found food so plentiful, and they were certain to +remain there, if permitted, until hardly a spear was left for those +who might come after them. +</p> + +<p> +The largest ox of the party was grazing along the upper edge of the +plateau, some rods removed from the others. He had struck a spot where +the grass and moss were more abundant, and he was putting in his best +work. +</p> + +<p> +Suddenly he caught a suspicious sound. Throwing up his head, with the +food dripping from the motionless jaws, he stared in the direction +whence it came, possibly with the fear of wolves. +</p> + +<p> +Instead of seeing one of the latter he descried an object fully as +terrifying in the shape of a young man, clad in thick clothing from +head to foot, and with a rifle in his hands. The name of this young +man was Fred Warburton, and he had reached this advantageous spot +after long and careful climbing from the plain below. He was studying +the creatures closely, now that he had succeeded in gaining a nearer +view, for, on the way thither, Docak had told him much concerning +them, and they had become objects of great interest. +</p> + +<p> +Fred was alone, and had spent several minutes in surveying the brutes +before he coughed with the purpose of attracting attention for a few +seconds. Then, slipping his mitten from his right hand, the lad +brought his rifle to his shoulder and sighted at the animal. +</p> + +<p> +He had forgotten to inquire at what part to aim, but it seemed to him +that the head was the most vulnerable, and he directed his weapon at a +point midway between the eyes and near the centre of the forehead. +</p> + +<p> +At the very instant of pressing the trigger the ox slightly lowered +his head, and, instead of boring its way through the skull, the bullet +impinged against the horny mass above, and glanced off without causing +injury. +</p> + +<p> +Fred was startled when he observed the failure, for his friends were +too far away to give him support, and it was necessary to place +another cartridge in the chamber of his weapon before it could be +used. He proceeded to do so, without stirring a foot, and with a +coolness which no veteran hunter ever excelled. +</p> + +<p> +But if Fred stood still the musk ox was very far from doing so. +</p> + +<p> +One glance only at the youth was enough, when, with a snort, he +whirled about, galloped a few paces, and then wheeled with marked +quickness, and faced the young hunter again. While engaged in this +performance his snortings drew the attention of his companions, who, +throwing up their heads, galloped to him, and the whole eleven +speedily stood side by side, facing the point whence the attack had +come. +</p> + +<p> +They were of formidable appearance, indeed, for, with lowered heads, +they pawed up the earth and began cautiously advancing upon the boy, +who had his cartridge in place and was ready for another shot. But +instead of one musk ox he was confronted by eleven! +</p> + +<p> +"My gracious!" he said to himself; "this is a larger contract than I +thought of. If they will only come at me one at a time I wouldn't +mind. I wonder where the other folks are?" +</p> + +<p> +He glanced right and left, but nothing was to be seen of Rob or Jack +or Docak. It looked as if a line of retreat should be provided, and he +ventured a glance to the rear. +</p> + +<p> +He saw a mass of rocks within a hundred yards, against which a good +deal of snow had been driven, and he concluded that that was the only +available refuge, with no certainty that it would prove a refuge at +all. +</p> + +<p> +"Being as I shall have to fetch up there to save myself, and being +that those beasts can travel faster than I, it wouldn't be a bad idea +to begin edging that way now." +</p> + +<p> +He would have been glad to whirl about and dash off, reserving his +shot until he reached the rocks, but for his belief that such an +attempt would be fatal to himself. Nothing encourages man or animal so +much as the sight of a flying foe, and he was sure that he would +instantly have the whole herd at his heels, and they would overhaul +him too before he could attain his shelter. +</p> + +<p> +It was a test of his nerves, indeed. There were eleven musk oxen, +heads lowered, eyes staring, with low, muttering bellows, pawing and +flinging the dirt behind them, while they continued advancing upon the +motionless lad, who, having but one shot immediately at command, +sought to decide where it could be sent so as to do the most good. +</p> + +<p> +The fellow at which he fired was the largest of the herd, and it was +plain to see that he was commander-in-chief. Upon receiving the shot +on his horns he had summoned his followers about him, and no doubt +told them of the outrage and whispered in their ears the single word +"Vengeance." +</p> + +<p> +It naturally struck Fred that the single shot should be directed at +the leader, for possibly, if he fell, the others would be thrown into +a panic and scatter. At any rate, it was the only hope, and, without +waiting a tenth part of the time it has taken us to tell it, he +brought his rifle to a level and aimed at the big fellow. +</p> + +<p> +The distance was so short that there was no excuse for repeating his +blunder, or, rather, accident. He sighted the best he knew how, and, +while the fellow was still pawing and advancing, let fly, hitting him +fairly between the eyes. +</p> + +<p> +The lad paused just long enough to learn that his shot was effective, +when he whirled on his heel, without waiting for more, and ran as he +never ran before. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXI"> </a> +CHAPTER XXI +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +CLOSE QUARTERS +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +At this moment, when it would be thought that the incident was at its +most thrilling crisis, it assumed a ludicrous phase, at which any +spectator must have laughed heartily. +</p> + +<p> +Fred, as I have said, made for the protecting rocks, with all the +energy of which he was capable. On the way thither he dropped one +mitten, then his gun flew from his grasp, and a chill passed through +his frame, at the consciousness that he had lost his only means of +defense; but he dared not check himself long enough to pick it up, for +in fancy he heard the whole ten thundering after him and almost upon +his heels. +</p> + +<p> +The distance to travel was short, but it seemed twice its real extent, +and he feared he would never reach it. He was running for life, +however, and he got over the ground faster than would be supposed. +Panting and half-exhausted, he arrived at last, and darted +breathlessly behind the rugged mass of boulders. +</p> + +<p> +His heart almost gave way when he found it what he feared; a simple +pile of stones, partly covered with snow, but presenting nothing that +could be used for protection. The only portion was the top, but that +was too high for him to climb the perpendicular sides. +</p> + +<p> +It was at this moment he cast a terrified glance behind him, and +uttered the single exclamation: +</p> + +<p> +"Well, if that doesn't beat all creation!" +</p> + +<p> +What did he see? +</p> + +<p> +The whole ten musk oxen scampering in the opposite direction, +apparently in as great a panic as himself. +</p> + +<p> +The truth of it is the musk ox is one of the most cowardly animals in +existence. All the pawing of dirt, the bellowing, and threatening +advance upon an enemy is simply "bluff." At the first real danger he +takes himself off like the veritable booby that he is. +</p> + +<p> +As soon as Fred could recover his wind he broke into laughter at the +thought of his causeless scare. He might as well have stood his ground +and fired into them at his leisure. +</p> + +<p> +"I'm glad Rob didn't see me," he reflected as he came from behind the +rock and set out to regain his lost weapon and mitten; "he would have +had it on me bad—" +</p> + +<p> +A shiver ran through him, for he surely heard something like a chuckle +that had a familiar sound. +</p> + +<p> +He looked around, but could discover no cause for it. +</p> + +<p> +"No; it wouldn't have done for him or Jack to have had a glimpse of me +running away from the oxen that were going just as hard from me—" +</p> + +<p> +"Hello, Fred, where's your gun?" +</p> + +<p> +It was Rob Carrol and no one else, who stepped into sight from the +other side of the rocks and came toward him, shaking so much with +mirth that he could hardly walk. +</p> + +<p> +"What's the matter with you?" demanded Fred, savagely; "you seem to +find cause for laughter where no one else can." +</p> + +<p> +"O Fred! if you only could have seen yourself tearing for the rocks, +your gun flying one way, your mitten another, your eyes bulging out, +and you too scared to look behind at the animals that were going still +faster right from you, why you would have tumbled down and called it +the funniest sight in the world." +</p> + +<p> +"If I had seen you with your life in danger I wouldn't have stopped to +laugh, but would have gone to your help." +</p> + +<p> +"So would I have gone to yours, but the trouble was your neck wasn't +in danger, though I guess you thought it was." +</p> + +<p> +"Why didn't you fire into the herd?" +</p> + +<p> +"What for? They were too far off to take the chances of bringing them +down, and you had killed the leader." +</p> + +<p> +"Why, then, didn't you yell to me to stop my running?" +</p> + +<p> +"I tried to, but couldn't for laughing; then, too, Fred, it wasn't +long before you found it out yourself. If, when we get home, you want +to enter the races as a sprinter, I will back you against the field. I +tell you, old fellow, you surpassed yourself." +</p> + +<p> +By this time the younger lad had rallied, and saw that his exhibition +of ill-temper only made him ridiculous. He turned toward his companion +with a smile, and asked, in his quaint way: +</p> + +<p> +"What'll you take, Rob, not to mention this to Jack or any of the rest +of our friends?" +</p> + +<p> +"I'll try not to do so, but, if it should happen to drop from me some +time, don't get mad and tear your hair." +</p> + +<p> +"Never mind," said Fred, significantly; "this hunt isn't finished yet, +and I may get a chance to turn the laugh on you." +</p> + +<p> +"If you do, then I'll make the bargain." +</p> + +<p> +"Perhaps you will, but that will be as I feel about it. But, I say, +did you ever know of any such cowardly animals as the musk ox? If +they had gone for me, where would I have been?" +</p> + +<p> +"I doubt whether they could have caught you, but they are stupid +cowards, who don't know their own strength." +</p> + +<p> +"I wonder whether they always act this way." +</p> + +<p> +"Most of the time, but not always. I heard Docak telling Jack how he +once put two bullets into a bull, which kept on for him like a steam +engine. He flung himself behind a lot of rocks, just as you did, when +the beast was right upon him. He struck the stones with such force +that he shattered his horns and was thrown back on the ground like a +ball. Before he could rise his wounds overcame him, and he gave it up, +but it was a narrow escape for the Esquimau." +</p> + +<p> +"It might have been the same with me," added Fred, who could not +recall, without a shudder, those few seconds when he faced the leader +with his herd ranged alongside of him; "but all's well that ends well. +Where are Jack and Docak?" +</p> + +<p> +As if in answer to the question the reports of the guns broke upon +their ears at that moment, and they saw the two hunters standing on +the lower edge of the plateau, firing into the terrified animals that +were almost upon them. Instead of turning to run, as Fred had done, +immediately after firing, they quietly held their places and began +coolly reloading their pieces. +</p> + +<p> +There was good ground for their self-confidence. Their shots were so +well aimed that two of the oxen tumbled to the ground, while the +others, whirling again, came thundering in the direction of the rocks, +near which the lads were watching them. +</p> + +<p> +"That sight is enough to scare any one," remarked Fred. +</p> + +<p> +"If you want to turn and run again," said Rob, "I'll pick up your gun +and both of your mittens, if you drop them." +</p> + +<p> +"Don't fret yourself; if I can beat you when you had that polar bear +at your heels no beast could overtake me." +</p> + +<p> +"The difference between that and this was that the brute was at my +heels, while your pursuers were running the other way. However, we'll +drop the matter, old fellow, since I have had all the fun I want out +of it. It may be upon me next time." +</p> + +<p> +"I hope it will, and, if so, I won't forget it; but, Rob, this begins +to look serious." +</p> + +<p> +Although the youths were in plain view, the musk oxen continued their +flight straight toward them. Unless they changed very quickly or the +lads got out of the way a collision was certain. +</p> + +<p> +"You may stay here if you think it smart," said Fred, a second later, +"but I don't." +</p> + +<p> +Despite the exhibition he had made of himself a few minutes before he +moved briskly toward the rocks, behind which he whisked like one who +had no time to waste. +</p> + +<p> +To show him how causeless was his alarm, Rob raised his gun, and, +taking a quick aim at the foremost, let fly. +</p> + +<p> +"That'll settle them!" he called out; "see how quickly they will turn +tail." +</p> + +<p> +But they did not adopt this course as promptly as Rob expected. He had +struck one of them, but without inflicting much hurt. There is a +latent courage in every beast, which, under certain stress, can be +aroused to activity, and this shot had done it. +</p> + +<p> +Rob stood his ground for an instant or two. Then he awoke to the fact +that his shot was not going to turn a single one of the eight musk +oxen from his course. They thundered toward him like so many furies, +and were almost upon him before he realized that he had already waited +too long. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXII"> </a> +CHAPTER XXII +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +FRED'S TURN +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +At the moment Rob Carrol wheeled to run the foremost of the musk oxen +was upon him. +</p> + +<p> +This animal was the largest of the herd, after the fall of the leader, +whose place he had undoubtedly taken by the unanimous wish of the +survivors. +</p> + +<p> +Perhaps he was eager to prove to his companions his worthiness to fill +the shoes of the late lamented commander, for, although one of the +most dreaded of enemies stood directly in his path, and had just +emptied his gun at him, he charged upon him like a cyclone. +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile, Fred Warburton, having darted behind the rocks, lost no +time in slipping another cartridge in his gun. He would have assumed +any risk before permitting harm to come to his friend, but, somehow or +other, he yearned for the chance of saving him from just such a +disaster as was now upon him. +</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img width="500" height="285" src="images/201.jpg" alt="THE OX BOUNDED DIRECTLY OVER HIS BODY"> +<p class="caption">THE OX BOUNDED DIRECTLY OVER HIS BODY +<br> +(See page 199) +</p> +</div> + +<p> +Had Rob started a moment sooner he would have escaped, but in his +desperate haste he fell headlong, and the ox bounded directly over his +body, fortunately, without touching him. +</p> + +<p> +The other animals were unequal to the draught upon their courage, and +diverged sharply, some to the right and the rest to the left, circling +back over the plateau on whose margin Jack Cosgrove and Docak were +waiting until they came within certain range. +</p> + +<p> +"Fred, fire quick! my gun's unloaded!" called Rob from where he lay on +the ground; "don't wait a second or it'll be too late!" +</p> + +<p> +Fred did fire, sending the bullet with such accuracy that it wound up +the business. Precisely the same catastrophe, described by the +Esquimau to the sailor took place. The ox, coming with such desperate +speed, was carried forward by its own terrific momentum. It may be +said that he was dead before he could fall; he certainly was +unconscious of what he was doing, for he crashed against the rocks, as +if driven from an enormous catapult and then collapsed, in a senseless +heap, with his flat horns smashed and broken to fragments. +</p> + +<p> +Fred Warburton saw that his "turn" had arrived, and he made the most +of it. Rob had been merciless to him, and he was now ready to pay him +off in his own coin. +</p> + +<p> +"I wouldn't lie down there, Rob," he said, gravely, "for the ground +must be cold." +</p> + +<p> +"It does seem rather chilly—that's a fact," replied his friend, who, +knowing what was coming, slowly climbed to his feet; "I didn't think +of that when I lay down." +</p> + +<p> +"What made you lie down at all?" +</p> + +<p> +"You see I noticed that the creature didn't mean to turn about and +travel the other way as yours did; there was the difference. Then I +knew, too, that he must be tired from running so hard, and it struck +me as a kind thing to do to serve as a rug or carpet for him." +</p> + +<p> +"You did so, and no mistake. If I'm not in error," continued Fred, +with a quizzical expression, "I heard you call out a minute ago +something about my hurrying up and firing so as to save your life." +</p> + +<p> +"I say anything like that! What put such an idea in your head? It must +have been the echo of your voice, when you were running away from the +ox that was running away from you." +</p> + +<p> +And Rob assumed an expression of innocent surprise that would have +convinced any one else than Fred of his mistake. +</p> + +<p> +"It is singular, but no doubt I am in error," said he, resignedly. "It +must have been some one else that sprawled on the ground, and begged +me to shoot quick or he was a goner; it must have been another +vaunting young man, who looked up so pityingly, and was too scared to +try to get on his feet until I shot the ox for him, just as I did the +polar bear, when another minute would have finished him; but I'd like +to see that other fellow," added Fred, looking around, as if in quest +of him. +</p> + +<p> +"I'll help you search," said Rob, in the same serious manner; "and as +soon as I run across him I'll introduce you two. You'll be congenial +to each other. Until then suppose we let the matter rest." +</p> + +<p> +"I won't promise that," returned Fred, following up his advantage; "it +depends on whether certain other matters are referred to." +</p> + +<p> +Rob now laughed outright and offered his hand, which his friend +readily took. +</p> + +<p> +The words were uttered hurriedly, for it was hardly the time or place +for conversation. The popping of rifles was renewed from another part +of the plateau, and several other musk oxen had tumbled to the ground. +A half-dozen survivors managed to get it through their heads that they +had enemies on both sides, and, seeing an opening, they plunged +through it and were seen no more. +</p> + +<p> +The boys devoted some minutes to inspecting the two animals that had +fallen by the rifle of Fred Warburton. They were a couple of the +largest specimens of their kind, but the description already given +renders anything like a repetition unnecessary. +</p> + +<p> +Although it was the favorable season of the year, the youths detected +a slight musky odor exhaling from the bodies, which was anything but +pleasant. +</p> + +<p> +Docak and Jack were observed approaching across the plateau. Both were +in high spirits over the success that had marked this essay in hunting +the musk ox, and the Esquimau assured them that despite the odor to +which they objected, he would furnish them with one of the best +suppers they had ever eaten. The lads, however, could not feel quite +assured on that point. +</p> + +<p> +It may as well be stated in this place that the spot where the animals +were shot was about thirty miles inland from the home of Docak, and a +great many leagues south of Upernavik, the most northernmost +settlement on the Greenland coast. It is beyond this quaint Arctic +town, in the neighborhood of Melville Bay, that the musk ox has his +true <i>habitat</i>. There, although the animals are diminishing in +number, he may be found by any one who chooses to hunt for him. +</p> + +<p> +The fact that Docak had met them so far south was extraordinary, and, +up to the previous year, he had never known of such a thing, nor did +he believe there were any besides this particular herd within hundreds +of miles of the spot, nor that they were likely ever to be seen there +again. +</p> + +<p> +It took our friends two days and a part of a night to reach this +portion of the Arctic highlands. They had looked for foxes, reindeer, +ptarmigan, hares, and other game on the way, but failed to run across +any game until they came upon the musk oxen. Had not the Esquimau been +thoughtful enough to bring a lunch of cold fish, they would have +suffered from hunger. As it was, all felt the need of food, and the +prospect of a dinner upon the game at their feet was inviting, indeed. +</p> + +<p> +The Esquimau would not have bothered with the cooking had he been +alone, but, out of deference to his friends, he prepared to make a +meal according to their tastes. +</p> + +<p> +Inasmuch as so much game had been bagged, they could afford to be +choice. They cut the tongues from the animals, together with some +slices from the tenderest portion of their bodies, and had sufficient +to satisfy all their appetites and leave something over. +</p> + +<p> +No better place for camping was likely to be found than these hills, +but a shelter was desirable, and Docak set out to lead the way further +among them. His manner showed that he was familiar with the section, +for he did not go far before he came upon the very place for which +Fred Warburton longed when making his desperate flight from the bull +that he supposed was at his heels. +</p> + +<p> +It was a cavern among the rocks, as extensive as his own living room +at home, and approached by an entrance, which if not so extended as +his own entry, was of still less dimensions, causing them to stoop and +creep for part of the way. +</p> + +<p> +"Me be here 'fore," said he; "like de place?" +</p> + +<p> +"I should say we did," replied the pleased Rob, echoing the sentiments +of his friends; "but we shall need some fuel to cook the food and keep +warm, and wood isn't very abundant in this part of the world." +</p> + +<p> +"We git wood," was the rather vague reply, whose meaning was not +understood until they had penetrated into the cavern, which was +lightened by a crevice on one side of the entrance. This permitted +enough daylight to enter to reveal the interior quite plainly. It took +the boys a few minutes to accustom their eyes to the gloom, but when +they did so they were no less pleased than surprised at what they saw. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXIII"> </a> +CHAPTER XXIII +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +IN THE CAVERN +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +That which the astonished visitors looked upon was a pile of wood at +one side of the cavern big enough to build a roaring fire that would +last for hours. This place must have formed the headquarters of Docak +when indulging in the occasional hunts that are anything but popular +among the coast natives. +</p> + +<p> +The Esquimau did not carry lucifer matches with him, but, on the other +hand, he was not forced to use the primitive means common among +savages. He possessed a flint and tinder such as our forefathers used +and are still popular in some parts of the world. +</p> + +<p> +But Rob and Fred did not exhaust their supply of matches in trying to +scorch the bear steak on the iceberg, and when everything was ready to +start the blaze they did so with little trouble. The smoke bothered +them at first, but it gradually wound its way through the opening, so +that breathing became quite comfortable. +</p> + +<p> +Docak cooked the tongues with a skill born of long experience. There +was just the faintest trace of musk, but not enough to interfere with +the vigorous appetites, which could afford to disregard trifles. The +meal proved to be what he had promised—one of the most grateful they +had ever eaten. +</p> + +<p> +There was a good deal left after the supper was finished, and this was +laid aside for future contingencies, since the experience of their +approach to this spot taught them to be prepared for an extended +deprivation of food. Indeed, the native Esquimau sometimes goes for +days, apparently with no craving in that direction, though it must be +there all the same. When he finally secures nourishment, he stuffs +prodigiously—so much so indeed that a civilized person would die of +gluttony. He calmly waits, however, until able to hold a little more, +when he resumes cramming the food down his throat, keeping it up until +at last he is satisfied. Then he sleeps, hour after hour, and, on +waking, is ready to resume his frightful gormandizing. +</p> + +<p> +By the time the meal was finished the long Arctic night began closing +in. Looking through the crevice on the side, and the entrance, they +saw that the day was fast fading. The air was as clear as crystal and +very cold. The boys had no extra garments to bring with them, but +Docak, despite his cumbrous suit, carried the fur of a polar bear that +he had shot a couple of years before. This was not only warm, but had +the advantages over many pelts of being vermin proof. +</p> + +<p> +When traveling over the snow Docak had a way of using this extra +garment, like a shawl, so that his arms were free. It was now spread +upon the solid rock, and, though it was not extensive enough to wrap +about the forms of the four, it furnished a couch for all, as they lay +with their bodies near together, and it was most welcome indeed. +</p> + +<p> +It might seem that our friends ran an imprudent risk in venturing this +far from the coast without snow-shoes; for, in the event of a thaw, +the work of traveling the thirty miles would tax their endurance to +the utmost. The snow was several feet deep on a level, and was drifted +in places as high as a house. Who could make his way through instead +of over this? +</p> + +<p> +But all misgivings on that score were ended by Docak telling his +friends there would be no thaw for days, weeks, and, perhaps, not for +months. It was more likely to be the other way. +</p> + +<p> +The surface, as I have intimated, was as easily walked upon as the +floor of a house. So long as it remained thus there was no need of +snow-shoes or anything like artificial help. +</p> + +<p> +The fire made it so cheerful and the warmth was so pleasant that it +was decided to keep it going for an hour or two, and then let it die +out after they fell asleep. There would be considerable fuel left for +morning, and the blaze was not really necessary, unless the weather +should take one of those appalling plunges during which a red-hot +stove seems to lose all power. +</p> + +<p> +As was Docak's custom, when staying in an inclosed place like this, he +sauntered out doors before lying down to slumber, in order to take a +look at the weather and the surroundings. The life of the Esquimaux +makes them wonderfully skillful readers of impending changes of +temperature. Signs which are invisible to others are as intelligible +to them as the pages of a printed book to us. +</p> + +<p> +The native remained absent a considerable while, until his friends +began speculating as to the cause. +</p> + +<p> +"Maybe he has caught sight of another of those musk oxen, and wants to +bring him down," suggested Rob. +</p> + +<p> +"There is no call to do that when so many of them lie on the frozen +ground, where they will keep for months unless the wolves find them." +</p> + +<p> +"They'll be pretty certain to do that," continued Rob; "but then he +may have caught sight of a bull, and both may want to try a race by +starting in opposite directions and seeing which can travel first +around the world." +</p> + +<p> +"That would be a sight worth seeing," Fred hastened to say, "unless he +fell down and bawled for some one to come to his help, after firing +his gun and missing the game by about a rod." +</p> + +<p> +Jack Cosgrove looked wonderingly at his young friends, puzzled to know +what this curious talk meant. To him there was no sense in it. Rob and +Fred thought they had ventured as far upon forbidden ground as was +prudent, so they veered off. +</p> + +<p> +While they were talking Docak reappeared. His feet were heard on the +crust of the snow for several seconds before he was visible, for there +was no call to guard against noise. +</p> + +<p> +As he straightened up in the cavern he stood a moment without +speaking. Then, stepping to the wood, he threw a number of sticks on +the blaze, causing an illumination that made the interior as light as +day. +</p> + +<p> +Jack was better acquainted with the native's moods than the boys could +be expected to be, and the first sight of the honest fellow's +countenance by the added light told him he was troubled over +something. Evidently he had made some unpleasant discovery. +</p> + +<p> +"He'll let me know what it is," concluded the sailor, deeming it best +not to question him; "I can't imagine what would make him feel so +uneasy, but he's got something on his mind—that's sartin." +</p> + +<p> +Docak was on the point of speaking more than once, but some impulse +led him to close his lips at the moment the all-important matter was +about to become known. He probably would have kept it to himself +altogether had not a question of Rob given him an opportunity too +inviting to be resisted. +</p> + +<p> +"Which course will we take to-morrow, Docak?" +</p> + +<p> +"Dat way—we trabel fast as can, too." +</p> + +<p> +The astonishment of the three may be understood when they saw him +point directly toward his own home—that is, in the direction of the +seacoast, and over the course they had just completed. +</p> + +<p> +Their purpose when they set out was to penetrate at least double the +distance in the interior, and now he declared for a withdrawal. +</p> + +<p> +Not only that, but the manner of the native proved that he considered +the crisis imminent, and that no time was to be lost in carrying out +his unexpected decision. +</p> + +<p> +Jack knew him so well that he was right in deciding that his hesitancy +of manner was caused by his doubt whether he should insist upon his +friends starting at once, or allow them to defer it until morning. +</p> + +<p> +"What's the trouble, Docak?" asked the sailor, now that the subject +was broached; "I never saw you look so scared—" +</p> + +<p> +At that moment the dismal cry of a wolf reached their ears, quickly +followed by others. The gaunt creatures that seem born ravenously +hungry, and always remain so, had scented the rich feast that awaited +them on the plateau, and were hurrying thither from all directions. +Soon nothing would be left but the bones of the game brought down by +the rifles of the hunters. +</p> + +<p> +Rob and Fred naturally concluded the moment these sounds were +identified that it was because of them the native was frightened, he +having discovered them before the rest; but Jack knew it was from some +other reason. He saw nothing alarming in the approach of a pack of +wild animals. The four were well armed, they had a fire, were in a +cavern, and could stand off all the wolves in Greenland for a time at +least. +</p> + +<p> +"No, it isn't that," muttered the sailor; "but if he doesn't choose to +tell I sha'n't coax him." +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXIV"> </a> +CHAPTER XXIV +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +UNWELCOME CALLERS +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +Within the following fifteen minutes it seemed as if a thousand wolves +had arrived on the plateau, and were fighting, feasting, snarling, and +rending the bodies of the musk oxen to fragments. They were far enough +removed from the cavern for the inmates to hear each other readily, +while discussing the curious occurrence. +</p> + +<p> +The boys could not contemplate a visit from the ravening beasts with +the indifference of their companions. To them it seemed that the +brutes would be rendered ten-fold fiercer by their taste of blood, and +would not stop until they had devoured them. +</p> + +<p> +"Do you think they will visit us?" asked Rob of Docak. +</p> + +<p> +The latter was standing in the middle of the cavern, in the attitude +of listening. He nodded his head, and replied: +</p> + +<p> +"Yes—eat ox—den come here." +</p> + +<p> +"If that is so I think we ought to prepare for them," suggested Fred, +who shared the nervousness of his friend. +</p> + +<p> +"How can we prepare more than we're prepared now?" asked Jack; +"they've got to come in that opening one at a time, and it will be fun +for us to set back here and pick 'em off." +</p> + +<p> +"Provided they don't crowd in so fast that we can't do it." +</p> + +<p> +"With four guns, I reckon we oughter take care of ourselves." +</p> + +<p> +"Dere fire, too," remarked the Esquimau, jerking his head in the +direction of the flames. +</p> + +<p> +"Ah, I forgot that," said Rob, with a sigh of relief, recalling the +dread which all animals have of fire. Indeed, he felt certain at the +moment that the burning wood would prove far more effective than their +weapons in keeping off the wolves. +</p> + +<p> +It would be supposed that the bodies on the plateau were enough to +keep the brutes occupied for a long time, and to afford them a meal +sufficient to satisfy them for the night; but who ever saw a wolf when +not ravenously hungry? They howled, and snarled, and fought, and +pressed around the carcasses in such numbers that, when only the bones +remained, it may be said that their appetites were but fairly whetted, +and they were more eager than ever after additional prey. +</p> + +<p> +Fully a score, in their keenness of scent, had been quick to strike +the trail of the surviving musk oxen that had fled from the hot fire +of the hunters. The scent was the more easily followed since a couple +of the animals had been wounded, and there can be little doubt that +all fell before the ferocity of their assailants, though the musk ox +makes a brave fight ere he succumbs to those cowardly creatures. +</p> + +<p> +Darting hither and yon, with their pointed snouts skimming over the +ground, it was not Long before several struck the footprints of the +party that had taken refuge in the cavern. A dozen or, perhaps, a +score would not have dared attack them had they not been inflamed by +the taste of food already secured. As it was, they were aroused to +that point that they were ready to assail any foe that could help to +satisfy their voracity. +</p> + +<p> +"Here they come!" exclaimed Rob Carrol, springing to his feet, with +rifle ready. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes—dey come—dat so." +</p> + +<p> +While the native was speaking he stood motionless, but with inimitable +dexterity brought his gun to a level, and, apparently without any aim +at all, let drive into the pack crowding toward the entrance to the +cavern. +</p> + +<p> +No aim was necessary, for the wolves pressed so close that no one +person could fail to bring down one at least of them. +</p> + +<p> +Amid the snarling and growling rang out a single sharp yelp, which +proved that some member of the pack was "hit hard." Whether struck +mortally or not made no difference, for the moment blood appeared upon +him his comrades fell upon him with unspeakable ferocity and tore him +limb from limb. +</p> + +<p> +The shot had the effect, too, of driving them away from the entrance +for a brief while, but they speedily returned, crowding so far forward +that their eyes, lank jaws, and noses showed plainly in the reflection +of the firelight. +</p> + +<p> +It was evident that the shot of the Esquimau produced no permanent +effect upon them. It may have been, indeed, that they wished for a +second that it might afford them the pretext for feasting upon another +of their fellow-citizens. +</p> + +<p> +But the fire was burning brightly, and they dreaded that. So long as +it was going and the hunters kept close to the flame, they were safe +against the fangs of the wolves. +</p> + +<p> +"That's too good a chance to be lost," remarked Rob, discharging his +rifle among the animals. +</p> + +<p> +Fred was but a moment behind him, so that two, if not more, of the +brutes were slain and afforded an appetizer for the rest. Docak had +lost no time in ramming another charge into his gun, while Jack +Cosgrove held his fire, as if expecting some emergency, when a quick +shot was likely to be necessary. +</p> + +<p> +"It don't strike me as a good thing for all our guns to be empty at +the same time," was his sensible remark, "so s'pose we take turns in +banging into 'em." +</p> + +<p> +"Dat right—dat good," commented the Esquimau, and the boys promised +to follow the suggestion. +</p> + +<p> +The scene at this time was striking. Looking toward the entrance to +the cavern, nothing could be observed but the fronts of the fierce +animals, all fighting desperately to get at the opening, all eager +beyond expression to reach the serene hunters within, but restrained +by the glowing fire beyond, to which they dared not go. +</p> + +<p> +Quick to note their dread of this element, the boys became more +composed, though both could not help thinking how it would be if there +were no fire. The fuel if judiciously used was sufficient to last +until daylight, by which time the courage of the brutes would ooze +away to that extent that they would be likely to withdraw. +</p> + +<p> +But the party could not spend all their time in the cavern, and, if +attacked on the open plain, it would require the hardest kind of +fighting to beat off their assailants. +</p> + +<p> +"But what is the use of speculating about the future?" Rob asked +himself, as, seeing that it was his turn, he drove another bullet +among the brutes, doubling up one like a jack-knife, while his +comrades proceeded to "undouble" him in the usual style. +</p> + +<p> +"Suppose," said Fred, "we should keep this up until we killed a +hundred, wouldn't the rest have enough to eat by that time?" +</p> + +<p> +"No," replied Jack, who had seen the animals before; "the rest of 'em +would be as hungry as ever after eating 'em. You may keep the thing +going till there is only two left, and then shoot one of 'em; the +other will gulp him down in a dozen mouthfuls, and then lick his chops +and whine for more." +</p> + +<p> +Docak looked at his friend and grinned at this graphic illustration of +the voracity of the lupus species. +</p> + +<p> +However, it was quite clear that our friends were wasting a good deal +of ammunition, which might be needed before their return. So they +seated themselves on the floor of the cavern near the fire, that was +kept going with moderate vigor, and exchanging a few words now and +then as the turmoil permitted, they sent a shot into the pack, when +some of the foremost ventured to thrust their snouts too far into the +cavern. +</p> + +<p> +"If they only had sense enough to combine into one rush," said Fred, +"they could wipe us out in a twinkling." +</p> + +<p> +"That's just what they would do if it wasn't for the fire," was the +reply of his friend; "but it does seem to me that they must get tired +after awhile." +</p> + +<p> +"I can't detect any signs of it yet. Let me try something." +</p> + +<p> +Catching a brand from the fire, Rob whirled it about his head until it +was fanned into a roaring blaze, when he hurled it right among the +howling horde. +</p> + +<p> +The scampering that followed was laughable. In a second or two not a +wolf was visible, and only the smoking torch lay on the ground where +it had fallen just outside the entrance. +</p> + +<p> +It was expected they would soon return, and some of them did sneak +back within a short distance, but the smoldering brand was a terror to +them so long as it held any life, and they waited until it was utterly +extinguished before venturing closer. +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile, Docak showed such disquiet and concern over something else +that Jack Cosgrove, well knowing it must be serious, determined to +force him to an explanation, for he had racked his brain in vain to +think what grisly dread was looming in front of them. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXV"> </a> +CHAPTER XXV +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +THE COMING SHADOW +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +Docak, the Esquimau, had no wish to affect any mystery as to the cause +of his misgiving. He had not mentioned it of his own accord, because +he was debating in his mind which of two courses to adopt: to remain +longer in the cavern or to set out at once for his home on the coast. +It may be said that except for the appearance of the wolves he would +have insisted that the start should be made without delay, and pushed +with the utmost vigor until their destination was reached. +</p> + +<p> +But this was not to be thought of under the circumstances. To venture +outside the cavern was to invite an instant attack by the brutes who +were in that state that they possessed a daring foreign to their +nature. +</p> + +<p> +Docak explained that an alarming change of weather was at hand. He +knew the signs so well that there was no mistake on his part. As he +had promised, it was not in the nature of a thaw or rising +temperature, but may be explained by that expressive word with which +the reader is familiar—blizzard. +</p> + +<p> +Whoever has gone through one of those frightful visitations will never +forget it. That one of a few years ago was so general throughout our +country that the memory must remain through life with us. +</p> + +<p> +But a blizzard in the Arctic regions is a terror, indeed. It meant in +the present instance a snowstorm that might last for days, a hurricane +of wind, and a temperature of such fearful cold that would consume +almost like fire. +</p> + +<p> +With several feet of snow on the surface of that which now covered the +ground, and too fine to bear the weight of the lightest animal, with +the air white with billions of particles, eddying, whirling, and +flying hither and thither, so that one could not see a step in +advance—with the gale careering like a demon across the snowy +wastes—the strongest hunter might well shrink from attempting a +journey one-tenth of that which lay between them and the coast. +</p> + +<p> +When Jack suggested that Docak might be mistaken, he shook his head so +decisively that it sent a chill through the boys, who were watching +his dusky countenance and listening to his words. Such a man spoke +that whereof he knew. He would hold out hope, if he had justification +for doing so, but he saw none. +</p> + +<p> +That the blizzard was at hand, that it was already careering from the +far North and must speedily arrive, was as good as demonstrated. The +only chance that Docak saw was that it might prove of shorter duration +than he feared. If it should last no more than twelve or possibly +twenty-four hours, they might struggle through it, without serious +consequences, but if beyond that (as he was almost certain it would +be), there was little hope. +</p> + +<p> +However, since they must stay where they were until the following +morning, preparations were made for spending the night, which, it will +be borne in mind, was by no means as long as many which they have at +certain seasons in the high latitudes. +</p> + +<p> +It was decided that Rob should sit up until midnight and then awake +Fred, who, after standing guard for several hours, would arouse Jack +to take charge until daylight. Inasmuch as this was the Esquimau's own +proposition, which, as will be perceived, relieved him of duty for any +part of the night, the others understood its significance. He was +reserving himself for the time when there was likely to be more urgent +need of his services. +</p> + +<p> +No comment was made on the fact, and the simple preparations were +quickly finished. Docak added a caution to his friends that they +should be as sparing as possible in the use of the fuel. They had +already consumed a moiety of it, and the approach of the blizzard +would render it valuable beyond estimate. Enough only to hold the +wolves at a safe distance was to be burned. +</p> + +<p> +Thus it came about that an hour later Rob Carrol was the only one +awake in the cavern. The others were huddled together on the bear +skin, quietly sleeping, while he kept off drowsiness by pacing slowly +back and forth over the brief space within. +</p> + +<p> +"It's getting colder," he said to himself more than once; "I had a +hope that Docak might be wrong, but he isn't; we shall catch it within +a few hours. This is a bad place to be snowed up." +</p> + +<p> +He glanced continually toward the entrance, for he could not forget +the wolves which were the indirect cause of their coming peril. They +seemed, in spite of the disgusted remarks of Jack, to have become +satisfied that nothing was to be gained by hovering about the refuge. +So many of their comrades had fallen, and the fire burned so +persistently, that the others must have felt a certain degree of +discouragement. +</p> + +<p> +Now and then a howl echoed among the desolate hills, with a strange +power, and was immediately answered by scores from as many different +points, but there was no such eager crowding as marked the first +appearance of the brutes. Rob glanced repeatedly at the opening +without seeing one of them. +</p> + +<p> +But the youth was too wise to be caught off his guard. He allowed the +fire to smolder until the figures of his friends were only barely +visible in the gloom, and his own form became shadowy, as it slowly +moved back and forth over the floor of the cavern, with his rifle +ready for instant use. +</p> + +<p> +He heard a soft tip tipping on the snow, and there was no mistaking +its meaning. +</p> + +<p> +"They're there," he said, peering outward in the gloom and listening +intently, "and are as watchful for a chance as ever." +</p> + +<p> +Turning toward the crevice which admitted light, and was too straight +to allow the smallest wolf to pass through, he caught the glow of a +pair of eyes. +</p> + +<p> +They were motionless, and the wolf evidently was studying the interior +with a view of learning the prospect for an excursion within. +</p> + +<p> +The temptation to fire was strong, but the eyes noiselessly vanished +before the gun could be brought to a level. +</p> + +<p> +Rob stood intently listening. He heard the stealthy footsteps pass +along the side of the cavern toward the front, and he moved in that +direction, but placed himself at one side, so as to be out of sight of +any one looking directly into the mouth. He had not long to wait, when +the same keenness of ear told him that the brute was cautiously +entering. The fire was smoldering lower than ever, the brand at the +entrance had died out long before, and no one could be seen on guard. +The brute must have made up his mind that he had "struck it rich." In +his selfishness he did not summon his friends to the feast, but +resolved to devour the four persons all by himself, and that, too, +after having had his full share of the musk ox and his fallen friends! +</p> + +<p> +There was just enough light in the cavern for Rob to note everything. +Being at one side of the entrance, he could not be detected by the +sneaking brute, which also was invisible to him. He must come further +forward before they could discern each other. +</p> + +<p> +The wolf, one of the largest of his species, stood just outside with +his ears pricked, his head raised, and his eyes roaming over the +interior. Everything looked promising, but he had learned to be +suspicious of those bipeds, whose hands were always against them. +</p> + +<p> +He stood in this attitude for several minutes, as stationary as if +carved in stone. Then he lifted one of his fore-feet, held it +suspended, as though he were pointing game, and then advanced a couple +of steps. This brought him far enough into the cavern for the lad to +see the end of his nose, but the beast still failed to detect that +shadow at one side of the entrance that was calmly awaiting the +critical moment. +</p> + +<p> +But he saw the dimly outlined forms near the smoldering fire, and +licked his chops in anticipation. Nothing could be more favorable for +the grandest feast of his life. +</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img width="500" height="302" src="images/236.jpg" alt="THE WOLF LICKED HIS CHOPS IN ANTICIPATION"> +<p class="caption">THE WOLF LICKED HIS CHOPS IN ANTICIPATION +<br> +(See page 232) +</p> +</div> + +<p> +At that moment a howl rent the air at no great distance. It must have +startled this prowler, and told him that, if he delayed his meal any +longer, he must share it with an unlimited number. +</p> + +<p> +He started on a silent walk, straight for the forms, heedless of the +figure that had pointed the rifle at him, while he was yet out of +sight. All was like the tomb until the gun was fired. Then since the +muzzle almost touched the brute, why—enough has been said. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXVI"> </a> +CHAPTER XXVI +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +WALLED IN +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +By daybreak, when all the party were awake, the blizzard foretold by +the native had fully arrived. +</p> + +<p> +It was a terror, indeed. The cold was frightful, and the air outside +was white with snow, which was driven horizontally by the hurricane, +as though shot from the mouths of myriad pieces of ordnance. It +shrieked about the cavern, and drove the white particles so fiercely +through the narrow crevice that Docak hastened to shove his bear-skin +into it. This only partially filled the opening and the snow spun in +around it clean across the flinty floor. +</p> + +<p> +The regular entrance was partly protected by its own projection, but, +at times, a blast entered that fairly took away their breath. The fire +was necessary to keep from freezing, but the supply of fuel was +growing low, and the last stick must soon be reached. What then would +be the fate of the party if the blizzard continued? +</p> + +<p> +It was useless to discuss the future and no one did so; the present +was with them, and the question was how to live from hour to hour. +</p> + +<p> +On shooting the intruding wolf, Rob had flung his carcass away. The +report awakened the others, and, rising to his feet, Docak passed far +enough outside to bring it in again. He did not speak, but all +understood the meaning of the action; that body might be the means of +saving them from starvation. +</p> + +<p> +Enough of the previous night's meal remained to afford a nourishing +breakfast, but they partook sparingly, preferring to use that in +preference to the new supply. Happily thirst was a torture that need +never be apprehended. +</p> + +<p> +Jack Cosgrove braved the blast to that degree that he forced himself +through the opening and stood several minutes outside, shading his +eyes and striving to pierce the blinding turmoil. +</p> + +<p> +All in vain. The gale almost carried him off his feet, and his vision +could no more penetrate the furious swirl of snow than if it were the +darkest night that ever covered the earth. The cold was so piercing +that he was glad to hasten back among his friends, and shiver and +crouch over the fire. +</p> + +<p> +"By the great horned spoon, Docak! s'pose we had started for home last +night?" +</p> + +<p> +"Wish had," was the sententious response. +</p> + +<p> +"Why, we wouldn't have been half-way there by this time, and we would +have perished all together." +</p> + +<p> +"We trabel fast—mebbe storm not dere yet." +</p> + +<p> +This intimation that the blizzard might be less terrific at so slight +a distance was incredible, but the Esquimau was positive that it would +have been far better had they set out early in the evening. By rapid +traveling they might have covered the greater part of the distance +before morning, and could have fought the few remaining miles in the +teeth of the gale. +</p> + +<p> +But it was equally useless to discuss what might have been. They were +imprisoned in the cavern, thirty miles from succor and with no +possibility that any friends would ever take the trouble to search for +their bodies. All they could do was to rely upon Heaven and their own +exertions. +</p> + +<p> +Without any explanation as to his intentions, and leaving his gun +behind him, the native plunged through the opening and disappeared in +the blizzard outside. +</p> + +<p> +Born and reared in Greenland, amid Arctic snows and appalling +tempests, the hardy Esquimau was far better fitted to undergo such +trials of endurance than could be any native of a temperate clime. +</p> + +<p> +"Where do you suppose he has gone?" asked Rob, wonderingly. +</p> + +<p> +"I don't know," replied Jack; "but if he goes far he'll never come +back again." +</p> + +<p> +"It doesn't seem to me," said Fred, coming to the question of the +present for the first time, "that the outlook is as bad as he would +make us believe." +</p> + +<p> +"Why not?" +</p> + +<p> +"We have enough food to last a week or two, or even longer, and the +blizzard certainly won't keep it up that long." +</p> + +<p> +"You can't be sartin about that," said Jack; "it may last for several +weeks, but s'pose it's only for three or four days, there are two big +things that we must face." +</p> + +<p> +"What are they?" +</p> + +<p> +"What to do after it stops; the snow will be several feet deep on top +of that which is now on the ground; it will be too fine and soft to +bear our weight, and can be traveled over only with snow-shoes which +we haven't got. How then are we going to fight our way thirty miles +through it?" +</p> + +<p> +"It will be a hard job, but no greater than that which many explorers +have undergone. With Docak as our guide, I think we can pull through." +</p> + +<p> +"But what is the other matter you refer to?" asked Rob. +</p> + +<p> +"This wood will soon go, and then how are we going to keep from +freezing to death?" +</p> + +<p> +"If we will huddle together as closely as we can with the bear-skin +wrapped about us I think we can stand it." +</p> + +<p> +"I like the way you chaps talk," said the sailor, admiringly, "and if +we have to go down we'll do so with colors flying. It's the +downheartedness of Docak that knocks me askew; if he would show a +braver front I would feel better." +</p> + +<p> +"Possibly he is more hopeful than he pretends." +</p> + +<p> +"No, he isn't that sort of chap; he knows better than we just what all +this means. Whew!" +</p> + +<p> +The exclamation was caused by a sudden outburst that sent the snow +whirling through the opening and the crevice, from which the bear-skin +dropped, as if struck a blow from the other side. Jack ran forward, +picked it up, and thrust it back, hardly able to breathe from the fury +of the gale in his face. +</p> + +<p> +The snow shot through the opening, too, scattering the brands of fire +in every direction. Had the shelter been anything else excepting the +solid rock that it was, it must have been swept like chaff from its +foundations. +</p> + +<p> +The explosion, as it may be called, lasted but a minute or so. The +boys hastily gathered up the scattered brands and flinging them +together they were fanned by the tempest into a vigorous flame, whose +warmth, slight as it was, was grateful beyond measure to the three +gathered around it. +</p> + +<p> +"Docak is wrong in regretting that we did not start last night," said +Jack Cosgrove; "that style of storm is raging at this moment over +hundreds of miles, and it would have made short work of us." +</p> + +<p> +"What about the 'Nautilus,' if she is in it?" +</p> + +<p> +"She can manage it if she has plenty of sea room, but I hope she is +far enough off to dodge this blizzard. She ought to be at any rate." +</p> + +<p> +The gale did the party an unexpected favor. It was a substantial one, +too, which they appreciated. It drove the snow against the troublesome +crevice with such fury that it quickly formed a solid bank, extending +far above it. This ended the drifting of the particles inside and +protected them from the cutting wind. +</p> + +<p> +At the same time it did something of the same nature with the +entrance, where it soon became banked to that extent that little blew +within, and the gale hardly disturbed them. +</p> + +<p> +Seeing what had taken place, Jack withdrew the bear-skin from where it +had been stuffed into the opening and spread it in the farthermost +corner of the cavern. +</p> + +<p> +"Come, my hearties," said he, cheerfully, "we've got nothing to do but +to make ourselves comfortable. We won't burn any more wood till Docak +comes back." +</p> + +<p> +They huddled together, and, though the cold made their teeth chatter +and their bodies shiver, they found considerable relief and were +willing to hope on. +</p> + +<p> +They could feel no anxiety about the absent native. It was certain he +would not go far enough from the cavern to endanger his safety or to +imperil his return. Some definite object must have led him forth. +</p> + +<p> +"I wonder if it is for food," suggested Fred. +</p> + +<p> +"No; for there's no possibility that the wolves left anything," +replied Rob; "and then, too, we have enough to last a good while." +</p> + +<p> +At that moment there was a flurry at the entrance and the Esquimau, +resembling a snow man, stooped and pushed his way in. +</p> + +<p> +Entering, he flung a half-dozen small sticks upon the tiny pile at the +side of the cavern. He had gone forth in quest of fuel and was able to +secure only that miserable supply, really not worth taking into +account. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXVII"> </a> +CHAPTER XXVII +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +"COME ON!" +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +The Esquimau's depression continued. After flinging down the few bits +of wood he looked across the cavern to where the friends were huddled +together, but did not speak. Then he glanced at the crevice, now so +completely blocked with snow that they were protected against any more +drifting in upon them. +</p> + +<p> +The three respected his silence, and held their peace. He stood a +minute or two, looking gloomily into the fire, which he replenished, +partly from the scant supply he had brought. While it was gaining +strength he drew his knife, deftly cut a number of pieces from the +frozen body of the wolf, and proceeded to cook them over the blaze. +Had he been alone he would have devoured them raw, but he knew the +sentiments of his companions. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, Docak," said Jack, feeling that the silence ought not to +continue, "it looks as if we are in for a long stay. We shall have +enough to keep us alive a good while, and, when you're ready, you can +come and snuggle down beside us." +</p> + +<p> +"Not now," he replied, continuing his culinary work, with what seemed +a wasteful disregard of fuel until he was through. +</p> + +<p> +When nothing more remained worth attention he held up a piece, +considerably scorched, and, looking at the others, asked: +</p> + +<p> +"Eat now?" +</p> + +<p> +"No; we'll wait till morning," replied Rob, speaking for the rest. +</p> + +<p> +"All right." +</p> + +<p> +But he was not disposed to wait if they were. He made quite a meal, +with as much evident enjoyment as if it had been upon the choicest +part of the musk ox. He took care, however, to leave a good supply +against the "rainy day" that he felt no doubt would come to them all. +</p> + +<p> +The dismal day wore slowly away, and with a feeling of unutterable +loneliness they saw the second night of their enforced stay in the +cavern close around them. The cold seemed to intensify with the +approach of darkness, and the supply of wood had grown so slight that +the warmth was barely perceptible. +</p> + +<p> +The blizzard raged with unabated fury. The gale shrieked around the +rocks, the blinding snow whirled and eddied until it seemed that it +must bury them out of sight, and the outlook was woeful enough to +chill the bravest heart. The three in the corner adhered to their +resolution not to eat any of the food prepared before the morrow. They +might need it then to aid their systems in withstanding the terrific +strain, but, as in the case of the bear on the iceberg, it must be the +last resort. +</p> + +<p> +The Esquimau declined their invitation to join them in the corner. He +was thickly clad, and was so accustomed to the rigors of the Arctic +winter that he needed no such help. He seated himself near by, and +talked a little, until, at a late hour, troubled sleep settled over +all. +</p> + +<p> +A gleam of hope came with the break of day. Docak was the first to +awake, and, without disturbing the others, he forced his way through +the entrance and took a survey of the weather and his surroundings. +</p> + +<p> +The blizzard was over. The fall of snow had ceased, little wind was +stirring, but the cold was terrible. Toughened as he was, he shrank +when first exposed to it. The party had been walled in so tightly that +the warmth of their bodies was of more help than would be suspected. +</p> + +<p> +Quick to note the change in the weather the native studied the sky +with its numerous signs in the effort to learn what was likely to come +in the near future. +</p> + +<p> +Great as was his skill at this it was now taxed to the utmost. The sun +was not visible, and the difficulty became the greater; but he tarried +until he had perfected his theory. +</p> + +<p> +The discouraging feature which the native saw about the matter was +that the blizzard had ceased for a time only. He believed it would +soon resume its fury, fully as great, if not greater than before, and +it might continue for days and possibly weeks. If, when that time +should come, it found them in the cavern they were doomed beyond the +power of mortal man to save themselves. +</p> + +<p> +But the prospect was equally hopeless, if the lull lasted only a few +hours, for, when it should break forth again it would overtake them in +the open plain (provided they made the start he had in mind), where no +screen against its resistless power could be secured. +</p> + +<p> +It should be understood that Docak's solicitude was on account of his +friends. Had he been alone he would not have hesitated to set out for +the coast, and with every reason, too, to believe he could make it, +even, if the battle of the elements were renewed when but a small part +of the way thither. +</p> + +<p> +But he had three others in charge, and it was hard to decide whether +to urge them to make the attempt now or wait awhile, in the hope that +he could settle with certainty the extent of the cessation of the +blizzard. +</p> + +<p> +The additional snow was between two and three feet deep, where it had +not been drifted by the gale. With the help of snow-shoes it would +have been an easy matter to skim over it, but there were no snow-shoes +to be had, as has been shown, the new fall was of such fine character +that they would sink its full depth when essaying to walk upon it. +</p> + +<p> +When he turned about and re-entered the cavern his friends were astir. +Their appetites had assumed that edge that they eagerly attacked some +of the meat prepared the night before. The few embers had been stirred +into a sickly blaze, but not another stick remained. The warmth was +only perceptible when the chilled hands were held almost against it. +</p> + +<p> +The Esquimau smiled grimly when he saw what they were doing, but with +the reticence that had marked his course since refuge was taken in the +cavern, he held his peace. Jack greeted him pleasantly, and he nodded +in return, and then again passed outside. +</p> + +<p> +The sailor and lads had peeped after him, and discovered that the fall +of snow was over, and the wind was not blowing. This gave them +considerable hope, inasmuch as they were unable to read its full +meaning like the native. +</p> + +<p> +"It's easy enough to see what he has on his mind," remarked Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"What is it?" queried Rob. +</p> + +<p> +"He is considering whether we shall make a start now for the coast or +wait awhile longer." +</p> + +<p> +"What's the use of waiting," asked Rob, "when it can't be any better +and may grow worse? The snow that has fallen will stay where it is for +months, so we can gain nothing there. I'm in favor of starting for +home while it is yet morning." +</p> + +<p> +"That's the way it strikes me, but he'll make up his mind, and +whatever he says we'll do. He isn't in the mood to take any advice +from us; I never seed him so glum before." +</p> + +<p> +"We're quite well protected," added Fred, who was eager to be off if +that should be the decision; "we have the thickest kind of clothing, +heavy shoes, and warm undergarments. Then we mustn't forget that when +we start through the snow the labor will help to warm us. Fact is, I +don't understand why Docak hesitates." +</p> + +<p> +The Esquimau used less time than they supposed in reaching his +conclusion. But, with a view of giving him a hint of their wishes, +Jack and the boys prepared themselves as if it had been settled that +they should venture at once upon the perilous attempt. They carefully +adjusted their clothing, tying the lower parts of their trousers about +their ankles, so as to keep out the snow, buttoned their heavy coats +to their chins, pulled up the collars more carefully, and fixed their +caps in place, though all this had been done to a certain extent +before. +</p> + +<p> +When nothing remained they ranged themselves in a row beside the +entrance and awaited the appearance of their guide. +</p> + +<p> +He came in the course of a few minutes. He started slightly when he +read the meaning of it all. +</p> + +<p> +"We're ready," said Jack, with a smile. +</p> + +<p> +"All right—we go—foller me—come on!" and he led the way out, and +they turned their backs on the cavern forever. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXVIII"> </a> +CHAPTER XXVIII +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +A HOPELESS TASK +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +A fearful task confronted the little party. Thirty miles of snow, +several feet deep, lay between them and their only haven of refuge, +and they were without sled or snow-shoe. If they succeeded in their +prodigious task, it must be done by sheer strength and the power of +continued desperation. +</p> + +<p> +But, with compressed lips and the resolution to do or die, they bent +to the work without faltering. +</p> + +<p> +The Esquimau naturally took the lead to break the way so far as he +could; Jack Cosgrove came next, then Rob Carrol, while Fred Warburton +brought up the rear. +</p> + +<p> +The first move that the native made proved he was a veteran. He +plunged in, following the decline down to the plateau, which was the +scene of their adventures two days before. He walked like one who had +only an ordinary tramp before him. In truth, he could have gone faster +and done better, but he accommodated himself to his friends, to whom +the labor was new and trying to a degree. +</p> + +<p> +None spoke for a long time. It requires strength to do even so slight +a thing as that, and no one had an ounce to spare. The question that +was uppermost in the minds of the three was whether they would be able +to hold out to the end. +</p> + +<p> +"I don't see why we can't," reflected Fred, who, being at the rear, +had an easier task than any of the others; "it would be well enough if +we had snow-shoes, but neither Jack nor Rob nor I can use them, and we +would flounder around a good deal worse than we are doing now and +likely enough wouldn't get ahead at all." +</p> + +<p> +The meditations of Rob Carrol were of a similar strain. +</p> + +<p> +"I've seen better fun than this, but it beats staying in the cavern +and freezing to death on wolf steak. I believe I'm strong enough to +see the business through; I hope Fred won't give out, for he isn't as +strong as Jack and I. I believe Docak enjoys it. Gracious! if I ever +live to get out of this outlandish country, I'll never set foot in it +again. I haven't lost any North Pole, and those that think they have +can do their own hunting for it." +</p> + +<p> +The sun still remained obscured, and the wonder of the three was how +their guide kept his bearings, after debouching from the highlands and +entering upon the broad, undulating plain which stretched away to +Davis Strait and Baffin's Bay. There was no misgiving, however, in +that respect. Docak could not go astray, or, at least, if there was +any likelihood of his doing so, not one of his friends was able to +help him. +</p> + +<p> +As the boys had anticipated, the labor of walking in this difficult +fashion soon generated a warmth in their bodies that was a vast +comfort, after sitting benumbed and shivering so long in the cavern. +Despite the extreme cold they felt no discomfort, for the air was +quite dry, and less trying, therefore, than a damp atmosphere would +have been, even though twenty-five degrees higher. +</p> + +<p> +But it is in such an Arctic climate that one can have his limbs or a +portion of his body hopelessly frozen without suspecting it. All were +so effectually protected that only a small portion of their faces, +their eyes, and tips of their noses were exposed. +</p> + +<p> +The bear-skin, which has been referred to as belonging to Docak, was +carried by him after his usual manner. He would have offered it to his +friends in turn, had he not known that it would soon have become a +burden which he could carry better than they. +</p> + +<p> +Jack, who trod close on the heels of the Esquimau, was admiring the +sturdy manner in which he plowed through the snow, his labor being +much greater than any one of those who followed him, when the native +turned his head and scanned his face with curious intensity. Pausing +for the moment in his labor, he leaned to one side, and did the same +to the others. His act was all the more singular since he did not +speak. The lads smiled under their head-coverings, but their faces +were so wrapped up that the relaxation of the features could not be +perceived. +</p> + +<p> +"I wonder why he did that," thought all three. +</p> + +<p> +"The chap has been acting curious ever since this trouble began," +continued the sailor, "and I wouldn't be s'prised if he's just a +little off." +</p> + +<p> +"Can it be," asked Rob, following up a whimsical idea, "that he fears +we aren't ourselves? He has started out to take us to the seacoast, +and doesn't mean that anybody else shall rope himself in on him. I +guess he's satisfied, though we're so covered up that our nearest +friends wouldn't know us." +</p> + +<p> +For fully an hour the party toiled on, and all, with the exception of +the leader, began to feel the effects of the severe exertion. Still, +no one protested or asked for rest; each determined to keep it up, if +possible, until the leader chose to halt. +</p> + +<p> +But Docak did not forget them. At the end of the time named he turned +about, and, with something of his old pleasantry, said: +</p> + +<p> +"Much tired—wait while—den go on." +</p> + +<p> +Each of the boys longed to ask him what he thought of the prospect of +getting through, but forebore, recalling his moodiness, which might be +still upon him despite his present manner. +</p> + +<p> +"I think we're doing quite well, Docak," said Jack; "it's a little +hard, but we can take a breathing spell now and then, and keep at it +till we strike your home." +</p> + +<p> +Had the Esquimau made any response to this half-inquiring remark the +sailor would have followed it up, but he did not. On the contrary, he +was busy studying the sky and the surrounding landscape, doubtless +with a view of determining what weather changes impended. +</p> + +<p> +The others did the same, but though Jack had learned a good deal of +the science at sea he was now at a loss. The dull, leaden sky, so +obscured that it was impossible to tell in what part of the heavens +the sun was, told him nothing beyond the fact that more snow was +likely to fall before many hours. +</p> + +<p> +As the best thing that could be done, the friends studied the actions +of the Esquimau. +</p> + +<p> +The result of his survey was not satisfactory—that was clear. He +shook his head and muttered something in his own language, which had +anything but a pleasant effect on the others. +</p> + +<p> +The scene was one of utter loneliness and desolation. North, east, +south, and west stretched the snowy plain, unrelieved by tree, house, +or sign of a living creature. Far up in the sky sounded the honk of +some wild fowl, and, looking aloft, a line of black specks could be +seen, sailing swiftly southward through space, as if to escape the +Arctic cold that would soon smother everything in its icy embrace. +</p> + +<p> +The rest was barely ten minutes, when Docak, looking at his +companions, asked: +</p> + +<p> +"Be rested? We go on?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes; we're ready," replied Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"All right—work hard now—don't get tired." +</p> + +<p> +"I won't, if I can help it; but the only way I know of is to stand +still, which don't pay in this kind of business." +</p> + +<p> +The Esquimau bent to his work, as if striving for a wager. He had a +way not only of stepping down in the soft snow, but of shoving it +partly aside from his path. It would have been the severest kind of +labor for anyone else, and it is hard to understand how he managed it +so well. It was a great help to the one immediately behind him. Jack +would have been glad to lighten the task for the boys, but that was +out of his power, and he wasted no strength in the attempt. +</p> + +<p> +The party was becoming accustomed to the work. That the guide was +aware of this was proven when he kept at it fully twice as long as +before. They were going slowly—very slowly—but there was comfort in +the consciousness that every step taken was toward safety, and the +task before them was lessened, even to that small extent. +</p> + +<p> +At the moment the boys were beginning to think it about time another +halt was called, Docak stopped in his former abrupt way, and, leaning +to one side, peered into each face in turn. +</p> + +<p> +Something in Fred's appearance caught his attention, and, with an +exclamation, he sprang out of the path, and hurried back to where the +lad stood, wondering what was the matter with the fellow. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXIX"> </a> +CHAPTER XXIX +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +TEN MILES +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +Docak, when flurried, generally forgot his broken English, and spoke +in his own tongue. Before Fred could divine his intention he had +slipped off one of his mittens, grasped a handful of snow, and +throwing one arm about the boy's neck, began rubbing his nose as +though he meant to rub it out of existence. +</p> + +<p> +The watchful native was on the watch for the first sign of freezing in +the case of his companions, and, discovering that the youngest member +was becoming a victim without himself or friends suspecting it, he +resorted to heroic measures, with no unnecessary delay. +</p> + +<p> +Fred understood what it all meant, and, like the sensible boy he was, +submitted with good grace, though the vigorous handling to which that +organ was subjected made it hard for him to keep from protesting. Not +only that, but, when the Esquimau, pausing to inspect his work, said: +</p> + +<p> +"All right," Fred thanked him. +</p> + +<p> +Jack and Rob, who looked grinningly on, while the performance lasted, +now asked Docak whether they were in need of a similar manipulation. +He took another look at the faces, and gave Rob's a slight rubbing, +but said nothing more was needed. +</p> + +<p> +It was a piece of thoughtfulness on the part of the native, for which +he deserved to receive gratitude. But for him Fred Warburton, and +probably the others, would have suffered injuries from which they +never could have recovered. +</p> + +<p> +Having rested but a brief while, Docak moved on, and the dismal +procession wound its way slowly through the snow, which clogged their +feet and obstructed their path to that extent that more than once the +hardy guide had to come to a full halt that he might decide in what +way to flank the obstacle. +</p> + +<p> +The blizzard had played fantastic tricks with the snow. In many places +it was drifted to a depth of six or eight feet, through which, as may +be supposed, it was the severest labor to force a path. In others, +again, it had swept the crust entirely clear of the new layer, so that +they walked as easily as when making their way from the coast. +Unfortunately, these bare places, as they may be called, were not only +few and far apart, but of such slight extent that their aid counted +for little. +</p> + +<p> +There is nothing more cheering than the certainty that we are +approaching our goal, even though the rate of progress is more tardy +than we wish. As the afternoon drew to a close Fred was positive they +had made fully twenty miles. Rob believed it was more, but, to be on +the safe side, fell in with his friend's figures. When Jack was +appealed to he declined to hazard a guess, saying he preferred to wait +till the halt for the night, when he would leave it to Docak. +</p> + +<p> +"He'll tell you within a quarter of a mile," added the sailor, "and he +won't make a mistake. I can let you know one thing, howsumever, my +hearties, and that is that you'll find it a good deal less than you +think." +</p> + +<p> +"I don't know about that," said Rob; "Fred and I have calculated the +matter pretty closely." +</p> + +<p> +"You may think so, but you haven't. We have worked hard enough to +tramp a hundred miles, but we haven't been able to use it in the best +way." +</p> + +<p> +Another fact, which might mean a good deal or little, was that a +marked moderation in the temperature took place in the course of the +afternoon. What this portended was left to the Esquimau to determine. +Toiling through the snow was not favorable to conversation, and it was +dropped. +</p> + +<p> +With only short halts the party pushed onward, until night began +settling over the dreary landscape. They would have kept on had not +the darkness been impenetrable. The sun had not shown itself during +the day, and the obscurity was so dense that not a solitary star +twinkled overhead. +</p> + +<p> +"Besides," as the boys concluded, "the rest of the distance is so +brief that we can afford to leave it until morning, by which time we +will be fully rested. Inasmuch as it is necessary to pass a night on +the road, one spot is as good as another." +</p> + +<p> +Camping at such times is simple. They were in the middle of a snowy +waste, without tree or rock to shelter. Starting a fire, of course, +was out of the question. A slight wind was blowing, and though less +rigorous than that of the preceding night, it was necessary to protect +themselves from its force while they were idle. +</p> + +<p> +For a few minutes Docak acted like a man seized with convulsions or +the St. Vitus' dance. He leaped about, kicked, and swung his arms, the +snow flying in a storm from him, until, at the end of a few minutes, +he had scooped out a bowl-like space, large enough to hold the party. +In doing this he cleared the way down to the lower crust only, which +was strong enough to bear their weight. To have dug to the ground +would have been too laborious, and no special advantage was to be +gained by doing so. +</p> + +<p> +This completed, he carefully spread his bear-skin on the hard surface, +and the four seated themselves back to back. They had camped for the +night. +</p> + +<p> +The discomforts of this primitive method were less than would be +supposed. There is warmth in snow, as you are well aware, cold being a +negative existence, and, so long as they were below the surface, they +could not be reached by the wind that swept across the dismal waste. +Then, too, the change in the temperature was in the right direction as +affecting their comfort, so there was little fear of suffering before +morning. +</p> + +<p> +When they were adjusted for the night, Rob asked the question of Docak +which had been in his mind for hours: +</p> + +<p> +"How far have we got toward home?" +</p> + +<p> +Fred was confident the answer would be twenty miles; while Rob was +quite hopeful it would be more. Judge, therefore, their consternation +when the reply struck their ears: +</p> + +<p> +"Purty near ten mile—not quite—purty near." +</p> + +<p> +The hopes of the boys sank to zero. Jack, knowing they had placed +their estimate too high, still believed it greater than was the fact. +</p> + +<p> +Ten miles! Barely a third of the distance between the cavern and the +first place that could offer refuge. +</p> + +<p> +They had used a day in advancing thus far. At that rate two more days, +and possibly nights, remained ere the terrible task would be ended. +They had eaten the last mouthful before starting, leaving behind some +food which they might have brought, but which was not deemed +necessary. +</p> + +<p> +It was not the prospect of hunger that appalled them. In such a severe +climate they could go a couple of days without food, and not suffer +greatly, though the draught upon their strength would be trying to the +last degree. +</p> + +<p> +The great question was whether the task they had essayed was a +possible one. Recalling the terrific exertions of the day, their +exhaustion, and the repeated rests that were necessary, they might +well doubt their ability, though it need not be said there was no +thought of giving up so long as life and strength held out. +</p> + +<p> +"Ten miles," repeated Fred Warburton; "are the Esquimau miles the same +as our English, or aren't they double their length?" +</p> + +<p> +"I don't know about that," said Rob; "they must get their ideas from +the Danes, who have a system of measurement different from ours, but +it don't matter in this instance." +</p> + +<p> +"Why not?" +</p> + +<p> +"When we set out, and after reaching the hills, Docak told us we were +thirty miles from home; he tells us now that we are ten miles less." +</p> + +<p> +"Not quite ten mile—purty near," interrupted the native. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, calling it ten miles, we have come about one-third of the way +to the coast. No matter what system of measurement is followed we +can't figure out that we have gone further than that." +</p> + +<p> +"And not quite that far," suggested Jack, who was not less +disappointed than they, but was quicker to rally. +</p> + +<p> +"It isn't the thing calculated to make a chap feel good to learn a +thing like that," he added; "but all we've got to do is to buckle down +to it and we'll get there one of these days, with fair sailing and no +more squalls." +</p> + +<p> +"It is those squalls or blizzards, Jack, that are the real danger +before us." +</p> + +<p> +It was Rob who made this remark, and his friends knew he spoke the +truth. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXX"> </a> +CHAPTER XXX +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +THE LAST PAUSE +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +The night slowly settled over the snow waste, and the little party, +feeling no discomfort because of the cold, gradually sank into +unconsciousness. +</p> + +<p> +Just before slumber weighed down their eye-lids the dismal howl of a +wolf echoed faintly across the plain. All heard it, and Jack and the +boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the +hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his +heels. Jack asked the Esquimau whether they ought not to prepare for a +fight, but he replied that there were no preparations to make. Each +had his loaded gun and a good supply of ammunition; they could fight +as well there as in any other place. +</p> + +<p> +Docak showed no trepidation of voice and manner, and his coolness had +a good effect upon the others. They were sure that, if there was any +cause for alarm, he would feel it. +</p> + +<p> +This confidence proved well placed; for that single cry was all that +reached their ears. They slept, and were not molested. +</p> + +<p> +But sometime during the night the fine snow began sifting downward, +falling so gently that even the Esquimau was not disturbed. Through +the long gloomy hours it silently descended, until when the daylight +stole over the desolate plain, fully six inches had been added to the +mass that covered the earth long before. +</p> + +<p> +Sitting nearly upright and back to back, the pressure upon the +sleepers was so slight and gradual that no discomfort resulted. All +were so worn out that their slumber was profound, doubtless lasting as +long as it would have done had no such snowfall taken place. +</p> + +<p> +It was Jack Cosgrove who first opened his eyes, and his amazement may +be imagined when he saw their laps buried out of sight, only the +outlines of their limbs showing, while head and shoulders were +weighted down with the feathery mass. +</p> + +<p> +"By the great horned spoon!" he called, shaking himself free and +rising to his feet, with such a flurry that the others were aroused; +"wake up, for we're all snowed under, and, if we wait a few minutes +longer, we'll be buried clean out of sight." +</p> + +<p> +"What's the matter?" called Rob, being the next to climb to his feet; +"has the snow tumbled in on us?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes; and more of it is tumbling every minute." +</p> + +<p> +Docak was astonished that he had not been the first to awake, for his +mind was burdened with anxiety for the rest. He forgot that, inasmuch +as his labors had been far greater than theirs, his weariness of body +was in more need of rest. +</p> + +<p> +"What time be it?" he asked of the boys, who carried watches. +</p> + +<p> +The answer showed that day had dawned more than two hours before. He +sighed at the knowledge of the precious time wasted. Harder work than +ever was before them, and when night came again they might count +themselves fortunate if one-half the remaining distance was +accomplished. +</p> + +<p> +Rising to their feet, with their heads above the surface, they found +the snow falling so fast that they could not see fifty feet in any +direction. +</p> + +<p> +"How can Docak keep his bearings?" asked Rob, in a low voice, of the +others, when the native, walking a few feet, paused and looked +earnestly about him. +</p> + +<p> +"It doesn't seem to me that it is any harder for him to do so than it +was yesterday when there was no snow falling." +</p> + +<p> +"There is a big difference. We couldn't have done any better in the +one case than the other, but he could see the sky. He knew where the +sun was, though we did not; and there must have been something in the +looks of the landscape to help, but there is none of that now." +</p> + +<p> +"I can give you the right answer to Fred's question," said Jack, in +the same guarded undertone. +</p> + +<p> +"What is it?" +</p> + +<p> +"When you ask whether Docak can keep the p'ints of the compass in his +mind, and make sure that he is heading straight for home, the real +answer is—he can't." +</p> + +<p> +There could be no denying that the sailor spoke the truth. The native, +like the Indians further south, may have possessed a subtle skill in +the respect named beyond the comprehension of his more civilized +neighbors, but, in all cases, there is a limit to such ability. Where +there is nothing to afford guide or clue no living man can walk in a +straight line—hour after hour, or hold his way undeviatingly toward a +fixed point of the compass. +</p> + +<p> +But, admitting this unquestioned truth, nothing was more self-evident +than that it was sure death to stay where they were; the one and only +thing left to them was to push on while the opportunity was theirs. +</p> + +<p> +The Esquimau was a man of deeds rather than words. He showed no +disposition to discuss the situation, and, beyond a few insignificant +words, said nothing to his companions, who were as eager to be on the +move as he. He stood a minute or two in study, and then, uttering the +words: +</p> + +<p> +"Come on—work hard—neber stop," began pushing through the snow with +the vigor shown the day before. +</p> + +<p> +The others followed in the order named, and with a resolution as +strong as his to keep it up to the last verge of endurance. +</p> + +<p> +It was necessary. In no other way could they escape the frightful doom +that impended. Another condition was equally necessary; their efforts +must be rightly directed. The guide must lead them toward the +sea-coast. Had he the power to do so? The test was now going on, and +the question would soon be settled. +</p> + +<p> +They were terrible words spoken by Jack, but the time had passed when +he felt it necessary to mince matters. He had done so at the +beginning, but his companions were not children unable to bear the +truth, however unpleasant it might be. +</p> + +<p> +But, despite the good reason in what he said, neither Rob nor Fred +quite credited its full meaning. While they could not explain how any +person could guide himself unerringly, when there was no visible help +for the eye, they believed that somehow or other he would "get there +just the same." +</p> + +<p> +They proved their own earnestness when Docak, after a long struggle +through the clogging snow, stopped, turned about, and said: +</p> + +<p> +"You be tired—then rest awhile." +</p> + +<p> +"No," responded Fred, "I want no rest." +</p> + +<p> +"Push on, then," added Rob, "unless you are tired yourself, Docak." +</p> + +<p> +The idea that the native needed rest caused him a half-smile, as he +faced forward and resumed his weary plowing through the snowy mass. +</p> + +<p> +There was no call now to watch the countenances of the youths to +protect them against freezing. The weather was so moderate that they +would have felt more comfortable with their outer covering removed. If +the blizzard had come back, it was in such a mild form that it could +lay no claim to the name. It was simply snowing hard, and there was +only a breath of air at intervals. Had there been anything approaching +the hurricane of two days before, they could not have fought their way +for a single rod. +</p> + +<p> +When the guide, after another long interval, proposed a brief rest, it +was acquiesced in by all. They had kept at it longer than before, and +the pause must have been grateful to Docak himself. +</p> + +<p> +"We are not going fast," remarked Rob, "but I am sure we have covered +a good deal of ground since starting, and when we go into camp +to-night there ought not to be many miles between us and the sea." +</p> + +<p> +"Remember the mistake we made in our calculations," said Fred, +warningly, "and don't count too much." +</p> + +<p> +"How far have we come?" asked Jack, putting the question directly to +the Esquimau. +</p> + +<p> +"Dunno," he answered, turning about and resuming his labor. +</p> + +<p> +"That's the last time I will ask him anything," growled the sailor, +displeased at the curt treatment. +</p> + +<p> +A sad story awaits our pen. The poor hunters toiled on, on, on, slower +and still more slowly, with the snow falling thicker and still more +thickly, and the uncertainty growing more intensified as the day wore +away. With short intervals of rest they kept at it with heroic +courage, until at last the shades of night began closing once more +around them. Then, all of a sudden, the Esquimau uttered a despairing +cry and threw himself down in the snow. +</p> + + +<div class="figcenter"><img width="500" height="300" src="images/282.jpg" alt="THE ESQUIMAU UTTERED A DESPAIRING CRY AND THREW HIMSELF +IN THE SNOW"> +<p class="caption">THE ESQUIMAU UTTERED A DESPAIRING CRY AND THREW HIMSELF +IN THE SNOW +<br> +(See page 277) +</p> +</div> + +<p> +He had made a terrifying discovery. They had come back to the very +spot where they spent the previous night. All day long they had +journeyed in an irregular circle, as lost persons almost invariably +do, and the dreadful labor was utterly thrown away. +</p> + +<p> +The Esquimau had essayed a task beyond his power, and he now threw up +his hands and would struggle no more. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXXI"> </a> +CHAPTER XXXI +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +ANOTHER SOUND +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +The little party were overwhelmed with dismay. The very man on whom +they had relied from the beginning, the one who had conducted them +thus far, and the one who, under heaven, could alone guide them to +safety, had thrown up his hands and yielded the struggle. He lay on +the snow limp, helpless, and despairing. +</p> + +<p> +The new fall of snow had almost obliterated their trail, but enough +remained to identify it beyond mistake. The cavity which Docak had +scooped out, and in which they slept, was recognized on the first +glance. The whole day, from the moment of starting, had been wasted, +in laboring to their utmost strength, in getting back to the very +point from which they set out, and which itself was twenty miles from +the sea-coast. +</p> + +<p> +The tendency that every one shows to travel in a circle, when lost, +has been explained in various ways. It is probably due to the fact +that one side of every person is more developed than the other. A +right-handed individual gradually veers to the left, a left-handed one +to the right, while a really ambidextrous one ought to keep straight +ahead. +</p> + +<p> +Jack and the boys remained silent for a moment. They looked down on +the prostrate figure, and finally Fred asked: +</p> + +<p> +"What's the matter, Docak?" +</p> + +<p> +"Gib up—no use—we die—neber see home 'gin." +</p> + +<p> +The words were uttered with all the dejection that it is possible to +conceive, and the native did not move. He acted as if the power to do +so had gone from him. +</p> + +<p> +Suddenly, to the astonishment of the others, Jack Cosgrove gave him a +thumping kick. +</p> + +<p> +"Get up!" he commanded; "if you're such a lubber as all this, I'll +take you by the neck and boot you all the way across Greenland." +</p> + +<p> +And as a guarantee of his good faith he yanked Docak to his feet, and +made ready for a still harder kick, when the fellow moved nimbly out +of the way. +</p> + +<p> +"If you are too big a calf to go on, I'll take the lead, and when I +flop it'll be after all the rest of you've gone down." +</p> + +<p> +The breezy style in which the sailor took hold of matters produced an +inspiriting effect on the others. Despite the grim solemnity of the +moments, both Rob and Fred laughed, as much at the quickness with +which Docak responded as anything else. +</p> + +<p> +"Since we are here at the same old spot," said Rob, "and it is growing +dark, we might as well go into camp." +</p> + +<p> +"That's the fact, as we won't have to scoop out a new place to sleep +in. I suppose, Docak, you're able to sleep, aint you?" +</p> + +<p> +The native made no answer, and the party silently placed themselves in +position for another night's rest, Docak not refusing to huddle in +among them. But there was little talking done. No one could say +anything to comfort the others, and each was busy with his own +thoughts. +</p> + +<p> +It need not be said that, despite the fearful gloom and these +forebodings, they were ravenously hungry. Their bodies were in need of +sustenance, and the probability that they could not get it for an +indefinite time to come was enough to deepen the despair that was +stealing into every heart. +</p> + +<p> +It was unto Fred Warburton that something in the nature of a +revelation came in the darkness of that awful night. His senses +remained with him for some time after the others were asleep, as he +knew from their deep, regular breathing. +</p> + +<p> +The snowfall had almost ceased, and he sat wondering whether, after +all, the end was at hand, and he was asking himself whether, such +seeming of a surety to be the fact, it was worth while to rise from +their present position and try to press on further. If die they must, +why not stay where they were and perish together? +</p> + +<p> +These thoughts were stirring his mind, with many other solemn +meditations, which crowd upon every person who, in his right senses, +sees himself approaching the Dark River, when it seemed to him that +there was sounding, at intervals, an almost inaudible roar, so faint +and dull that for awhile he paid no heed to it, deeming it some +insignificant aural disturbance, such as causes a buzzing or ringing +at times in the head. +</p> + +<p> +But it obtruded so continually that he began to suspect it was a +reality and from some point outside of himself. +</p> + +<p> +It was a low, almost inaudible murmur, sometimes so faint that he +could not hear it, and again swelling out just enough to make it +certain it had an actuality. +</p> + +<p> +Suddenly the heart of the lad almost stood still. +</p> + +<p> +"It's the ocean!" he whispered; "the air has become so still that I +can hear it. The plain is open, there has been a big storm, and the +distance is not too great for it to reach us. But, no, it is from the +wrong direction; it can't be the sea." +</p> + +<p> +The next moment he laughed at himself. Having fixed in his mind the +course to the home of Docak, and, hearing the roar from another point +of the compass, it did not at once occur to him that he himself might +be mistaken. +</p> + +<p> +"If Docak, with all his experience could not keep himself from going +astray, what wonder that I should drift from my moorings? Yes, that is +the sound of the distant ocean or that part known as Davis' Strait and +Baffin's Bay. We can now tell which course to take to get out of this +accursed country." +</p> + +<p> +He wished to awake his friends, and in view of their hungry condition, +urge that they should set out at once; but they were so wearied that +the rest would be grateful, and it was needed. And so, while not +exactly clear as to what should be done, he fell asleep and did not +open his eyes until morning. +</p> + +<p> +Docak was the first to rouse himself. He found that the snow was +falling again, with the prospect worse than ever. +</p> + +<p> +Fred sprang to his feet and quickly told what he had discovered the +evening before. +</p> + +<p> +"It was the ocean," he added, with a shake of his head: "I have heard +it too often to make a mistake—listen!" +</p> + +<p> +All were silent, but the strained ear could catch no sound like the +hollow roar which reached the youth a few hours before. +</p> + +<p> +"I don't care; I was not mistaken," he insisted. +</p> + +<p> +"Why don't we hear it now?" asked Rob, anxious to believe what he +said, but unable fully to do so. +</p> + +<p> +"There was no snow falling at the time; the air was clearer then, and +what little wind there was must have been in the right direction." +</p> + +<p> +"Where did sound come from?" asked the Esquimau, looking earnestly at +Fred and showing deep interest in his words. +</p> + +<p> +"From off yonder," replied the lad, pointing in the proper direction. +</p> + +<p> +"He right—dat so—he hear sea," said Docak, who, to prove the truth +of his words, pointed down at the dimly marked trail. It led in the +precise course indicated by Fred. In other words, when the Esquimau +resumed the journey on the preceding morning, at which time his +bearings were correct, he went of a verity directly toward his own +home, which was the route now pointed by Fred Warburton. +</p> + +<p> +The others saw the point, and admitted that the declaration of the lad +had been proven to be correct beyond question. +</p> + +<p> +And yet, while all this was interesting in its way, and for the time +encouraged the others, of what possible import was it? The conditions +were precisely the same as twenty-four hours before, except they were +less favorable, for the comrades in distress were hungrier and weaker. +</p> + +<p> +But they could not hear the ocean, the snow was falling, and there was +no way of guiding themselves. +</p> + +<p> +They could only struggle on as before, hoping that possibly before +wandering too far astray they might be able to catch the roar that +would be an infallible guide to them in their despairing groping for +home. +</p> + +<p> +The three looked at Docak, expecting him to take the lead, as he had +done from the start. It may be said that Jack Cosgrove had kicked the +Esquimau into his proper place and he was prepared to stay there as +long as he could. +</p> + +<p> +But the native, instead of moving off, stood with his head bent and +his ears bared in the attitude of intense attention. +</p> + +<p> +They judged that he was striving to catch a sound of the ocean. But he +was not. +</p> + +<p> +Truth to tell, Docak had detected another sound of a totally different +character, but far more important than the hollow roar of the far-away +Arctic Sea. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXXII"> </a> +CHAPTER XXXII +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +THE WILD MEN OF GREENLAND +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +A sharp bark broke the stillness, a peculiar cry followed, and then, +out from the swirl and flurry of the eddying snow, came a string of +Esquimau dogs. There were six couples fastened to a rude sleigh, and +at the side of the frisky animals skurried one of the wild men of +Greenland on snow-shoes, and with a whip in hand having a short stock +and a very long lash. +</p> + +<p> +Directly behind him followed two similar teams, and then a fourth +emerged with seven spans of dogs. There was a driver to each, and the +sleighs were loaded with pelts intended for the nearest settlement. +Not one of the Esquimaux was riding, though it was their custom to do +so for a goodly portion of the way. +</p> + +<p> +This singular collection of men and animals were approaching in a line +that would have carried them right over the amazed party that were +about to start on their hopeless attempt to reach the sea coast, had +they not veered to one side. +</p> + +<p> +When the foremost driver discerned the four figures through the snow +he emitted a sharp cry, not dissimilar to that of his own dogs, and +the obedient animals halted. The others did the same, and in a few +minutes the four teams, with their drivers, were ranged about the +others. +</p> + +<p> +These individuals were genuine Esquimaux, the real wild men of +Greenland. Their homes were far in the interior, and only at rare +intervals did they venture forth with their dogs and sleighs to the +coast settlements, where they were welcome, for they never failed to +bring a good supply of peltries with them, for which they found ready +barter among the agents of the Danish government. +</p> + +<p> +There was no mixed blood among these Esquimaux. They were +copper-colored, short, of stocky build, and with more muscular +development in the lower limbs than is seen among the coast natives. +The latter, giving most of their time to fishing and the use of the +paddle, have powerful arms and shoulders, but as a rule are weak in +the legs. +</p> + +<p> +They were warmly clad in furs, their heads being covered with hoods +similar to that worn by Docak, but there was nothing in the nature of +the dress ornamentation which he displayed. +</p> + +<p> +None of the party could speak English, but that made no difference, +since Docak understood their curious gibberish. An animated +conversation began at once between him and the four, who gathered +about him while Jack and the boys stood silently listening and looking +upon the singular scene. +</p> + +<p> +What the guide said was in the nature of "business." They had talked +but a short while when one of the wild men went to his sleigh and +brought forth a big piece of cooked reindeer meat, evidently a part of +their own liberal supply of provisions, and offered it to Jack. The +latter accepted with thanks, shown more plainly by manner than his +words. +</p> + +<p> +And didn't those three fellows have a feast, with Docak himself as a +participant? You need to be told no more on that point. +</p> + +<p> +The guide, after the brisk interview, explained the meaning of the +conversation to his friends. +</p> + +<p> +The Esquimaux were on their way to Ivigtut, some forty miles in a +southwest direction. They had come a long way from the interior, +having been three days on the road, and it was their intention to push +matters so vigorously that they would reach the famous mining town +that night. +</p> + +<p> +But, best of all, they agreed to carry the three whites as passengers. +They could be stowed in the sleighs among the peltries, as the drivers +were accustomed to do at times, though they were capable of keeping +pace with the dogs hour after hour without fatigue. They would do so +now on their snow-shoes, and the three could ride all the way to +Ivigtut. +</p> + +<p> +It meant the rescue and salvation of the party, who were in the +uttermost depths of despair but a few minutes before, and tears of +thankfulness came to the eyes of all three. +</p> + +<p> +"We haven't much money with us," said Rob, addressing Docak, "but we +will pay them as well as we can when we reach Ivigtut." +</p> + +<p> +"Don't want much," replied the grinning guide, "jes' little +money—two, t'ree bits." +</p> + +<p> +"We'll give 'em all we've got," added Jack; "but what about you, +Docak?" +</p> + +<p> +"Me go home," was the answer, accompanied by one of his pleasing +grins. +</p> + +<p> +"Can you find the way?" +</p> + +<p> +"Me all right now—hark! hear de water?" +</p> + +<p> +He spoke the truth, it being a singular fact that the atmospheric +conditions had changed to that degree that the dull, hollow moaning +for which they had listened so long in vain was now audible to all. It +was like a beacon light, which suddenly flames out on the top of a +high hill, for the guidance of the belated traveler. There could be no +going astray, with that sound always in his ears, and strengthened by +his meal of venison, the hardy native would press on until he ducked +his head and passed through the entry of his home. +</p> + +<p> +It might well be questioned how the wild men could maintain their +bearings, but they had come unerringly across the snowy wastes from +their distant homes, and the boom of the ocean was as sure an aid to +them as it was to Docak. No fear but that they would go as straight as +an arrow to Ivigtut. +</p> + +<p> +There was no call for delay or ceremony. A long journey was before +them, and it being the season when the days were not unusually long, +they must be improved to the utmost. The wild men beckoned to the +three to approach the sleighs, where, with a little dexterous +manipulation of the bundles, they made room for each. +</p> + +<p> +Jack found himself seated at the rear of one of the odd vehicles, +which consisted mainly of runners, but had a framework at the back +that gave grateful rest to the body. The peltries were fastened in +front and around him, some being used to cover his limbs, and a part +of his body, so that he could hardly have been more comfortable. The +runners were made very broad to prevent them sinking in the snow. But +for that, it would have been hard work for the nimble dogs to drag +them and their loads with any kind of speed. The situation of the boys +was similar to the sailor's. +</p> + +<p> +The arrangement left one of the sleighs without an occupant. This was +well, since the wild men could take turns in riding, when they felt +the need, and the whites need not walk a step of the way to Ivigtut. +</p> + +<p> +While the confab was going on, the dogs were having their own fun. +Quick to obey the order to halt they squatted on their haunches facing +in all directions, and for a time were quite motionless and well +behaved, but it was not long before their natural mischievousness +asserted itself, and they began frolicking with each other. They were +snapping, barking, snarling, and then half of them were rolling over +in the snow, fighting with good nature, the evil of which was that it +tangled the simple harness into the worst sort of knots, which +undoubtedly was just what the canines wanted to do. +</p> + +<p> +The head driver spoke angrily to them, cracked his long whip, and, +bringing the knot down on their bodies, or about their ears, added +their yelps of pain to the general turmoil, while the confusion was +greater than before. +</p> + +<p> +He was used to the dogs, knowing every one of the half-hundred, and +was quick to detect which was the ringleader. This canine belonged to +the rear team, and not only started the rumpus, but kept it going with +the utmost enthusiasm. He knew the driver would be after him, and he +dodged and whisked among the others so dexterously that the well-aimed +lash cracked against the side of some innocent spectator more than it +touched him. +</p> + +<p> +But the driver was not to be baffled in that fashion. Dropping the +whip, he plunged after the criminal, and, seizing him with both hands, +gave him several vigorous bites on the nose, which made him howl with +pain. When released he was the meekest member of the party, all of +whom sat quiet, while the angry Esquimau devoted himself to unraveling +matters. +</p> + +<p> +Rob Carrol had not forgotten the admiration which Docak showed more +than once for his rifle. When the native came over to the sleigh to +shake his hand, as he was bidding all good-bye, the boy said: +</p> + +<p> +"Docak, I meant that you should have this on our return from the hunt. +I sha'n't need it any more; accept it as a reminder of this little +experience we had together." +</p> + +<p> +The Esquimau was so taken aback that for a moment he could not speak. +Before he recovered himself, Jack and Fred added their requests that +he would not refuse the present. His gratitude was deep, and found +expression only in a few broken words as he turned away. +</p> + +<p> +It had been on the point of the sailor's tongue several times to +apologize for the kick of the evening before, but he felt that the +result of it all was a sufficient apology of itself. Besides, there +are some matters in life which it is best to pass over in silence. +</p> + +<p> +The wild men showed little sentiment in their nature. Seeing that all +was ready, they cracked their whips, called out to their dogs, and off +they went. +</p> + +<p> +Jack and the boys turned their heads to take a last look at Docak, who +had served them so faithfully and well. As they did so, they observed +him plowing through the snow again to the westward, his form quickly +disappearing among the myriad snowflakes. They never saw him again. +</p> + +<p> +The first thought that came to each of the passengers, after the start +was fairly made, was that the forty miles' journey could not be +accomplished before nightfall. The sleighs were so heavily loaded with +pelts and themselves that they formed quite a task for the dogs, which +of necessity sank deep in the snow. But they tugged and kept at it +with a spirit worthy of all admiration. +</p> + +<p> +But one of the remarkable features of the blizzard and snow storm that +had come so near destroying our friends quickly made itself apparent, +and raised their hopes to the highest point. +</p> + +<p> +The fall of snow decreased until at the end of half an hour not an +eddying flake was in the air. The sun, after struggling awhile, +managed to show itself, and the glare of the excessively white surface +fairly blinded the passengers for a time. They noticed, however, that +the depth of the last fall continued to grow less, until to their +unbounded amazement and relief it disappeared altogether. They struck +the hard surface, which was like a smooth floor, and capable of +bearing ten times the weight of the sleighs without yielding. +</p> + +<p> +This proved that the blizzard was of less extent than supposed. The +wild men more than likely were beyond its reach, while Docak and his +companions were caught in its very centre. Its fury extended southward +but a short way, and the party had now crossed the line. The country +before them was like that over which Jack and the boys set out to +prosecute their hunt for game. +</p> + +<p> +The travelers were like athletes, who, emerging from a struggle with +the angry waters, find themselves on solid land, free to run and leap +to their heart's content. They had shaken off the incubus, and now +sped forward with renewed speed and ease. The small feet of the dogs +slipped occasionally, but they readily secured enough grip, and the +sleighs, hardly scratching the frozen surface, required but a +fractional part of their strength. Several uttered their odd barks of +pleasure, at finding their labor so suddenly turned into what might be +called a frolic. +</p> + +<p> +But the wild men were a source of never-ending wonder to the whites. +They sped forward through the soft snow, with no more apparent effort +than the skilled skater puts forth, and when they struck the smooth +surface, they became more like skaters than snow-shoe travelers. They +cracked their whips about the ears of the dogs, called sharply, and +made them yelp from the stinging bites of the whips handled with a +dexterity that would have flicked off a fly from the front dog's ears, +had there been one there. +</p> + +<p> +(If we were not opposed to all forms of slang, we would be tempted to +say just here that there are no flies on the Esquimaux canines.) +</p> + +<p> +The brutes were quick to respond, and galloped swiftly with their +drivers skimming by their side, holding them to the task by their +continued orders and cracking of whips. They gave no more attention to +the passengers than if they were not present. +</p> + +<p> +The latter were delighted, for there was every reason why they should +be. Their limbs still ached from the severe exertion through which +they had gone, and the sensation of being wrapped about with furs and +fixed in a comfortable seat was pleasant of itself. Then to know that +they were speeding toward safety—what more could be asked? +</p> + +<p> +The sleigh containing Jack Cosgrove was in the advance; Rob came next, +then Fred, while the one loaded only with peltries held its place at +the rear. +</p> + +<p> +When the smooth surface was reached, they drew quite near each other, +the friends finding themselves almost side by side. +</p> + +<p> +"This is what I call ginooine pleasure," said the sailor, turning his +head and addressing the boys. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, I'm enjoying it," replied Rob. +</p> + +<p> +"So am I," added Fred; "it makes up for what we suffered." +</p> + +<p> +"We'll skim along in this style all day as if we was on the sea in a +dead calm; nothing like a capsize—" +</p> + +<p> +At that very moment, the sailor's sleigh went over. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXXIII"> </a> +CHAPTER XXXIII +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +CONCLUSION +</span> +</h2> + + +<p> +No one can question that many animals have the propensity to fun and +frolic. It may be absent in some, but it certainly is not lacking in +the canine species. +</p> + +<p> +It didn't take three teams of dogs long to discover that their +passengers belonged to the most verdant specimens of their kind, and +when the brutes struck the smooth surface, where traveling was but a +pastime, they decided to have some sport at their expense. +</p> + +<p> +At the moment Jack Cosgrove was uttering his words to his young +friends, he failed to notice a small hillock just ahead and at one +side of the course they were following. But the leading dogs saw it, +and, veering off, they made straight for it with increased speed, +heedless of the shouts and cracking of the driver's whip. Before he +could restrain them, the sleigh collided with the obstruction, +overturned in a twinkling and Jack found, as he after described it, +that his nose was plowing through the snow with the whole plaguey load +on top of him. +</p> + +<p> +He was dragged a hundred feet before extricating himself, and before +the driver could check the animals, who looked so meek and sorrowful +that he visited them with slight punishment. Matters, however, were +soon righted and the journey resumed, amid the laughter of the boys in +which the sailor heartily joined. +</p> + +<p> +Within the next hour Rob's sleigh went over and he had an almost +similar experience. But he was expecting something of the kind, and +prepared for it, so that he emerged from underneath before being +dragged far. +</p> + +<p> +Fred got it, too, despite the apparent efforts of the drivers to +restrain the dogs. By the time matters were once more righted and +under way, the suspicion was confirmed among the passengers that the +wild men were in the plot and enjoyed the ludicrous turn of affairs as +much as did the brutes themselves. But Jack and the lads were the last +to complain, and were quite willing that such good allies should have +a little sport at their expense. It was noticeable that after all had +been capsized, nothing of the kind took place again. +</p> + +<p> +At noon an hour's halt was made. The Esquimaux produced their cooked +venison and all ate. The snow, although it seems to add to one's +thirst, when first used, served excellently in the place of water. +</p> + +<p> +As well as they could by signs, the passengers offered to walk and +allow the Esquimaux to ride. Where the surface was so favorable this +would have imposed no hard work, but the natives refused, even +declining to ride alternately in the rear sleigh. +</p> + +<p> +The dogs were tired enough to give no trouble during the noon halt. +They sat around on their haunches and eagerly devoured the bits of raw +meat tossed to them. When one or two showed a disposition to stir up +matters, an angry warning and snap of the whip from one of the drivers +brought him to his senses, and he deferred the amusement to a more +convenient season. +</p> + +<p> +The Esquimaux chatted volubly among themselves, and, although our +friends could not catch the meaning of anything said, they were sure +they had made good progress toward Ivigtut, which, barring accident, +would be reached by nightfall. +</p> + +<p> +The journey was pressed with the same vigor through the afternoon, the +men seeming as tireless as the dogs, who trotted along as they might +have done over the bare ground without any load impeding their +movements. +</p> + +<p> +The sun was still above the horizon when the party reached the crest +of the mountains near the coast, and saw before them, nestling at the +curve of a fiord, a collection of low, weather-beaten houses, +dispersed along the slope of the hills, with a wharf at the water's +edge, on which lay a large number of blocks of the peculiar white ore +known as cryolite. +</p> + +<p> +"Vee-tut, vee-tut!" exclaimed one of the drivers, addressing the +passengers with great animation. This was the nearest he was able to +come to pronouncing the name "Ivigtut." +</p> + +<p> +Yes, this was the mining town famous the world over as containing the +only cryolite mines so far discovered on the globe. +</p> + +<p> +Ivigtut is in latitude sixty-one degrees and twelve minutes north, its +climate being severe at certain seasons, but comparatively moderate +during summer. Then there are one hundred and thirty picked men from +Copenhagen engaged in the quarries, the number being a little more +than one-half as great in winter. Only one or two Esquimaux are to be +found about the place, and the only family that of the superintendent, +who has his wife and her maid with him. +</p> + +<p> +The principal work of the employees is in quarrying the cryolite and +piling it on the wharf, ready for shipment both to the Old and New +World. And now how many of my readers can tell me what cryolite is? +Shall I explain? +</p> + +<p> +Do you know that most of the sal-soda, the bicarbonate of soda, the +alum, and the caustic soda used in your homes is dug out of a mountain +in Greenland? +</p> + +<p> +In 1806, a German named Giesecke, believing that valuable minerals +might be found in Greenland, applied to the Danish Government for +permission to prospect the mountains. He did so, all the way from Cape +Farewell, living with the Danish governors or among the Esquimaux, as +circumstances required, until he reached Arsuk Fiord. +</p> + +<p> +At this place he heard of a deposit of ice that never melted and which +was on the edge of the fiord. It was powdered, was used by the natives +in tanning skins, and acted on a greasy hide like soap. The prospector +gathered a number of specimens and started with them for Germany, for +the substance was entirely new and required analysis. +</p> + +<p> +On the homeward voyage the Danish ship was captured by a British +man-of-war and the specimens of cryolite went to an English +institution, where they were analyzed for the first time. It was +interesting of itself, but pronounced comparatively worthless. +</p> + +<p> +It remained for a distinguished chemist named Thomson to discover that +sal-soda and bicarbonate of soda can be made cheaply from the +substance. It is free from all impurities, and steps were taken to +develop the quarry. The first attempt was in 1852, but regular work +did not begin until six years later, and more years passed before any +money was made out of the mine. +</p> + +<p> +Up to 1864 the entire product of the quarry went to Europe. In that +year the American firm known as the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing +Company, of Natrona and Philadelphia, began to import it. The ships +used are made as strongly as possible, for they have to force their +way through fields of floating ice, craunch into huge blocks, and keep +a sharp lookout for icebergs. +</p> + +<p> +Small quantities of cryolite have been found in the Ural Mountains and +a trace was discovered at Pike's Peak, in our own country, some years +ago, but it did not pan out. A genuine cryolite mine within easy reach +would prove a bonanza to the discoverer. +</p> + +<p> +Cryolite in appearance resembles white quartz or ice, with a mixture +of snow in it. Although generally white, it is not always so. It is +sometimes a light brown or a dark color, due either to vegetable +matter that has soaked into it or the presence of iron. +</p> + +<p> +What I have related and considerably more, our friends learned during +their stay at Ivigtut. +</p> + +<p> +Finding themselves at the end of their journey, the three climbed out +of the sleighs, their limbs considerably cramped from their +long-constrained posture. They shook hands with the Esquimaux, who +understood that form of salutation, and who grinned the delight they +could not form the words to speak. +</p> + +<p> +To one of them Jack presented his gun and Fred gave his to another. +This quite overwhelmed them, but the whites divided nearly all the +money they had among them between the other two. The wild men were +paid triple what they expected for the inestimable service rendered +the party, who regretted that they could not do a good deal more for +them. +</p> + +<p> +They parted on the edge of the town, and, just as night began settling +over Ivigtut, the three came down the slope and showed themselves +among the employees, where their appearance attracted considerable +curiosity. +</p> + +<p> +Rob's first inquiry was for the superintendent of the mines. He was +directed to a one-story house painted blue, near the rear of which +rose a staff from which the flag of Denmark floated. +</p> + +<p> +At the eastern end of the settlement was a somewhat similar house +painted black, where the comptroller, or representative of the king +lived, while near the centre were two other structures, from which +puffs of steam rose. +</p> + +<p> +The visitors received the kindest hospitality from the superintendent, +whose name was G. E. Schmidt. He listened to their story with deep +interest, and insisted that they should make their home with him as +long as they could stay in Ivigtut. He brought in his wife and +introduced them to her. +</p> + +<p> +They found her a most pleasant lady, and the three soon felt entirely +at home. +</p> + +<p> +"By the way," he asked, as the preparations for supper progressed, +"what did you say was the name of the ship on which you left London?" +</p> + +<p> +"The 'Nautilus,'" replied Rob; "we fear she foundered in the gale a +few days ago which separated us from her." +</p> + +<p> +"I'm not so fearful about that," put in Jack; who felt that such +remarks were a slight upon the ship to which he was attached; "she has +rid out a good many tough storms, and I don't see why she couldn't +pull through that one." +</p> + +<p> +"Let us hope that she did," said the superintendent, kindly, and with +a twinkle of his fine eyes which the others did not notice. +</p> + +<p> +"I was hopeful that she had possibly made her way to Ivigtut," added +Fred, who continued, turning to the sailor, "we forgot to take a look +in the harbor." +</p> + +<p> +"No use of that," replied Jack; "she might have come in at some of the +other ports, but not here." +</p> + +<p> +"I suppose, Mr. Schmidt, that we can go home by way of Denmark?" +</p> + +<p> +"There will be no trouble about that; the only inconvenience is that +it will extend the trip much longer than is pleasant, but I understand +that you contemplated a visit to one of the posts of the Hudson Bay +Company." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, the destination of the 'Nautilus' is York Factory." +</p> + +<p> +"Then your friends at home will feel no alarm, since you will be the +first to carry the news there, unless possibly Captain McAlpine turned +immediately about and started for England." +</p> + +<p> +It struck Rob Carrol as singular that the superintendent should +mention the name of the skipper of the "Nautilus" when no one of the +visitors had yet done so. Where could he have learned it? His +companions did not notice the odd fact and he was too polite to ask +their host to explain. +</p> + +<p> +"We rarely receive a visit from the English vessels," continued Mr. +Schmidt, "though now and then one drops down on us, but there is an +American line, inasmuch as a good deal of cryolite goes to the United +States. How would you like to make a voyage to that part of the +country?" +</p> + +<p> +"It would be pleasant, but hardly practicable," replied Rob, who could +not forget that the funds of the company were at a frightfully low +ebb. "We shall have to defer that treat to some more convenient +season." +</p> + +<p> +"I cannot tell you how pleased I am to receive this visit," said the +superintendent; "you must stay several weeks with me, and visit the +mines and see all there is to be seen. I hardly suppose you would care +to make a hunting trip into the interior?" he added, with a smile. +</p> + +<p> +"No, we have had enough of that to last several lifetimes," replied +Jack, uttering at the same time the sentiments of his friends. +</p> + +<p> +"I don't wonder; there is too much snow and cold weather for real +sport, except at certain seasons. I must see the men who brought you +in. The real wild Esquimaux live on the east coast, where the climate +is so terrible that the whites rarely, if ever, visit them, and they +are beyond the control of all except their own. If these fellows of +yours make their homes in the interior, they are very different from +all the Esquimaux of which I know anything. I think there is some +mistake about it." +</p> + +<p> +"We know nothing, of course, beyond what Docak told us." +</p> + +<p> +"He is an unusually intelligent native, and I know him very well. He +is a little morose at times, and I understand has caused some trouble +at the other settlements, but he is a worthy fellow for all that. By +the way, I have a friend who is expected to supper with me this +evening. It will be a pleasure, I am sure, for you to meet him." +</p> + +<p> +"It will be a pleasure to meet any of your friends," Rob hastened to +say, for his heart had already warmed to the genial and hospitable +gentleman. +</p> + +<p> +"If I am not mistaken, he has arrived," added Mr. Schmidt, rising from +his chair and stepping to the door. +</p> + +<p> +The next moment he admitted a stalwart, whiskered, sun-browned man, in +middle life, and, shaking his hand, turned to his other guests. +</p> + +<p> +"Permit me, captain, to introduce you to Messrs. Cosgrove, Carrol, and +Warburton." +</p> + +<p> +"Wal, by the great horned spoon!" exclaimed the sailor, springing to +his feet and striding across the room, "where did you come from, +captain?" +</p> + +<p> +It was Captain McAlpine, of the "Nautilus," standing before them, +smiling, bewildered, and happy, as he gazed into the faces of his +friends whom he had mourned for days under the fear that they were +dead. +</p> + +<p> +The laughing Rob and Fred were right behind Jack, and they shook the +hands of the good old sailor, and felt like throwing their arms about +his neck and hugging him. +</p> + +<p> +"I must apologize for this little joke," said Superintendent Schmidt, +who enjoyed it fully, "but really I couldn't help it. Captain McAlpine +arrived at Ivigtut yesterday, and came straight to me with news of +what had happened. He was driven far away from the iceberg, as you +know, and had searched for it in vain. At a loss what to do, he put +into Ivigtut to consult with me." +</p> + +<p> +By this time the excitement was about over, and all seated themselves +as the servant came in and lighted the lamps. Mr. Schmidt continued: +</p> + +<p> +"The occurrence was so extraordinary that I was at a loss how to +advise him, and his purpose in coming here this evening was that we +might discuss the question and decide it." +</p> + +<p> +"You see," observed the captain (and he thereby verified the words of +Jack Cosgrove, uttered several days before), "I observed that that +iceberg wasn't sailing straight for the Equator, and I got the idea +that it was to be looked for further up north, though as likely as not +it would change its course and head south again. The only thing for me +was to try to get another ship or two to jine me in a search for you. +I was going to find out whether that could be done, but now there +isn't any need of it." +</p> + +<p> +"Thank Heaven, no!" fervently responded Rob Carrol; "we have had a +close call, and the only regret we shall feel in leaving Greenland is +that it will take us away from our friends." +</p> + +<p> +"It is I who feel that, but it is one of the sure penalties of our +existence. Supper, I see, is ready; will you kindly walk out with me?" +he asked, rising to his feet, and leading the way. +</p> + +<p> +And perhaps it is as well that we should say good-bye to the party, +now that they are seated around the board with keen appetites, +cheerful conversation, and happy hearts; for of the visit made to the +cryolite mines the next day, the sailing of the "Nautilus" two days +later, the voyage through Hudson Bay to York Factory, the visit there, +the safe return to England, and the settling down of Rob Carrol and +Fred Warburton to the sober business of life—why, all these may be +covered in a paragraph, and so we say, "Good-bye." +</p> + + +<p class="ctrtoppad"> +THE END +</p> +<br> +<hr class="med"> +<br> + +<div class="figleft"><img width="149" height="220" src="images/326.jpg" alt="Small book cover"></div> +<p class="ctrlarge"> +<b>The Young Boatman</b> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<span class="sc">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +369 Pages Illustrated +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +Cloth, $1.25 +</p> + +<p> +This is an interesting story of a boy who is obliged to support +himself and his mother by rowing passengers across the Kennebec River. +To add to his trials, his intemperate stepfather, after serving a term +of imprisonment, returns home and endeavors to compel the boy to pay +over his small earnings to him. This the boy, who was appropriately +nicknamed Grit, refuses to do, and after a struggle the stepfather +retires from the conflict and returns to his thieving habits. +</p> + +<p> +Shortly after Grit discovers a conspiracy to rob the bank and promptly +communicates his knowledge to the president, who succeeds in +frustrating the plans of the robbers and secures their arrest. +</p> + +<p> +Grit's cheerful manner and kindly good nature, coupled with the most +sterling honesty, cause him to be held in high esteem by all who know +him. His manly courage and self-reliance are often sorely tested, but +his indomitable pluck transmutes calamity into success. +</p> + +<p> +The book is full of incident and adventure of just the right sort to +hold the attention of any bright boy. +</p> + +<p> +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<b>The Penn Publishing Company</b> +<br> +<b>1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia</b> +</p> + +<br><br><br><br> + + +<div class="figleft"><img width="151" height="220" src="images/327.jpg" alt="Small book cover"></div> + +<p class="ctrlarge"> +<b>The Moncasket Mystery</b> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<b><small>AND</small></b> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<b>How Tom Hardy Solved It</b> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<span class="sc">By Sidney Marlow</span> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +375 pages Illustrated +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +Cloth, $1.25 +</p> + +<p> +The tone of this book is earnestly and emphatically moral, and the +author understands that nothing makes morality so attractive to youth +as to find it coupled with ingenuity, energy, and pluck. +</p> + +<p> +There is no "cant" and no "can't" about Tom Hardy, the decidedly +vigorous hero of this story. He is a safe and worthy companion of any +boy or girl, and it is predicted that he will not only win a warm +place for himself in the hearts of all who make his acquaintance, but +that he will gallantly retain it long after the covers shall have +closed upon this chronicle of his efforts and adventures. He is an +admirable boy, yet the author, in defiance of the usual method in +modern juvenile fiction, has refused to sacrifice all of the other +characters to the single hero. Even those whose parts are but the +slightest have been so attractively presented that the reader feels +that if the events had chanced to require it each one of them would +have become a hero. +</p> + +<p> +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<b>The Penn Publishing Company</b> +<br> +<b>1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia</b> +</p> + +<br><br><br><br> + + +<div class="figleft"><img width="151" height="220" src="images/328.jpg" alt="Small book cover"></div> + +<p class="ctrlarge"> +<b>Chasing a Yacht</b> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<span class="sc">By James Otis</span> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +Author of +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +"The Braganza Diamond," "Toby Tyler," etc. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +350 pages Illustrated +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +Cloth, $1.25 +</p> + +<p> +Two boys have engaged to run a steam yacht for the double purpose of +pleasure and profit, and after carefully fitting her up they launch +her, only to find the next morning that she is gone—stolen—as they +later discover, by two other boys who had been refused a half-interest +in her. The rightful owners start in hot pursuit, and in an attempt to +recapture the steamer are themselves made prisoners. It is the +intention of the thieves to hold the owners prisoners until the Hudson +River is reached and then put them ashore, but their plans miscarry +owing to the intervention of two rather rough citizens who find their +way aboard the yacht and make themselves generally at home. +Fortunately one of the owners manages to effect his escape, and +gaining the assistance of the authorities the little vessel is +speedily restored to them. +</p> + +<p> +The story is full of adventure, and the heroes are both bright and +manly fellows, who make the best of their temporary hardships. The +story will be found to enlist the interest at the outset, and to hold +it until the last page is turned. +</p> + +<p> +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<b>The Penn Publishing Company</b> +<br> +<b>1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia</b> +</p> + +<br><br><br><br> + + +<div class="figleft"><img width="148" height="220" src="images/329.jpg" alt="Small book cover"></div> + +<p class="ctrlarge"> +<b>The Braganza Diamond</b> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<span class="sc">By James Otis</span> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +Author of +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +"Chasing a Yacht," "Toby Tyler," etc. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +383 pages Illustrated +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +Cloth, $1.25 +</p> + +<p> +Long before the opening events of this story the fragments of this +celebrated gem are supposed to have been taken from a wreck by an old +sea captain, and secreted by him on a lonely island in Roanoke Sound. +</p> + +<p> +This aged captain, now quite feeble, sends for his niece and her +daughter. They invite two bright boys to accompany them, and engaging +a steam launch the four, in company with the owner—a trusty +sailor—set out for the lonely island. Arriving there they are +distressed at finding the captain already dead. To add to their +discomfort they also discover that the former owners of the diamond +have appeared upon the scene. The little party is forcibly made +prisoner, and their captors demand that they forthwith produce the +precious stone. This, of course, they are unable to do, but +discovering among the old captain's effects a curious cryptogram, they +are led to hope that its solution may reveal the secret hiding place +of the diamond, and thus restore to them their freedom. This theory +eventually proves correct, but not until after the party has endured +many hardships, and passed through many exciting experiences. +</p> + +<p> +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<b>The Penn Publishing Company</b> +<br> +<b>1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia</b> +</p> + +<br><br><br><br> + + +<div class="figleft"><img width="147" height="220" src="images/330.jpg" alt="Small book cover"></div> + +<p class="ctrlarge"> +<b>The Odds Against Him, or</b> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<b>Carl Crawford's Experience</b> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<span class="sc">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +350 pages Illustrated +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +Cloth, $1.25 +</p> + +<p> +The hero of this story had to leave home on account of the +ill-treatment he received from his stepmother, who had a son of her +own about the same age. Dr. Crawford, a man of considerable wealth, +but of weak, vacillating mind, loved his son, but was afraid to show +his true feelings in the presence of his wife. After leaving home and +meeting with a number of adverse experiences, Carl eventually obtained +employment in a factory. He soon gained the confidence of his +employer, and after frustrating an attempt of the book-keeper to rob +the safe, he was appointed as a traveler, and, visiting Chicago, he +discovered that his stepmother had another husband living. Her success +in getting a will made in her own favor, an attempt on the life of her +husband, etc., are all defeated, and Carl came out victorious in the +end. +</p> + +<p> +The book is full of bright, cheerful, and amusing incidents, showing +that a boy of good, honest, sterling, industrious habits can always +secure friends, and succeed in earning a good living. +</p> + +<p> +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<b>The Penn Publishing Company</b> +<br> +<b>1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia</b> +</p> + +<br><br><br><br> + + +<div class="figleft"><img width="154" height="220" src="images/331.jpg" alt="Small book cover"></div> + +<p class="ctrlarge"> +<b>The Story of the Iliad</b> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +FOR BOYS AND GIRLS +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<span class="sc">By Dr. Edward Brooks</span>, A.M. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +370 pages Profusely Illustrated +</p> + +<p> +Cloth Binding, $1.25 +</p> + +<p> +White and Silver Edition, $1.50 +</p> + +<p> +This is a story of absorbing interest both to young and old. It +relates in a simple prose narrative the leading incidents of one of +the greatest literary works of the world—the Iliad of Homer. Many of +its names are household words among educated people, and its incidents +are a constant source of allusion and illustration among the best +speakers and writers. No one with any claim to literary culture can +afford to be ignorant of them. +</p> + +<p> +The object of the work is two-fold—first, to present to young people +an interesting story which will be read with pleasure and at the same +time cultivate a taste for good literature; second, to give a popular +knowledge of this famous work of Homer and thus afford a sort of +stepping-stone to one of the grandest poetical structures of all time. +</p> + +<p> +It is thus a book for the home circle, and should be in every +household in the land. It is recommended especially for School +Libraries and young folks' Reading Circles, and also to schools as a +Supplementary Reader. +</p> + +<p> +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<b>The Penn Publishing Company</b> +<br> +<b>1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia</b> +</p> + +<br><br><br><br> + + +<div class="figleft"><img width="153" height="220" src="images/332.jpg" alt="Small book cover"></div> + +<p class="ctrlarge"> +<b>The Story of the Odyssey</b> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +FOR BOYS AND GIRLS +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<span class="sc">By Dr. Edward Brooks</span>, A.M. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +370 pages Profusely Illustrated +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +Cloth Binding, $1.25 +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +White and Silver Edition, $1.50 +</p> + +<p> +The Odyssey of Homer combines the romance of travel with that of +domestic life, and it differs from the Iliad, which is a tale of the +camp and battle-field. Although the ancient author concentrates the +attention on a single character—Ulysses—he refers to several +beautiful women, including some of the goddesses. After the siege of +Troy, Ulysses started on a voyage of discovery and adventure in +unknown lands, which, although described with poetic exaggeration, +"has been a rich mine of wealth for poets and romancers, painters and +sculptors, from the date of the age which we call Homer's down to our +own." +</p> + +<p> +In this wonderful poem lie the germs of thousands of volumes which +fill our modern libraries. Without some knowledge of it, readers will +miss the point of many things in modern art and literature. +</p> + +<p> +Ulysses was brave and valiant as a soldier, and was distinguished for +his wisdom and shrewdness which enabled him to extricate himself from +the difficulties which to others would seem insurmountable. +</p> + +<p> +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<b>The Penn Publishing Company</b> +<br> +<b>1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia</b> +</p> + +<br><br><br><br> + + +<div class="figleft"><img width="150" height="220" src="images/333.jpg" alt="Small book cover"></div> + +<p class="ctrlarge"> +<b>Harry Ambler, and How He Saved the Homestead</b> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<span class="sc">By Sidney Marlow</span> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +350 Pages Illustrated +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +Cloth, $1.25 +</p> + +<p> +This is a narrative of a bright, active, and courageous boy, suddenly +thrown upon his own resources and subjected to the malicious plots of +a powerful enemy. The effectual and yet not unnatural manner in which +the hero turns his enemy's weapons to his own defence, constitutes, +perhaps, the chief charm of the book. +</p> + +<p> +The story abounds in humorous and exciting situations, yet it is in no +objectionable way sensational. There is nothing in it that will tend +to create or encourage a taste for mere reckless adventure. +</p> + +<p> +The author has given more attention to the delineation of his +characters than is usual in juvenile literature, thus making the story +pleasant reading, even for those who have passed the outer line of +boyhood. +</p> + +<p> +He believes in a "moral," but not in those bits of abstract virtue +which are so frequently forced into juvenile stories, only to be +"skipped" by the youthful reader. He would create a personal sympathy +with the best efforts of fallible boys and girls, rather than an +admiration for the mere name of virtue. +</p> + +<p> +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<b>The Penn Publishing Company</b> +<br> +<b>1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia</b> +</p> + +<br><br><br><br> + + +<div class="figleft"><img width="149" height="220" src="images/334.jpg" alt="Small book cover"></div> + +<p class="ctrlarge"> + +<b>The Campers Out</b> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<b><small>OR</small></b> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<b>The Right Path and the Wrong</b> +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<span class="sc">By Edward S. Ellis</span>, A.M. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +363 pages Illustrated +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +Cloth, $1.25 +</p> + +<p> +This is one of the most interesting works of an author whose +productions are widely read and deservedly popular on both sides of +the Atlantic. Mr. Ellis has in perfection the faculty of making his +stories not only entertaining in the highest degree but instructive +and elevating. A leading journal truthfully stated that no mother need +hesitate to place any story of which Mr. Ellis is the author in the +hands of her boy, for he is sure to be instructed as well as +entertained. +</p> + +<p> +"The Campers Out" is bright, breezy, and full of adventure of just the +right sort to hold the attention of any young mind. It is clean, pure, +and elevating, and the stirring incidents with which it is filled +convey one of the most forceful of morals. It traces the "right path" +and the "wrong path" of several boys with such striking power that old +and young will be alike impressed by the faithful portrayal of +character, and be interested from beginning to end by the succession +of exciting incidents. +</p> + +<p> +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +<b>The Penn Publishing Company</b> +<br> +<b>1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia</b> +</p> + + +<br><br> +<div class="tn"> +<p class="ctr"> +Transcriber's Note: +</p> + +<p> +Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note. +</p> + +<p> +Irregularities and inconsistencies in the text have been retained as +printed. +</p> +</div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Among the Esquimaux, by Edward S. 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Ellis + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Among the Esquimaux + or Adventures under the Arctic Circle + +Author: Edward S. Ellis + +Release Date: March 23, 2014 [EBook #45192] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX *** + + + + +Produced by Greg Bergquist and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + +Transcriber's Note: Minor typographical errors have been corrected +without note. Irregularities and inconsistencies in the text have +been retained as printed. + +Words printed in italics are marked with underscores: _italics_. Words +printed in bold are marked with tildes: ~bold~. + + + +[Illustration: "NO USE, LADS! THE BOAT HAS BEEN SWEPT AWAY" + (See page 37)] + + + + +Among the Esquimaux + +OR + +Adventures under the Arctic Circle + + +BY + +EDWARD S. ELLIS, A.M. + +AUTHOR OF "The Campers Out," Etc., Etc. + + +PHILADELPHIA +THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY +1894 + + +COPYRIGHT 1894 BY THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAP. PAGE + + I TWO PASSENGERS ON THE "NAUTILUS" 7 + + II A COLOSSAL SOMERSAULT 16 + + III AN ALARMING SITUATION 27 + + IV ADRIFT 38 + + V AN ICY COUCH 46 + + VI MISSING 55 + + VII A POINT OF LIGHT 64 + + VIII HOPE DEFERRED 73 + + IX A STARTLING OCCURRENCE 82 + + X AN UGLY CUSTOMER 91 + + XI LIVELY TIMES 99 + + XII FRED'S EXPERIENCE 108 + + XIII THE FOG 117 + + XIV A COLLISION 126 + + XV THE SOUND OF A VOICE 135 + + XVI LAND HO! 144 + + XVII DOCAK AND HIS HOME 153 + + XVIII A NEW EXPEDITION 162 + + XIX A WONDERFUL EXHIBITION 171 + + XX THE HERD OF MUSK OXEN 180 + + XXI CLOSE QUARTERS 189 + + XXII FRED'S TURN 198 + + XXIII IN THE CAVERN 207 + + XXIV UNWELCOME CALLERS 216 + + XXV THE COMING SHADOW 225 + + XXVI WALLED IN 234 + + XXVII "COME ON!" 243 + +XXVIII A HOPELESS TASK 251 + + XXIX TEN MILES 260 + + XXX THE LAST PAUSE 269 + + XXXI ANOTHER SOUND 278 + + XXXII THE WILD MEN OF GREENLAND 287 + +XXXIII CONCLUSION 301 + + + + +AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX + + + + +CHAPTER I + +TWO PASSENGERS ON THE "NAUTILUS" + + +The good ship "Nautilus" had completed the greater part of her voyage +from London to her far-off destination, deep in the recesses of +British America. This was York Factory, one of the chief posts of the +Hudson Bay Company. + +Among the numerous streams flowing into Hudson Bay, from the frozen +regions of the north, is the Nelson River. Near the mouth of this and +of the Hayes River was erected, many years ago, Fort York, or York +Factory. The post is not a factory in the ordinary meaning of the +word, being simply the headquarters of the factors or dealers in furs +for that vast monopoly whose agents have scoured the dismal regions to +the north of the Saskatchewan, in the land of Assiniboine, along the +mighty Yukon and beyond the Arctic Circle, in quest of the fur-bearing +animals, that are found only in their perfection in the coldest +portions of the globe. + +The buildings which form the fort are not attractive, but they are +comfortable. They are not specially strong, for, though the structure +has stood for a long time in a country which the aborigines make their +home, and, though it is far removed from any human assistance, its +wooden walls have never been pierced by a hostile bullet, and it is +safe to say they never will be. Somehow or other, our brethren across +the northern border have learned the art of getting along with the +Indians without fighting them. + +The voyageurs and trappers, returning from their journeys in canoes or +on snow-shoes to the very heart of frozen America, first catch sight +of the flag floating from the staff of York Factory, and they know +that a warm welcome awaits them, because the peltries gathered amid +the recesses of the frigid mountains and in the heart of the land of +desolation are sure to find ready purchasers at the post, for the +precious furs are eagerly sought for in the marts of the Old and of +the New World. + +It is a lonely life for the inhabitants of the fort, for it is only +once a year that the ship of the company, after breasting the fierce +storms and powerful currents of the Atlantic, sails up the great mouth +of Baffin Bay, glides through Hudson Strait, and thence steals across +the icy expanse of Hudson Bay to the little fort near the mouth of the +Nelson. + +You can understand how welcome the ship is, for it brings the only +letters, papers, and news from home that can be received until another +twelvemonth shall roll around. Such, as I have said, is the rule, +though now and then what may be termed an extra ship makes that long, +tempestuous voyage. Being unexpected, its coming is all the more +joyful, for it is like the added week's holiday to the boy who has +just made ready for the hard work and study of the school-room. + +You know there has been considerable said and written about a railway +to Hudson Bay, with the view of connection thence by ship to Europe. +Impracticable as is the scheme, because of the ice which locks up +navigation for months every year, it has had strong and ingenious +advocates, and considerable money has been spent in the way of +investigation. The plan has been abandoned, for the reasons I have +named, and there is no likelihood that it will ever be attempted. + +The "Nautilus" had what may be called a roving commission. It is easy +to understand that so long as the ships of the Hudson Bay Company have +specific duties to perform, and that the single vessel is simply +ordered to take supplies to York Factory and bring back her cargo of +peltries, little else can be expected from her. So the staunch +"Nautilus" was fitted out, placed under the charge of the veteran +navigator, Captain McAlpine, who had commanded more than one Arctic +whaler, and sent on her westward voyage. + +The ultimate destination of the "Nautilus" was York Factory, though +she was to touch at several points, after calling at St. John, +Newfoundland, one of which was the southern coast of Greenland, where +are located the most famous cryolite mines in the world, belonging, +like Greenland itself, to the Danish Government. + +There is little to be told the reader about the "Nautilus" itself or +the crew composing it, but it so happened that she had on board three +parties, in whose experience and adventures I am sure you will come to +feel an interest. These three were Jack Cosgrove, a bluff, hearty +sailor, about forty years of age; Rob Carrol, seventeen, and Fred +Warburton, one year younger. + +Rob was a lusty, vigorous young man, honest, courageous, often to +rashness, the picture of athletic strength and activity, and one whom +you could not help liking at the first glance. His father was a +director in the honorable Hudson Bay Company, possessed considerable +wealth, and Rob was the eldest of three sons. + +Fred Warburton, while displaying many of the mental characteristics of +his friend, was quite different physically. He was of much slighter +build, not nearly so strong, was more quiet, inclined to study, but as +warmly devoted to the splendid Rob as the latter was to him. + +Fred was an orphan, without brother or sister, and in such straitened +circumstances that it had become necessary for him to find some means +of earning his daily bread. The warm-hearted Rob stated the case to +his father, and said that if he didn't make a good opening for his +chum he himself would die of a broken heart right on the spot. + +"Not so bad as that, Rob," replied the genial gentleman, who was proud +of his big, manly son; "I have heard so much from you of young Mr. +Warburton that I have kept an eye on him for a year past." + +"I may have told you a good deal about him," continued Rob, earnestly, +"but not half as much as he deserves." + +"He must be a paragon, indeed, but, from what I can learn, my son, he +has applied himself so hard to his studies while at school that he +ought to have a vacation before settling down to real hard work; what +do you think about it, Robert?" + +"A good idea, provided I take it with him," added the son, slyly. + +"I see you are growing quite pale and are losing your appetite," +continued the parent, with a grave face, which caused the youth to +laugh outright at the pleasant irony. + +"Yes," said the big boy, with the same gravity; "I suffer a great loss +of appetite three or four times every day; in fact, I feel as though I +couldn't eat another mouthful." + +"I have observed that phenomenon, my son, but it never seems to attack +you until the table has been well cleared of everything on it. Ah, my +boy!" he added, tenderly, laying his hand on his head; "I am thankful +that you are blessed with such fine health. Be assured there is +nothing in this world that can take its place. With a conscience void +of offense toward God and man, and a body that knows no ache nor pain, +you can laugh at the so-called miseries of life; they will roll from +you like water from a duck's back." + +"But, father, have you thought of any way of giving Fred a vacation +before he goes to work? You know he is as poor as he can be, and can't +afford to do nothing and pay his expenses." + +"The plan I have in mind," replied the father, leaning back in his +chair and twirling his eyeglasses, "is this: next week the 'Nautilus,' +one of the company's ships, will leave London for York Factory, which +is a station deep in the heart of British America. She will touch at +St. John, Greenland, and several other points on her way, and may stop +several weeks or months at York Factory, according to circumstances. +If it will suit your young friend to go with her, I will have him +registered as one of our clerks, which will entitle him to a salary +from the day the 'Nautilus' leaves the dock. The sea voyage will do +him good, and when he returns, at the end of a year or less, he can +settle down to hard work in our office in London. Of course, if Fred +goes, you will have to stay at home." + +Rob turned in dismay to his parent, but he observed a twitching at the +corners of his mouth, and a sparkle of the fine blue eyes, which +showed he was only teasing him. + +"Ah, father, I understand you!" exclaimed the big boy, springing +forward, throwing an arm about his neck and kissing him. "You wouldn't +think of separating us." + +"I suppose not. There! get along with you, and tell your friend to +make ready to sail next week, his business being to look after you +while away from home." + +And that is how Rob Carrol and Fred Warburton came to be +fellow-passengers on the ship "Nautilus" on the voyage to the far +North. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +A COLOSSAL SOMERSAULT + + +The voyage of the "Nautilus" was uneventful until she was far to the +northward in Baffin Bay. It was long after leaving St. John that our +friends saw their first iceberg. They should have seen them before, as +Captain McAlpine explained, for, as you well know, those mountains of +ice often cross the path of the Atlantic steamers, and more than once +have endangered our great ocean greyhounds. No doubt numbers of them +were drifting southward, gradually dissolving as they neared the +equator, but it so happened that the "Nautilus" steered clear of them +until many degrees to the north. + +The captain, who was scanning the icy ocean with his glass, apprised +the boys that the longed-for curiosity was in sight at last. As he +spoke, he pointed with his hand to the north-west, but though they +followed the direction with their eyes, they were disappointed. + +"I see nothing," said Rob, "that looks like an iceberg." + +"And how is it with you, Mr. Warburton?" asked the skipper, lowering +his instrument, and turning toward the younger of the boys, who had +approached, and now stood at his side. + +"We can make out a small white cloud in the horizon, that's all," said +Fred. + +"It's the cloud I'm referring to, boys; now take a squint at that same +thing through the glass." + +Fred leveled the instrument and had hardly taken a glance, when he +cried: + +"Oh! it's an iceberg sure enough! Isn't it beautiful?" + +While he was studying it, the captain added: "Turn the glass a little +to the left." + +"There's another!" added the delighted youth. + +"I guess we've struck a school of 'em," remarked Rob, who was using +his eyes as best he could; "I thought we'd bring up the average before +reaching Greenland." + +"It's a sight worth seeing," commented Fred, handing the glass to his +friend, whose pleasure was fully as great as his own. + +The instrument was passed back and forth, and, in the course of a +half-hour, the vast masses of ice could be plainly discerned with the +unaided eye. + +"That proves they are coming toward us, or we are going toward them," +said Rob. + +"Both," replied Captain McAlpine; "we shall pass within a mile of the +larger one." + +"Suppose we run into it?" + +The old sea-dog smiled grimly, as he replied: + +"I tried it once, when whaling with the 'Mary Jane.' I don't mean to +say I did it on purpose, but there was no moon that night, and when +the iceberg, half as big as a whole town, loomed up in the darkness, +we hadn't time to get out of its path. Well, I guess I've said +enough," he remarked, abruptly. + +"Why, you've broken off in the most interesting part of the story," +said the deeply interested Fred. + +"Well, that was the last of the 'Mary Jane.' The mate, Jack Cosgrove, +and myself were all that escaped out of a crew of eleven. We managed +to climb upon a small shelf of ice, just above the water, where we +would have perished with cold had not an Esquimau fisherman, named +Docak, seen us. We were nearer the mainland than we dared hope, and he +came out in his kayak and took us off. He helped us to make our way to +Ivignut, where the cryolite mines are, and thence we got back to +England by way of Denmark. No," added Captain McAlpine, "a prudent +navigator won't try to butt an iceberg out of his path; it don't pay." + +"It must be dangerous in these waters, especially at night." + +"There is danger everywhere and at all times in this life," was the +truthful remark of the commander; "and you know that the most constant +watchfulness on the part of the great steamers cannot always avert +disaster, but I have little fear of anything from icebergs." + +You need to be told little about those mountains of ice which +sometimes form a procession, vast, towering, and awful, that stream +down from the far North and sail in all their sublime grandeur +steadily southward until they "go out of commission" forever in the +tepid waters of the tropic regions. + +It is a strange spectacle to see one of them moving resistlessly +against the current, which is sometimes dashed from the corrugated +front, as is seen at the bow of a steamboat, but the reason is simple. +Nearly seven-eighths of an iceberg is under water, extending so far +down that most of the bulk is often within the embrace of the counter +current below. This, of course, carries it against the weaker flow, +and causes many people to wonder how it can be thus. + +While the little group stood forward talking of icebergs, they were +gradually drawing near the couple that had first caught their +attention. By this time a third had risen to sight, more to the +westward, but it was much smaller than the other two, though more +unique and beautiful. It looked for all the world like a grand +cathedral, whose tapering spire towered fully two hundred feet in air. +It was easy to imagine that some gigantic structure had been submerged +by a flood, while the steeple still reared its head above the +surrounding waters as though defying them to do their worst. + +The other two bergs were much more enormous and of irregular contour. +The imaginative spectator could fancy all kinds of resemblances, but +the "cold fact" remained that they were simply mountains of ice, with +no more symmetry of outline than a mass of rock blasted from a quarry. + +"I have read," said Fred, "that in the iceberg factories of the north, +as they are called, they are sometimes two or three years in forming, +before they break loose and sweep off into the ocean." + +"That is true," added Captain McAlpine; "an iceberg is simply a chunk +off a frozen river, and a pretty good-sized one, it must be admitted. +Where the cold is so intense, a river becomes frozen from the surface +to the ground. Snow falls, there may be a little rain during the +moderate season, then snow comes again, and all the time the water +beneath is freezing more and more solid. Gravity and the pressure of +the inconceivable weight beyond keeps forcing the bulk of ice and snow +nearer the ocean, until it projects into the clear sea. By and by it +breaks loose, and off it goes." + +"But why does it take so long?" + +"It is like the glaciers of the Alps. Being solid as a rock while the +pressure is gradual as well as resistless, it may move only a few feet +in a month or a year; but all the same the end must come." + +The captain had grown fond of the boys, and the fact that the father +of one of them was a director of the company which employed him +naturally led him to seek to please them so far as he could do so +consistent with his duty. He caused the course of the "Nautilus" to be +shifted, so that they approached within a third of a mile of the +nearest iceberg, which then was due east. + +Sail had been slackened and the progress of the mass was so slow as to +be almost imperceptible. This gave full time for its appalling +grandeur to grow upon the senses of the youths, who stood minute after +minute admiring the overwhelming spectacle, speechless and awed as is +one who first pauses at the base of Niagara. + +Naturally the officers and crew of the "Nautilus" gave the sight some +attention, but it could not impress them as it did those who looked +upon it for the first time. + +The second iceberg was more to the northward, and the ship was heading +directly toward it. It was probably two-thirds the size of the first, +and, instead of possessing its rugged regularity of outline, had a +curious, one-sided look. + +"It seems to me," remarked Rob, who had been studying it for some +moments, "that the centre of gravity in that fellow must be rather +ticklish." + +"It may be more stable than the big one," said Fred, "for you don't +know what shape they have under water; a good deal must depend on +that." + +Jack Cosgrove, the sailor, who had joined the little party at the +invitation of the captain, ventured to say: + +"Sometimes them craft get top-heavy and take a flop; I shouldn't be +s'prised if that one done the same." + +"It must be a curious sight; I've often wondered how Jumbo, the great +elephant, would have looked turning a somersault. An iceberg +performing a handspring would be something of the same order, but a +hundred thousand times more extensive. I would give a good deal if one +of those bergs should take it into his head to fling a handspring, but +I don't suppose--" + +"Look!" broke in Fred, in sudden excitement. + +To the unbounded amazement of captain, crew, and all the spectators, +the very thing spoken of by Rob Carrol took place. The vast bulk of +towering ice was seen to plunge downward with a motion, slow at first, +but rapidly increasing until it dived beneath the waves like some +enormous mass of matter cast off by a planet in its flight through +space. As it disappeared, two-fold as much bulk came to view, there +was a swirl of water, which was flung high in fountains, and the waves +formed by the commotion, as they swept across the intervening space, +caused the "Nautilus" to rock like a cradle. + +The splash could have been heard miles away, and the iceberg seemed to +shiver and shake itself, as though it were some flurried monster of +the deep, before it could regain its full equilibrium. Then, as the +spectators looked, behold! where was one of those mountains of ice +they saw what seemed to be another, for its shape, contour, +projections, and depressions were so different that no resemblance +could be traced. + +"She's all right now," remarked Jack Cosgrove, whose emotions were +less stirred than those of any one else; "she's good for two or three +thousand miles' voyage, onless she should happen to run aground in +shoal water." + +"What then would take place, Jack?" asked Fred. + +"Wal, there would be the mischief to pay gener'ly. Things would go +ripping, tearing, and smashing, and the way that berg would behave +would be shameful. If anybody was within reach he'd get hurt." + +Rob stepped up to the sailor as if a sudden thought had come to him. +Laying his hand on his arm, he said, in an undertone: + +"I wonder if the captain won't let us visit that iceberg?" + + + + +CHAPTER III + +AN ALARMING SITUATION + + +The boldness of the proposition fairly took away the breath of the +honest sailor. He stared at Rob as though doubting whether he had +heard aright. He looked at the smiling youth from head to foot, and +stared a full minute before he spoke. + +"By the horned spoon, you're crazy, younker!" + +"What is there so crazy about such an idea?" asked Fred, as eager to +go on the excursion as his friend. + +Jack removed his tarpaulin and scratched his head in perplexity. He +voided a mouthful of tobacco spittle over the taffrail, heaved a +prodigious sigh, and then muttered, as if to himself: + +"It's crazy clean through, from top to bottom, sideways, +cat-a-cornered, and every way; but if the captain says 'yes' I'll take +you." + +Rob stepped to where the skipper stood, some paces away, and said: + +"Captain McAlpine, being as this is the first time Fred and I ever had +a good look at an iceberg, we would be much obliged if you will allow +Jack to row us out to it. We want to get a better view of it than we +can from the deck of the ship. Jack is willing, and we will be much +obliged for your permission." + +Fred was listening breathlessly for the reply, which, like Rob, he +expected would be a curt refusal. Great, therefore, was the surprise +of the two when the good-natured commander said: + +"The request doesn't strike me as very sensible, but, if your hearts +are set on it, I don't see any objection. Yes, Jack has my permission +to take you to that mass of ice, provided you don't stay too long." + +"He's crazy, too!" was the whispered exclamation of the sailor, who, +nevertheless, was pleased to gratify his young friends. + +The preparations were quickly made. Fred had heard that polar bears +are occasionally found on the icebergs which float southward from the +Arctic regions, and he insisted that they ought to take their rifles +and ammunition along. Rob laughed, but fortunately he followed his +advice, and thus it happened that the couple were as well supplied in +that respect as if starting out on a week's hunt in the interior of +the country. + +When Jack was urged to do the same he resolutely shook his head, and +then turned about and accepted a weapon from the captain, who seemed +in the mood for humoring every whim of the youths that afternoon. + +"Take it along, Jack," he said; "there may be some tigers, leopards, +boa-constrictors, and hyenas prowling about on the ice. They may be on +skates, and there is nothing like being prepared for whatever comes. +Good luck to you!" + +Rob placed himself in the bow of the small boat, and Fred in the +stern, while the sailor, sitting down near the middle, grasped the +oars and rowed with that long, steady stroke which showed his mastery +of the art. There was little wind stirring, and the waves were so +slight that they were easily ridden. The sea was of a deep green +color, and when the spray occasionally dashed over the lads it was as +cold as ice itself. By this time the iceberg had drifted somewhat to +the southward, but its progress was so slow as to suggest that the two +currents which swept against it were nearly of the same strength. Had +it been earlier in the day it would probably have remained visible to +the "Nautilus" until sunset. + +Meanwhile, a fourth mass rose to sight in the rim of the eastern +horizon, so that there seemed some truth in Rob's suggestion that they +had run into a school of them. They felt no interest, however, in any +except the particular specimen before them. + +How it grew upon them as they neared it! It seemed to spread right and +left, and to tower upward toward the sky, until even the reckless Rob +was hushed into awed silence and sat staring aloft, with feelings +beyond expression. It was much the same with Fred, who, sitting at the +stern, almost held his breath, while the overwhelming grandeur hushed +the words trembling on his lip. + +The mass of ice was hundreds of feet in width and length, while the +highest portion must have been, at the least, three hundred feet above +the surface of the sea. What, therefore, was the bulk below. Its +colossal proportions were beyond imagination. + +The part within their field of vision was too irregular and shapeless +to admit of clear description. If the reader can picture a mass of +rock and _debris_ blown from the side of a mountain, multiplied a +million times, he may form some idea of it. + +The highest portion was on the opposite side. About half-way from the +sea, facing the little party, was a plateau broad enough to allow a +company of soldiers to camp upon it. To the left of this the ice +showed considerable snow in its composition, while, in other places, +it was as clear as crystal itself. In still other portions it was dark +or almost steel blue, probably due to some peculiar refraction of +light. There were no rippling streams of water along and over its +side, for the weather was too cold for the thawing which would be +plentiful when it struck a warmer latitude. + +But there were caverns, projections, some sharp, but most of them +blunt and misshapen, steps, long stretches of vertical wall as smooth +as glass, up which the most agile climber could never make his way. + +Courageous as Rob Carrol unquestionably was, a feeling akin to terror +took possession of him when they were quite near the iceberg. He +turned to suggest to Jack that they had come far enough, when he +observed that the sailor had turned the bow of the boat to the right, +though he was still rowing moderately. + +He was the only one that was not impressed by the majesty of the +scene. Squinting one eye up the side of the towering mass, he +remarked: + +"There's enough ice there to make a chap's etarnal fortune, if he +could only hitch on and tow it into London or New York harbor; but +being as we've sot out to take a view of it, why we'll sarcumnavigate +the thing, as me cousin remarked when he run around the barn to dodge +the dog that was nipping at his heels." + +The voice of the sailor served to break the spell that had held the +tongues of the boys mute until then, and they spoke more cheerily, but +unconsciously modulated their voices, as a person will do when walking +through some great gallery of paintings or the aisles of a vast +cathedral. + +They were so interested, however, in themselves and their novel +experience that neither looked toward the "Nautilus," which was +rapidly passing from sight, as they were rowed around the iceberg. Had +they done so, they would have seen Captain McAlpine making eager +signals to them to return, and, perhaps, had they listened, they might +have heard his stentorian voice, though the moderate wind, blowing at +right angles, was quite unfavorable for hearing. + +Unfortunately not one of the three saw or heard the movement or words +of the skipper, and the little boat glided around the eastern end of +the mountainous mass and began slowly creeping along the further side. + +"Hello!" called out Rob, "there's a good place to land, Jack; let's go +ashore." + +"Go ashore!" repeated the sailor, with a scornful laugh; "what kind of +a going ashore do you call that?" + +While there was nothing especially desirable in placing foot upon an +iceberg, yet, boy-like, the two friends felt that it would be worth +something to be able to say on their return home that they had +actually stood upon one of them. + +Inasmuch as the whole thing was a fool's errand in the eyes of Jack +Cosgrove, he thought it was well to neglect nothing, so he shied the +boat toward the gently sloping shelf, which came down to the water, +and, with a couple of powerful sweeps of the oars, sent the bow far up +the glassy surface, the stoppage being so gradual as to cause hardly a +perceptible shock. + +"Out with you, younkers, for the day will soon be gone," he called, +waiting for the two to climb out before following them. + +They lost no time in obeying, and he drew the boat so far up that he +felt there was no fear of its being washed away during their absence. +All took their guns, and, leaving it to the sailor to act as guide, +they began picking their way up the incline, which continued for fully +a dozen yards from the edge of the water. + +"This is easy enough," remarked Rob; "if we only had our skates, we +might--confound it!" + +His feet shot up in the air, and down he came with a bump that shook +off his hat, and would have sent him sliding to the boat had he not +done some lively skirmishing to save himself. Fred laughed, as every +boy does under similar circumstances, and he took particular heed to +his own footsteps. + +Jack had no purpose of venturing farther than to the top of the gentle +incline, since there was no cause to do so; but, on reaching the +point, he observed that it was easy to climb along a rougher portion +to the right, and he led the way, the boys being more than willing to +follow him. + +They continued in this manner until they had gone a considerable +distance, and, for the first time, the guide stopped and looked +around. As he did so, he uttered an exclamation of amazement: + +"Where have been my eyes?" he called out, as if unable to comprehend +his oversight. + +"What's the matter?" asked the boys, startled at his emotion, for +which they saw no cause. + +"There's one of the biggest storms ever heard of in these latitudes, +bearing right down on us; it'll soon be night, and we shall be catched +afore we reach the ship, lads! there isn't a minute to lose; it's all +my fault." + +He led the way at a reckless pace, the youths following as best they +could, stumbling at times, but heeding it not as they scrambled to +their feet and hurried after their friend, more frightened, if +possible, than he. + +He could out-travel them, and was at the bottom of the incline first. +Before he reached it, he stopped short and uttered a despairing cry: + +"No use, lads! the boat has been swept away!" + +Such was the fact. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +ADRIFT + + +Jack Cosgrove, of the "Nautilus," was not often agitated by anything +in which he became involved. Few of his perilous calling had gone +through more thrilling experiences than he, and in them all he had +acquired a reputation for coolness that could not be surpassed. + +But one of the few occasions that stirred him to the heart was when +hurrying to disembark from the iceberg, in the desperate hope of +reaching the ship before the bursting of the gale and the closing of +night, he found that the little boat had been swept from its +fastenings, and the only means of escape was cut off. + +There was more in the incident than occurred to Rob Carrol and Fred +Warburton, who hastened after him. He had been in those latitudes +before, and the reader will recall the story Captain McAlpine told to +the boys of the time Jack was one of three who escaped from the +collision of the whaling ship with an iceberg in the gloom of a dark +night. + +Had it been earlier in the day, and had no storm been impending, he +could have afforded to laugh at this mishap, for at the most, it would +have resulted in a temporary inconvenience only. The skipper would +have discovered their plight sooner or later, and sent another boat to +bring them off, but the present case was a hundred-fold more serious +in every aspect. + +In the first place, the fierce disturbance of the elements would +compel Captain McAlpine to give all attention to the care of his ship. +That was of more importance than the little party on the iceberg, who +must be left to themselves for the time, since any effort to reach +them would endanger the vessel, the loss of which meant the loss of +everything, including the little company that found itself in sudden +and dire peril. + +What might take place during the storm and darkness his imagination +shuddered to picture. Had the boat been found where he left it a short +time before, desperate rowing would have carried them to the +"Nautilus" in time to escape the full force of the storm. That was +impossible now, and as to the future who could say? + +The rowboat, as will be remembered, was simply drawn a short distance +up the icy incline, where it ought to have remained until the return +of the party. Such would have been the fact under ordinary +circumstances, for the mighty bulk of the iceberg prevented it feeling +the shock of any disturbance that could take place in its majestic +sweep through the Arctic Ocean, except from its base striking the +bottom of the sea, or a readjustment of its equilibrium, as they had +observed in the case of the smaller berg. It might crush the "Great +Eastern" if it lay in its path, but that would have been like a wagon +passing over an egg-shell. + +In leaving the boat as related, the stern lay in the water. Even then +it would have been secure, but for the agitation caused by the coming +gale. That began swaying the rear of the craft, whose support was so +smooth that it speedily worked down the incline and floating into the +open water instantly worked off beyond reach. + +The boys knowing so little what all this meant and what was before +them, were disposed to make light of their misfortune. + +"By the great horned spoon, but that is bad!" exclaimed Jack, pointing +out on the water, where the boat was seen bobbing on the rising waves, +fully a hundred yards away, with the distance rapidly increasing. + +It seems as if in the few minutes intervening, night had fully +descended. The wind had risen to a gale, and, even at that short +distance the little craft was fast growing indistinct in the gathering +gloom. + +"It isn't very pleasant," replied Rob, "but it might be worse." + +"I should like to know how it could be worse," said the sailor, +turning reprovingly toward him; "I wonder if I can do it." + +The last words were uttered to himself, and he hastily laid down his +gun on the ice by his side. Then he began taking off his outer coat. + +"What do you mean to do?" asked the amazed Fred. + +"I believe I can swim out to the boat and bring it back," was the +reply, as he continued preparations. + +"You musn't think of such a thing," protested Rob; "the water is cold +enough to freeze you to death. If you can't reach it, you will have to +come back to us, with your clothing frozen stiff, and nothing will +save you from perishing." + +"I'll chance that," said Jack, who, however, continued his +preparations more deliberately, and with his eye still on the receding +boat. + +He was about to take the icy plunge, in the last effort to save +himself and friends, when he stopped, and, straightening up, watched +the craft for a few seconds. + +"No," said he, "it can't be done; the thing is drifting faster than I +can swim." + +Such was the evident fact. While the vast mass of ice, as has been +explained elsewhere, was under the impulse of a mighty under-current, +the small craft was swept away by the surface current which flowed in +the opposite direction. + +Even while the party looked, the boat faded from sight in the gloom. + +"I can't see it," said Rob, who, like the others, was peering intently +into the darkness. + +"Nor I either," added Fred. + +"And what's more, you'll never see it again," commented Jack, who +began slowly donning his outer garments; "younkers, I've been in a +good many bad scraps in my life, and more than once would have sworn I +was booked for Davy Jones' locker, but this is a little the worst of +'em all." + +His young friends looked wonderingly at him, unable to understand the +cause of such extreme depression on the part of one whom they knew to +be among the bravest of men, and in a situation that did not strike +them as specially threatening. + +"Don't you think this iceberg will hold together until morning?" asked +Rob. + +"It'll hold together for months," was the answer, "and like enough +will travel hundreds of miles through the Gulf Stream before it goes +to nothing." + +"Then we are sure of a ship to keep us from drowning." + +"I aint meaning that," said Jack, who was rapidly recovering his +equanimity, though it was plain he was strongly affected by the woful +turn the adventure had taken. + +"And," added Fred, "Captain McAlpine knows where we are; he will +remain in the neighborhood until morning--" + +"How do you know he will?" broke in Jack, impatiently. + +"What's to hinder him?" asked Fred, in turn, startled by the abrupt +question; "he knows how to sail the 'Nautilus,' and has taken it +through many gales worse than this." + +"How do you know he has?" + +"Gracious, Jack, I don't know anything about it; I am only saying what +appears to me to be the truth." + +"I don't want to hurt your feelings, lads, but I can't help saying you +don't know what you're talking about. A couple of young land lubbers +like you don't see things as they show themselves to one who was born +and has lived all his life on the ocean, as you may say. I don't mean +to scare you more than I oughter, but you can just make up your minds, +my hearties, that you never was in such a fix as this, and if you live +to be a hundred years old you'll never be in another half as bad." + +These were alarming words, but, inasmuch as Jack did not accompany +them with any explanation, neither Rob nor Fred were as much impressed +as they would have been had he explained the grounds for his extreme +fear. What they saw was an enforced stay on the iceberg until the +following day. Although in a high latitude, the night was not +unusually long, and, though it was certain to be as uncomfortable as +can well be imagined, they had no doubt they would survive it and live +to laugh at their mishap. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +AN ICY COUCH + + +By this time the sailor felt that he had forgotten himself in the +agitation caused by the loss of the boat. Although he might see the +dark future with clearer vision than his young friends, it was his +duty to keep their sight veiled as long as he could. Time enough to +face the terrors and their direful consequences when the possibility +of avoiding them no longer existed. + +It will be recalled that when the little party stepped out from the +small boat upon the iceberg they did so on the side farthest from the +"Nautilus," so that all view of the ship was shut off, and neither +Captain McAlpine nor any of his crew could observe the action of Jack +and the boys. + +The skipper had warrant for supposing that such an experienced sailor +as the one in charge of the lads would be quick to notice the +threatening change in the weather, and would make all haste to return. +Inasmuch as he had failed to do so, the party must be left to +themselves for the time, while the commander gave his full attention +to the care of the ship--a responsibility that required his utmost +skill, with no slight chance of his failure. + +The storm or squall, or whatever it might be termed, was one of those +sudden changes, sometimes seen in the high latitudes, whose coming is +so sudden that there is but the briefest warning ere it bursts in all +its fury. + +By the time our friends reached the spot where they expected to find +their boat it was almost as dark as night. This darkness deepened so +rapidly, after losing sight of the craft, that they were unable to see +more than fifty feet in any direction. Fortunately, before leaving the +"Nautilus," they had donned their heaviest clothing, so that they were +quite well protected under the circumstances. Had they neglected this +precaution they must have perished of the extreme cold that followed. + +Accompanying the oppressive gloom was a marked falling of the +temperature, and a fierceness of blast which, so long as they were +exposed to it, cut them to the bone. The gale, instead of blowing in +their faces, swept along the side of the iceberg. They had but to +withdraw, therefore, only a short distance when they were able to take +shelter behind some of the numerous projections, and save themselves +from its full force. + +All at once the air was full of millions of particles of snow, which +eddied and whirled in such fantastic fashion that when they crouched +down they were so blinded that they could not see each other's forms, +although near enough to clasp hands. + +This lasted but a few minutes, when it ceased as suddenly as it began. +The air was clear, but the gloom was profound. They could see nothing +of the raging ocean, nor of a tall spire-like mass of ice, which +towered a hundred feet above their heads, within a few yards of them, +and which had attracted their admiration on their first visit. + +It was blowing great guns. The sound of the waves, as they broke +against the solid abutment of ice, and were dashed into spray and +spume, was like that of the breakers in a hurricane. Inconceivable as +was the bulk of the berg, they plainly felt it yield to the resistless +power of the ocean. It acquired a slow sea-saw motion, more alarming +than the most violent disturbance they had ever known on the +"Nautilus" in a storm. The movement was slight, but too distinct to be +mistaken. + +For some time the three huddled together, under the protection of the +friendly projection, and no one spoke a word. They had laid down their +guns, for there was no need of keeping them in their hands. The metal +was so intensely cold that it could be noted through the protection of +their thick mittens, and they needed every atom of vitality in their +shivering bodies. They pressed closer together and found comfort in +the mutual warmth thus secured. + +The sky was blackness itself. There was no glimpse of moon or friendly +star. They were adrift on an iceberg in darkness and gloom in the +midst of a trackless ocean. Whither they were going, when the +terrifying voyage should end, what was to be the issue, only One knew. +They could but pray and trust and hope and await the end. + +It is a curious feature of this curious human nature of ours that the +most hopeless depression of spirits is frequently followed by a +rebound, as the highest spirits are quickly succeeded by the deepest +dejection. Our make-up is such that nature reacts, and neither state +can continue long without change, unless the conditions are +exceptional. Were it otherwise, many a strong mind would break down +under its weight of trouble. + +The three had remained crouching together silent and motionless for +some minutes, no one venturing to express a hope or opinion, when Rob +Carrol suddenly spoke, in the cheeriest tones. + +"I'll tell you what we'll do, fellows." + +"What's that?" asked Fred, quick to seize the relief of hearing each +other's voices. + +"Let's start a fire." + +"A good idee," assented Jack Cosgrove, falling into the odd mood that +had taken possession of his companions; "you gather the fuel and I'll +kindle it. It happens I haven't such a thing as a match about me, but +I'll find a way to start it." + +"Rob and I have plenty, but, if we hadn't, we could rub some pieces of +ice together till the friction started a flame." + +"The Esquimaux have another plan," added Rob. "They will trim a piece +of ice in the form of a convex lens and concentrate the sun's rays on +the object they want to set on fire. Why not try that?" + +"I am afraid there isn't enough sunlight to amount to anything," +replied Fred, craning his head forward and peering through the gloom, +as if searching for the orb of day. + +"That isn't the only way of getting up steam," remarked Jack, who, +just like his honest self, was striving to dispose of his body so as +to give each of the boys the greatest possible amount of warmth; "I +know a better one." + +"Let's hear it." + +"Race back and forth along the side of the berg till we start the +blood circulating; nothing like that." + +"Suppose we should slip, Jack?" + +"Then you'd flop into the sea; it's a good thing to take a bath when +your blood is heated too much." + +"If there was only a footpath where we could do that, it would be a +good plan," observed Rob, "but, as it is, we shall have to huddle +together till morning, when I hope Captain McAlpine will send a boat +after us." + +The boys noticed that Jack made no reply to this. They expected an +encouraging response, but he remained silent, as though he was +considering difficulties, dangers, complications, and perils of which +they could form no idea. + +Meanwhile the gale raged with resistless fury. There was no more fall +of snow, but the wind was like a hurricane. The most vivid idea of its +awful power was gained when the friends, far removed from the water's +edge, and at no small elevation above it, felt drops of spray flung in +their faces. + +The thunder of the surges, shattered into mist and foam against the +adamantine side of the iceberg, was so overpowering that, had not the +heads of the three been close, they would not have heard each other's +voices. The see-sawing of the colossal mass was more perceptible than +ever, and caused them to think, with unspeakable dread, of the +possibility of the berg breaking apart, or overturning like the other, +in the effort to preserve its equilibrium. + +The gale whistled around and among the projections of the ice with a +weird, uncanny sound, alike and yet different from that heard when it +moans through the network of ropes and rigging of a great ship. The +question was whether such a vast volume of wind, impinging against the +thousands of square feet of ice, would not affect the course and speed +of the mass. If the hurricane drove in the same direction as the +controlling current, it ought to be of much help. If opposed, it might +check it; if quartering, it might make a radical change in its course. + +All these speculations were in vain, however, and, as has been said, +there was nothing to be done, but to wait and trust in the only One +who could help them, and who had been so merciful in the past that +their faith in His goodness and protecting care could not be shaken. + +"My lads," said Jack, when the silence which followed their brief +conversation had lasted some minutes, "there's only one thing to do, +and that's to make ourselves as comfortable as we can where we are." + +"Isn't that what we are doing?" asked Rob. + +"Of course it is, but I didn't know but what you was trying to conjure +up some other plan. If so, give it up, say your prayers, and go to +bed." + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +MISSING + + +It is at such times that a person realizes his helplessness and utter +dependence on the great Father of all. Too much are we prone to forget +such dependence, when all goes well, and too often the prayer for help +and guidance is put off until too late. + +It was a commendable trait in all three of the parties whose +experience I have set out to tell that they never forgot their duty in +this all-important matter. Rob and Fred were full of animal life and +spirits, and the elder especially was inclined, from this very excess +of health and strength, to overstep at times the bounds of propriety, +but both remembered the lessons learned in infancy at the mother's +knee, and never failed to commend themselves to their heavenly parent, +not only on waking in the glad morning, but on closing their eyes at +night. + +Jack Cosgrove had one of those impressionable natures, tinged with +innocent superstition, which is often seen in those of his calling. +His faith possessed the simplicity of a child, and, though many of his +doings might not square with those of a Christian, yet at heart he +devoutly believed in the all-protecting care of his Maker, and was +never ashamed, no matter what his surroundings, to call upon Him for +help and guidance. + +And so, as the three pressed closer together, adjusting themselves as +best they could to pass the long, dismal hours ere the sun would shine +upon them again, they were silent, and all, at the same time, communed +with God, as fervently and trustfully as ever a dying Christian did +when stretched upon his bed of mortal illness. + +Had they possessed a blanket among them they could have spread it upon +the ice, lain down upon it, and, wrapping it as best they could, +passed the night with a fair degree of comfort. That, however, was out +of the question. They, therefore, seated themselves under the lee, as +may be said of the mass of ice, which protected them against the gale, +their bodies pressed as closely together as well could be, and in this +sitting posture prepared to go to sleep, if it should so prove that +the blessing could be won. + +One can become accustomed to almost anything. An abrupt change from +the comfortable cabin of the "Nautilus" to the bleak situation on the +iceberg would have filled them with a dread hardly less trying than +death itself; but they had already been in the situation long enough +to grow used to it. The ponderous swaying of the frozen structure, the +thunderous dash and roar of the waves against its base, the screaming +of the gale and the darkness of the arctic night; all these were +sounds and sensations which in a certain sense grew familiar to them +and did not disturb them as the hours passed. + +It cannot be said that an icy seat or rest forms the most comfortable +support for the body, whose warmth is likely to melt the frozen +surface, but the thick clothing of the party did much to avert +unpleasant consequences. Had Jack or Rob or Fred been alone, the +penetrating cold most likely would have overcome him, but as has been +shown, the mutual warmth rendered their situation less trying than +would be supposed. + +When an hour had passed, with only an occasional word spoken, Jack +addressed each of the boys in turn by name. There was no response, and +he spoke in a louder tone with the same result. + +"They're asleep," he said to himself, "and I'm glad of it, though the +sleep that sometimes comes to a chap in these parts at such times is +the kind that doesn't know any waking in this world. I've no doubt, +howsumever, that they're all right." + +With a vague uneasiness, natural under the circumstances, he passed +his hands over their faces and pinched their arms, as if to assure +himself there was no mistake. + +The boys were so muffled up in their thick coats and sealskin caps +that were drawn about their ears, behind which the collars of their +coats were raised, that only the ends of their noses and a slight +portion of their cheeks could be felt. He removed his heavy mitten +from one hand, and, reaching under the protecting covering about the +cheeks and neck, found a healthy glow which told him all was well, +and, for the time at least, he need feel no further anxiety, so far as +they were concerned. + +"Which being the case," he added, drawing on his mitten again, and +making sure their coverings were adjusted, "I'll take a little trip +myself into the land of nod." + +But this trip was easier thought of than made. His rugged body, with +its powerful vitality, would have soon succumbed to drowsiness, could +his mind have been free of its distressing fear for the two young +friends under his charge. But, though he had said little, he knew far +more than he dare tell them. He had shown his alarm on discovering the +loss of the boat, but though some impatient expressions escaped him, +he did not explain what was in his mind. + +His belief was that before morning should come the "Nautilus" would be +driven so far from her course that she would be nowhere in sight, and, +towering as was the iceberg in its height and proportions, it would be +invisible from the deck of the ship, or, if visible, could not be +identified among the others drifting through the icy ocean. Well +aware, too, he was of the terrific strength of the gale sweeping +across the deep, he trembled for the safety of the "Nautilus" and +those on board, hardly less than he did for himself and friends. The +hurricane was resistless in its power, and would drive the ship +whither it chose like a cockle-shell. Icebergs were moving hither and +thither through the darkness, less affected by the wind and waves than +the vessel, and a collision was among the possibilities, if not the +probabilities. + +Inasmuch as the "Nautilus" was likely to go down under the fury of the +elements, or, if she rode through it, was certain to be too far +removed to be of help to the three, the question to consider was what +hope of escape remained to the latter. + +Although vessels penetrate Baffin Bay and far into the Arctic Ocean, +they are so few in number that days and weeks may pass without any two +of them gaining sight of each other. A shipwrecked sailor afloat in +the South Sea, on a spar, was as likely to be picked up by some +trading ship as were Jack and his companions, by any of the whalers or +ships in that high latitude. + +And then, supposing they did catch sight of some stray vessel, who of +the captain and crew would be looking for living persons on board an +iceberg? Why would they give the latter any more attention than the +scores of the mountainous masses afloat in their path and which it was +their first care to avoid? + +If a ship should pass so near to them that they could make their +signals seen there would be hope; but the chances of anything of that +kind were too remote to be regarded. + +Such being the outlook, where was there ground for hope? They were +beyond sight of the Greenland coast, and were doubtless drifting +farther away every hour. Nothing in the nature of succor was to be +hoped for from land, and the brave-hearted Jack was obliged to say to +himself that, so far as human eye could see, there was none from any +source. Cold, starvation, and death seemed among the certainties near +at hand. + +And having reached this disheartening belief, he closed his eyes and +joined his young friends in the land of dreams. + +Having sunk into slumber, the sailor was likely to remain so until +morning, unless some unexpected circumstance should break in upon his +rest, and it did. + +It was Rob Carrol, who, probably because of his cramped position, +first regained consciousness. As his senses gradually came back to +him, and the thunder of the surges and the shrieking of the gale broke +in upon his brain, he stretched his benumbed limbs and yawned in an +effort to make his situation more comfortable. + +It struck him that there had been a change in their relative positions +while asleep. Not wishing to awake his companions, he carefully +shifted his limbs and body, so as not to disturb them. While doing so, +he extended his hand to touch them. + +He groped along one figure, which he knew at once was Jack, but he +felt no other. With a vague fear he straightened up, leaned over, and +hastily extended his arms about him, as far as he could reach. The +next moment he roughly shook the shoulder of the sailor, and called +out in a husky voice: + +"Jack! Jack! wake up! Fred is gone!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +A POINT OF LIGHT + + +Jack Cosgrove was awake on the instant. Not until he had groped around +in the darkness and repeated the name of Fred several times in a loud +voice would he believe he was not with them. + +"Well, by the great horned spoon!" he exclaimed, "that beats +everything. How that chap got away, and why he done it, and where he's +gone to gets me." + +"I wonder if he took his gun," added Rob, stooping over and examining +the depression in the ice, where the three laid their weapons before +composing themselves for sleep; "yes," he added directly after, "he +took his rifle with him." + +As may be supposed, the two were in a frenzied state of mind, and for +several minutes were at a loss what to do, if, indeed, they could do +anything. They knew not where to look for their missing friend, nor +could they decide as to what had become of him. + +One fearful thought was in the minds of both, but neither gave +expression to it; each recoiled with a shudder from doing so. It was +that he had wandered off in his sleep and fallen into the sea. + +Despite their distress and dismay, they noticed several significant +facts. The wind that blew like a hurricane when they closed their +eyes, had subsided. When they stood up, so that their heads arose +above the projections that had protected them, the breeze was so +gentle that it was hard to tell from which direction it came. It would +be truth to say there was no wind at all. + +Further, there was a marked rise in the temperature. In fact, the +weather was milder than any experienced after leaving St. John, and +was remarked by Rob. + +"You don't often see anything of the kind," replied the sailor; +"though I call something of the kind to mind on that voyage in these +parts in the 'Mary Jane,' which was smashed by the iceberg." + +But their thoughts instantly reverted to the missing boy. Rob had +shouted to him again and again in his loudest tones, had whistled +until the echo rang in his own ears, and had listened in vain for the +response. + +The tumultuous waves did not subside as rapidly as they arose. They +broke against the walls of the iceberg with decreasing power, but with +a boom and crash that it would seem threatened to shatter the vast +structure into fragments. There were occasional lulls in the +overpowering turmoil, which were used both by Rob and Jack in calling +to the missing one, but with no result. + +"It's no use," remarked the sailor, after they had tired themselves +pretty well out; "wherever he is, he can't hear us." + +"I wonder if he will ever be able to hear us," said Rob, in a choking +voice, peering around in the gloom, his eyes and ears strained to the +highest tension. + +"I wish I knew," replied Jack, who, though he was as much distressed +as his companion, was too thoughtful to add to the grief by any words +of his own. "I hope the lad is asleep somewhere in these parts, but I +don't know nothing more about him than you." + +"And I know nothing at all." + +"Can you find out what time it is?" + +That was easily done. Stooping down so as to protect the flame from +any chance eddy of wind, Rob ignited a match on his clothing and +looked at his watch. + +"We slept longer than I imagined, Jack; day-break isn't more than +three or four hours off." + +"That's good, but them hours will seem the longest that you ever +passed, my hearty." + +There could be no doubt on that point, as affected both. + +"Why, Jack," called out Rob, "the stars are shining." + +"Hadn't you observed that before? Yes; there's lots of the twinklers +out, and the storm is gone for good." + +Every portion of the sky except the northern showed the glittering +orbs, and, for the moment, Rob forgot his grief in the surprise over +the marked change in the weather. + +"This mildness will bring another change afore long," remarked Jack. + +"What's that?" + +"Fogs. We'll catch it inside of twenty-four hours, and some of them +articles in this part of the world will beat them in London town; +thick enough for you to lean against without falling." + +As the minutes passed, with the couple speculating as to what could +have happened to Fred Warburton, their uneasiness became so great that +they could not remain idle. They must do something or they would lose +command of themselves. + +Rob was on the point of proposing a move, with little hope of its +amounting to anything, when the sailor caught his arm. + +"Do you see that?" + +The darkness had so lifted that the friends could distinguish each +other's forms quite plainly, and the lad saw that Jack had extended +his arm, and was pointing out to sea. The fellow was startled, as he +had good cause to be. + +Apparently not far off was something resembling a star, low down in +the horizon and gliding over the surface of the deep. Now and then it +disappeared, but only for a moment. At such times it was evidently +shut from sight by the crests of the intervening waves. + +It was moving steadily from the right to the left, the friends, of +course, being unable to decide what points of the compass these were. +Its motion in rising and sinking, vanishing and then coming to view +again, advancing steadily all the while, left no doubt as to its +nature. + +"It's the 'Nautilus'!" exclaimed Rob; "Captain McAlpine is looking for +us." + +"That's not the 'Nautilus'," said Jack; "for she doesn't show her +lights in that fashion. Howsumever, it's a craft of some kind, and if +we can only make 'em know we're here they'll lay by and take us off in +the morning." + +As the only means of reaching the ears of the strangers the two began +shouting lustily, varying the cries as fancy suggested. In addition, +Jack fired his gun several times. + +While thus busied they kept their gaze upon the star-like point of +light on which their hopes were fixed. + +It maintained the same dancing motion, all the while pushing forward, +for several minutes after the emission of the signals. + +"She has stopped!" was the joyful exclamation of Rob, who postponed a +shout that was trembling on his lips; "they have heard us and will +soon be here." + +Jack was less hopeful, but thought his friend might be right. The +motion of the star from left to right had almost ceased, as if the +boat was coming to a halt. Still the sailor knew that the same effect +on their vision would be produced if the vessel headed either away +from or toward the iceberg; it was one of these changes of direction +that he feared had taken place. + +Up and down the light bobbed out of sight for a second, then gleaming +brightly as if the obscuring clouds had been brushed aside from the +face of the star, which shone through the intervening gloom like a +beacon to the wanderer. + +"Yes, they are coming to us," added Rob, forgetting his lost friend in +his excitement; "they will soon be here. I wonder they don't hail us." + +"Don't be too sartin, lad," was the answer of the sailor; "if the boat +was going straight from us it would seem for a time as though she was +coming this way; I b'lieve she has changed her course without a +thought of us." + +They were cruel words, but, sad to say, they proved true. The time was +not long in coming when all doubt was removed. The star dwindled to a +smaller point than ever, seemed longer lost to view, until finally it +was seen no more. + +"Do you suppose they heard us?" asked Rob, when it was no longer +possible to hope for relief from that source. + +"Of course not; if they had they would have behaved like a Christian, +and stood by and done what they could." + +"Ships are not numerous in this latitude, and it may be a long time +before we see another." + +"The chances p'int that way, and yet you know there's a good many +settlements along the Greenland coast. It isn't exactly the place I'd +choose for a winter residence--especially back in the country--but +there are plenty who like it." + +"In what way can that affect us?" + +"There are ships passing back and forth between Denmark and Greenland, +and a number v'yage to the United States, and I'm hoping we may be run +across by some of them--Hark!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +HOPE DEFERRED + + +A hoarse, tremulous sound came across the ocean. There was no +mistaking its character; it was from the whistle of a steamer, the one +whose light led them to hope for a time that their rescue was at hand. +It sounded three times, and evidently the blasts were intended as a +signal, though, of course, they bore no reference to the two persons +listening so intently on the iceberg. + +"That was the last thing I expected to hear in this latitude," +remarked Rob, turning to his companion. + +"I don't know why," replied Jack; "they have such craft plying along +the Greenland coast. What's more, I've heard that same whistle before +and know the boat; it's the 'Fox'." + +"Not the 'Fox' I have read about as having to do with the Franklin +expedition?" said the youth, in astonishment. + +"The identical craft." + +"You amaze me." + +Those of my readers who are familiar with the history of Arctic +exploration will recall this familiar name. It was the steam tug in +which sailed the party that succeeded in finding traces of the +ill-fated Franklin expedition of near a half century ago. It afterward +came into the possession of the company that owns the cryolite mine at +Ivigtut, and is now used to carry laborers and supplies from +Copenhagen to that place. While at Ivigtut, it is occasionally +employed to tow the Greenland ships in and out of the fiord. + +Ah, if its crew had only heard the shouts and signals of the couple on +the iceberg, how blessed it would have been! But its lights had +vanished long ago, and, if its whistle sounded again, it was so far +away that it could not reach the listening ears. + +The restlessness of the friends, to which I have referred, now led +them to attempt a search, if it may so be called, for the missing +Fred. This of necessity was vague and blind, and was accompanied with +but a grain of hope. Neither had yet referred to the awful dread that +was in their thoughts, but weakly trusted they might find the poor +fellow somewhere near asleep or senseless from a fall. + +Morning was still several hours distant, but the clearing of the air +enabled them to pick their way with safety, so long as they took heed +to their footsteps. + +"I will go down toward the spot where the boat gave us the slip," said +Jack, "and I don't know what you can do, unless you go with me." + +"There's no need of that; of course I can't make my way far, while the +night lasts, but I remember that we penetrated some way beyond this +place before camping for the night; I'll try it." + +"Keep a sharp lookout, my hearty, or there'll be another lad lost, and +then what will become of Jack Cosgrove?" + +"Have no fear of me," replied Rob, setting out on the self-imposed +expedition. + +He paused a few steps away and turned to watch the sailor, who was +carefully descending the incline, at the base of which they had +landed. + +"I hope he won't find Fred, or rather that he won't find any signs of +his having gone that way," said Rob to himself with a shudder. + +As the figure of the man slowly receded, it grew more indistinct until +it faded from sight in the gloom. Still the youth looked and listened +for the words which he dreaded to hear above everything else in the +world. + +Jack Cosgrove received a good scare while engaged on his perilous +task. He was half-way down the incline, making his way with the +caution of a timid skater, when, like a flash, his feet flew from +under him, and, falling upon his back, he slid rapidly toward the +waves at the base of the berg. + +But the brave fellow did not lose his coolness or presence of mind. +His left hand grasped his rifle, and, throwing out his right, he +seized a projection of ice, checking himself within a few feet of the +water and near enough for the spray from the fierce waves to be flung +over him. + +"This isn't the time for a bath," he muttered, carefully climbing to +his feet and retreating a few paces; "it would have been a pretty hard +swim out there with my heavy clothing, though I think I could manage +it." + +After all, what could he hope to accomplish by this hunt for Fred +Warburton? If he had wandered in that direction and fallen into the +sea, he had left no traces that could be discovered in the gloom of +the night. He could not have gone thither and stayed there that was +certain. + +The sailor having withdrawn beyond the reach of the waves, sat down in +as disconsolate a mood as can be imagined. A suspicion that Rob might +follow caused him to turn his head and look over his shoulder. + +"I don't see anything of him, and I guess he'll stay up there; I hope +so, for Jack Cosgrove isn't in the mood to see or talk with any one +'cepting that lad which he won't never see nor talk to agin." + +Convincing himself that he was safe against a visit from the elder +youth, the sailor bowed his head, and, for several minutes, wept like +one with an uncontrollable grief. + +When his sorrow had partially subsided, he spent a brief while with +his head still bowed in communion with his Maker. + +"I don't know but what the lad is luckier than me or Rob," he added, +reviewing the situation in his mind; "for we've got to foller him +sooner or later. It isn't likely that any ship will come as nigh to +this thing as the 'Fox' did awhile ago, and I can't see one chance in +ten thousand of our being took off. We haven't a mouthful of food, +and there's no way of our getting any. After a time we will have to +lay down and starve or freeze to death, or both. Poor Fred has been +saved all that--" + +He checked his musings, for at that moment a peculiar sound broke upon +his ear. It resembled that caused by the exhaust of a steamer at low +pressure. One less experienced than he would have been deceived into +the belief that such was its source, but Jack did not hold any such +false hope for a minute even. He understood it too well. + +It was made by a whale "blowing." One of those monster animals was +disporting himself in the vicinity of the iceberg, and the sailor had +heard the same sound too often to mistake it. + +Shifting his position so as to bring him nearer the sea, he stooped +and peered out in the gloom, in the direction whence came the noise. +There was enough starlight for him to trace the outline of the +mountainous waves, as they arose against the sky, though they were +dimly defined and might have misled another. + +While gazing thus, a huge mass took vague form. It was the head of a +gigantic leviathan of the deep, which for a moment was projected +against the sky and then sank out of sight with the same noise that +had attracted Jack's notice in the first place. + +The blowing was heard at intervals, for several minutes, until the +distance shut it from further notice. + +"I wonder if Rob noticed it," the sailor asked himself; "for if he +did, he will make the mistake of believing the 'Fox' has come to take +us off, and we're done with this old berg." + +But nothing was heard from the youth, and the sailor remained seated +on the shelf of ice, a prey to his gloomy reflections. He had made up +his mind to stay where he was until the coming of day, when the +question of what was to be done would be speedily settled. + +Meanwhile, he wanted no company but his own thoughts. He had kept up +with the elder youth, and carefully withheld his fears and beliefs +from him. He felt that he could do so no longer. The farce had been +played out, and the truth must be spoken. + +It was impossible to note the passage of time. Jack carried no watch, +but each of the boys owned an excellent timepiece. He probably fell +into a doze, for, when he roused himself once more, he saw that the +night was nearly over. + +"I wonder what Rob is doing," he said, rising to his feet, stretching +his arms, and looking in the direction where he expected to see his +friend; "I hope nothing hain't happened to him." + +This affliction was spared the sailor, for while he was peering +through the increasing light, he caught sight of the figure of Rob +making his way toward him. + +"Hello, Jack, have you found anything?" + +"No; have you?" + +"I think I have; come and see." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +A STARTLING OCCURRENCE + + +As may be supposed, Jack Cosgrove was all excitement on the instant. +He had not expected any such reply, and he was eager to learn the +cause. As he started forward, he instinctively glanced down in quest +of evidence that Fred had passed there. There was none so far as he +could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been +able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, +and some of them more than once. + +"What is it?" he asked, as he reached his friend. + +"It may mean nothing, but a little distance beyond where we camped the +ice is broken and scratched as though some one has been that way." + +"So there has, we were there yesterday afternoon." + +"I haven't forgotten that, but these marks are at a place where we +haven't been, that is unless it was Fred." + +"How did you manage to find them in the dark?" + +"I didn't; I groped over the ice as far as I could, and then sat down +and waited for day. I must have slept awhile, but when it was growing +light I happened to look around, and there, within a few feet of me, +on my right hand, I noticed the ice scratched and broken, as though +some one had found it hard work to get along. I was about to start +right after him, when I thought it best to tarry for you. It is now so +much lighter that we shall learn something worth knowing." + +Even in their excitement they paused a few minutes to gaze out upon +the ocean, as it was rapidly illumined by the rising sun. Before long +their vision extended for miles, but the looked-for sight was not +there. On every hand, as far as the eye could penetrate, was nothing +but the heaving expanse of icy water. + +Whether they were within a comparatively short distance of Greenland +or not, they were not nigh enough to catch the first glimpse of the +coast. + +Several miles to the eastward towered an iceberg, apparently as large +as the one upon which they were drifting. Its pinnacles, domes, +arches, plateaus, spires, and varied forms sparkled and scintillated +in the growing sunlight, displaying at times all the colors of the +spectrum, and making a picture beautiful beyond description. + +To the northward and well down in the horizon, was another berg, +smaller than the first, and too far off to attract interest. A still +smaller one was visible midway between the two, and a peculiar +appearance of the sea in the same direction, Jack said, was caused by +a great ice field. + +Not a ship was to be seen anywhere. Their view to the southward was +excluded by the bulk of the iceberg, on which they were floating. + +"There's nothing there for us," remarked Rob with a sigh. + +"You're right; lead the way and let's see what you found." + +It took them but a few minutes to reach the place the lad had in mind, +and they had no sooner done so than the sailor was certain an +important discovery had been made. + +Where there was so much irregularity of shape as on an iceberg, a +clear description is impossible; but, doing the best we can, it may be +said that the spot was a hundred feet back from where the three +huddled together with an expectation of spending the night until +morning. It was only a little higher, and was attained by carefully +picking one's way over the jagged ice, which afforded secure footing, +now that day had come. + +Adjoining the place, from which the party diverged to the left, was a +lift or shelf on the right, and distant only two or three paces. It +was no more than waist high, and, therefore, was readily reached by +any one who chose to clamber upon it. + +It is no easy matter to trace one over the ice, but the signs of which +Rob had spoken were too plain to be mistaken. There were scratches, +such as would have been made by a pair of shoes, a piece of the edge +was broken off, and marks beyond were visible similar to those which +it would be supposed any one would make in clambering over the flinty +surface. + +Jack stood a minute or two studying these signs as eagerly as an +American Indian might scrutinize the faint trail of an enemy through +the forest. + +"By the great horned spoon!" he finally exclaimed; "but that does look +encouraging; I shouldn't wonder if the chap did make his way along +there in the night, but why he done it only he can tell. Howsumever, +where has he gone?" + +That was the question which Rob Carrol had asked himself more than +once, and was unable to answer. The ice, for a distance of another +hundred feet, looked as if it might be scaled, but, just beyond that, +towered a perpendicular wall, like the side of a glass mountain. There +could be no progress any farther in that direction, nor, so far as +could be judged, could any one advance by turning to the right or +left. + +There must be numerous depressions and cavities, sufficient to hide a +dozen men, and it was in one of these the couple believed they would +find the dead or senseless body of their friend. + +"Jack," said Rob, "take my gun." + +"What for?" + +"I'll push on ahead as fast as I can; I can't wait, and the weapon +will only hinder me." + +"I've an idee of doing something of the kind myself, so we'll leave +'em here. I don't think they'll wash away like the boat," he added, as +he carefully placed them on the shelf, up which they proceeded to +climb. + +But Rob was in advance and maintained his place, gaining all the time +upon his slower companion, who allowed him to draw away from him +without protest. + +"There's no need of a chap tiring himself to death," concluded Jack, +as he fell back to a more moderate pace; "he's younger nor me, and it +won't hurt him to get a bump or so." + +Rob was climbing with considerable skill. In his eagerness he slipped +several times, but managed to maintain his footing and to advance with +a steadiness which caused considerable admiration on the part of his +more sluggish companion. + +He used his eyes for all they were worth, and the signs that had +roused his hope at first were still seen at intervals, and cheered him +with the growing belief that he was on the right track. + +"But why don't we hear something of him?" he abruptly asked himself, +stopping short with shuddering dread in his heart; "he could not have +remained asleep all this time, and, if he has been hurt so as to make +him senseless, more than likely he is dead." + +The youth was now nearing the ice wall, to which we have referred, and +beyond which it looked impossible to go. The furtive glances into the +depressions on his right and left showed nothing of his loved friend, +and the evidences of his progress were still in front. The solution of +the singular mystery must be at hand. + +Unconsciously Rob slowed his footsteps, and looked and listened with +greater care than before. + +"What can it mean? Where can he have gone? I see no way by which he +could have pushed farther, and yet he is not in sight--" + +He paused, for he discovered his error. The path, if such it may be +termed, which he had been following, turned so sharply to the right +that it could not be seen until one was upon it. How far it penetrated +in that direction remained to be learned. + +Rob turned about and looked at Jack, who was several rods to the rear, +making his way upward with as much deliberation as though he felt no +personal interest in the business. + +"I'm going a little farther, Jack, but I think we're close upon him +now. Hurry after me!" + +"Ay, ay," called the sailor, in return; "when you run afoul of the lad +give him my love and tell him I'm coming." + +This remark proved that he shared the hope of Rob, who was now acting +the part of pioneer, and it did not a little to encourage the boy to +push on with the utmost vigor at his command. + +The sailor was somewhat winded from his unusual exertions, and, +believing there was no immediate need of his help, sat down for a few +minutes to regain his breath. + +"He'll yell the moment he catches sight of anything, and he can do +that so well that he don't need any help from me--by the great horned +spoon! what's the meaning of that?" + +Rob Carrol, who had been out of sight but a few seconds, now burst to +view again, the picture of terror. He was plunging toward the sailor +with such desperate haste that he continually stumbled and bruised +himself. But he instantly scrambled up again, glancing in mortal +fright over his shoulder, and barely able to gasp as he dashed toward +the sailor: + +"O Jack! we're lost! we're lost! Heaven help us!" + + + + +CHAPTER X + +AN UGLY CUSTOMER + + +Rob Carrol had good cause for his panic. Full of high hope, he hurried +along the ice between crags which shut him out of sight, for the time, +from Jack Cosgrove, who was resting himself after his hard climb. The +youth was thinking of no one and nothing else, except his friend Fred +Warburton, who had vanished so mysteriously the night before. + +The signs in the icy track he was following convinced him that he was +close upon the heels of his chum, who could not have wandered much +farther in advance. His hope was tinged with the deepest anxiety, for +it was impossible to account for Fred's long absence and silence, +except upon the theory that some grievous injury had befallen him. + +The searcher's nerves were strung to the highest point, and he was +pushing forward with unabated vigor, when his heart almost stood +still, as he caught a peculiar sound among the masses of ice. + +"That's Fred," he concluded; "he's alive, thank God!" and then he +called to his friend: + +"Fred! Fred, old fellow, where are you? Speak, I beg of you." + +The words were trembling on his lips, when what seemed to be a huge +pile of snow just in advance, arose from the ice and began swinging +toward him. + +Paralyzed for the moment by the amazing sight, and wondering whether +his senses were not betraying him, Rob stood motionless, as if rooted +to the spot. + +But the next minute that same mass of snow assumed more definite +shape, and an unmistakable growl issued from somewhere within the +interior. + +That was enough. Rob knew what it was that was sweeping down upon him +like a young avalanche. He had almost stumbled over a huge polar bear, +ravenous and fierce with hunger, and with a courage that made him +afraid of neither man nor beast. + +He must have been half asleep when roused by the approach and the +voice of the lad. Opening his great eyes, he saw before him a fine +breakfast in the shape of a plump lad, and he proceeded to go for him +with a vim and eagerness that would not be denied. + +It was about this time that Rob whirled on his heel and started on the +back track, with all the desperate hurry at his command. It will be +remembered that he had no gun with him, he and Jack having left the +weapons on the ice a considerable distance away. Both were without any +means of defense, unless the sheath knife which the sailor always +carried may be considered a weapon, and the only possible hope for +them was to secure their rifles before the monster secured them. + +When the lad's frenzied cry broke upon Jack, he sprang from the seat +where he had been resting, and stood staring and wondering what it all +could mean. He saw the boy's cap fly from his head, and he noted his +terrified glances behind him. The next moment the polar bear plunged +into sight, and the sailor grasped the situation. + +Even then he failed to do the wisest thing. Instead of realizing that +but one course could save them, and that was by dashing back to the +guns, he hastily drew his knife and awaited the coming of the brute +with a view of checking his attack upon the lad. + +It was more creditable to Jack's chivalry than to his sagacity that he +should do this thing. + +Even Rob, despite his extreme fright, saw the mistake his friend was +making, and called to him: + +"Quick, Jack! Get the guns and shoot him!" + +"I shouldn't wonder now if that was a good idea," reflected the +sailor, shoving his knife back, and whirling about to do as urged. + +The situation was so critical that even his sluggish blood was +stirred, and he never moved so fast as he did for the succeeding +seconds. Indeed, it was altogether too fast, for he fell headlong with +such violence that he was partially stunned, and by the time he +regained his feet Rob was upon him. + +Meanwhile the polar bear was making matters lively. He was hustling +for his breakfast, and he kept things on the jump. He was at home amid +the snow and ice, and, with little effort, got forward faster than the +fugitives possibly could; he was overhauling Rob hand over hand. + +To continue his flight, even for the brief remaining distance, was to +insure his certain death. Rob saw him, and, when the ponderous beast +was almost upon him, he made a desperate leap from the icy path, +landing on his hands and knees several feet to the left, and instantly +scrambling up again. + +The manoeuvre was so unexpected by the pursuer that he passed +several paces beyond before he could stop. Turning his head, with his +huge jaws so far apart that his red tongue and long white teeth +showed, he prepared to continue his pursuit of the lad who had escaped +him for the moment by such an exceedingly narrow chance. + +But it so happened that Jack Cosgrove just then was also climbing to +his feet from his thumping fall, and, being but a short way from the +brute, he drew his attention to himself. + +The bear's appetite was in that rugged state that he was not +particular as to whether his meal was made from a boy or full-grown +man, and, since the latter was within most convenient reach, he +shifted his design to him. + +"By the great horned spoon!" muttered the sailor, quick to see how +matters had turned; "but it's Jack Cosgrove that is to have all this +fun to himself, and he's enjoying it." + +The single recourse still presented itself; nothing could be done to +check the furious beast until one of the rifles was turned against +him, but it did seem for a time as if fate itself was fighting in +favor of the brute. + +Jack's tumble and flurry had so mixed him up that the rifles were +forgotten, until he took several steps on his flight, when he recalled +the fatal oversight, and hastily turned to rectify it; but the +precious moments wasted made it too late. The bear was actually +between him and the weapons, and, to attempt to reach them, except by +a roundabout course, was to fling himself into the embrace of those +resistless claws. + +He was too wise to attempt it. The first thing to do was to get +himself out of reach of the terror that was bearing down upon him with +the certainty of death. + +"If there was only a tree that I could climb," he reflected, leaping, +tumbling, and laboring forward as best he could; "he couldn't nab me, +but I don't see any tree, and that chap's hungry enough to eat a +stewed anchor." + +In the fearful hurry and panic some moments passed before Rob Carrol +comprehended the abrupt change in the plan of campaign. At the moment +he expected to feel the claw of the brute, he looked back and saw he +was pressing Jack hard. Furthermore, the latter, instead of hurrying +for the guns, was drawing away from them. + +That was a bad outlook, but it suggested to the youth that the chance +had come for him to do something effective. + +He lost no time in seizing the chance. He turned again in his course, +and moved around toward the spot where the weapons had been left near +at hand. Could he have been sure of a few minutes there would have +been no trouble in managing it, but events were going with such a rush +that there was not a spare second at command. + +The guns being near and lower in elevation than themselves, were in +plain sight. Rob saw the barrels and the iron work gleaming in the +morning sunlight, so that he could make no mistake in locating them, +but his attention was so riveted on the prizes that he paid no heed to +his footsteps, or, rather, he paid less heed than was necessary. + +He was within fifty feet, and was counting upon the quickness with +which he would end the sport of the brute when he discovered that he +was on the brink of an irregular depression in the ice. He tried +desperately to check himself or turn aside, but it was beyond his +ability and over he went. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +LIVELY TIMES + + +Rob's fall was not far, and his heavy clothing saved him from the +bruises that otherwise might have disabled him. He stared about him +and saw that he had fallen into a rough depression of the ice from six +to eight feet in depth, and of about the same diameter. + +"Here's a go," he reflected; "I wonder whether the bear will follow me +here, but he's giving his full attention to poor Jack, and won't hunt +for me until he is through with him." + +It was characteristic of the lad that, knowing the imminent peril of +his friend, he should feel more anxious about him than himself. All +thought of the missing Fred was shut out for the moment. + +The first thing for Rob to do was to get out of the hole into which he +had fallen. He did not wait, but, throwing off his outer coat, flung +it upon the edge of the depression, and then, leaping upward, caught +the margin with his mittened hands. As I stated at the beginning, he +was a fine athlete, but the task was almost impossible. The purchase +was so slight that when he put forth his strength and attempted to +draw himself upward, his mittens slipped, as though they were oiled. + +Then he snatched off the mittens, threw them upon his coat, and again +made the attempt; he failed as before. + +"I've got to stay here while the bear kills poor Jack," was his +despairing thought; "I can do nothing, when, if I were up there, I +could lay hold of one of the guns and save him." + +The reflection was so bitter that he could not rest. Walking rapidly +around the depression, he jumped upward at every step or two and +repeated the effort. Failure followed failure, and he was once more in +despair. + +Again he made the attempt, and his hand struck a knob-like projection, +which afforded just the purchase wanted. Grasping it with all his +might, he quickly drew himself upward, and was once more on what might +be considered the surface proper of the iceberg. + +At the moment of climbing into sight he heard the report of a gun. + +"Ah, Jack has managed to reach his rifle, and has given the brute a +shot--no, he hasn't, either!" + +To his unbounded amazement, he saw the sailor fleeing and dodging for +life, with the bear still at his heels. But he had no gun in his hand, +and, casting his eye below him, Rob observed both weapons lying where +they were placed by the owners a short time before. + +Who had fired that gun whose report he just heard? + +It was an absorbing question, indeed, but there was no time just then +to give it a thought. Rob was much nearer the rifles than either Jack +or the bear, and he now hastened thither, taking care that his last +mishap was not repeated. + +From what has been told it will be understood that Jack Cosgrove found +no time for the grass to grow under his feet. He had pulled himself +through many a narrow peril, but he was sure he was never quite so +hard pressed as now. He tried dodging and sudden turns in the line of +his flight, and doubtless saved himself more than once by such means; +but the discouraging fact was ever with him that his relentless enemy +could travel tenfold faster and better than he over the ice, and +sooner or later was certain to run him down unless turned aside by +some one else. + +Jack naturally wondered what had become of Rob, who was so active only +a short time before. His furtive glances showed him nothing of his +friend, but he had no chance to speculate, nor did he call upon him +for help, as the lad had appealed to him but a short time before. + +The sorely pressed fugitive drew his knife to be prepared for the +final struggle that was at hand. He had met polar bears before, and he +knew what such a conflict meant. + +He was wise enough, too, not to postpone the struggle until his own +strength was exhausted by running. He whirled about, when the brute +was no more than ten feet distant, and grasping his knife by the tip +of the blade, drove it with all the vicious fury at his command +straight at the head of the bear. + +The sailor was an adept at this species of throwing, and had often +given exhibitions of his skill on shipboard. It was not to be expected +that he could kill such a gigantic animal by flinging his sheath knife +at him, but it sped so true and with such power, that, striking his +neck, it inflicted a deep wound, sinking so deep, indeed, that it +remained in the wound. + +At this juncture the rifle, whose report Rob heard, was fired. The +sailor supposed, as a matter of course, that Rob discharged it, for +there could be no doubt the bear was the target. The bullet struck him +near the junction of the left leg, and there could be no mistake about +his being hit hard. He uttered a peculiar whining moan, stopped for +the moment, and then resumed his pursuit with such a marked limp that +his progress was perceptibly decreased. + +Seeing his own advantage, Jack was wise enough to use it. In his +desperation he had deprived himself of his only weapon, and he was +defenseless. But with a limping bear lumbering after him, and with the +short respite he had gained, he fancied he could hold his own in a +foot-race. So he wheeled and went at it again. + +By this time, and, indeed, a minute before, Rob had reached the spot +where the two guns lay, and with both in his grasp he set off in hot +haste to overtake the brute. He meant to get so near that when he +fired there could be no miss. + +To his exasperation, he stumbled and came within a hair of going into +the very hole from which he had extricated himself with so much +difficulty. But he escaped, and finding neither weapon injured, he +resumed his pursuit, cheered by the apparent fact that the bear was no +longer able to gain upon the fugitive. + +Jack had run as close to the edge of the iceberg as possible, and to +venture nearer would be at the imminent risk of going into the icy +sea. He perforce turned, and sped in the direction of the lad, who was +hastening to his help. + +This suited Rob, for there was no call for him to continue his +pursuit, since the bear was approaching "head on." The youth stopped +as soon as he saw the change, and prepared to close matters. + +The opening could not have been better, and, dropping one rifle at his +feet, Rob steadied himself and took careful aim at the beast. He +pointed the gun not at his head, but at a point just below, hoping to +reach his heart. + +He saw the snowy coat stained crimson from the wound made by Jack's +knife, and he limped heavily. + +"Look out you don't hit me!" called the panting sailor, whose grim +humor showed itself at the most inopportune times. + +"Get out of the way, then!" called Rob, in turn; "you're right in +front of me." + +Jack dodged to one side, being at the moment about midway between his +friend and pursuer, and less than twenty feet from either. + +The next instant the lad pulled trigger. + +But the bear did not stop, and showed no evidence of having been so +much as harmed. + +"You missed him, you lubber! Let me have the other gun, and show you +how to bring down game." + +There was no time for any such proceeding, and, dropping the +discharged weapon, Rob instantly stooped and caught up the second. + + [Illustration: JUST THEN THE REPORT OF ANOTHER GUN SOUNDED + + (See page 106)] + +Just then another gun sounded from a point higher up the berg, and the +huge brute stopped. He seemed dazed, and, half-rearing on his +haunches, picked at the wound, as though he fancied a splinter was +there, which he could draw from his flesh. + +"He's going to attack us with the knife!" called Jack, who saw that +the danger was over; "and I shouldn't wonder if he knows how to do it +better than you can manage your gun." + +"Keep out of the way, Jack, and I'll finish him." + +Rob had brought the second weapon to a level, and the opening was, if +possible, more favorable than before. + +Again he pulled trigger, and this shot did the business. The monster, +one of the largest and fiercest of his species, went down in a +helpless mass, and expired before their eyes. + +"Hello, you chaps would be in a pretty scrape if it wasn't for me!" + +Jack and Rob turned toward the point whence the voice came and saw +Fred Warburton hastening toward them with his smoking rifle in hand. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +FRED'S EXPERIENCE + + +Both Jack Cosgrove and Rob Carrol could have shouted with joy at the +sight of the missing boy, and the sound of his voice. More than once, +during the stirring minutes that they were trying to save themselves +from the irrestrainable bear, they thought of the shot that was fired +by neither of them, and which, therefore, they naturally attributed to +their friend. + +The second shot left no doubt of its source, and here now was the +youth hurrying down from some point near where the brute had come, +laughing like his own natural self. + +It need not be said that his hand was shaken heartily by the sailor +and his companion, and that he was overwhelmed with questions as to +his singular action. + +The story of Fred was curious, and yet it had been partially +discounted by his chum. + +It was not to be supposed that he would leave the comparative comfort +he enjoyed when huddled close to his friends without good cause, and +in that case he would have notified them of his intention, to save +them from alarm. + +The experience of the day disturbed him, and caused him to dream +dreams of the most vivid nature. Several times, during the preceding +years, he had walked in his sleep, and his departure from the camp, as +they called it, was as unknown to himself as to his friends. + +It was evident that he managed the business with great skill, since +neither of the others was disturbed. He picked up his gun and went off +in the direction followed by Rob, clambering farther up the side of +the iceberg than was supposed possible. + +"I think," said Fred, "that I can read the cause for what I did while +unconscious. You remember we had much to say about the 'Nautilus' +being driven out of sight by the gale, and I recall that, before going +to sleep, I wondered whether we could not climb to a higher portion of +the berg and signal to them. + +"I suppose that was what set my mind and muscles to work when +unconscious, and impelled me to try what I never would have tried with +my full senses about me. + +"When I came to myself I was in a cavity in the ice, where the +protection against the gale was much better than our camp. It was a +regular bowl or hollow, which would have been just the place for us +three. But daylight had come, the weather was so moderate that I did +not suffer from cold, and there was nothing, therefore, to be feared +from that cause. + +"As you may suppose, it took me sometime before I could recall myself, +but I was not long in suspecting the truth. I was so comfortable in +the position involuntarily assumed that I lay still while pondering +matters. When ready, I was on the point of rising, when I heard a +slight noise on the ice above me. + +"'That's Jack or Rob,' I thought; 'they are looking for me, and I will +give them a scare.' + +"I lay still, expecting one of you to pass so close that you would +discover me, but though I could follow the movement by sound, and +though the object passed close to me it was not quite close enough to +be seen, I rose softly to my feet and peered over the edge of the +cavity in which I was resting. + +"Well, Rob was startled when he stumbled over that polar bear, but he +was no more frightened than I, when I discovered that instead of it +being one of you, it was that frightful brute which had swung by +within a few feet of where I lay. + +"You can see the curious shape of matters. The bear had come from some +point beyond where I lay, and, making his way down the ice, had now +placed himself between me and you. The only means of my reaching you +was by passing close to him. That meant a fight to the death. + +"I noticed his tremendous size, and from what I have heard they are +among the most dangerous beasts in the world--" + +"You're right there, my hearty," interrupted Jack; "if there was ever +any doubt in my mind, which there wasn't, it was settled by that +little scrimmage awhile ago." + +"I had my gun, and, at first, was half-disposed to take a shot, but +the chance was a poor one, for he was walking straight away, and it +was impossible to do more than sound him. That would render him +furious and cause him to attack me. Our rifles were not repeating +ones, and before I could get another charge ready, he would be upon +me, and it might be that several well-aimed shots would be necessary +to finish him." + +"You had good sense," said Rob; "he would have made mince-meat of you +in a fight." + +"You must remember that while I could see the bear from where I peered +over the edge of the ice, I could not catch the first sight of you. +The brute seemed to be following some sort of a path, while the masses +of ice were so piled upon both sides and beyond him that all farther +view was shut off. + +"While I was watching the enormous white body swinging along, it +stopped, and then to my dismay, he turned about and started back. + +"'He's coming for me!' was my conclusion, 'and now there will be a row +sure.' + +"I braced myself to receive him, but, inasmuch as he had not yet seen +me, and, inasmuch as he had once passed my shelter, without +discovering me, there was hope that he would do the same again. So +'Brer rabbit, he lay low,' and I listened for him to go by. As soon as +he was at a safe distance, I intended to climb out and hurry to you. +We three ought to be enough for him, and I had no fear but that you +might manage him between you without my help." + +"That was my opinion at that time," added Fred, with a twinkle of his +eye, "but it isn't now. While I was crouching there I heard you +calling me. You can understand why I didn't answer. I preferred to +remain mum so long as that bear was between me and you and coming +toward me." + +"We did a lot of shouting last night," said Rob. + +"That's the first I knew of it. But the minutes passed without the +bear being heard. I listened as intently as I knew how, but no sound +reached me. + +"'I wonder if he intends to promenade back and forth,' was my thought, +as I ventured to peep out once more, with great caution; 'this is +getting interesting.' + +"Well, I was surprised when I saw him. He was less than a dozen yards +off, and lying down, with his head still turned away from me. His +action was just as if he had learned that his breakfast was going to +come up that path, and he intended to wait until it walked into his +arms." + +"And that is pretty nearly what I did," said Rob, with a smiling +glance at the carcass. + +"His head being still away I dared not fire, nor would it have done +for me to call to you or answer your signals. It was plain to me that +he had no suspicion that the choicest kind of meal was right near him, +and it wouldn't have been wise for me to apprise him of the fact; it +might have made things unpleasant all around. + +"You needn't be told what followed. I watched him a few minutes, +during which he was as motionless as the iceberg itself, and then I +settled down to await developments. + +"While seated, of course I saw nothing of him, and the first notice I +received of what was going on was when I heard Rob shouting. I sprang +out of my shelter, and, as you will remember, saved you both from +being devoured by the monster. Isn't he, or, rather, wasn't he a big +fellow?" added Fred, stepping over to the enormous carcass and +touching it with his foot. + +"He's the biggest I've ever seen," assented Jack, "and I'm thankful +that we got off as well as we did. It's no use of denying that your +shots helped us through." + +"Possibly, but it was Rob after all who wound up the business," Fred +hastened to say, lest he might be thought of wishing to take undue +credit to himself. + +"There's worse eating, too, than bear meat." + +It was Jack who made this remark, and the others caught its +significance. They were thus provided with the means of living for a +long time on the iceberg, and might hope for some means of rescue in +the course of a week or two. + +Rob was about to make some characteristic reply, when the sailor +pointed out to sea. + +"Do you obsarve that?" he asked. "It's just what I was afeared of, and +I don't like it at all." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE FOG + + +It will be recalled that when Jack and Rob awoke, during the preceding +night, they noticed a marked change in the temperature, and the sailor +prophesied an unwelcome change in the weather. Following the direction +pointed by him, his friends saw what he meant. The rise had caused one +of those fogs that have been fatal so often to ships off the banks of +Newfoundland, and which frequently wrap the southern coast of +Greenland in a mist as impenetrable as that which overshadows at times +the British metropolis. + +"You see," added Jack, "it might be that some whaler or other vessel +is cruising in these latitudes, and will come close enough for us to +observe 'em and they us, provided the sun was shining, but, the way +matters are turning out, they might pass within a biscuit's toss 'out +either of us knowing it." + +"Well," was the philosophical comment of Fred, "we have so much to be +thankful for that I can't complain over a small matter like that." + +"It may be a bigger matter than you think, but I'm as thankful as you, +all the same." + +"Gracious!" exclaimed Rob, with a sigh; "I'm hungry." + +"There's your supper." + +Both boys, however, shook their heads, and Rob replied: + +"I'm not hungry enough to eat raw bear's meat." + +"It's a thousand times better than starving to death." + +As the sailor spoke, he walked to the carcass and withdrew his knife +from the wound. + +"You'll come to it bime-by; I've seed the time when I was ready to +chaw up a pair of leather breeches, but that isn't half as bad as +being in an open boat under the equator, with not a drop of water for +three days." + +"We can never suffer from that cause so long as this iceberg holds +out. How is it with you, Fred? Are you ready for bear steak?" + +"I would be too glad to dine on it, if there was some means of cooking +it, but that is out of the question. I think I'll wait awhile." + +"I'll keep you company," remarked Jack, who felt no such repugnance +against the primitive meal, but was willing to defer the feast out of +regard for them. + +The party watched the fog settling over the sea, until, as the sailor +had told them it would do, it shut out all vision beyond a hundred +feet or less. + +"I would give a good deal to know one thing," said Fred, after several +minutes' silence, as he seated himself, "and that is just where we +are." + +"I can tell you," said Rob. + +"Where?" + +"On an iceberg in the Greenland Sea." + +"I am not so sure of that, my hearty," put in Jack; "there's no doubt, +of course, that we're on the berg, but I wouldn't bet that we're +drifting through the Greenland Sea." + +"Why, the 'Nautilus' was so far north when we left it, and this +iceberg was moving so slowly that we couldn't have gone as far as all +that." + +Jack saw that his meaning was not understood. + +"What I was getting at is this: Of course, when them bergs slip off +into the ocean, most of them start southward for a more congen'l +clime, but all of 'em don't do it by any means. There is a current off +the western coast of Greenland which runs toward the North Pole, and +we may be in that." + +"But this extends so far down that it must strike the other current, +which flows in the opposite direction." + +"That may and may not be, and it may be, too, that if it does, the +upper current is the stronger. I've been calling to mind the bearing +of the ship and berg, and I've an idee we're going northward. Bime-by +the berg may change its mind and flop about and start for New York or +South America, but I don't believe it's doing so now." + +This was important information, provided it was true, and there was +good reason to believe that Jack Cosgrove knew far better than they +what he was talking about. + +"Then if we keep on we'll strike the North Pole," remarked Rob, +gravely. + +"Yes, if we keep on, but we're pretty sure to stop or change our +course before we get beyond Davis Strait or Christianshaab or Ivignut. +Anyway, this old berg will keep at it till she fetches up in southern +waters." + +The words of Jack had opened a new and interesting field for +discussion. Its ending had not been thought of by the boys in their +calculations; and, despite their faith in their more experienced +companion, they believed he was mistaken. They had never heard of +anything of the kind he had mentioned, and it did not seem reasonable +that such a vast mass, after heading southward, should change its +direction. Even though it was drifting north when first seen, it must +have started still farther north in order to reach the latitude where +first observed. + +By this time all hope of being rescued by the "Nautilus" had been +given up, unless some happy accident should lead it to come upon the +iceberg. The party, therefore, began considering other means of escape +from their unpleasant quarters. + +As is well known, there are a number of Danish settlements scattered +along the west coast of Greenland, the bleak, desolate eastern shore +being inhabited only by wandering Esquimaux. It might be that the berg +would sweep along within sight of land, and the friends would be able +to attract the attention of some of the native fishing boats, or +possibly larger craft. It was a remote hope, indeed, but it was all +they saw before them. At any rate, the polar bear had provided them +with the means of postponing starvation to an indefinite period, for +there was enough meat in his carcass to afford nourishment for many +days to come. + +"I wonder whether there are more polar bears on this craft?" remarked +Rob, rising to his feet and looking around as if he half expected to +discover another of the monsters making for them. + +"Little danger of that," replied Jack, "and it's so mighty seldom that +any of 'em are fools enough to allow themselves to be carried off like +this one did that I never dreamed of anything of the kind. It does +happen now and then, but not often, though you may read of such +things." + +"I suppose he would have stayed here until he starved to death," was +the inquiring remark of Fred. + +"He might and he might not; when he had got it through his skull that +there was nothing to eat on the berg he would have plunged into the +sea and started for land, provided it was in sight, and he would have +reached it, too. When he landed he would have been hungry enough to +attack the first saw-mill he came to, and I wouldn't like to be the +first chap he met." + +"I don't see how he could have been fiercer than he was." + +"He meant business from the first; and, if he had caught sight of you +when you lay asleep in that cavity in the ice he would have swallowed +you before you could wake." + +"Well, he didn't do it," replied Fred, with a half-shudder and laugh, +"so what's the good of thinking about it? Rob, it strikes me," he +added, with a quizzical look at the boy, "that raw bear's meat might +not be so bad after all." + +"Of course it isn't!" Jack was quick to say, springing to his feet and +stepping forward, knife in hand. + +It was evident from the manner in which he conducted the business that +he had done it before. He extracted a goodly-sized piece from near the +shoulder, and dressed it as well as he could with the only means at +command. + +Rob had hit upon what might be called a compromise. When one of the +three slices, into which the portion was divided, was handed to him, +he struck match after match from the rubber safe he carried, and held +the tiny flame against different portions of the meat. + +Anything like cooking was out of the question, but he succeeded in +scorching it slightly, and giving it a partial appearance of having +seen the fire. + +"There!" he exclaimed, in triumph, holding it aloft; "it's done to a +turn, that is the first turn. It's cooked, but it's a little rare, +I'll admit." + +Meanwhile, Fred imitated him, using almost all the matches he +possessed. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +A COLLISION + + +Jack scorned everything of the kind, and he ate his piece with as much +gusto as if it had passed through the hands of a professional cook. +The boys managed to dispose of considerable, so that it may be said +the little party made a fair meal from the supply so unexpectedly +provided them. + +The primitive meal finished, the three friends remained seated and +discussed the future, which was now the all-important question before +them. + +"How long is this fog likely to last?" asked Fred. + +"No one can answer that," replied Jack; "a brisk wind may drive it +away, a rain would soon finish it, or it may go before colder weather, +or it may last several days." + +"Meanwhile we can do nothing but drift." + +"That's about all we can do any way," was the truthful remark of the +sailor; "we'll make the bear last as long as we can." + +"I think he will last a good while," observed Rob, with a +half-disgusted look at the carcass; "it will do when there's nothing +else to be had, but I never can fancy it without cooking." + +At that moment they received a startling shock. A peculiar shiver or +jar passed through the iceberg, as though from a prodigious blow that +was felt through every part--an impossible occurrence. + +"What can that mean?" asked the lads, in consternation. + +"By the great horned spoon!" was the reply of the frightened Jack; "I +hope we won't feel it again." + +"But what is it?" + +"The berg scraped the bottom of the sea just then. There it goes +again!" + +A shock, fully as violent as before, went through and through the vast +mass of ice. It lasted only a second or two, but the sensations of the +party were like those of the housekeeper who wakes in the night, to +feel his dwelling swaying under the grasp of the earthquake. + +None needed to be told of the possible consequences of drifting into +shallow water. If the base of the iceberg, extending far down into the +depths of the ocean, should strike some projecting mountain peak of +the deep, or a plateau, the berg was liable to overturn, with an +appalling rush, beyond the power of mind to conceive. In such an event +there was no more chance of the party saving themselves than there +would be in the crater of a bursting volcano. + +Well might they look blankly in each other's faces, for they were +helpless within the grasp of a power that was absolutely resistless. + +They sat silent and waiting, but, as minute after minute passed, +without the shock being repeated, hope returned, and they ventured to +speak in undertones, as though fearful that the sound of their voices +would precipitate the calamity. + +"That satisfies me I was right," said Jack, compressing his lips and +shaking his head. + +"In what respect?" asked Fred. + +"We're drifting toward the North Pole, and we are not far from the +Greenland coast." + +"But are there not shallow places in the ocean, hundreds of miles from +land, where such a great iceberg as this might touch bottom?" + +"Yes, but there are not many in this part of the world. The thing may +swing out of this current, or get into another which will start it +southward, but I don't believe it has done it yet." + +"Sailing on an iceberg is worse than I imagined," was the comment of +Rob; "I'm more anxious than ever to leave this; it isn't often that a +passenger feels like complaining of the bigness of the craft that +bears him over the deep, but that's the trouble in this case." + +"If the capsize does come," said Jack, "it will be the end of us; we +would be buried hundreds of fathoms under the ice." + +"There can be no doubt of that, but I say, Jack, isn't there something +off yonder? I can't make it out, but it seems to me that it is more +than the fog." + +While the three were talking, Fred Warburton was seated so as to face +the open sea, the others being turned sideways and giving no heed to +that point of the compass. + +It will be remembered that at this time they were inclosed in the +all-pervading fog, which prevented them seeing as far as the length of +the mountain of ice on which they were seated. Turning toward the +water and peering outward, they saw the cause of the boy's question. +The vapor itself appeared to be assuming shape, vague, indistinct, +undefined, and almost invisible, but nevertheless perceptible to all. + +The sailor was the first to see what it meant. Leaping to his feet he +emitted his favorite exclamation: + +"By the great horned spoon! it's another berg!" + +With awful slowness and certainty the mass of fog disclosed more and +more distinctly the misty contour that had caught the eye of Fred +Warburton. At first it was like a pile of denser fog, rolling along +the surface of the sea, but the outlines became more distinct each +moment, until the form of an iceberg was clearly marked in the wet +atmosphere. + +The new one was much smaller than that upon which they were afloat, +but it was of vast proportions for all that, enough to crush the +largest ship that ever floated, as though it were but a toy in its +path. + +But the fearful fact about its appearance was that the two bergs were +approaching each other, under the influence of adverse currents! + +A collision was inevitable, and the boys contemplated it with hardly +less dismay than they did the overturning of the larger one a short +time before. + +"This is no place for us!" called out Jack, the moment after his +exclamation; "let's get out!" + +He started up the path from which the polar bear had come, with his +young friends at his heels. They did not stop until they could go no +farther, when they turned about and shudderingly awaited the +catastrophe that was at hand. + +Their withdrawal from the edge of the iceberg to a point some distance +away dimmed their vision, but the smaller berg was easily +distinguished through the obscurity. + +The two continued to approach with a slowness that could hardly have +caused a shock in a couple of ships, but where the two masses were so +enormous the momentum was beyond calculation. + +The frightful crisis was not without its grim humor. The boys braced +themselves against the expected crash as if in a railway train with a +collision at hand. They lost sight of the fact that no force in nature +could produce any such sudden jarring and jolting as they apprehended. + +The two bergs seemed to be lying side by side, within a few inches +really, but without actually touching. + +"Why don't they strike?" asked Rob, in an awed whisper. + +"There it comes!" exclaimed Fred; "hold fast!" + +The smaller berg was seen to sway and bow, as if that, too, had swept +against the bottom of the sea, and it was shaken through every part. + +But amazing fact to the lads! they felt only the slightest possible +tremor pass through the support upon which they had steadied +themselves against the expected shock. + +The smaller berg acted like some monster that has received a mortal +hurt. It seemed to be striving to disentangle itself from the fatal +embrace of its conqueror, but was unable to do so. Nearly conical in +shape, a peak rose more than a hundred feet in air, ending in a +tapering point almost as delicate as a church spire. + +The crash of the immense bodies caused the breaking off of this icy +monument a couple of rods from the top, and the mass, weighing many +tons toppled over and fell upon the larger berg with a violence that +shattered it into thousands of fragments, bits of which were carried +to the feet of the awed party. Then, as if the smaller one saw that it +was idle to resist longer, it began moving with the larger, which +forced it along its own course as a tug pushes a floating chip in +front of it. + +The danger was over, if, indeed, there had been any danger. It was a +minute or two before the boys comprehended it all, but when Rob did, +he sprang to his feet and swung his cap over his head. + +"Hurrah for our side! We beat 'em hands down!" + +"I fancy it is quite safe to count on our keeping the right of way," +added Fred, whose mental relief at the outcome was as great as his +companion's. "I thought we would be tumbled about when the two came +together, as if we were in an overturned wagon, but I can understand +now how that could never be." + +"But wait till we butt against an iceberg bigger than ours," said Rob, +with a shake of his head. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE SOUND OF A VOICE + + +For hours the fog showed no signs of lifting. The three remained +seated near the carcass of the polar bear, discussing the one question +that had already been discussed so long, until there really seemed +nothing left to say. + +Not long after the collision between the icebergs a singular thing +took place. It was evident that the two were acted upon each by a +diverse current, but the preponderating bulk of the greater was not +disturbed by the smaller. The latter, however, as if anxious to break +away from its master, began slowly grinding along the face, until, +after awhile, it swung clear and gradually drifted out of sight in the +misty vapor. + +"She will know better than to tackle one bigger than herself," was the +remark of Rob Carrol, "which reminds me that if there should happen to +be a bigger iceberg than this floating around loose we sha'n't be in +any danger." + +"And why not?" + +"Because being so big it will be under the influence of the same +current as this and going in the same direction, so there won't be +much chance of our coming together." + +"Unless the big one should overtake us," suggested Fred. + +"Even then it would find it hard to run over us, so there isn't much +to be feared from that; what I do dread is that we shall strike some +shallow place in the sea that will make this thing turn a somersault." + +"It would be a terrible thing," said Fred, unable to drive it from his +thoughts. + +"Is it possible for the berg to strike something like that and stick +fast, without shifting its centre of gravity?" + +The question was addressed to Jack Cosgrove, but he did not attempt to +answer until the last clause was explained to him. + +"Oh! yes; that has been seen many times. A berg will ground itself +just like a boat, and stay for days and weeks until a storm breaks it +up, or it shakes itself loose. I don't believe if we do strike bottom +again that there's much danger of capsizing." + +"Why didn't you tell us that before?" asked Rob, reprovingly; "we +might have been saved all this worry." + +"It's only guesswork, any way, so you may as well keep on worrying, +for, somehow or other, you seem to enjoy it." + +"I think there is a thinning of the fog," remarked Fred, some time +later. + +"A little, but not much; it's growing colder, too; we'll run into keen +weather afore reaching the Pole." + +"I shouldn't wonder if it came pretty soon. Hello!" added Rob, looking +at his watch; "it is past noon." + +"Do you want your dinner?" asked Jack, with a grin. + +Both lads gave an expression of disgust, the elder replying: + +"I can stand it for twenty-four hours before hankering for another +slice of bear steak, and I shouldn't be surprised if Fred feels the +same way." + +"You are correct, my friend." + +"Ah, you chaps can get used to anything!" was the self-complacent +remark of the sailor, as he assumed a comfortable attitude on the ice. + +While the boys talked thus, Jack was carefully noting the weather. He +saw with pleasure that the fog was steadily clearing, and that, before +night, the atmosphere was likely to be wholly clear again. That fact +might avail them nothing, but it was a thousand-fold better than the +mist, in which they might drift within a hundred feet of friends +without either party suspecting it. + +From what has been told, it will be understood that no one of the +three built any hope of a rescue by the "Nautilus." The violent gale +had driven her miles away, and a search on her part for this +particular iceberg would be like the hunt of one exploring party for +another that had been lost years before. + +But it was not to be supposed that Captain McAlpine would quietly +dismiss all care concerning the lads from his mind. One of them was a +son of a leading director of the Hudson Bay Company, and the other was +a favorite of the son and his father. For the skipper to return to +London at the end of several months with the report that he had left +them on an iceberg in the Greenland Sea would be likely to subject him +to unpleasant consequences. + +The most natural course of the captain, as it seemed to the sailor, +after making the best search he could, was to put into some of the +towns along the coast, and organize several parties to go out in +search of them. + +"He is no fool," thought Jack, as he turned the subject over in his +mind without speaking, "and he must have took the bearings of the ship +and the berg as I did. He won't be able to keep track of us, but he +will know better than to sail exactly in the wrong direction, as most +other folks would do. Yes," he remarked to his friends, as he looked +off over the sea, "the weather is clearing and the fog will be all +gone before night." + +This was gratifying information, though neither youth could tell +precisely why it should give them special ground for hope. + +You will understand one of the trials of the boys when adrift on the +iceberg. The latter was moving slowly, and, though in a direction +different from the surface current, yet it was barely perceptible. No +other objects were in sight than the berg itself, which gave the +impression to the passengers that it was motionless on the vasty deep. +You know how much harder it is to wait in a train at a station than it +is in one in motion. If they could have realized that the berg was +actually moving, no matter in what direction, the relief would have +been great. As it was, they felt as though they were simply waiting, +waiting for they knew not what. + +The afternoon was more than two-thirds gone when the last vestige of +the fog vanished. The sun shone out, and, looking off to sea, the +power of the eye itself was the only limit to the vision. + +Without explaining the meaning of his action, Jack Cosgrove made his +way down the path to the place where they had spent most of the +preceding night, and climbing upon a slight elevation, stood for a +full minute looking fixedly off over the sea. He shaded his eyes +carefully with his hand, and stood as motionless as a stone statue. + +"He either sees or expects to see something," said Rob, who, like his +companion, was watching him with much interest. + +"He is so accustomed to the ocean that his eyes are better than ours," +said Fred. + +"I can't make out anything." + +Suddenly Jack struck his thigh with his right hand and wheeled about, +showing a face aglow with feeling. + +"By the great horned spoon, I knowed it." + +"What have you discovered, Jack?" + +"You chaps just come this way," he said, crooking his stubby +forefinger toward them, "and put yourself alongside of me and take the +sharpest squint you can right over yonder." + +Doing as directed, they finally agreed, after some hard looking, that +they saw what seemed to be a long, low, white cloud in the horizon. + +"That's Greenland," was the astonishing reply; "I don't know what +part, but it's solid airth with snow on it." + +This was interesting, indeed, though it was still difficult to +understand what special hope the fact held out to them. + +It seemed to grow slightly more distinct as the afternoon advanced. +Since it was hardly to be supposed that the iceberg was approaching +land, this was undoubtedly caused by the contour of the coast. + +When night began closing in the party fired their guns repeatedly, +thinking possibly the reports might attract notice from some of the +natives fishing in the vicinity. The chance, however, was so +exceedingly slight that they made preparations for spending the night +as before--that is, huddled together against the projecting ice. There +was hardly a breath of air stirring, though the temperature continued +falling. + +"I hear it!" exclaimed Fred, starting to his feet, within five minutes +after seating themselves as described. + +"What's that?" asked the amazed Rob; "are you crazy?" + +"Listen!" + +They did so. There was no mistake about it. They caught the sound of a +vigorously moved paddle, and, had any doubt remained, it was +dissipated by the loud call in a peculiar voice, and with an odd +accent: + +"Holloa! holloa! holloa!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +LAND HO! + + +The boys could hardly credit their senses. Just as they had settled +themselves to spend another long, dismal night on the iceberg, the +sound of a paddle broke upon their ears, followed, the next moment, by +a hail in unmistakable English. + +"It's Captain McAlpine or one of the men!" exclaimed Rob, breaking +into such a headlong rush down the incline that it threatened to +precipitate him into the sea before he could check himself. + +Fred was at his heels, and Jack tumbled against him. He knew that that +voice was no Caucasian's. Despite the English word, he recognized it +as belonging to a native Esquimau. + +"We're coming!" called back Jack, in turn; "just hold on a few minutes +and we'll be there--by the great horned spoon!" + +He bumped flat on his back, and shot down the incline so fast that he +knocked the heels from under Fred, and the two, impinging against Rob, +prostrated him also, the three shooting forward like so many sleighs +going down a toboggan slide. + +"Never mind, lads; we'll stop when we strike water," called the +sailor, so pleased that he recked little of the consequences. All the +same, however, each exerted himself desperately to stop, and, barely +succeeded in doing so, on the very edge of the incline. + +Then they perceived one of the long, narrow native boats, known as a +kayak, drawn up alongside the wharf, as it may be called, with the +Esquimau in the act of stepping out. + +He contemplated the sight in silent wonderment, for, it is safe to +say, he had never been approached in that fashion before. + +Jack was the first to recover the perpendicular, and he impulsively +reached out his mittened hand to the native, who was clad in furs, +with a short jacket and a hood, which covered all his head, excepting +the front of his face. + +"How do you do, my hearty? I never was so glad to see any one in my +life as I am to see you." + +"Glad to meet you," replied the Esquimau, somewhat abashed by the +effusive greeting; "where you come from?" + +"From the iceberg," and then reflecting that this good friend was +entitled to a full explanation, the sailor added: + +"We visited this berg, yesterday, from the ship "Nautilus;" our boat +was carried away before we knew it, and the gale drove the ship so far +out of her course that we haven't seen a thing of her since. How came +you to know we were here?" + +"Heard gun go off--didn't know where it be--hear it again--then know +it here--then come to you." + +"Were you ashore?" + +"Started out to fish--you go ashore with me?" + +"You can just bet we will; your kayak is strong enough to take us all, +isn't it?" + +"If sit still--make no jump," was the reply of the native, who was +plainly pleased at the part of the good Samaritan he was playing. + +"These are my friends, Rob Carrol and Fred Warburton," said Jack, +introducing the lads, each of whom shook the hand of the native, whom +they felt like embracing in a transport of pleasure. + +Since the native had come out for the purpose of taking them off, +there was no delay in embarking. The long boat, which the Esquimau +handled with such skill, was taxed to carry the unusual load, and Jack +suggested that he should wait till the boys were taken ashore, when +the native could return for him, but their friend said that was +unnecessary, and, inasmuch as the land was fully three miles distant, +the task would have been a severe one. The sea was not ugly, and the +Esquimau assured them there would be no trouble in landing them +safely, if they "dressed" carefully and guarded against any sudden +shifting of position. + +All understood the situation too well to make any mistake in this +respect, and, in a few minutes, everything was in readiness. The +native sat in the middle of the boat and swayed his long paddle with a +dexterity that aroused the admiration of his passengers. It was not +the kind of paddling to which Jack Cosgrove was accustomed, though he +could have picked it up with readiness, and he was just the one to +appreciate work of that kind. + +Rob was nearest the prow, and, as the craft whirled about and headed +toward land, he caught a shower of spray which was dashed over his +clothing and in his face. That, however, meant nothing, and he gave no +heed to it. Immediately the craft was skimming over the waves at a +speed of fully five knots. + +The occasion was hardly one for conversation, and Rob cautiously moved +sideways and turned his head, so as to watch the advance. The weather, +as will be remembered, was perfectly clear; the stars were shining and +he could see for a considerable way over the water. + +It was trying to the nerves of so brave a lad as he to observe a huge +wave rushing like a courser straight toward them and looking as if +nothing could save the boat from swamping; but, under the consummate +handling of its owner, it arose to meet the wall of water and rode it +easily. Then, as it plunged into the trough on the other side, it +seemed as if about to dive into the depths of the sea, but immediately +arose again with inimitable grace and readiness. + +Then, perhaps, would follow a short distance of comparatively smooth +water, quickly succeeded by the plunging and rising as before. + +All at once the surface became smooth. Before Rob could guess its +meaning something grated against the front of the kayak and slid along +the side, followed by another and another. The native slowed his +paddling and pushed on with extreme care. + +He had entered a field of floating ice, through which it was necessary +to force his way with all caution. This was proven by the many turns +he made, and it was then that his skill showed in a more striking +light than before. + +He sat facing the prow and was obliged to look over the head of Rob +and along each side of him. His quick eye took in the size and contour +of the drift ice, and, hardly checking his own progress, he shot to +the right, then to the left, turning so quickly that the bodies of his +passengers swayed under the sudden impulse, but all the time he +continued his advance, apparently with undiminished speed. + +Meanwhile Jack Cosgrove, from his seat at the rear, was looking still +farther ahead in the effort to gain sight of the welcome land, which +never was so dear to him as when on the iceberg. Once he fancied he +caught the twinkle of a light so low down that it was on shore, but it +vanished quickly and he believed he was mistaken. + +It was not long, however, before his penetrating vision discovered +that for which he was yearning. The unmistakable outline of the coast +arose to view, rising gradually from the edge of the water until lost +in the gloom beyond. It was white with snow, as a matter of course, +the depth probably being several feet. The sight of any considerable +portion of Greenland free of its snowy mantle would be a sight, +indeed. + +The floating ice continued all the way to land, and the closer the +latter was approached the more difficult became the progress. But the +native was equal to the task. He had been through it too often to +hesitate more than a few seconds when some larger obstacle than usual +interposed across his path. It was very near land that the greatest +peril of all was encountered. The kayak glided over a cake of ice, the +Esquimau believing it would pass readily underneath the craft and out +beyond the stern, but its buoyancy was greater than he supposed, and +it swayed the boat with such force that it came within a hair of +capsizing. + +"All right!" he called, cheerily, righting the craft with several +quick, powerful strokes of his paddle. Then he shot between two other +enormous cakes, wedged his way through a narrow passage, and the prow +crunched into the snow that came down to the water's edge. + +"Here we are, and thank the Lord!" called out Rob, leaping with a +single bound upon the solid earth; "I feel like giving three cheers, +for if ever Providence favored a lot of scamps, we are the ones." + +Fred followed as the kayak turned sideways, so as to permit all to +step out, but Jack paused, opposite the native, and peered into his +face. Something in the Esquimau's voice struck him as familiar. + +"What's your name?" he asked, still scrutinizing him as closely as he +could in the gloom. + +"Docak," was the reply. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +DOCAK AND HIS HOME + + +"By the great horned spoon, I suspected it! Docak, I'm mighty glad to +see you; I'm Jack Cosgrove, and put it there!" + +The native was not so demonstrative as his English friend, but he +certainly was as delighted and surprised to meet him in this +extraordinary manner as was the sailor to meet him. + +They shook hands heartily, and Docak indulged in his peculiar laugh, +which was accompanied by little, if any noise, but was indicative of +genuine pleasure. + +The reader will recall that this was the second time Docak had rescued +Jack Cosgrove, the other instance having occurred a number of years +before, when Captain McAlpine's ship was destroyed by collision with +an iceberg. + +"You're my guardian angel!" was the exclamation of the happy sailor; +"I might have known that if anybody was to save us you was the chap to +do it. Come up here, boys, and shake hands with Docak ag'in, for he's +one of the best fellows living." + +Rob and Fred were only too glad to do as invited, and cordial +relations were at once established. + +"Is your home where it was when I was here last?" Jack asked. + +"Yes, off dere," replied Docak, turning about and pointing inland; +"not far--soon get dere." + +Jack gave a low whistle expressive of astonishment. + +"Now, lads," he said, addressing the youths, "I rather think you'll +own that Jack Cosgrove knows a thing or two about icebergs." + +"I think Fred and I have also learned something, but what are you +driving at?" + +"We're well up toward Davis Strait, and there's more than a hundred +miles of Greenland coast to the south of us. That old berg has struck +a bee line for the North Pole, but it won't reach there, eh, Docak?" + +"No; soon turn around--go back." + +"Now, isn't that one of the strangest things you ever heard of, lads? +The place where the 'Mary Jane' went down, afore that berg, three +years ago, was mighty nigh the very spot where Docak found us. I +remember he brought us ashore in his kayak--" + +"Dis same boat," interrupted the native with a grin, perceptible in +the twilight. + +"There you are, and, if he keeps on, I'll begin to think that one of +you chaps is Captain McAlpine himself, and the other Bill Hardin, who +was saved with us." + +"It is a most remarkable coincidence," said Fred, and Rob added that +he had never read or heard anything like it. + +But it occurred to Docak that he was not acting the part of hospitable +host, by keeping his friends standing on the edge of the sea, while +the reminiscences went on. He stooped and drew his boat far up the +bank. The tide was at its height, so there was no fear of its playing +the trick our friends had suffered. Then he turned about and started +inland, the others following in Indian file. + +He was treading a path, a foot or more deep in the snow, and worn as +hard as a rock. The ascent was gentle, and a hundred yards from the +shore he arrived at the entrance to his home, where a surprise awaited +the boys. + +When seen for the first time the hut of the Esquimaux suggest the sod +houses common on the Western plains of our country, except that the +homes of the far North are entered by means of a burrow. Where such +frightful cold reigns for months every year the first consideration +with the native is to secure protection against it; everything is +sacrificed to that. + +The walls are of alternate layers of stone and sod, and are about +three feet in thickness. The highest clear space within is from four +to five feet. The building contains an entry-way, a kitchen, and a +living room. The entry is four or five yards in length, two feet or +less wide, and no more than a yard in height. It will thus be seen +that even a small boy would have to stoop to pass through it, while +the interior of the hut itself will not allow a full-grown Esquimau to +stand erect. To this fact may be attributed in some degree the stoop +shoulders so common among the men. + +Half-way between the beginning of the entry and the main rooms was an +opening leading to the kitchen. This was small, shaped like a +bee-hive, and with a hole at the apex for the escape of the smoke. The +floor was bare ground, the hearth consisting of a number of stones +placed close together, on which the iron kettles sat, while the fire +of driftwood burned beneath. The height of the kitchen is less than +that of the main room, so that only the women can stand erect in the +highest portion. + +When the weather is very severe the cooking is done in the main room, +by means of the big oil-lamp, while the thick walls and the heavy furs +of the inmates enable them to laugh at the raging blizzard outside. + +It was along such a passage as the one described that Docak led the +way, followed by Jack Cosgrove, Rob, and Fred, each trailing his +rifle, and happy beyond measure that everything with them had turned +out so well. + +The main room into which the little party entered was about four yards +square. It had a board floor and a ceiling--luxuries not generally +found in the native homes except in the settlements. The walls were +furred off and ceiled, and the spaces closely stuffed with moss. The +wall on the right of the main room had a single window with twelve +panes of glass. + +The main room was the most interesting part of the structure. Along +the front of the window ran a wooden bench, near the end of which, +toward the entrance, stood a Danish stove. In the corner beyond the +other end of the bench was a table. To the left of that was the +lamp-stand, directly opposite to which on the other side of the room +was a second and shorter bench. + +The whole left-hand side of the room, as you entered, consisted of a +platform, about six feet long. It was elevated a foot above the floor, +the side next to the wall being a few inches higher. At night it was +covered with feather beds, which are rolled back during the day, so +that the front may be used for other purposes. The lamp used in the +Esquimau houses is simply a large, green stone, with a hollow scooped +in the top. This contains seal oil, a piece of moss serving as a wick. + +It may be well to tell you something in this place about the dress of +the Esquimaux, referring now to those who live near the settlements, +most of whom are of mixed blood. In the interior, and, along the east +coast of Greenland, are met the wild natives, who are muffled in the +thickest furs, and bear little resemblance to the class to which Docak +and his acquaintances belonged. + +These men wore jackets, trousers, moccasins, and generally +undershirts, drawers, and socks. The rule is for them to go +bareheaded, though a hat or cap is frequently seen. The clothing, +except the moccasins, is made from woolen or cotton stuff, bought off +the Danish Governor. + +The jacket is of gingham, with sleeves and a hood that can be drawn +over the head, and fitted in place by drawing and tying a string that +passes under the chin. When venturing out in his kayak, or in severe +weather, Docak, like most of his friends, wore a jacket and hood +combined. This was of sealskin, with the leather side out. The +trousers are constructed of the same material with the hair out. +Sometimes they are lined with sealskin, with the hair in. + +The moccasins are well-shaped sealskin boots, reaching nearly to the +knees. When the socks are not woolen, the hair is turned toward the +skin. The mittens are of seal leather, with no hair on either side, +and are much inferior to many of our own country, for purposes of +warmth and comfort. + +The Esquimau women are shorter of stature than the men, and walk with +short, mincing steps, showing a stoop similar to their husbands. They +have small hands and feet, with faces that any one would pronounce +good looking. They comb their hair to an apex, which, if the woman is +married, is tied with a blue ribbon; if a widow, with black; and if a +maiden, with green. + +The females generally wear collars of beads, with lace-work patterns +and vivid colors. The waist is generally of woolen stuff, and here the +same fondness for bright colors displays itself. It has no buttons, +and is donned and doffed by passing over the head, and is fastened at +the waist with a belt. Then come a pair of short trousers of sealskin, +which are tastefully ornamented. Below these are the long-legged +moccasins, also ornamented by the deft handiwork of the native owners. +The dress of the children is the same as the parents. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +A NEW EXPEDITION + + +Docak had no children, the single son born to him ten years before +having died in infancy. His wife was about his age, and had noticeably +lighter skin and bright brown eyes. It was evident that she had more +white blood in her veins than her husband, who was of mixed breed. + +Docak did not knock before entering. His wife was trimming the lamp at +the moment, and looked around to see whom he had brought with him. She +must have felt surprised, but, if so, she concealed all evidence of +it. She smiled in her pleasant way, showing her fine white teeth, and +said in a low, soft voice, "Con-ji-meet," which is the native word for +welcome. + +Her first curiosity was concerning the boys, with whom she shook +hands, but, when she turned to the grinning Jack, she made no effort +to hide her astonishment, for he had addressed her by name. + +"Crestana, I guess you haven't forgot Jack Cosgrove?" + +"Oh! oh! oh! dat you--much glad! much glad!" she said, laughing more +heartily than her husband had done. + +She was very vivacious, and, though she could not speak the English +tongue as well as he, she made it up by her earnestness. + +"So glad--much glad--whale kill vessel ag'in? Docak bring no ice? +Where capen? How you be? Crestana glad to see you--yes, heap much +glad." + +"By the great horned spoon," said Jack, holding the small hand of +Crestana in his hearty grasp, and looking around at the others with +one of his broadest grins; "the women are the same the world over; +they can talk faster than a Greenland harrycane, and when they're glad +they're glad all over, and clean through. Docak, you're a purty good +chap, but you aint half good enough for such a wife as Crestana, and +that reminds me we're as hungry as git out." + +The wife evidently thought the sailor was a funny fellow, for she +broke into merry laughter again, and, disengaging her hand, hurried +into the kitchen, where she had been busying herself with her +husband's supper. + +The visitors, knowing how heartily welcome they were, seated +themselves on the benches, doffed their heavy outer clothing, and made +themselves as much at home as if in the cabin of the "Nautilus." They +leaned their rifles in the corner near the table, alongside of the +long muzzle-loader and several spears belonging to Docak. + +A large supply of dry driftwood was piled near the window, and from +this the native kept such a glow in the stove that the whole interior +was filled with grateful warmth. + +In the course of a few moments Crestana bustled in, her pretty teeth +showing between her lips as she chatted with Jack and her husband. She +drew the table out near the middle of the room, and quickly brought in +some fish, "done to a turn." She furnished coffee, too, and the three +guests who partook of her hospitality insist to this day that never in +the wide world will they ever taste such fragrant coffee and such +delicately-flavored fish as they feasted upon that night in Docak's +hut. But we must not forget that they had the best sauce ever +known--hunger. + +The meal was enlivened by lively conversation, in which Jack managed +to tell the story of the mishap that had befallen himself and +companions. She showed less interest in the boys than in the sailor, +though, as may be supposed, Rob and Fred were charmed with her +simplicity and good-nature. She placed spoons, knives and forks, cups, +saucers, and plates before them, and there was a neatness about +herself and the room which added doubly to its attractiveness, and did +much to enlighten the youths about these people, whom they supposed to +be barely half civilized. + +When the meal was finished, and the wife occupied herself in clearing +away things, Docak brought out a couple of pipes, filled with tobacco, +and offered one each to Rob and Fred. They, declining with thanks, he +did the same to Jack, who accepted one, and a minute later the two +were puffing away like a couple of veteran devotees of the weed. + +The boys felt some curiosity to learn how it was that Docak, whose +manner of living proved that he knew the ways of the more civilized +people among the settlements, made his home in this lonely place, far +removed from all neighbors. They could not learn everything that +evening but they ascertained it afterward. + +Docak had lived awhile in Invernik, and then took up his residence at +Ivigtut, where he lived until four or five years before Rob and Fred +met him. It was in the latter place he married Crestana, and it was +there that his only child died. + +The loss of the little one made him morose for awhile, and he got into +a difficulty with one of his people, in which, in the eyes of the law, +Docak was wholly to blame. He was punished, and, in resentment, he +withdrew to a place on the west coast, about sixty miles north of the +famous cryolite mines. There he lived, alone with his wife, as +serenely contented as he could be anywhere. He made occasional visits +to Ivigtut, to Invernik, Julianshaab, and other settlements, but it +was only for the purpose of getting ammunition and other supplies +which could be obtained in no other way. + +Docak was not only a skilled fisherman, but, what is rare among his +class of people, he was a great hunter. He was sometimes absent for +days at a time in the interior, traveling many miles on snow-shoes, +forcing his way over the icy mountains and braving the Arctic blasts +that had driven back many a hardy European from his search for the +North Pole. + +While he was absent his wife went about her duties with calm +contentment, where a more sensitive person would have gone out of her +mind from very loneliness and desolation. + +Our friends having effected their escape from the iceberg, it was time +to decide what next should be done. + +The most obvious course was to go to Ivigtut, where they could obtain +the means of returning to England, most likely by way of Denmark, and +possibly might hear something of the "Nautilus," if she had survived +the gale which caused her to part company with Jack and the boys. + +The kayak was strong enough to carry them, and Docak could make the +voyage in a couple of days. This Rob and Fred supposed would be the +plan adopted, but the native put another idea into their heads which +caused in a twinkling a radical change of programme, and brought an +experience to the two of which neither dreamed. + +While Docak and Jack sat beside each other on the longer bench, +smoking and talking, the native frequently cast admiring glances at +the rifles leaning against the wall in the corner. Finally he rose, +and, walking over, examined the three weapons, taking up each in turn +and holding it so the light from the lamp fell upon it. He was most +struck with Rob's, which had more ornamentation than the others. It +was a modern loader, but not a repeater. + +"He berry good," he remarked, setting it down again in the corner and +resuming his place on the bench beside his friend; "why you not go +hunting with me 'fore go to Ivigtut?" + +Jack saw the eyes of the boys sparkle at the suggestion. Why not, +indeed, go on a hunting excursion into the interior before they +returned to the settlement? What was to prevent? It would take but a +few days, and there is royal game to be found in Greenland. + +Docak explained that this was the time of the year when he was +accustomed to indulge in a long hunt. Twelve months before he had +brought down some animals rarely ever encountered in that portion of +the country, and he was hopeful of doing the same again, when he could +have his friends to help. + +So the matter needed only to be broached to be settled. The whole +party would go on a hunt, and they would start the following morning, +returning whenever they deemed best, and then making their way to +Ivigtut at a leisurely rate, set about their return home, if that +should be deemed the best course. + +The warmth and smoke in the room led the boys to decide to step +outside a brief while, to inhale the crisp air, and, inviting Fred to +follow, Rob sprang up and hurried in a stooping posture through the +long entry-way. Fred stopped a minute in the road to peep through the +opening into the kitchen, where the thrifty housewife was busy. + +She smiled pleasantly at him, and he might have lingered had he not +heard the voice of his friend. + +"Hurry out, Fred! Here's the most wonderful sight you ever saw. Quick, +or you will lose it!" + +Fred lost no time in rushing after Rob, whose excitement was fully +justified. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +A WONDERFUL EXHIBITION + + +Unto no one, excepting him who journeys far into the Northland, is +given it to view such an amazing picture as was now spread out before +the enraptured gaze of Rob Carrol and Fred Warburton. In Northern +Siberia, the Scandinavian Peninsula, the upper portion of the American +Continent, and the Arctic Sea, the traveler learns in all its +wonderful fullness of glory the meaning of the Aurora Borealis or +Northern Lights. + +The boys had had partial glimpses of the scene on their voyage through +the Greenland Sea, and there were flickerings of light which caught +their eye on the trip from the iceberg to the mainland, and the short +walk to Docak's hut, but it was during their short stay in the rude +dwelling that the mysterious scene-shifters of the skies unfolded +their magnificent panorama in all its overwhelming grandeur. + +Radiating from a huge nucleus, which seemed to be the North Pole +itself, shot the streamers of light, so vast in extent that their +extremities struck the zenith, withdrawing with lightning-like +quickness, and succeeded by others with the same celerity and +displaying all the vivid hues of the rainbow. + +At times these dartings resembled immense spears, and then they +changed to bands of light, turning again into ribbons which shivered +and hovered in the sky, with bewildering variation, turning and +doubling upon themselves, spreading apart like an immense fan, and +then trembling on the very verge of the horizon, as if about to vanish +in the darkness of night. + +At the moment the spectators held their breath, fearing that the +celestial display was ended; the streamers, spears, bands of violet, +indigo, blue, orange, red, green, and yellow, with the innumerable +shades, combinations, and mingling of colors, shot out and spread over +the sky like the myriad rays of the setting sun. + +This continued for several minutes, marked by irregular degrees of +intensity, so impressive in its splendor that neither lad spoke, for +he could make no comment upon the exhibition, the like of which is +seen nowhere else in nature. + +But once both gave a sigh of amazed delight when a ribbon, combining +several vivid colors, quivered, danced, and streamed far beyond the +zenith, with a wary appearance that suggested that some giant, +standing upon the extreme northern point of the earth, had suddenly +unrolled this marvelous ribbon and was waving it in the eyes of an +awestruck world. + +One of the most striking features of those mysterious electrical +phenomena known as the Northern Lights is the absolute silence which +accompanies them. The genius of man can never approach in the smallest +degree the beauties of the picture without some noise, but here nature +performs her most wonderful feat in utter stillness. The panorama may +unfold, roll together, spread apart again with dazzling brilliancy and +suddenness, but the strained ear catches no sound, unless dissociated +altogether from the phenomenon itself, such as the soft sighing of the +Arctic wind over the wastes of snow, or through the grove of solemn +pines. + +There were moments when the effulgence spread over the earth, like the +rays of the midnight sun, and the lads, standing in front of the +primitive dwelling of the Esquimau, resembled a couple of figures +stamped in ink in the radiant field. + +For nearly an hour the rapt spectators stood near the entrance to the +native dwelling, insensible to the extreme cold, and too profoundly +impressed to speak or stir; but the heavens had given too great a +wealth of splendor, brilliancy, color, and celestial scene-shifting to +continue it long. The subtle exchange of electrical conditions must +have reached something like an equipoise, and the overwhelming beauty +and grandeur exhausted itself. + +The ribbons and streamers that had been darting to and beyond the +zenith, shortened their lightning excursions into space, leaping forth +at longer intervals and to a decreasing distance, until they ceased +altogether, displaying a few flickerings in the horizon, as though +eager to bound forth again, but restrained by a superior hand with the +command, "Enough for this time." + +Fred drew a deep sigh. + +"I never dreamed that anywhere in the world one could see such a sight +as that." + +"It is worth a voyage from home a hundred times over, and I don't +regret our stay on the iceberg, for we would have been denied it +otherwise." + +"If there are any people living near the North Pole, it must be like +dwelling in another world. I don't see how they stand it." + +"I believe that the Northern Lights have their origin between here and +the Pole," said Fred; "though I am not sure of that." + +"The magnetic pole, which must be the source of the display, is south +of the earth's pole, and I suppose that's the reason for the belief +you mention. But it is enough to fill one with awe, when he gazes on +the scene and reflects that the world is one great reservoir of +electricity, which, if left free for a moment by its Author, would +shiver the globe into nothingness, and leave only an empty void where +the earth swung before." + +"I pity the man who says, 'There is no God,' or who can look unmoved +to the very depths of his soul by such displays of infinite power." + +"There are no such persons," exclaimed Rob, impatiently; "they may +repeat the words, because they think it brave and smart before their +companions, but they don't believe themselves. It is impossible." + +"Why didn't we think to tell Jack and Docak, that they might have +enjoyed the scene with us?" + +"The native Esquimaux see it too often to care about it. It is hard to +understand how any one can become accustomed to it, but we know it is +so. As for Jack, he must have looked upon it many times before, when +he was in this latitude. Gracious! but it has become cold," added Rob, +with a shiver. + +"It isn't any colder than it has been all the evening, but we forgot +about it while the exhibition was going on." + +The boys turned about, and, ducking their heads, made their way along +the long entry, quickly debouching into the warmth and glow of the +living room, where Docak and the sailor, having laid away their pipes, +were talking like a couple of old friends who had not seen each other +for years and were exchanging experiences. Crestana had finished her +work in the kitchen and joined them. She was sitting on the shorter +bench, and, like a thrifty housewife, was engaged in repairing some of +her husband's bulky garments, with big needles and coarse thread. + +She looked up with her pleasant smile, as the boys entered, their +bodies shivering and their teeth chattering from the extreme cold. + +"You chaps must have found it mighty pleasant out-doors," remarked the +sailor. + +"Ah! Jack, if you had been with us, you would have seen a sight worth +a journey around the world." + +"What was it? Another polar bear, or two of them?" + +"The Northern Lights, and O--" + +"The Northern Lights," interrupted their friend, with a sniff of +disgust; "is that all?" + +The boys looked at him, too horrified to speak. + +"I'll own that they are rather purty, and the first two or three times +a chap looks onto 'em he is apt to hold his breath, and rub his eyes, +but, when you've seed 'em as often as me, it'll get to be an old +story. Besides Docak and me had more important bus'ness to talk +about." + +"What was that?" + +"This hunting trip; it's all fixed." + +"When do we start?" + +"To-morrow morning. There's no saying how long we'll be gone, and I've +told him that it doesn't make any difference to us, so we get back +some time this year." + +"Can we travel without snow-shoes?" + +"Luckily we can, for Docak has only two pair. This fog and a little +rain we've had have formed a crust on the snow hard enough to bear a +reindeer, so that we can travel over it as easy as if it were solid +ice. The only thing to be feared is another deep fall of snow afore we +can get back. That would make hard traveling, but then a hunter must +take some risk and who cares? We may see sights and meet fun that will +last us a lifetime." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +THE HERD OF MUSK OXEN + + +One of the most interesting animals found in the frozen regions of the +North is the musk ox, his favorite haunt being on the mainland of the +Continent in the neighborhood of the Arctic circle, though he is +occasionally met in Greenland. + +The fact that the animal has no muzzle has led some naturalists to +separate him from the ox species and give him the name of Ovibos. He +is smaller in size than his domestic brother, very low on his legs, +and covered with a wealth of wool and dark brown hair, which, during +the cold weather, almost touches the ground. A whitish spot on the +back is called the saddle, though it is not to be supposed that it is +ever intended for that purpose. + +One of the most striking features of the musk ox is his horns, which +sometimes weigh fifty or sixty pounds. They are flattened at the base, +the flat sides turned outward, and form a sort of shield or protection +for the face. + +At certain seasons he is one of the most odoriferous animals in +creation. During the spring the musky odor is so strong that it can be +detected on the first knife thrust into his body. At other seasons it +is hardly perceptible, and the eating is excellent. + +Although his legs are so short he can travel swiftly, and shows a +facility in climbing mountains that no one would suspect on looking at +the animal the first time. It suggests the chamois in this respect. He +feeds on lichens during a part of the year, and on grass and moss +during the rest. + +Some distance back of the native Esquimau's hut, the land inclined +upward, becoming quite rough and mountainous not far from the coast. + +It was among these wild hilly regions that a herd of musk oxen, +numbering eleven, were browsing one afternoon, with no thought of +disturbance from man or beast. Perhaps the last should be excepted, +for the oxen are accustomed to herd together for the purpose of mutual +protection against the ravening wolves who would make short work of +one or two of them, when detached from the main herd. But it is not to +be supposed that the thought of bipedal foes entered their thick +skulls, for the Esquimau is not a hunter as a rule, and confines his +operations to fishing in the waters near his home. + +The herd referred to had gradually worked their way upward among the +mountains, until they reached a plateau, several acres in extent. +There a peculiar swirling gale had, at some time or other, swept most +of the space quite clear of snow, and left bare the stubby grass and +moss, which, at certain seasons, formed the only sustenance of the +animals. + +It was a lucky find for the oxen, for in the far North, with its ice +and snow, it is an eternal battle between the wild animals and +starvation, the victory not infrequently being with the latter. It was +rare that the oxen found food so plentiful, and they were certain to +remain there, if permitted, until hardly a spear was left for those +who might come after them. + +The largest ox of the party was grazing along the upper edge of the +plateau, some rods removed from the others. He had struck a spot where +the grass and moss were more abundant, and he was putting in his best +work. + +Suddenly he caught a suspicious sound. Throwing up his head, with the +food dripping from the motionless jaws, he stared in the direction +whence it came, possibly with the fear of wolves. + +Instead of seeing one of the latter he descried an object fully as +terrifying in the shape of a young man, clad in thick clothing from +head to foot, and with a rifle in his hands. The name of this young +man was Fred Warburton, and he had reached this advantageous spot +after long and careful climbing from the plain below. He was studying +the creatures closely, now that he had succeeded in gaining a nearer +view, for, on the way thither, Docak had told him much concerning +them, and they had become objects of great interest. + +Fred was alone, and had spent several minutes in surveying the brutes +before he coughed with the purpose of attracting attention for a few +seconds. Then, slipping his mitten from his right hand, the lad +brought his rifle to his shoulder and sighted at the animal. + +He had forgotten to inquire at what part to aim, but it seemed to him +that the head was the most vulnerable, and he directed his weapon at a +point midway between the eyes and near the centre of the forehead. + +At the very instant of pressing the trigger the ox slightly lowered +his head, and, instead of boring its way through the skull, the bullet +impinged against the horny mass above, and glanced off without causing +injury. + +Fred was startled when he observed the failure, for his friends were +too far away to give him support, and it was necessary to place +another cartridge in the chamber of his weapon before it could be +used. He proceeded to do so, without stirring a foot, and with a +coolness which no veteran hunter ever excelled. + +But if Fred stood still the musk ox was very far from doing so. + +One glance only at the youth was enough, when, with a snort, he +whirled about, galloped a few paces, and then wheeled with marked +quickness, and faced the young hunter again. While engaged in this +performance his snortings drew the attention of his companions, who, +throwing up their heads, galloped to him, and the whole eleven +speedily stood side by side, facing the point whence the attack had +come. + +They were of formidable appearance, indeed, for, with lowered heads, +they pawed up the earth and began cautiously advancing upon the boy, +who had his cartridge in place and was ready for another shot. But +instead of one musk ox he was confronted by eleven! + +"My gracious!" he said to himself; "this is a larger contract than I +thought of. If they will only come at me one at a time I wouldn't +mind. I wonder where the other folks are?" + +He glanced right and left, but nothing was to be seen of Rob or Jack +or Docak. It looked as if a line of retreat should be provided, and he +ventured a glance to the rear. + +He saw a mass of rocks within a hundred yards, against which a good +deal of snow had been driven, and he concluded that that was the only +available refuge, with no certainty that it would prove a refuge at +all. + +"Being as I shall have to fetch up there to save myself, and being +that those beasts can travel faster than I, it wouldn't be a bad idea +to begin edging that way now." + +He would have been glad to whirl about and dash off, reserving his +shot until he reached the rocks, but for his belief that such an +attempt would be fatal to himself. Nothing encourages man or animal so +much as the sight of a flying foe, and he was sure that he would +instantly have the whole herd at his heels, and they would overhaul +him too before he could attain his shelter. + +It was a test of his nerves, indeed. There were eleven musk oxen, +heads lowered, eyes staring, with low, muttering bellows, pawing and +flinging the dirt behind them, while they continued advancing upon the +motionless lad, who, having but one shot immediately at command, +sought to decide where it could be sent so as to do the most good. + +The fellow at which he fired was the largest of the herd, and it was +plain to see that he was commander-in-chief. Upon receiving the shot +on his horns he had summoned his followers about him, and no doubt +told them of the outrage and whispered in their ears the single word +"Vengeance." + +It naturally struck Fred that the single shot should be directed at +the leader, for possibly, if he fell, the others would be thrown into +a panic and scatter. At any rate, it was the only hope, and, without +waiting a tenth part of the time it has taken us to tell it, he +brought his rifle to a level and aimed at the big fellow. + +The distance was so short that there was no excuse for repeating his +blunder, or, rather, accident. He sighted the best he knew how, and, +while the fellow was still pawing and advancing, let fly, hitting him +fairly between the eyes. + +The lad paused just long enough to learn that his shot was effective, +when he whirled on his heel, without waiting for more, and ran as he +never ran before. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +CLOSE QUARTERS + + +At this moment, when it would be thought that the incident was at its +most thrilling crisis, it assumed a ludicrous phase, at which any +spectator must have laughed heartily. + +Fred, as I have said, made for the protecting rocks, with all the +energy of which he was capable. On the way thither he dropped one +mitten, then his gun flew from his grasp, and a chill passed through +his frame, at the consciousness that he had lost his only means of +defense; but he dared not check himself long enough to pick it up, for +in fancy he heard the whole ten thundering after him and almost upon +his heels. + +The distance to travel was short, but it seemed twice its real extent, +and he feared he would never reach it. He was running for life, +however, and he got over the ground faster than would be supposed. +Panting and half-exhausted, he arrived at last, and darted +breathlessly behind the rugged mass of boulders. + +His heart almost gave way when he found it what he feared; a simple +pile of stones, partly covered with snow, but presenting nothing that +could be used for protection. The only portion was the top, but that +was too high for him to climb the perpendicular sides. + +It was at this moment he cast a terrified glance behind him, and +uttered the single exclamation: + +"Well, if that doesn't beat all creation!" + +What did he see? + +The whole ten musk oxen scampering in the opposite direction, +apparently in as great a panic as himself. + +The truth of it is the musk ox is one of the most cowardly animals in +existence. All the pawing of dirt, the bellowing, and threatening +advance upon an enemy is simply "bluff." At the first real danger he +takes himself off like the veritable booby that he is. + +As soon as Fred could recover his wind he broke into laughter at the +thought of his causeless scare. He might as well have stood his ground +and fired into them at his leisure. + +"I'm glad Rob didn't see me," he reflected as he came from behind the +rock and set out to regain his lost weapon and mitten; "he would have +had it on me bad--" + +A shiver ran through him, for he surely heard something like a chuckle +that had a familiar sound. + +He looked around, but could discover no cause for it. + +"No; it wouldn't have done for him or Jack to have had a glimpse of me +running away from the oxen that were going just as hard from me--" + +"Hello, Fred, where's your gun?" + +It was Rob Carrol and no one else, who stepped into sight from the +other side of the rocks and came toward him, shaking so much with +mirth that he could hardly walk. + +"What's the matter with you?" demanded Fred, savagely; "you seem to +find cause for laughter where no one else can." + +"O Fred! if you only could have seen yourself tearing for the rocks, +your gun flying one way, your mitten another, your eyes bulging out, +and you too scared to look behind at the animals that were going still +faster right from you, why you would have tumbled down and called it +the funniest sight in the world." + +"If I had seen you with your life in danger I wouldn't have stopped to +laugh, but would have gone to your help." + +"So would I have gone to yours, but the trouble was your neck wasn't +in danger, though I guess you thought it was." + +"Why didn't you fire into the herd?" + +"What for? They were too far off to take the chances of bringing them +down, and you had killed the leader." + +"Why, then, didn't you yell to me to stop my running?" + +"I tried to, but couldn't for laughing; then, too, Fred, it wasn't +long before you found it out yourself. If, when we get home, you want +to enter the races as a sprinter, I will back you against the field. I +tell you, old fellow, you surpassed yourself." + +By this time the younger lad had rallied, and saw that his exhibition +of ill-temper only made him ridiculous. He turned toward his companion +with a smile, and asked, in his quaint way: + +"What'll you take, Rob, not to mention this to Jack or any of the rest +of our friends?" + +"I'll try not to do so, but, if it should happen to drop from me some +time, don't get mad and tear your hair." + +"Never mind," said Fred, significantly; "this hunt isn't finished yet, +and I may get a chance to turn the laugh on you." + +"If you do, then I'll make the bargain." + +"Perhaps you will, but that will be as I feel about it. But, I say, +did you ever know of any such cowardly animals as the musk ox? If +they had gone for me, where would I have been?" + +"I doubt whether they could have caught you, but they are stupid +cowards, who don't know their own strength." + +"I wonder whether they always act this way." + +"Most of the time, but not always. I heard Docak telling Jack how he +once put two bullets into a bull, which kept on for him like a steam +engine. He flung himself behind a lot of rocks, just as you did, when +the beast was right upon him. He struck the stones with such force +that he shattered his horns and was thrown back on the ground like a +ball. Before he could rise his wounds overcame him, and he gave it up, +but it was a narrow escape for the Esquimau." + +"It might have been the same with me," added Fred, who could not +recall, without a shudder, those few seconds when he faced the leader +with his herd ranged alongside of him; "but all's well that ends well. +Where are Jack and Docak?" + +As if in answer to the question the reports of the guns broke upon +their ears at that moment, and they saw the two hunters standing on +the lower edge of the plateau, firing into the terrified animals that +were almost upon them. Instead of turning to run, as Fred had done, +immediately after firing, they quietly held their places and began +coolly reloading their pieces. + +There was good ground for their self-confidence. Their shots were so +well aimed that two of the oxen tumbled to the ground, while the +others, whirling again, came thundering in the direction of the rocks, +near which the lads were watching them. + +"That sight is enough to scare any one," remarked Fred. + +"If you want to turn and run again," said Rob, "I'll pick up your gun +and both of your mittens, if you drop them." + +"Don't fret yourself; if I can beat you when you had that polar bear +at your heels no beast could overtake me." + +"The difference between that and this was that the brute was at my +heels, while your pursuers were running the other way. However, we'll +drop the matter, old fellow, since I have had all the fun I want out +of it. It may be upon me next time." + +"I hope it will, and, if so, I won't forget it; but, Rob, this begins +to look serious." + +Although the youths were in plain view, the musk oxen continued their +flight straight toward them. Unless they changed very quickly or the +lads got out of the way a collision was certain. + +"You may stay here if you think it smart," said Fred, a second later, +"but I don't." + +Despite the exhibition he had made of himself a few minutes before he +moved briskly toward the rocks, behind which he whisked like one who +had no time to waste. + +To show him how causeless was his alarm, Rob raised his gun, and, +taking a quick aim at the foremost, let fly. + +"That'll settle them!" he called out; "see how quickly they will turn +tail." + +But they did not adopt this course as promptly as Rob expected. He had +struck one of them, but without inflicting much hurt. There is a +latent courage in every beast, which, under certain stress, can be +aroused to activity, and this shot had done it. + +Rob stood his ground for an instant or two. Then he awoke to the fact +that his shot was not going to turn a single one of the eight musk +oxen from his course. They thundered toward him like so many furies, +and were almost upon him before he realized that he had already waited +too long. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +FRED'S TURN + + +At the moment Rob Carrol wheeled to run the foremost of the musk oxen +was upon him. + +This animal was the largest of the herd, after the fall of the leader, +whose place he had undoubtedly taken by the unanimous wish of the +survivors. + +Perhaps he was eager to prove to his companions his worthiness to fill +the shoes of the late lamented commander, for, although one of the +most dreaded of enemies stood directly in his path, and had just +emptied his gun at him, he charged upon him like a cyclone. + +Meanwhile, Fred Warburton, having darted behind the rocks, lost no +time in slipping another cartridge in his gun. He would have assumed +any risk before permitting harm to come to his friend, but, somehow or +other, he yearned for the chance of saving him from just such a +disaster as was now upon him. + + [Illustration: THE OX BOUNDED DIRECTLY OVER HIS BODY + + (See page 199)] + +Had Rob started a moment sooner he would have escaped, but in his +desperate haste he fell headlong, and the ox bounded directly over his +body, fortunately, without touching him. + +The other animals were unequal to the draught upon their courage, and +diverged sharply, some to the right and the rest to the left, circling +back over the plateau on whose margin Jack Cosgrove and Docak were +waiting until they came within certain range. + +"Fred, fire quick! my gun's unloaded!" called Rob from where he lay on +the ground; "don't wait a second or it'll be too late!" + +Fred did fire, sending the bullet with such accuracy that it wound up +the business. Precisely the same catastrophe, described by the +Esquimau to the sailor took place. The ox, coming with such desperate +speed, was carried forward by its own terrific momentum. It may be +said that he was dead before he could fall; he certainly was +unconscious of what he was doing, for he crashed against the rocks, as +if driven from an enormous catapult and then collapsed, in a senseless +heap, with his flat horns smashed and broken to fragments. + +Fred Warburton saw that his "turn" had arrived, and he made the most +of it. Rob had been merciless to him, and he was now ready to pay him +off in his own coin. + +"I wouldn't lie down there, Rob," he said, gravely, "for the ground +must be cold." + +"It does seem rather chilly--that's a fact," replied his friend, who, +knowing what was coming, slowly climbed to his feet; "I didn't think +of that when I lay down." + +"What made you lie down at all?" + +"You see I noticed that the creature didn't mean to turn about and +travel the other way as yours did; there was the difference. Then I +knew, too, that he must be tired from running so hard, and it struck +me as a kind thing to do to serve as a rug or carpet for him." + +"You did so, and no mistake. If I'm not in error," continued Fred, +with a quizzical expression, "I heard you call out a minute ago +something about my hurrying up and firing so as to save your life." + +"I say anything like that! What put such an idea in your head? It must +have been the echo of your voice, when you were running away from the +ox that was running away from you." + +And Rob assumed an expression of innocent surprise that would have +convinced any one else than Fred of his mistake. + +"It is singular, but no doubt I am in error," said he, resignedly. "It +must have been some one else that sprawled on the ground, and begged +me to shoot quick or he was a goner; it must have been another +vaunting young man, who looked up so pityingly, and was too scared to +try to get on his feet until I shot the ox for him, just as I did the +polar bear, when another minute would have finished him; but I'd like +to see that other fellow," added Fred, looking around, as if in quest +of him. + +"I'll help you search," said Rob, in the same serious manner; "and as +soon as I run across him I'll introduce you two. You'll be congenial +to each other. Until then suppose we let the matter rest." + +"I won't promise that," returned Fred, following up his advantage; "it +depends on whether certain other matters are referred to." + +Rob now laughed outright and offered his hand, which his friend +readily took. + +The words were uttered hurriedly, for it was hardly the time or place +for conversation. The popping of rifles was renewed from another part +of the plateau, and several other musk oxen had tumbled to the ground. +A half-dozen survivors managed to get it through their heads that they +had enemies on both sides, and, seeing an opening, they plunged +through it and were seen no more. + +The boys devoted some minutes to inspecting the two animals that had +fallen by the rifle of Fred Warburton. They were a couple of the +largest specimens of their kind, but the description already given +renders anything like a repetition unnecessary. + +Although it was the favorable season of the year, the youths detected +a slight musky odor exhaling from the bodies, which was anything but +pleasant. + +Docak and Jack were observed approaching across the plateau. Both were +in high spirits over the success that had marked this essay in hunting +the musk ox, and the Esquimau assured them that despite the odor to +which they objected, he would furnish them with one of the best +suppers they had ever eaten. The lads, however, could not feel quite +assured on that point. + +It may as well be stated in this place that the spot where the animals +were shot was about thirty miles inland from the home of Docak, and +a great many leagues south of Upernavik, the most northernmost +settlement on the Greenland coast. It is beyond this quaint Arctic +town, in the neighborhood of Melville Bay, that the musk ox has his +true _habitat_. There, although the animals are diminishing in +number, he may be found by any one who chooses to hunt for him. + +The fact that Docak had met them so far south was extraordinary, and, +up to the previous year, he had never known of such a thing, nor did +he believe there were any besides this particular herd within hundreds +of miles of the spot, nor that they were likely ever to be seen there +again. + +It took our friends two days and a part of a night to reach this +portion of the Arctic highlands. They had looked for foxes, reindeer, +ptarmigan, hares, and other game on the way, but failed to run across +any game until they came upon the musk oxen. Had not the Esquimau been +thoughtful enough to bring a lunch of cold fish, they would have +suffered from hunger. As it was, all felt the need of food, and the +prospect of a dinner upon the game at their feet was inviting, indeed. + +The Esquimau would not have bothered with the cooking had he been +alone, but, out of deference to his friends, he prepared to make a +meal according to their tastes. + +Inasmuch as so much game had been bagged, they could afford to be +choice. They cut the tongues from the animals, together with some +slices from the tenderest portion of their bodies, and had sufficient +to satisfy all their appetites and leave something over. + +No better place for camping was likely to be found than these hills, +but a shelter was desirable, and Docak set out to lead the way further +among them. His manner showed that he was familiar with the section, +for he did not go far before he came upon the very place for which +Fred Warburton longed when making his desperate flight from the bull +that he supposed was at his heels. + +It was a cavern among the rocks, as extensive as his own living room +at home, and approached by an entrance, which if not so extended as +his own entry, was of still less dimensions, causing them to stoop and +creep for part of the way. + +"Me be here 'fore," said he; "like de place?" + +"I should say we did," replied the pleased Rob, echoing the sentiments +of his friends; "but we shall need some fuel to cook the food and keep +warm, and wood isn't very abundant in this part of the world." + +"We git wood," was the rather vague reply, whose meaning was not +understood until they had penetrated into the cavern, which was +lightened by a crevice on one side of the entrance. This permitted +enough daylight to enter to reveal the interior quite plainly. It took +the boys a few minutes to accustom their eyes to the gloom, but when +they did so they were no less pleased than surprised at what they saw. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +IN THE CAVERN + + +That which the astonished visitors looked upon was a pile of wood at +one side of the cavern big enough to build a roaring fire that would +last for hours. This place must have formed the headquarters of Docak +when indulging in the occasional hunts that are anything but popular +among the coast natives. + +The Esquimau did not carry lucifer matches with him, but, on the other +hand, he was not forced to use the primitive means common among +savages. He possessed a flint and tinder such as our forefathers used +and are still popular in some parts of the world. + +But Rob and Fred did not exhaust their supply of matches in trying to +scorch the bear steak on the iceberg, and when everything was ready to +start the blaze they did so with little trouble. The smoke bothered +them at first, but it gradually wound its way through the opening, so +that breathing became quite comfortable. + +Docak cooked the tongues with a skill born of long experience. There +was just the faintest trace of musk, but not enough to interfere with +the vigorous appetites, which could afford to disregard trifles. The +meal proved to be what he had promised--one of the most grateful they +had ever eaten. + +There was a good deal left after the supper was finished, and this was +laid aside for future contingencies, since the experience of their +approach to this spot taught them to be prepared for an extended +deprivation of food. Indeed, the native Esquimau sometimes goes for +days, apparently with no craving in that direction, though it must be +there all the same. When he finally secures nourishment, he stuffs +prodigiously--so much so indeed that a civilized person would die of +gluttony. He calmly waits, however, until able to hold a little more, +when he resumes cramming the food down his throat, keeping it up until +at last he is satisfied. Then he sleeps, hour after hour, and, on +waking, is ready to resume his frightful gormandizing. + +By the time the meal was finished the long Arctic night began closing +in. Looking through the crevice on the side, and the entrance, they +saw that the day was fast fading. The air was as clear as crystal and +very cold. The boys had no extra garments to bring with them, but +Docak, despite his cumbrous suit, carried the fur of a polar bear that +he had shot a couple of years before. This was not only warm, but had +the advantages over many pelts of being vermin proof. + +When traveling over the snow Docak had a way of using this extra +garment, like a shawl, so that his arms were free. It was now spread +upon the solid rock, and, though it was not extensive enough to wrap +about the forms of the four, it furnished a couch for all, as they lay +with their bodies near together, and it was most welcome indeed. + +It might seem that our friends ran an imprudent risk in venturing this +far from the coast without snow-shoes; for, in the event of a thaw, +the work of traveling the thirty miles would tax their endurance to +the utmost. The snow was several feet deep on a level, and was drifted +in places as high as a house. Who could make his way through instead +of over this? + +But all misgivings on that score were ended by Docak telling his +friends there would be no thaw for days, weeks, and, perhaps, not for +months. It was more likely to be the other way. + +The surface, as I have intimated, was as easily walked upon as the +floor of a house. So long as it remained thus there was no need of +snow-shoes or anything like artificial help. + +The fire made it so cheerful and the warmth was so pleasant that it +was decided to keep it going for an hour or two, and then let it die +out after they fell asleep. There would be considerable fuel left for +morning, and the blaze was not really necessary, unless the weather +should take one of those appalling plunges during which a red-hot +stove seems to lose all power. + +As was Docak's custom, when staying in an inclosed place like this, he +sauntered out doors before lying down to slumber, in order to take a +look at the weather and the surroundings. The life of the Esquimaux +makes them wonderfully skillful readers of impending changes of +temperature. Signs which are invisible to others are as intelligible +to them as the pages of a printed book to us. + +The native remained absent a considerable while, until his friends +began speculating as to the cause. + +"Maybe he has caught sight of another of those musk oxen, and wants to +bring him down," suggested Rob. + +"There is no call to do that when so many of them lie on the frozen +ground, where they will keep for months unless the wolves find them." + +"They'll be pretty certain to do that," continued Rob; "but then he +may have caught sight of a bull, and both may want to try a race by +starting in opposite directions and seeing which can travel first +around the world." + +"That would be a sight worth seeing," Fred hastened to say, "unless he +fell down and bawled for some one to come to his help, after firing +his gun and missing the game by about a rod." + +Jack Cosgrove looked wonderingly at his young friends, puzzled to know +what this curious talk meant. To him there was no sense in it. Rob and +Fred thought they had ventured as far upon forbidden ground as was +prudent, so they veered off. + +While they were talking Docak reappeared. His feet were heard on the +crust of the snow for several seconds before he was visible, for there +was no call to guard against noise. + +As he straightened up in the cavern he stood a moment without +speaking. Then, stepping to the wood, he threw a number of sticks on +the blaze, causing an illumination that made the interior as light as +day. + +Jack was better acquainted with the native's moods than the boys could +be expected to be, and the first sight of the honest fellow's +countenance by the added light told him he was troubled over +something. Evidently he had made some unpleasant discovery. + +"He'll let me know what it is," concluded the sailor, deeming it best +not to question him; "I can't imagine what would make him feel so +uneasy, but he's got something on his mind--that's sartin." + +Docak was on the point of speaking more than once, but some impulse +led him to close his lips at the moment the all-important matter was +about to become known. He probably would have kept it to himself +altogether had not a question of Rob given him an opportunity too +inviting to be resisted. + +"Which course will we take to-morrow, Docak?" + +"Dat way--we trabel fast as can, too." + +The astonishment of the three may be understood when they saw him +point directly toward his own home--that is, in the direction of the +seacoast, and over the course they had just completed. + +Their purpose when they set out was to penetrate at least double the +distance in the interior, and now he declared for a withdrawal. + +Not only that, but the manner of the native proved that he considered +the crisis imminent, and that no time was to be lost in carrying out +his unexpected decision. + +Jack knew him so well that he was right in deciding that his hesitancy +of manner was caused by his doubt whether he should insist upon his +friends starting at once, or allow them to defer it until morning. + +"What's the trouble, Docak?" asked the sailor, now that the subject +was broached; "I never saw you look so scared--" + +At that moment the dismal cry of a wolf reached their ears, quickly +followed by others. The gaunt creatures that seem born ravenously +hungry, and always remain so, had scented the rich feast that awaited +them on the plateau, and were hurrying thither from all directions. +Soon nothing would be left but the bones of the game brought down by +the rifles of the hunters. + +Rob and Fred naturally concluded the moment these sounds were +identified that it was because of them the native was frightened, he +having discovered them before the rest; but Jack knew it was from some +other reason. He saw nothing alarming in the approach of a pack of +wild animals. The four were well armed, they had a fire, were in a +cavern, and could stand off all the wolves in Greenland for a time at +least. + +"No, it isn't that," muttered the sailor; "but if he doesn't choose to +tell I sha'n't coax him." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +UNWELCOME CALLERS + + +Within the following fifteen minutes it seemed as if a thousand wolves +had arrived on the plateau, and were fighting, feasting, snarling, and +rending the bodies of the musk oxen to fragments. They were far enough +removed from the cavern for the inmates to hear each other readily, +while discussing the curious occurrence. + +The boys could not contemplate a visit from the ravening beasts with +the indifference of their companions. To them it seemed that the +brutes would be rendered ten-fold fiercer by their taste of blood, and +would not stop until they had devoured them. + +"Do you think they will visit us?" asked Rob of Docak. + +The latter was standing in the middle of the cavern, in the attitude +of listening. He nodded his head, and replied: + +"Yes--eat ox--den come here." + +"If that is so I think we ought to prepare for them," suggested Fred, +who shared the nervousness of his friend. + +"How can we prepare more than we're prepared now?" asked Jack; +"they've got to come in that opening one at a time, and it will be fun +for us to set back here and pick 'em off." + +"Provided they don't crowd in so fast that we can't do it." + +"With four guns, I reckon we oughter take care of ourselves." + +"Dere fire, too," remarked the Esquimau, jerking his head in the +direction of the flames. + +"Ah, I forgot that," said Rob, with a sigh of relief, recalling the +dread which all animals have of fire. Indeed, he felt certain at the +moment that the burning wood would prove far more effective than their +weapons in keeping off the wolves. + +It would be supposed that the bodies on the plateau were enough to +keep the brutes occupied for a long time, and to afford them a meal +sufficient to satisfy them for the night; but who ever saw a wolf when +not ravenously hungry? They howled, and snarled, and fought, and +pressed around the carcasses in such numbers that, when only the bones +remained, it may be said that their appetites were but fairly whetted, +and they were more eager than ever after additional prey. + +Fully a score, in their keenness of scent, had been quick to strike +the trail of the surviving musk oxen that had fled from the hot fire +of the hunters. The scent was the more easily followed since a couple +of the animals had been wounded, and there can be little doubt that +all fell before the ferocity of their assailants, though the musk ox +makes a brave fight ere he succumbs to those cowardly creatures. + +Darting hither and yon, with their pointed snouts skimming over the +ground, it was not Long before several struck the footprints of the +party that had taken refuge in the cavern. A dozen or, perhaps, a +score would not have dared attack them had they not been inflamed by +the taste of food already secured. As it was, they were aroused to +that point that they were ready to assail any foe that could help to +satisfy their voracity. + +"Here they come!" exclaimed Rob Carrol, springing to his feet, with +rifle ready. + +"Yes--dey come--dat so." + +While the native was speaking he stood motionless, but with inimitable +dexterity brought his gun to a level, and, apparently without any aim +at all, let drive into the pack crowding toward the entrance to the +cavern. + +No aim was necessary, for the wolves pressed so close that no one +person could fail to bring down one at least of them. + +Amid the snarling and growling rang out a single sharp yelp, which +proved that some member of the pack was "hit hard." Whether struck +mortally or not made no difference, for the moment blood appeared upon +him his comrades fell upon him with unspeakable ferocity and tore him +limb from limb. + +The shot had the effect, too, of driving them away from the entrance +for a brief while, but they speedily returned, crowding so far forward +that their eyes, lank jaws, and noses showed plainly in the reflection +of the firelight. + +It was evident that the shot of the Esquimau produced no permanent +effect upon them. It may have been, indeed, that they wished for a +second that it might afford them the pretext for feasting upon another +of their fellow-citizens. + +But the fire was burning brightly, and they dreaded that. So long as +it was going and the hunters kept close to the flame, they were safe +against the fangs of the wolves. + +"That's too good a chance to be lost," remarked Rob, discharging his +rifle among the animals. + +Fred was but a moment behind him, so that two, if not more, of the +brutes were slain and afforded an appetizer for the rest. Docak had +lost no time in ramming another charge into his gun, while Jack +Cosgrove held his fire, as if expecting some emergency, when a quick +shot was likely to be necessary. + +"It don't strike me as a good thing for all our guns to be empty at +the same time," was his sensible remark, "so s'pose we take turns in +banging into 'em." + +"Dat right--dat good," commented the Esquimau, and the boys promised +to follow the suggestion. + +The scene at this time was striking. Looking toward the entrance to +the cavern, nothing could be observed but the fronts of the fierce +animals, all fighting desperately to get at the opening, all eager +beyond expression to reach the serene hunters within, but restrained +by the glowing fire beyond, to which they dared not go. + +Quick to note their dread of this element, the boys became more +composed, though both could not help thinking how it would be if there +were no fire. The fuel if judiciously used was sufficient to last +until daylight, by which time the courage of the brutes would ooze +away to that extent that they would be likely to withdraw. + +But the party could not spend all their time in the cavern, and, if +attacked on the open plain, it would require the hardest kind of +fighting to beat off their assailants. + +"But what is the use of speculating about the future?" Rob asked +himself, as, seeing that it was his turn, he drove another bullet +among the brutes, doubling up one like a jack-knife, while his +comrades proceeded to "undouble" him in the usual style. + +"Suppose," said Fred, "we should keep this up until we killed a +hundred, wouldn't the rest have enough to eat by that time?" + +"No," replied Jack, who had seen the animals before; "the rest of 'em +would be as hungry as ever after eating 'em. You may keep the thing +going till there is only two left, and then shoot one of 'em; the +other will gulp him down in a dozen mouthfuls, and then lick his chops +and whine for more." + +Docak looked at his friend and grinned at this graphic illustration of +the voracity of the lupus species. + +However, it was quite clear that our friends were wasting a good deal +of ammunition, which might be needed before their return. So they +seated themselves on the floor of the cavern near the fire, that was +kept going with moderate vigor, and exchanging a few words now and +then as the turmoil permitted, they sent a shot into the pack, when +some of the foremost ventured to thrust their snouts too far into the +cavern. + +"If they only had sense enough to combine into one rush," said Fred, +"they could wipe us out in a twinkling." + +"That's just what they would do if it wasn't for the fire," was the +reply of his friend; "but it does seem to me that they must get tired +after awhile." + +"I can't detect any signs of it yet. Let me try something." + +Catching a brand from the fire, Rob whirled it about his head until it +was fanned into a roaring blaze, when he hurled it right among the +howling horde. + +The scampering that followed was laughable. In a second or two not a +wolf was visible, and only the smoking torch lay on the ground where +it had fallen just outside the entrance. + +It was expected they would soon return, and some of them did sneak +back within a short distance, but the smoldering brand was a terror to +them so long as it held any life, and they waited until it was utterly +extinguished before venturing closer. + +Meanwhile, Docak showed such disquiet and concern over something else +that Jack Cosgrove, well knowing it must be serious, determined to +force him to an explanation, for he had racked his brain in vain to +think what grisly dread was looming in front of them. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +THE COMING SHADOW + + +Docak, the Esquimau, had no wish to affect any mystery as to the cause +of his misgiving. He had not mentioned it of his own accord, because +he was debating in his mind which of two courses to adopt: to remain +longer in the cavern or to set out at once for his home on the coast. +It may be said that except for the appearance of the wolves he would +have insisted that the start should be made without delay, and pushed +with the utmost vigor until their destination was reached. + +But this was not to be thought of under the circumstances. To venture +outside the cavern was to invite an instant attack by the brutes who +were in that state that they possessed a daring foreign to their +nature. + +Docak explained that an alarming change of weather was at hand. He +knew the signs so well that there was no mistake on his part. As he +had promised, it was not in the nature of a thaw or rising +temperature, but may be explained by that expressive word with which +the reader is familiar--blizzard. + +Whoever has gone through one of those frightful visitations will never +forget it. That one of a few years ago was so general throughout our +country that the memory must remain through life with us. + +But a blizzard in the Arctic regions is a terror, indeed. It meant in +the present instance a snowstorm that might last for days, a hurricane +of wind, and a temperature of such fearful cold that would consume +almost like fire. + +With several feet of snow on the surface of that which now covered the +ground, and too fine to bear the weight of the lightest animal, with +the air white with billions of particles, eddying, whirling, and +flying hither and thither, so that one could not see a step in +advance--with the gale careering like a demon across the snowy +wastes--the strongest hunter might well shrink from attempting a +journey one-tenth of that which lay between them and the coast. + +When Jack suggested that Docak might be mistaken, he shook his head so +decisively that it sent a chill through the boys, who were watching +his dusky countenance and listening to his words. Such a man spoke +that whereof he knew. He would hold out hope, if he had justification +for doing so, but he saw none. + +That the blizzard was at hand, that it was already careering from the +far North and must speedily arrive, was as good as demonstrated. The +only chance that Docak saw was that it might prove of shorter duration +than he feared. If it should last no more than twelve or possibly +twenty-four hours, they might struggle through it, without serious +consequences, but if beyond that (as he was almost certain it would +be), there was little hope. + +However, since they must stay where they were until the following +morning, preparations were made for spending the night, which, it will +be borne in mind, was by no means as long as many which they have at +certain seasons in the high latitudes. + +It was decided that Rob should sit up until midnight and then awake +Fred, who, after standing guard for several hours, would arouse Jack +to take charge until daylight. Inasmuch as this was the Esquimau's own +proposition, which, as will be perceived, relieved him of duty for any +part of the night, the others understood its significance. He was +reserving himself for the time when there was likely to be more urgent +need of his services. + +No comment was made on the fact, and the simple preparations were +quickly finished. Docak added a caution to his friends that they +should be as sparing as possible in the use of the fuel. They had +already consumed a moiety of it, and the approach of the blizzard +would render it valuable beyond estimate. Enough only to hold the +wolves at a safe distance was to be burned. + +Thus it came about that an hour later Rob Carrol was the only one +awake in the cavern. The others were huddled together on the bear +skin, quietly sleeping, while he kept off drowsiness by pacing slowly +back and forth over the brief space within. + +"It's getting colder," he said to himself more than once; "I had a +hope that Docak might be wrong, but he isn't; we shall catch it within +a few hours. This is a bad place to be snowed up." + +He glanced continually toward the entrance, for he could not forget +the wolves which were the indirect cause of their coming peril. They +seemed, in spite of the disgusted remarks of Jack, to have become +satisfied that nothing was to be gained by hovering about the refuge. +So many of their comrades had fallen, and the fire burned so +persistently, that the others must have felt a certain degree of +discouragement. + +Now and then a howl echoed among the desolate hills, with a strange +power, and was immediately answered by scores from as many different +points, but there was no such eager crowding as marked the first +appearance of the brutes. Rob glanced repeatedly at the opening +without seeing one of them. + +But the youth was too wise to be caught off his guard. He allowed the +fire to smolder until the figures of his friends were only barely +visible in the gloom, and his own form became shadowy, as it slowly +moved back and forth over the floor of the cavern, with his rifle +ready for instant use. + +He heard a soft tip tipping on the snow, and there was no mistaking +its meaning. + +"They're there," he said, peering outward in the gloom and listening +intently, "and are as watchful for a chance as ever." + +Turning toward the crevice which admitted light, and was too straight +to allow the smallest wolf to pass through, he caught the glow of a +pair of eyes. + +They were motionless, and the wolf evidently was studying the interior +with a view of learning the prospect for an excursion within. + +The temptation to fire was strong, but the eyes noiselessly vanished +before the gun could be brought to a level. + +Rob stood intently listening. He heard the stealthy footsteps pass +along the side of the cavern toward the front, and he moved in that +direction, but placed himself at one side, so as to be out of sight of +any one looking directly into the mouth. He had not long to wait, when +the same keenness of ear told him that the brute was cautiously +entering. The fire was smoldering lower than ever, the brand at the +entrance had died out long before, and no one could be seen on guard. +The brute must have made up his mind that he had "struck it rich." In +his selfishness he did not summon his friends to the feast, but +resolved to devour the four persons all by himself, and that, too, +after having had his full share of the musk ox and his fallen friends! + +There was just enough light in the cavern for Rob to note everything. +Being at one side of the entrance, he could not be detected by the +sneaking brute, which also was invisible to him. He must come further +forward before they could discern each other. + +The wolf, one of the largest of his species, stood just outside with +his ears pricked, his head raised, and his eyes roaming over the +interior. Everything looked promising, but he had learned to be +suspicious of those bipeds, whose hands were always against them. + +He stood in this attitude for several minutes, as stationary as if +carved in stone. Then he lifted one of his fore-feet, held it +suspended, as though he were pointing game, and then advanced a couple +of steps. This brought him far enough into the cavern for the lad to +see the end of his nose, but the beast still failed to detect that +shadow at one side of the entrance that was calmly awaiting the +critical moment. + +But he saw the dimly outlined forms near the smoldering fire, and +licked his chops in anticipation. Nothing could be more favorable for +the grandest feast of his life. + + [Illustration: THE WOLF LICKED HIS CHOPS IN ANTICIPATION + + (See page 232)] + +At that moment a howl rent the air at no great distance. It must have +startled this prowler, and told him that, if he delayed his meal any +longer, he must share it with an unlimited number. + +He started on a silent walk, straight for the forms, heedless of the +figure that had pointed the rifle at him, while he was yet out of +sight. All was like the tomb until the gun was fired. Then since the +muzzle almost touched the brute, why--enough has been said. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +WALLED IN + + +By daybreak, when all the party were awake, the blizzard foretold by +the native had fully arrived. + +It was a terror, indeed. The cold was frightful, and the air outside +was white with snow, which was driven horizontally by the hurricane, +as though shot from the mouths of myriad pieces of ordnance. It +shrieked about the cavern, and drove the white particles so fiercely +through the narrow crevice that Docak hastened to shove his bear-skin +into it. This only partially filled the opening and the snow spun in +around it clean across the flinty floor. + +The regular entrance was partly protected by its own projection, but, +at times, a blast entered that fairly took away their breath. The fire +was necessary to keep from freezing, but the supply of fuel was +growing low, and the last stick must soon be reached. What then would +be the fate of the party if the blizzard continued? + +It was useless to discuss the future and no one did so; the present +was with them, and the question was how to live from hour to hour. + +On shooting the intruding wolf, Rob had flung his carcass away. The +report awakened the others, and, rising to his feet, Docak passed far +enough outside to bring it in again. He did not speak, but all +understood the meaning of the action; that body might be the means of +saving them from starvation. + +Enough of the previous night's meal remained to afford a nourishing +breakfast, but they partook sparingly, preferring to use that in +preference to the new supply. Happily thirst was a torture that need +never be apprehended. + +Jack Cosgrove braved the blast to that degree that he forced himself +through the opening and stood several minutes outside, shading his +eyes and striving to pierce the blinding turmoil. + +All in vain. The gale almost carried him off his feet, and his vision +could no more penetrate the furious swirl of snow than if it were the +darkest night that ever covered the earth. The cold was so piercing +that he was glad to hasten back among his friends, and shiver and +crouch over the fire. + +"By the great horned spoon, Docak! s'pose we had started for home last +night?" + +"Wish had," was the sententious response. + +"Why, we wouldn't have been half-way there by this time, and we would +have perished all together." + +"We trabel fast--mebbe storm not dere yet." + +This intimation that the blizzard might be less terrific at so slight +a distance was incredible, but the Esquimau was positive that it would +have been far better had they set out early in the evening. By rapid +traveling they might have covered the greater part of the distance +before morning, and could have fought the few remaining miles in the +teeth of the gale. + +But it was equally useless to discuss what might have been. They were +imprisoned in the cavern, thirty miles from succor and with no +possibility that any friends would ever take the trouble to search for +their bodies. All they could do was to rely upon Heaven and their own +exertions. + +Without any explanation as to his intentions, and leaving his gun +behind him, the native plunged through the opening and disappeared in +the blizzard outside. + +Born and reared in Greenland, amid Arctic snows and appalling +tempests, the hardy Esquimau was far better fitted to undergo such +trials of endurance than could be any native of a temperate clime. + +"Where do you suppose he has gone?" asked Rob, wonderingly. + +"I don't know," replied Jack; "but if he goes far he'll never come +back again." + +"It doesn't seem to me," said Fred, coming to the question of the +present for the first time, "that the outlook is as bad as he would +make us believe." + +"Why not?" + +"We have enough food to last a week or two, or even longer, and the +blizzard certainly won't keep it up that long." + +"You can't be sartin about that," said Jack; "it may last for several +weeks, but s'pose it's only for three or four days, there are two big +things that we must face." + +"What are they?" + +"What to do after it stops; the snow will be several feet deep on top +of that which is now on the ground; it will be too fine and soft to +bear our weight, and can be traveled over only with snow-shoes which +we haven't got. How then are we going to fight our way thirty miles +through it?" + +"It will be a hard job, but no greater than that which many explorers +have undergone. With Docak as our guide, I think we can pull through." + +"But what is the other matter you refer to?" asked Rob. + +"This wood will soon go, and then how are we going to keep from +freezing to death?" + +"If we will huddle together as closely as we can with the bear-skin +wrapped about us I think we can stand it." + +"I like the way you chaps talk," said the sailor, admiringly, "and if +we have to go down we'll do so with colors flying. It's the +downheartedness of Docak that knocks me askew; if he would show a +braver front I would feel better." + +"Possibly he is more hopeful than he pretends." + +"No, he isn't that sort of chap; he knows better than we just what all +this means. Whew!" + +The exclamation was caused by a sudden outburst that sent the snow +whirling through the opening and the crevice, from which the bear-skin +dropped, as if struck a blow from the other side. Jack ran forward, +picked it up, and thrust it back, hardly able to breathe from the fury +of the gale in his face. + +The snow shot through the opening, too, scattering the brands of fire +in every direction. Had the shelter been anything else excepting the +solid rock that it was, it must have been swept like chaff from its +foundations. + +The explosion, as it may be called, lasted but a minute or so. The +boys hastily gathered up the scattered brands and flinging them +together they were fanned by the tempest into a vigorous flame, whose +warmth, slight as it was, was grateful beyond measure to the three +gathered around it. + +"Docak is wrong in regretting that we did not start last night," said +Jack Cosgrove; "that style of storm is raging at this moment over +hundreds of miles, and it would have made short work of us." + +"What about the 'Nautilus,' if she is in it?" + +"She can manage it if she has plenty of sea room, but I hope she is +far enough off to dodge this blizzard. She ought to be at any rate." + +The gale did the party an unexpected favor. It was a substantial one, +too, which they appreciated. It drove the snow against the troublesome +crevice with such fury that it quickly formed a solid bank, extending +far above it. This ended the drifting of the particles inside and +protected them from the cutting wind. + +At the same time it did something of the same nature with the +entrance, where it soon became banked to that extent that little blew +within, and the gale hardly disturbed them. + +Seeing what had taken place, Jack withdrew the bear-skin from where it +had been stuffed into the opening and spread it in the farthermost +corner of the cavern. + +"Come, my hearties," said he, cheerfully, "we've got nothing to do but +to make ourselves comfortable. We won't burn any more wood till Docak +comes back." + +They huddled together, and, though the cold made their teeth chatter +and their bodies shiver, they found considerable relief and were +willing to hope on. + +They could feel no anxiety about the absent native. It was certain he +would not go far enough from the cavern to endanger his safety or to +imperil his return. Some definite object must have led him forth. + +"I wonder if it is for food," suggested Fred. + +"No; for there's no possibility that the wolves left anything," +replied Rob; "and then, too, we have enough to last a good while." + +At that moment there was a flurry at the entrance and the Esquimau, +resembling a snow man, stooped and pushed his way in. + +Entering, he flung a half-dozen small sticks upon the tiny pile at the +side of the cavern. He had gone forth in quest of fuel and was able to +secure only that miserable supply, really not worth taking into +account. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +"COME ON!" + + +The Esquimau's depression continued. After flinging down the few bits +of wood he looked across the cavern to where the friends were huddled +together, but did not speak. Then he glanced at the crevice, now so +completely blocked with snow that they were protected against any more +drifting in upon them. + +The three respected his silence, and held their peace. He stood a +minute or two, looking gloomily into the fire, which he replenished, +partly from the scant supply he had brought. While it was gaining +strength he drew his knife, deftly cut a number of pieces from the +frozen body of the wolf, and proceeded to cook them over the blaze. +Had he been alone he would have devoured them raw, but he knew the +sentiments of his companions. + +"Well, Docak," said Jack, feeling that the silence ought not to +continue, "it looks as if we are in for a long stay. We shall have +enough to keep us alive a good while, and, when you're ready, you can +come and snuggle down beside us." + +"Not now," he replied, continuing his culinary work, with what seemed +a wasteful disregard of fuel until he was through. + +When nothing more remained worth attention he held up a piece, +considerably scorched, and, looking at the others, asked: + +"Eat now?" + +"No; we'll wait till morning," replied Rob, speaking for the rest. + +"All right." + +But he was not disposed to wait if they were. He made quite a meal, +with as much evident enjoyment as if it had been upon the choicest +part of the musk ox. He took care, however, to leave a good supply +against the "rainy day" that he felt no doubt would come to them all. + +The dismal day wore slowly away, and with a feeling of unutterable +loneliness they saw the second night of their enforced stay in the +cavern close around them. The cold seemed to intensify with the +approach of darkness, and the supply of wood had grown so slight that +the warmth was barely perceptible. + +The blizzard raged with unabated fury. The gale shrieked around the +rocks, the blinding snow whirled and eddied until it seemed that it +must bury them out of sight, and the outlook was woeful enough to +chill the bravest heart. The three in the corner adhered to their +resolution not to eat any of the food prepared before the morrow. They +might need it then to aid their systems in withstanding the terrific +strain, but, as in the case of the bear on the iceberg, it must be the +last resort. + +The Esquimau declined their invitation to join them in the corner. He +was thickly clad, and was so accustomed to the rigors of the Arctic +winter that he needed no such help. He seated himself near by, and +talked a little, until, at a late hour, troubled sleep settled over +all. + +A gleam of hope came with the break of day. Docak was the first to +awake, and, without disturbing the others, he forced his way through +the entrance and took a survey of the weather and his surroundings. + +The blizzard was over. The fall of snow had ceased, little wind was +stirring, but the cold was terrible. Toughened as he was, he shrank +when first exposed to it. The party had been walled in so tightly that +the warmth of their bodies was of more help than would be suspected. + +Quick to note the change in the weather the native studied the sky +with its numerous signs in the effort to learn what was likely to come +in the near future. + +Great as was his skill at this it was now taxed to the utmost. The sun +was not visible, and the difficulty became the greater; but he tarried +until he had perfected his theory. + +The discouraging feature which the native saw about the matter was +that the blizzard had ceased for a time only. He believed it would +soon resume its fury, fully as great, if not greater than before, and +it might continue for days and possibly weeks. If, when that time +should come, it found them in the cavern they were doomed beyond the +power of mortal man to save themselves. + +But the prospect was equally hopeless, if the lull lasted only a few +hours, for, when it should break forth again it would overtake them in +the open plain (provided they made the start he had in mind), where no +screen against its resistless power could be secured. + +It should be understood that Docak's solicitude was on account of his +friends. Had he been alone he would not have hesitated to set out for +the coast, and with every reason, too, to believe he could make it, +even, if the battle of the elements were renewed when but a small part +of the way thither. + +But he had three others in charge, and it was hard to decide whether +to urge them to make the attempt now or wait awhile, in the hope that +he could settle with certainty the extent of the cessation of the +blizzard. + +The additional snow was between two and three feet deep, where it had +not been drifted by the gale. With the help of snow-shoes it would +have been an easy matter to skim over it, but there were no snow-shoes +to be had, as has been shown, the new fall was of such fine character +that they would sink its full depth when essaying to walk upon it. + +When he turned about and re-entered the cavern his friends were astir. +Their appetites had assumed that edge that they eagerly attacked some +of the meat prepared the night before. The few embers had been stirred +into a sickly blaze, but not another stick remained. The warmth was +only perceptible when the chilled hands were held almost against it. + +The Esquimau smiled grimly when he saw what they were doing, but with +the reticence that had marked his course since refuge was taken in the +cavern, he held his peace. Jack greeted him pleasantly, and he nodded +in return, and then again passed outside. + +The sailor and lads had peeped after him, and discovered that the fall +of snow was over, and the wind was not blowing. This gave them +considerable hope, inasmuch as they were unable to read its full +meaning like the native. + +"It's easy enough to see what he has on his mind," remarked Jack. + +"What is it?" queried Rob. + +"He is considering whether we shall make a start now for the coast or +wait awhile longer." + +"What's the use of waiting," asked Rob, "when it can't be any better +and may grow worse? The snow that has fallen will stay where it is for +months, so we can gain nothing there. I'm in favor of starting for +home while it is yet morning." + +"That's the way it strikes me, but he'll make up his mind, and +whatever he says we'll do. He isn't in the mood to take any advice +from us; I never seed him so glum before." + +"We're quite well protected," added Fred, who was eager to be off if +that should be the decision; "we have the thickest kind of clothing, +heavy shoes, and warm undergarments. Then we mustn't forget that when +we start through the snow the labor will help to warm us. Fact is, I +don't understand why Docak hesitates." + +The Esquimau used less time than they supposed in reaching his +conclusion. But, with a view of giving him a hint of their wishes, +Jack and the boys prepared themselves as if it had been settled that +they should venture at once upon the perilous attempt. They carefully +adjusted their clothing, tying the lower parts of their trousers about +their ankles, so as to keep out the snow, buttoned their heavy coats +to their chins, pulled up the collars more carefully, and fixed their +caps in place, though all this had been done to a certain extent +before. + +When nothing remained they ranged themselves in a row beside the +entrance and awaited the appearance of their guide. + +He came in the course of a few minutes. He started slightly when he +read the meaning of it all. + +"We're ready," said Jack, with a smile. + +"All right--we go--foller me--come on!" and he led the way out, and +they turned their backs on the cavern forever. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +A HOPELESS TASK + + +A fearful task confronted the little party. Thirty miles of snow, +several feet deep, lay between them and their only haven of refuge, +and they were without sled or snow-shoe. If they succeeded in their +prodigious task, it must be done by sheer strength and the power of +continued desperation. + +But, with compressed lips and the resolution to do or die, they bent +to the work without faltering. + +The Esquimau naturally took the lead to break the way so far as he +could; Jack Cosgrove came next, then Rob Carrol, while Fred Warburton +brought up the rear. + +The first move that the native made proved he was a veteran. He +plunged in, following the decline down to the plateau, which was the +scene of their adventures two days before. He walked like one who had +only an ordinary tramp before him. In truth, he could have gone faster +and done better, but he accommodated himself to his friends, to whom +the labor was new and trying to a degree. + +None spoke for a long time. It requires strength to do even so slight +a thing as that, and no one had an ounce to spare. The question that +was uppermost in the minds of the three was whether they would be able +to hold out to the end. + +"I don't see why we can't," reflected Fred, who, being at the rear, +had an easier task than any of the others; "it would be well enough if +we had snow-shoes, but neither Jack nor Rob nor I can use them, and we +would flounder around a good deal worse than we are doing now and +likely enough wouldn't get ahead at all." + +The meditations of Rob Carrol were of a similar strain. + +"I've seen better fun than this, but it beats staying in the cavern +and freezing to death on wolf steak. I believe I'm strong enough to +see the business through; I hope Fred won't give out, for he isn't as +strong as Jack and I. I believe Docak enjoys it. Gracious! if I ever +live to get out of this outlandish country, I'll never set foot in it +again. I haven't lost any North Pole, and those that think they have +can do their own hunting for it." + +The sun still remained obscured, and the wonder of the three was how +their guide kept his bearings, after debouching from the highlands and +entering upon the broad, undulating plain which stretched away to +Davis Strait and Baffin's Bay. There was no misgiving, however, in +that respect. Docak could not go astray, or, at least, if there was +any likelihood of his doing so, not one of his friends was able to +help him. + +As the boys had anticipated, the labor of walking in this difficult +fashion soon generated a warmth in their bodies that was a vast +comfort, after sitting benumbed and shivering so long in the cavern. +Despite the extreme cold they felt no discomfort, for the air was +quite dry, and less trying, therefore, than a damp atmosphere would +have been, even though twenty-five degrees higher. + +But it is in such an Arctic climate that one can have his limbs or a +portion of his body hopelessly frozen without suspecting it. All were +so effectually protected that only a small portion of their faces, +their eyes, and tips of their noses were exposed. + +The bear-skin, which has been referred to as belonging to Docak, was +carried by him after his usual manner. He would have offered it to his +friends in turn, had he not known that it would soon have become a +burden which he could carry better than they. + +Jack, who trod close on the heels of the Esquimau, was admiring the +sturdy manner in which he plowed through the snow, his labor being +much greater than any one of those who followed him, when the native +turned his head and scanned his face with curious intensity. Pausing +for the moment in his labor, he leaned to one side, and did the same +to the others. His act was all the more singular since he did not +speak. The lads smiled under their head-coverings, but their faces +were so wrapped up that the relaxation of the features could not be +perceived. + +"I wonder why he did that," thought all three. + +"The chap has been acting curious ever since this trouble began," +continued the sailor, "and I wouldn't be s'prised if he's just a +little off." + +"Can it be," asked Rob, following up a whimsical idea, "that he fears +we aren't ourselves? He has started out to take us to the seacoast, +and doesn't mean that anybody else shall rope himself in on him. I +guess he's satisfied, though we're so covered up that our nearest +friends wouldn't know us." + +For fully an hour the party toiled on, and all, with the exception of +the leader, began to feel the effects of the severe exertion. Still, +no one protested or asked for rest; each determined to keep it up, if +possible, until the leader chose to halt. + +But Docak did not forget them. At the end of the time named he turned +about, and, with something of his old pleasantry, said: + +"Much tired--wait while--den go on." + +Each of the boys longed to ask him what he thought of the prospect of +getting through, but forebore, recalling his moodiness, which might be +still upon him despite his present manner. + +"I think we're doing quite well, Docak," said Jack; "it's a little +hard, but we can take a breathing spell now and then, and keep at it +till we strike your home." + +Had the Esquimau made any response to this half-inquiring remark the +sailor would have followed it up, but he did not. On the contrary, he +was busy studying the sky and the surrounding landscape, doubtless +with a view of determining what weather changes impended. + +The others did the same, but though Jack had learned a good deal of +the science at sea he was now at a loss. The dull, leaden sky, so +obscured that it was impossible to tell in what part of the heavens +the sun was, told him nothing beyond the fact that more snow was +likely to fall before many hours. + +As the best thing that could be done, the friends studied the actions +of the Esquimau. + +The result of his survey was not satisfactory--that was clear. He +shook his head and muttered something in his own language, which had +anything but a pleasant effect on the others. + +The scene was one of utter loneliness and desolation. North, east, +south, and west stretched the snowy plain, unrelieved by tree, house, +or sign of a living creature. Far up in the sky sounded the honk of +some wild fowl, and, looking aloft, a line of black specks could be +seen, sailing swiftly southward through space, as if to escape the +Arctic cold that would soon smother everything in its icy embrace. + +The rest was barely ten minutes, when Docak, looking at his +companions, asked: + +"Be rested? We go on?" + +"Yes; we're ready," replied Jack. + +"All right--work hard now--don't get tired." + +"I won't, if I can help it; but the only way I know of is to stand +still, which don't pay in this kind of business." + +The Esquimau bent to his work, as if striving for a wager. He had a +way not only of stepping down in the soft snow, but of shoving it +partly aside from his path. It would have been the severest kind of +labor for anyone else, and it is hard to understand how he managed it +so well. It was a great help to the one immediately behind him. Jack +would have been glad to lighten the task for the boys, but that was +out of his power, and he wasted no strength in the attempt. + +The party was becoming accustomed to the work. That the guide was +aware of this was proven when he kept at it fully twice as long as +before. They were going slowly--very slowly--but there was comfort in +the consciousness that every step taken was toward safety, and the +task before them was lessened, even to that small extent. + +At the moment the boys were beginning to think it about time another +halt was called, Docak stopped in his former abrupt way, and, leaning +to one side, peered into each face in turn. + +Something in Fred's appearance caught his attention, and, with an +exclamation, he sprang out of the path, and hurried back to where the +lad stood, wondering what was the matter with the fellow. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +TEN MILES + + +Docak, when flurried, generally forgot his broken English, and spoke +in his own tongue. Before Fred could divine his intention he had +slipped off one of his mittens, grasped a handful of snow, and +throwing one arm about the boy's neck, began rubbing his nose as +though he meant to rub it out of existence. + +The watchful native was on the watch for the first sign of freezing in +the case of his companions, and, discovering that the youngest member +was becoming a victim without himself or friends suspecting it, he +resorted to heroic measures, with no unnecessary delay. + +Fred understood what it all meant, and, like the sensible boy he was, +submitted with good grace, though the vigorous handling to which that +organ was subjected made it hard for him to keep from protesting. Not +only that, but, when the Esquimau, pausing to inspect his work, said: + +"All right," Fred thanked him. + +Jack and Rob, who looked grinningly on, while the performance lasted, +now asked Docak whether they were in need of a similar manipulation. +He took another look at the faces, and gave Rob's a slight rubbing, +but said nothing more was needed. + +It was a piece of thoughtfulness on the part of the native, for which +he deserved to receive gratitude. But for him Fred Warburton, and +probably the others, would have suffered injuries from which they +never could have recovered. + +Having rested but a brief while, Docak moved on, and the dismal +procession wound its way slowly through the snow, which clogged their +feet and obstructed their path to that extent that more than once the +hardy guide had to come to a full halt that he might decide in what +way to flank the obstacle. + +The blizzard had played fantastic tricks with the snow. In many places +it was drifted to a depth of six or eight feet, through which, as may +be supposed, it was the severest labor to force a path. In others, +again, it had swept the crust entirely clear of the new layer, so that +they walked as easily as when making their way from the coast. +Unfortunately, these bare places, as they may be called, were not only +few and far apart, but of such slight extent that their aid counted +for little. + +There is nothing more cheering than the certainty that we are +approaching our goal, even though the rate of progress is more tardy +than we wish. As the afternoon drew to a close Fred was positive they +had made fully twenty miles. Rob believed it was more, but, to be on +the safe side, fell in with his friend's figures. When Jack was +appealed to he declined to hazard a guess, saying he preferred to wait +till the halt for the night, when he would leave it to Docak. + +"He'll tell you within a quarter of a mile," added the sailor, "and he +won't make a mistake. I can let you know one thing, howsumever, my +hearties, and that is that you'll find it a good deal less than you +think." + +"I don't know about that," said Rob; "Fred and I have calculated the +matter pretty closely." + +"You may think so, but you haven't. We have worked hard enough to +tramp a hundred miles, but we haven't been able to use it in the best +way." + +Another fact, which might mean a good deal or little, was that a +marked moderation in the temperature took place in the course of the +afternoon. What this portended was left to the Esquimau to determine. +Toiling through the snow was not favorable to conversation, and it was +dropped. + +With only short halts the party pushed onward, until night began +settling over the dreary landscape. They would have kept on had not +the darkness been impenetrable. The sun had not shown itself during +the day, and the obscurity was so dense that not a solitary star +twinkled overhead. + +"Besides," as the boys concluded, "the rest of the distance is so +brief that we can afford to leave it until morning, by which time we +will be fully rested. Inasmuch as it is necessary to pass a night on +the road, one spot is as good as another." + +Camping at such times is simple. They were in the middle of a snowy +waste, without tree or rock to shelter. Starting a fire, of course, +was out of the question. A slight wind was blowing, and though less +rigorous than that of the preceding night, it was necessary to protect +themselves from its force while they were idle. + +For a few minutes Docak acted like a man seized with convulsions or +the St. Vitus' dance. He leaped about, kicked, and swung his arms, the +snow flying in a storm from him, until, at the end of a few minutes, +he had scooped out a bowl-like space, large enough to hold the party. +In doing this he cleared the way down to the lower crust only, which +was strong enough to bear their weight. To have dug to the ground +would have been too laborious, and no special advantage was to be +gained by doing so. + +This completed, he carefully spread his bear-skin on the hard surface, +and the four seated themselves back to back. They had camped for the +night. + +The discomforts of this primitive method were less than would be +supposed. There is warmth in snow, as you are well aware, cold being a +negative existence, and, so long as they were below the surface, they +could not be reached by the wind that swept across the dismal waste. +Then, too, the change in the temperature was in the right direction as +affecting their comfort, so there was little fear of suffering before +morning. + +When they were adjusted for the night, Rob asked the question of Docak +which had been in his mind for hours: + +"How far have we got toward home?" + +Fred was confident the answer would be twenty miles; while Rob was +quite hopeful it would be more. Judge, therefore, their consternation +when the reply struck their ears: + +"Purty near ten mile--not quite--purty near." + +The hopes of the boys sank to zero. Jack, knowing they had placed +their estimate too high, still believed it greater than was the fact. + +Ten miles! Barely a third of the distance between the cavern and the +first place that could offer refuge. + +They had used a day in advancing thus far. At that rate two more days, +and possibly nights, remained ere the terrible task would be ended. +They had eaten the last mouthful before starting, leaving behind some +food which they might have brought, but which was not deemed +necessary. + +It was not the prospect of hunger that appalled them. In such a severe +climate they could go a couple of days without food, and not suffer +greatly, though the draught upon their strength would be trying to the +last degree. + +The great question was whether the task they had essayed was a +possible one. Recalling the terrific exertions of the day, their +exhaustion, and the repeated rests that were necessary, they might +well doubt their ability, though it need not be said there was no +thought of giving up so long as life and strength held out. + +"Ten miles," repeated Fred Warburton; "are the Esquimau miles the same +as our English, or aren't they double their length?" + +"I don't know about that," said Rob; "they must get their ideas from +the Danes, who have a system of measurement different from ours, but +it don't matter in this instance." + +"Why not?" + +"When we set out, and after reaching the hills, Docak told us we were +thirty miles from home; he tells us now that we are ten miles less." + +"Not quite ten mile--purty near," interrupted the native. + +"Well, calling it ten miles, we have come about one-third of the way +to the coast. No matter what system of measurement is followed we +can't figure out that we have gone further than that." + +"And not quite that far," suggested Jack, who was not less +disappointed than they, but was quicker to rally. + +"It isn't the thing calculated to make a chap feel good to learn a +thing like that," he added; "but all we've got to do is to buckle down +to it and we'll get there one of these days, with fair sailing and no +more squalls." + +"It is those squalls or blizzards, Jack, that are the real danger +before us." + +It was Rob who made this remark, and his friends knew he spoke the +truth. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +THE LAST PAUSE + + +The night slowly settled over the snow waste, and the little party, +feeling no discomfort because of the cold, gradually sank into +unconsciousness. + +Just before slumber weighed down their eye-lids the dismal howl of a +wolf echoed faintly across the plain. All heard it, and Jack and the +boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the +hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his +heels. Jack asked the Esquimau whether they ought not to prepare for a +fight, but he replied that there were no preparations to make. Each +had his loaded gun and a good supply of ammunition; they could fight +as well there as in any other place. + +Docak showed no trepidation of voice and manner, and his coolness had +a good effect upon the others. They were sure that, if there was any +cause for alarm, he would feel it. + +This confidence proved well placed; for that single cry was all that +reached their ears. They slept, and were not molested. + +But sometime during the night the fine snow began sifting downward, +falling so gently that even the Esquimau was not disturbed. Through +the long gloomy hours it silently descended, until when the daylight +stole over the desolate plain, fully six inches had been added to the +mass that covered the earth long before. + +Sitting nearly upright and back to back, the pressure upon the +sleepers was so slight and gradual that no discomfort resulted. All +were so worn out that their slumber was profound, doubtless lasting as +long as it would have done had no such snowfall taken place. + +It was Jack Cosgrove who first opened his eyes, and his amazement may +be imagined when he saw their laps buried out of sight, only the +outlines of their limbs showing, while head and shoulders were +weighted down with the feathery mass. + +"By the great horned spoon!" he called, shaking himself free and +rising to his feet, with such a flurry that the others were aroused; +"wake up, for we're all snowed under, and, if we wait a few minutes +longer, we'll be buried clean out of sight." + +"What's the matter?" called Rob, being the next to climb to his feet; +"has the snow tumbled in on us?" + +"Yes; and more of it is tumbling every minute." + +Docak was astonished that he had not been the first to awake, for his +mind was burdened with anxiety for the rest. He forgot that, inasmuch +as his labors had been far greater than theirs, his weariness of body +was in more need of rest. + +"What time be it?" he asked of the boys, who carried watches. + +The answer showed that day had dawned more than two hours before. He +sighed at the knowledge of the precious time wasted. Harder work than +ever was before them, and when night came again they might count +themselves fortunate if one-half the remaining distance was +accomplished. + +Rising to their feet, with their heads above the surface, they found +the snow falling so fast that they could not see fifty feet in any +direction. + +"How can Docak keep his bearings?" asked Rob, in a low voice, of the +others, when the native, walking a few feet, paused and looked +earnestly about him. + +"It doesn't seem to me that it is any harder for him to do so than it +was yesterday when there was no snow falling." + +"There is a big difference. We couldn't have done any better in the +one case than the other, but he could see the sky. He knew where the +sun was, though we did not; and there must have been something in the +looks of the landscape to help, but there is none of that now." + +"I can give you the right answer to Fred's question," said Jack, in +the same guarded undertone. + +"What is it?" + +"When you ask whether Docak can keep the p'ints of the compass in his +mind, and make sure that he is heading straight for home, the real +answer is--he can't." + +There could be no denying that the sailor spoke the truth. The native, +like the Indians further south, may have possessed a subtle skill in +the respect named beyond the comprehension of his more civilized +neighbors, but, in all cases, there is a limit to such ability. Where +there is nothing to afford guide or clue no living man can walk in a +straight line--hour after hour, or hold his way undeviatingly toward a +fixed point of the compass. + +But, admitting this unquestioned truth, nothing was more self-evident +than that it was sure death to stay where they were; the one and only +thing left to them was to push on while the opportunity was theirs. + +The Esquimau was a man of deeds rather than words. He showed no +disposition to discuss the situation, and, beyond a few insignificant +words, said nothing to his companions, who were as eager to be on the +move as he. He stood a minute or two in study, and then, uttering the +words: + +"Come on--work hard--neber stop," began pushing through the snow with +the vigor shown the day before. + +The others followed in the order named, and with a resolution as +strong as his to keep it up to the last verge of endurance. + +It was necessary. In no other way could they escape the frightful doom +that impended. Another condition was equally necessary; their efforts +must be rightly directed. The guide must lead them toward the +sea-coast. Had he the power to do so? The test was now going on, and +the question would soon be settled. + +They were terrible words spoken by Jack, but the time had passed when +he felt it necessary to mince matters. He had done so at the +beginning, but his companions were not children unable to bear the +truth, however unpleasant it might be. + +But, despite the good reason in what he said, neither Rob nor Fred +quite credited its full meaning. While they could not explain how any +person could guide himself unerringly, when there was no visible help +for the eye, they believed that somehow or other he would "get there +just the same." + +They proved their own earnestness when Docak, after a long struggle +through the clogging snow, stopped, turned about, and said: + +"You be tired--then rest awhile." + +"No," responded Fred, "I want no rest." + +"Push on, then," added Rob, "unless you are tired yourself, Docak." + +The idea that the native needed rest caused him a half-smile, as he +faced forward and resumed his weary plowing through the snowy mass. + +There was no call now to watch the countenances of the youths to +protect them against freezing. The weather was so moderate that they +would have felt more comfortable with their outer covering removed. If +the blizzard had come back, it was in such a mild form that it could +lay no claim to the name. It was simply snowing hard, and there was +only a breath of air at intervals. Had there been anything approaching +the hurricane of two days before, they could not have fought their way +for a single rod. + +When the guide, after another long interval, proposed a brief rest, it +was acquiesced in by all. They had kept at it longer than before, and +the pause must have been grateful to Docak himself. + +"We are not going fast," remarked Rob, "but I am sure we have covered +a good deal of ground since starting, and when we go into camp +to-night there ought not to be many miles between us and the sea." + +"Remember the mistake we made in our calculations," said Fred, +warningly, "and don't count too much." + +"How far have we come?" asked Jack, putting the question directly to +the Esquimau. + +"Dunno," he answered, turning about and resuming his labor. + +"That's the last time I will ask him anything," growled the sailor, +displeased at the curt treatment. + +A sad story awaits our pen. The poor hunters toiled on, on, on, slower +and still more slowly, with the snow falling thicker and still more +thickly, and the uncertainty growing more intensified as the day wore +away. With short intervals of rest they kept at it with heroic +courage, until at last the shades of night began closing once more +around them. Then, all of a sudden, the Esquimau uttered a despairing +cry and threw himself down in the snow. + + [Illustration: THE ESQUIMAU UTTERED A DESPAIRING CRY AND THREW + HIMSELF IN THE SNOW + + (See page 277)] + +He had made a terrifying discovery. They had come back to the very +spot where they spent the previous night. All day long they had +journeyed in an irregular circle, as lost persons almost invariably +do, and the dreadful labor was utterly thrown away. + +The Esquimau had essayed a task beyond his power, and he now threw up +his hands and would struggle no more. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +ANOTHER SOUND + + +The little party were overwhelmed with dismay. The very man on whom +they had relied from the beginning, the one who had conducted them +thus far, and the one who, under heaven, could alone guide them to +safety, had thrown up his hands and yielded the struggle. He lay on +the snow limp, helpless, and despairing. + +The new fall of snow had almost obliterated their trail, but enough +remained to identify it beyond mistake. The cavity which Docak had +scooped out, and in which they slept, was recognized on the first +glance. The whole day, from the moment of starting, had been wasted, +in laboring to their utmost strength, in getting back to the very +point from which they set out, and which itself was twenty miles from +the sea-coast. + +The tendency that every one shows to travel in a circle, when lost, +has been explained in various ways. It is probably due to the fact +that one side of every person is more developed than the other. A +right-handed individual gradually veers to the left, a left-handed one +to the right, while a really ambidextrous one ought to keep straight +ahead. + +Jack and the boys remained silent for a moment. They looked down on +the prostrate figure, and finally Fred asked: + +"What's the matter, Docak?" + +"Gib up--no use--we die--neber see home 'gin." + +The words were uttered with all the dejection that it is possible to +conceive, and the native did not move. He acted as if the power to do +so had gone from him. + +Suddenly, to the astonishment of the others, Jack Cosgrove gave him a +thumping kick. + +"Get up!" he commanded; "if you're such a lubber as all this, I'll +take you by the neck and boot you all the way across Greenland." + +And as a guarantee of his good faith he yanked Docak to his feet, and +made ready for a still harder kick, when the fellow moved nimbly out +of the way. + +"If you are too big a calf to go on, I'll take the lead, and when I +flop it'll be after all the rest of you've gone down." + +The breezy style in which the sailor took hold of matters produced an +inspiriting effect on the others. Despite the grim solemnity of the +moments, both Rob and Fred laughed, as much at the quickness with +which Docak responded as anything else. + +"Since we are here at the same old spot," said Rob, "and it is growing +dark, we might as well go into camp." + +"That's the fact, as we won't have to scoop out a new place to sleep +in. I suppose, Docak, you're able to sleep, aint you?" + +The native made no answer, and the party silently placed themselves in +position for another night's rest, Docak not refusing to huddle in +among them. But there was little talking done. No one could say +anything to comfort the others, and each was busy with his own +thoughts. + +It need not be said that, despite the fearful gloom and these +forebodings, they were ravenously hungry. Their bodies were in need of +sustenance, and the probability that they could not get it for an +indefinite time to come was enough to deepen the despair that was +stealing into every heart. + +It was unto Fred Warburton that something in the nature of a +revelation came in the darkness of that awful night. His senses +remained with him for some time after the others were asleep, as he +knew from their deep, regular breathing. + +The snowfall had almost ceased, and he sat wondering whether, after +all, the end was at hand, and he was asking himself whether, such +seeming of a surety to be the fact, it was worth while to rise from +their present position and try to press on further. If die they must, +why not stay where they were and perish together? + +These thoughts were stirring his mind, with many other solemn +meditations, which crowd upon every person who, in his right senses, +sees himself approaching the Dark River, when it seemed to him that +there was sounding, at intervals, an almost inaudible roar, so faint +and dull that for awhile he paid no heed to it, deeming it some +insignificant aural disturbance, such as causes a buzzing or ringing +at times in the head. + +But it obtruded so continually that he began to suspect it was a +reality and from some point outside of himself. + +It was a low, almost inaudible murmur, sometimes so faint that he +could not hear it, and again swelling out just enough to make it +certain it had an actuality. + +Suddenly the heart of the lad almost stood still. + +"It's the ocean!" he whispered; "the air has become so still that I +can hear it. The plain is open, there has been a big storm, and the +distance is not too great for it to reach us. But, no, it is from the +wrong direction; it can't be the sea." + +The next moment he laughed at himself. Having fixed in his mind the +course to the home of Docak, and, hearing the roar from another point +of the compass, it did not at once occur to him that he himself might +be mistaken. + +"If Docak, with all his experience could not keep himself from going +astray, what wonder that I should drift from my moorings? Yes, that is +the sound of the distant ocean or that part known as Davis' Strait and +Baffin's Bay. We can now tell which course to take to get out of this +accursed country." + +He wished to awake his friends, and in view of their hungry condition, +urge that they should set out at once; but they were so wearied that +the rest would be grateful, and it was needed. And so, while not +exactly clear as to what should be done, he fell asleep and did not +open his eyes until morning. + +Docak was the first to rouse himself. He found that the snow was +falling again, with the prospect worse than ever. + +Fred sprang to his feet and quickly told what he had discovered the +evening before. + +"It was the ocean," he added, with a shake of his head: "I have heard +it too often to make a mistake--listen!" + +All were silent, but the strained ear could catch no sound like the +hollow roar which reached the youth a few hours before. + +"I don't care; I was not mistaken," he insisted. + +"Why don't we hear it now?" asked Rob, anxious to believe what he +said, but unable fully to do so. + +"There was no snow falling at the time; the air was clearer then, and +what little wind there was must have been in the right direction." + +"Where did sound come from?" asked the Esquimau, looking earnestly at +Fred and showing deep interest in his words. + +"From off yonder," replied the lad, pointing in the proper direction. + +"He right--dat so--he hear sea," said Docak, who, to prove the truth +of his words, pointed down at the dimly marked trail. It led in the +precise course indicated by Fred. In other words, when the Esquimau +resumed the journey on the preceding morning, at which time his +bearings were correct, he went of a verity directly toward his own +home, which was the route now pointed by Fred Warburton. + +The others saw the point, and admitted that the declaration of the lad +had been proven to be correct beyond question. + +And yet, while all this was interesting in its way, and for the time +encouraged the others, of what possible import was it? The conditions +were precisely the same as twenty-four hours before, except they were +less favorable, for the comrades in distress were hungrier and weaker. + +But they could not hear the ocean, the snow was falling, and there was +no way of guiding themselves. + +They could only struggle on as before, hoping that possibly before +wandering too far astray they might be able to catch the roar that +would be an infallible guide to them in their despairing groping for +home. + +The three looked at Docak, expecting him to take the lead, as he had +done from the start. It may be said that Jack Cosgrove had kicked the +Esquimau into his proper place and he was prepared to stay there as +long as he could. + +But the native, instead of moving off, stood with his head bent and +his ears bared in the attitude of intense attention. + +They judged that he was striving to catch a sound of the ocean. But he +was not. + +Truth to tell, Docak had detected another sound of a totally different +character, but far more important than the hollow roar of the far-away +Arctic Sea. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +THE WILD MEN OF GREENLAND + + +A sharp bark broke the stillness, a peculiar cry followed, and then, +out from the swirl and flurry of the eddying snow, came a string of +Esquimau dogs. There were six couples fastened to a rude sleigh, and +at the side of the frisky animals skurried one of the wild men of +Greenland on snow-shoes, and with a whip in hand having a short stock +and a very long lash. + +Directly behind him followed two similar teams, and then a fourth +emerged with seven spans of dogs. There was a driver to each, and the +sleighs were loaded with pelts intended for the nearest settlement. +Not one of the Esquimaux was riding, though it was their custom to do +so for a goodly portion of the way. + +This singular collection of men and animals were approaching in a line +that would have carried them right over the amazed party that were +about to start on their hopeless attempt to reach the sea coast, had +they not veered to one side. + +When the foremost driver discerned the four figures through the snow +he emitted a sharp cry, not dissimilar to that of his own dogs, and +the obedient animals halted. The others did the same, and in a few +minutes the four teams, with their drivers, were ranged about the +others. + +These individuals were genuine Esquimaux, the real wild men of +Greenland. Their homes were far in the interior, and only at rare +intervals did they venture forth with their dogs and sleighs to the +coast settlements, where they were welcome, for they never failed to +bring a good supply of peltries with them, for which they found ready +barter among the agents of the Danish government. + +There was no mixed blood among these Esquimaux. They were +copper-colored, short, of stocky build, and with more muscular +development in the lower limbs than is seen among the coast natives. +The latter, giving most of their time to fishing and the use of the +paddle, have powerful arms and shoulders, but as a rule are weak in +the legs. + +They were warmly clad in furs, their heads being covered with hoods +similar to that worn by Docak, but there was nothing in the nature of +the dress ornamentation which he displayed. + +None of the party could speak English, but that made no difference, +since Docak understood their curious gibberish. An animated +conversation began at once between him and the four, who gathered +about him while Jack and the boys stood silently listening and looking +upon the singular scene. + +What the guide said was in the nature of "business." They had talked +but a short while when one of the wild men went to his sleigh and +brought forth a big piece of cooked reindeer meat, evidently a part of +their own liberal supply of provisions, and offered it to Jack. The +latter accepted with thanks, shown more plainly by manner than his +words. + +And didn't those three fellows have a feast, with Docak himself as a +participant? You need to be told no more on that point. + +The guide, after the brisk interview, explained the meaning of the +conversation to his friends. + +The Esquimaux were on their way to Ivigtut, some forty miles in a +southwest direction. They had come a long way from the interior, +having been three days on the road, and it was their intention to push +matters so vigorously that they would reach the famous mining town +that night. + +But, best of all, they agreed to carry the three whites as passengers. +They could be stowed in the sleighs among the peltries, as the drivers +were accustomed to do at times, though they were capable of keeping +pace with the dogs hour after hour without fatigue. They would do so +now on their snow-shoes, and the three could ride all the way to +Ivigtut. + +It meant the rescue and salvation of the party, who were in the +uttermost depths of despair but a few minutes before, and tears of +thankfulness came to the eyes of all three. + +"We haven't much money with us," said Rob, addressing Docak, "but we +will pay them as well as we can when we reach Ivigtut." + +"Don't want much," replied the grinning guide, "jes' little +money--two, t'ree bits." + +"We'll give 'em all we've got," added Jack; "but what about you, +Docak?" + +"Me go home," was the answer, accompanied by one of his pleasing +grins. + +"Can you find the way?" + +"Me all right now--hark! hear de water?" + +He spoke the truth, it being a singular fact that the atmospheric +conditions had changed to that degree that the dull, hollow moaning +for which they had listened so long in vain was now audible to all. It +was like a beacon light, which suddenly flames out on the top of a +high hill, for the guidance of the belated traveler. There could be no +going astray, with that sound always in his ears, and strengthened by +his meal of venison, the hardy native would press on until he ducked +his head and passed through the entry of his home. + +It might well be questioned how the wild men could maintain their +bearings, but they had come unerringly across the snowy wastes from +their distant homes, and the boom of the ocean was as sure an aid to +them as it was to Docak. No fear but that they would go as straight as +an arrow to Ivigtut. + +There was no call for delay or ceremony. A long journey was before +them, and it being the season when the days were not unusually long, +they must be improved to the utmost. The wild men beckoned to the +three to approach the sleighs, where, with a little dexterous +manipulation of the bundles, they made room for each. + +Jack found himself seated at the rear of one of the odd vehicles, +which consisted mainly of runners, but had a framework at the back +that gave grateful rest to the body. The peltries were fastened in +front and around him, some being used to cover his limbs, and a part +of his body, so that he could hardly have been more comfortable. The +runners were made very broad to prevent them sinking in the snow. But +for that, it would have been hard work for the nimble dogs to drag +them and their loads with any kind of speed. The situation of the boys +was similar to the sailor's. + +The arrangement left one of the sleighs without an occupant. This was +well, since the wild men could take turns in riding, when they felt +the need, and the whites need not walk a step of the way to Ivigtut. + +While the confab was going on, the dogs were having their own fun. +Quick to obey the order to halt they squatted on their haunches facing +in all directions, and for a time were quite motionless and well +behaved, but it was not long before their natural mischievousness +asserted itself, and they began frolicking with each other. They were +snapping, barking, snarling, and then half of them were rolling over +in the snow, fighting with good nature, the evil of which was that it +tangled the simple harness into the worst sort of knots, which +undoubtedly was just what the canines wanted to do. + +The head driver spoke angrily to them, cracked his long whip, and, +bringing the knot down on their bodies, or about their ears, added +their yelps of pain to the general turmoil, while the confusion was +greater than before. + +He was used to the dogs, knowing every one of the half-hundred, and +was quick to detect which was the ringleader. This canine belonged to +the rear team, and not only started the rumpus, but kept it going with +the utmost enthusiasm. He knew the driver would be after him, and he +dodged and whisked among the others so dexterously that the well-aimed +lash cracked against the side of some innocent spectator more than it +touched him. + +But the driver was not to be baffled in that fashion. Dropping the +whip, he plunged after the criminal, and, seizing him with both hands, +gave him several vigorous bites on the nose, which made him howl with +pain. When released he was the meekest member of the party, all of +whom sat quiet, while the angry Esquimau devoted himself to unraveling +matters. + +Rob Carrol had not forgotten the admiration which Docak showed more +than once for his rifle. When the native came over to the sleigh to +shake his hand, as he was bidding all good-bye, the boy said: + +"Docak, I meant that you should have this on our return from the hunt. +I sha'n't need it any more; accept it as a reminder of this little +experience we had together." + +The Esquimau was so taken aback that for a moment he could not speak. +Before he recovered himself, Jack and Fred added their requests that +he would not refuse the present. His gratitude was deep, and found +expression only in a few broken words as he turned away. + +It had been on the point of the sailor's tongue several times to +apologize for the kick of the evening before, but he felt that the +result of it all was a sufficient apology of itself. Besides, there +are some matters in life which it is best to pass over in silence. + +The wild men showed little sentiment in their nature. Seeing that all +was ready, they cracked their whips, called out to their dogs, and off +they went. + +Jack and the boys turned their heads to take a last look at Docak, who +had served them so faithfully and well. As they did so, they observed +him plowing through the snow again to the westward, his form quickly +disappearing among the myriad snowflakes. They never saw him again. + +The first thought that came to each of the passengers, after the start +was fairly made, was that the forty miles' journey could not be +accomplished before nightfall. The sleighs were so heavily loaded with +pelts and themselves that they formed quite a task for the dogs, which +of necessity sank deep in the snow. But they tugged and kept at it +with a spirit worthy of all admiration. + +But one of the remarkable features of the blizzard and snow storm that +had come so near destroying our friends quickly made itself apparent, +and raised their hopes to the highest point. + +The fall of snow decreased until at the end of half an hour not an +eddying flake was in the air. The sun, after struggling awhile, +managed to show itself, and the glare of the excessively white surface +fairly blinded the passengers for a time. They noticed, however, that +the depth of the last fall continued to grow less, until to their +unbounded amazement and relief it disappeared altogether. They struck +the hard surface, which was like a smooth floor, and capable of +bearing ten times the weight of the sleighs without yielding. + +This proved that the blizzard was of less extent than supposed. The +wild men more than likely were beyond its reach, while Docak and his +companions were caught in its very centre. Its fury extended southward +but a short way, and the party had now crossed the line. The country +before them was like that over which Jack and the boys set out to +prosecute their hunt for game. + +The travelers were like athletes, who, emerging from a struggle with +the angry waters, find themselves on solid land, free to run and leap +to their heart's content. They had shaken off the incubus, and now +sped forward with renewed speed and ease. The small feet of the dogs +slipped occasionally, but they readily secured enough grip, and the +sleighs, hardly scratching the frozen surface, required but a +fractional part of their strength. Several uttered their odd barks of +pleasure, at finding their labor so suddenly turned into what might be +called a frolic. + +But the wild men were a source of never-ending wonder to the whites. +They sped forward through the soft snow, with no more apparent effort +than the skilled skater puts forth, and when they struck the smooth +surface, they became more like skaters than snow-shoe travelers. They +cracked their whips about the ears of the dogs, called sharply, and +made them yelp from the stinging bites of the whips handled with a +dexterity that would have flicked off a fly from the front dog's ears, +had there been one there. + +(If we were not opposed to all forms of slang, we would be tempted to +say just here that there are no flies on the Esquimaux canines.) + +The brutes were quick to respond, and galloped swiftly with their +drivers skimming by their side, holding them to the task by their +continued orders and cracking of whips. They gave no more attention to +the passengers than if they were not present. + +The latter were delighted, for there was every reason why they should +be. Their limbs still ached from the severe exertion through which +they had gone, and the sensation of being wrapped about with furs and +fixed in a comfortable seat was pleasant of itself. Then to know that +they were speeding toward safety--what more could be asked? + +The sleigh containing Jack Cosgrove was in the advance; Rob came next, +then Fred, while the one loaded only with peltries held its place at +the rear. + +When the smooth surface was reached, they drew quite near each other, +the friends finding themselves almost side by side. + +"This is what I call ginooine pleasure," said the sailor, turning his +head and addressing the boys. + +"Yes, I'm enjoying it," replied Rob. + +"So am I," added Fred; "it makes up for what we suffered." + +"We'll skim along in this style all day as if we was on the sea in a +dead calm; nothing like a capsize--" + +At that very moment, the sailor's sleigh went over. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +CONCLUSION + + +No one can question that many animals have the propensity to fun and +frolic. It may be absent in some, but it certainly is not lacking in +the canine species. + +It didn't take three teams of dogs long to discover that their +passengers belonged to the most verdant specimens of their kind, and +when the brutes struck the smooth surface, where traveling was but a +pastime, they decided to have some sport at their expense. + +At the moment Jack Cosgrove was uttering his words to his young +friends, he failed to notice a small hillock just ahead and at one +side of the course they were following. But the leading dogs saw it, +and, veering off, they made straight for it with increased speed, +heedless of the shouts and cracking of the driver's whip. Before he +could restrain them, the sleigh collided with the obstruction, +overturned in a twinkling and Jack found, as he after described it, +that his nose was plowing through the snow with the whole plaguey load +on top of him. + +He was dragged a hundred feet before extricating himself, and before +the driver could check the animals, who looked so meek and sorrowful +that he visited them with slight punishment. Matters, however, were +soon righted and the journey resumed, amid the laughter of the boys in +which the sailor heartily joined. + +Within the next hour Rob's sleigh went over and he had an almost +similar experience. But he was expecting something of the kind, and +prepared for it, so that he emerged from underneath before being +dragged far. + +Fred got it, too, despite the apparent efforts of the drivers to +restrain the dogs. By the time matters were once more righted and +under way, the suspicion was confirmed among the passengers that the +wild men were in the plot and enjoyed the ludicrous turn of affairs as +much as did the brutes themselves. But Jack and the lads were the last +to complain, and were quite willing that such good allies should have +a little sport at their expense. It was noticeable that after all had +been capsized, nothing of the kind took place again. + +At noon an hour's halt was made. The Esquimaux produced their cooked +venison and all ate. The snow, although it seems to add to one's +thirst, when first used, served excellently in the place of water. + +As well as they could by signs, the passengers offered to walk and +allow the Esquimaux to ride. Where the surface was so favorable this +would have imposed no hard work, but the natives refused, even +declining to ride alternately in the rear sleigh. + +The dogs were tired enough to give no trouble during the noon halt. +They sat around on their haunches and eagerly devoured the bits of raw +meat tossed to them. When one or two showed a disposition to stir up +matters, an angry warning and snap of the whip from one of the drivers +brought him to his senses, and he deferred the amusement to a more +convenient season. + +The Esquimaux chatted volubly among themselves, and, although our +friends could not catch the meaning of anything said, they were sure +they had made good progress toward Ivigtut, which, barring accident, +would be reached by nightfall. + +The journey was pressed with the same vigor through the afternoon, the +men seeming as tireless as the dogs, who trotted along as they might +have done over the bare ground without any load impeding their +movements. + +The sun was still above the horizon when the party reached the crest +of the mountains near the coast, and saw before them, nestling at the +curve of a fiord, a collection of low, weather-beaten houses, +dispersed along the slope of the hills, with a wharf at the water's +edge, on which lay a large number of blocks of the peculiar white ore +known as cryolite. + +"Vee-tut, vee-tut!" exclaimed one of the drivers, addressing the +passengers with great animation. This was the nearest he was able to +come to pronouncing the name "Ivigtut." + +Yes, this was the mining town famous the world over as containing the +only cryolite mines so far discovered on the globe. + +Ivigtut is in latitude sixty-one degrees and twelve minutes north, its +climate being severe at certain seasons, but comparatively moderate +during summer. Then there are one hundred and thirty picked men from +Copenhagen engaged in the quarries, the number being a little more +than one-half as great in winter. Only one or two Esquimaux are to be +found about the place, and the only family that of the superintendent, +who has his wife and her maid with him. + +The principal work of the employees is in quarrying the cryolite and +piling it on the wharf, ready for shipment both to the Old and New +World. And now how many of my readers can tell me what cryolite is? +Shall I explain? + +Do you know that most of the sal-soda, the bicarbonate of soda, the +alum, and the caustic soda used in your homes is dug out of a mountain +in Greenland? + +In 1806, a German named Giesecke, believing that valuable minerals +might be found in Greenland, applied to the Danish Government for +permission to prospect the mountains. He did so, all the way from Cape +Farewell, living with the Danish governors or among the Esquimaux, as +circumstances required, until he reached Arsuk Fiord. + +At this place he heard of a deposit of ice that never melted and which +was on the edge of the fiord. It was powdered, was used by the natives +in tanning skins, and acted on a greasy hide like soap. The prospector +gathered a number of specimens and started with them for Germany, for +the substance was entirely new and required analysis. + +On the homeward voyage the Danish ship was captured by a British +man-of-war and the specimens of cryolite went to an English +institution, where they were analyzed for the first time. It was +interesting of itself, but pronounced comparatively worthless. + +It remained for a distinguished chemist named Thomson to discover that +sal-soda and bicarbonate of soda can be made cheaply from the +substance. It is free from all impurities, and steps were taken to +develop the quarry. The first attempt was in 1852, but regular work +did not begin until six years later, and more years passed before any +money was made out of the mine. + +Up to 1864 the entire product of the quarry went to Europe. In that +year the American firm known as the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing +Company, of Natrona and Philadelphia, began to import it. The ships +used are made as strongly as possible, for they have to force their +way through fields of floating ice, craunch into huge blocks, and keep +a sharp lookout for icebergs. + +Small quantities of cryolite have been found in the Ural Mountains and +a trace was discovered at Pike's Peak, in our own country, some years +ago, but it did not pan out. A genuine cryolite mine within easy reach +would prove a bonanza to the discoverer. + +Cryolite in appearance resembles white quartz or ice, with a mixture +of snow in it. Although generally white, it is not always so. It is +sometimes a light brown or a dark color, due either to vegetable +matter that has soaked into it or the presence of iron. + +What I have related and considerably more, our friends learned during +their stay at Ivigtut. + +Finding themselves at the end of their journey, the three climbed out +of the sleighs, their limbs considerably cramped from their +long-constrained posture. They shook hands with the Esquimaux, who +understood that form of salutation, and who grinned the delight they +could not form the words to speak. + +To one of them Jack presented his gun and Fred gave his to another. +This quite overwhelmed them, but the whites divided nearly all the +money they had among them between the other two. The wild men were +paid triple what they expected for the inestimable service rendered +the party, who regretted that they could not do a good deal more for +them. + +They parted on the edge of the town, and, just as night began settling +over Ivigtut, the three came down the slope and showed themselves +among the employees, where their appearance attracted considerable +curiosity. + +Rob's first inquiry was for the superintendent of the mines. He was +directed to a one-story house painted blue, near the rear of which +rose a staff from which the flag of Denmark floated. + +At the eastern end of the settlement was a somewhat similar house +painted black, where the comptroller, or representative of the king +lived, while near the centre were two other structures, from which +puffs of steam rose. + +The visitors received the kindest hospitality from the superintendent, +whose name was G. E. Schmidt. He listened to their story with deep +interest, and insisted that they should make their home with him as +long as they could stay in Ivigtut. He brought in his wife and +introduced them to her. + +They found her a most pleasant lady, and the three soon felt entirely +at home. + +"By the way," he asked, as the preparations for supper progressed, +"what did you say was the name of the ship on which you left London?" + +"The 'Nautilus,'" replied Rob; "we fear she foundered in the gale a +few days ago which separated us from her." + +"I'm not so fearful about that," put in Jack; who felt that such +remarks were a slight upon the ship to which he was attached; "she has +rid out a good many tough storms, and I don't see why she couldn't +pull through that one." + +"Let us hope that she did," said the superintendent, kindly, and with +a twinkle of his fine eyes which the others did not notice. + +"I was hopeful that she had possibly made her way to Ivigtut," added +Fred, who continued, turning to the sailor, "we forgot to take a look +in the harbor." + +"No use of that," replied Jack; "she might have come in at some of the +other ports, but not here." + +"I suppose, Mr. Schmidt, that we can go home by way of Denmark?" + +"There will be no trouble about that; the only inconvenience is that +it will extend the trip much longer than is pleasant, but I understand +that you contemplated a visit to one of the posts of the Hudson Bay +Company." + +"Yes, the destination of the 'Nautilus' is York Factory." + +"Then your friends at home will feel no alarm, since you will be the +first to carry the news there, unless possibly Captain McAlpine turned +immediately about and started for England." + +It struck Rob Carrol as singular that the superintendent should +mention the name of the skipper of the "Nautilus" when no one of the +visitors had yet done so. Where could he have learned it? His +companions did not notice the odd fact and he was too polite to ask +their host to explain. + +"We rarely receive a visit from the English vessels," continued Mr. +Schmidt, "though now and then one drops down on us, but there is an +American line, inasmuch as a good deal of cryolite goes to the United +States. How would you like to make a voyage to that part of the +country?" + +"It would be pleasant, but hardly practicable," replied Rob, who could +not forget that the funds of the company were at a frightfully low +ebb. "We shall have to defer that treat to some more convenient +season." + +"I cannot tell you how pleased I am to receive this visit," said the +superintendent; "you must stay several weeks with me, and visit the +mines and see all there is to be seen. I hardly suppose you would care +to make a hunting trip into the interior?" he added, with a smile. + +"No, we have had enough of that to last several lifetimes," replied +Jack, uttering at the same time the sentiments of his friends. + +"I don't wonder; there is too much snow and cold weather for real +sport, except at certain seasons. I must see the men who brought you +in. The real wild Esquimaux live on the east coast, where the climate +is so terrible that the whites rarely, if ever, visit them, and they +are beyond the control of all except their own. If these fellows of +yours make their homes in the interior, they are very different from +all the Esquimaux of which I know anything. I think there is some +mistake about it." + +"We know nothing, of course, beyond what Docak told us." + +"He is an unusually intelligent native, and I know him very well. He +is a little morose at times, and I understand has caused some trouble +at the other settlements, but he is a worthy fellow for all that. By +the way, I have a friend who is expected to supper with me this +evening. It will be a pleasure, I am sure, for you to meet him." + +"It will be a pleasure to meet any of your friends," Rob hastened to +say, for his heart had already warmed to the genial and hospitable +gentleman. + +"If I am not mistaken, he has arrived," added Mr. Schmidt, rising from +his chair and stepping to the door. + +The next moment he admitted a stalwart, whiskered, sun-browned man, in +middle life, and, shaking his hand, turned to his other guests. + +"Permit me, captain, to introduce you to Messrs. Cosgrove, Carrol, and +Warburton." + +"Wal, by the great horned spoon!" exclaimed the sailor, springing to +his feet and striding across the room, "where did you come from, +captain?" + +It was Captain McAlpine, of the "Nautilus," standing before them, +smiling, bewildered, and happy, as he gazed into the faces of his +friends whom he had mourned for days under the fear that they were +dead. + +The laughing Rob and Fred were right behind Jack, and they shook the +hands of the good old sailor, and felt like throwing their arms about +his neck and hugging him. + +"I must apologize for this little joke," said Superintendent Schmidt, +who enjoyed it fully, "but really I couldn't help it. Captain McAlpine +arrived at Ivigtut yesterday, and came straight to me with news of +what had happened. He was driven far away from the iceberg, as you +know, and had searched for it in vain. At a loss what to do, he put +into Ivigtut to consult with me." + +By this time the excitement was about over, and all seated themselves +as the servant came in and lighted the lamps. Mr. Schmidt continued: + +"The occurrence was so extraordinary that I was at a loss how to +advise him, and his purpose in coming here this evening was that we +might discuss the question and decide it." + +"You see," observed the captain (and he thereby verified the words of +Jack Cosgrove, uttered several days before), "I observed that that +iceberg wasn't sailing straight for the Equator, and I got the idea +that it was to be looked for further up north, though as likely as not +it would change its course and head south again. The only thing for me +was to try to get another ship or two to jine me in a search for you. +I was going to find out whether that could be done, but now there +isn't any need of it." + +"Thank Heaven, no!" fervently responded Rob Carrol; "we have had a +close call, and the only regret we shall feel in leaving Greenland is +that it will take us away from our friends." + +"It is I who feel that, but it is one of the sure penalties of our +existence. Supper, I see, is ready; will you kindly walk out with me?" +he asked, rising to his feet, and leading the way. + +And perhaps it is as well that we should say good-bye to the party, +now that they are seated around the board with keen appetites, +cheerful conversation, and happy hearts; for of the visit made to the +cryolite mines the next day, the sailing of the "Nautilus" two days +later, the voyage through Hudson Bay to York Factory, the visit there, +the safe return to England, and the settling down of Rob Carrol and +Fred Warburton to the sober business of life--why, all these may be +covered in a paragraph, and so we say, "Good-bye." + + +THE END + + + + + +~The Young Boatman~ + +BY HORATIO ALGER, JR. + +369 Pages Illustrated + +Cloth, $1.25 + +This is an interesting story of a boy who is obliged to support +himself and his mother by rowing passengers across the Kennebec River. +To add to his trials, his intemperate stepfather, after serving a term +of imprisonment, returns home and endeavors to compel the boy to pay +over his small earnings to him. This the boy, who was appropriately +nicknamed Grit, refuses to do, and after a struggle the stepfather +retires from the conflict and returns to his thieving habits. + +Shortly after Grit discovers a conspiracy to rob the bank and promptly +communicates his knowledge to the president, who succeeds in +frustrating the plans of the robbers and secures their arrest. + +Grit's cheerful manner and kindly good nature, coupled with the most +sterling honesty, cause him to be held in high esteem by all who know +him. His manly courage and self-reliance are often sorely tested, but +his indomitable pluck transmutes calamity into success. + +The book is full of incident and adventure of just the right sort to +hold the attention of any bright boy. + +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. + +~The Penn Publishing Company~ + +~1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia~ + + + + +~The Moncasket Mystery~ + +~AND~ + +~How Tom Hardy Solved It~ + +BY SIDNEY MARLOW + +375 pages Illustrated + +Cloth, $1.25 + +The tone of this book is earnestly and emphatically moral, and the +author understands that nothing makes morality so attractive to youth +as to find it coupled with ingenuity, energy, and pluck. + +There is no "cant" and no "can't" about Tom Hardy, the decidedly +vigorous hero of this story. He is a safe and worthy companion of any +boy or girl, and it is predicted that he will not only win a warm +place for himself in the hearts of all who make his acquaintance, but +that he will gallantly retain it long after the covers shall have +closed upon this chronicle of his efforts and adventures. He is an +admirable boy, yet the author, in defiance of the usual method in +modern juvenile fiction, has refused to sacrifice all of the other +characters to the single hero. Even those whose parts are but the +slightest have been so attractively presented that the reader feels +that if the events had chanced to require it each one of them would +have become a hero. + +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. + +~The Penn Publishing Company~ + +~1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia~ + + + + +~Chasing a Yacht~ + +BY JAMES OTIS + +Author of + +"The Braganza Diamond," "Toby Tyler," etc. + +350 pages Illustrated + +Cloth, $1.25 + +Two boys have engaged to run a steam yacht for the double purpose of +pleasure and profit, and after carefully fitting her up they launch +her, only to find the next morning that she is gone--stolen--as they +later discover, by two other boys who had been refused a half-interest +in her. The rightful owners start in hot pursuit, and in an attempt to +recapture the steamer are themselves made prisoners. It is the +intention of the thieves to hold the owners prisoners until the Hudson +River is reached and then put them ashore, but their plans miscarry +owing to the intervention of two rather rough citizens who find their +way aboard the yacht and make themselves generally at home. +Fortunately one of the owners manages to effect his escape, and +gaining the assistance of the authorities the little vessel is +speedily restored to them. + +The story is full of adventure, and the heroes are both bright and +manly fellows, who make the best of their temporary hardships. The +story will be found to enlist the interest at the outset, and to hold +it until the last page is turned. + +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. + +~The Penn Publishing Company~ + +~1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia~ + + + + +~The Braganza Diamond~ + +BY JAMES OTIS + +Author of + +"Chasing a Yacht," "Toby Tyler," etc. + +383 pages Illustrated + +Cloth, $1.25 + +Long before the opening events of this story the fragments of this +celebrated gem are supposed to have been taken from a wreck by an old +sea captain, and secreted by him on a lonely island in Roanoke Sound. + +This aged captain, now quite feeble, sends for his niece and her +daughter. They invite two bright boys to accompany them, and engaging +a steam launch the four, in company with the owner--a trusty +sailor--set out for the lonely island. Arriving there they are +distressed at finding the captain already dead. To add to their +discomfort they also discover that the former owners of the diamond +have appeared upon the scene. The little party is forcibly made +prisoner, and their captors demand that they forthwith produce the +precious stone. This, of course, they are unable to do, but +discovering among the old captain's effects a curious cryptogram, they +are led to hope that its solution may reveal the secret hiding place +of the diamond, and thus restore to them their freedom. This theory +eventually proves correct, but not until after the party has endured +many hardships, and passed through many exciting experiences. + +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. + +~The Penn Publishing Company~ + +~1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia~ + + + + +~The Odds Against Him, or Carl Crawford's Experience~ + +BY HORATIO ALGER, JR. + +350 pages Illustrated + +Cloth, $1.25 + +The hero of this story had to leave home on account of the +ill-treatment he received from his stepmother, who had a son of her +own about the same age. Dr. Crawford, a man of considerable wealth, +but of weak, vacillating mind, loved his son, but was afraid to show +his true feelings in the presence of his wife. After leaving home and +meeting with a number of adverse experiences, Carl eventually obtained +employment in a factory. He soon gained the confidence of his +employer, and after frustrating an attempt of the book-keeper to rob +the safe, he was appointed as a traveler, and, visiting Chicago, he +discovered that his stepmother had another husband living. Her success +in getting a will made in her own favor, an attempt on the life of her +husband, etc., are all defeated, and Carl came out victorious in the +end. + +The book is full of bright, cheerful, and amusing incidents, showing +that a boy of good, honest, sterling, industrious habits can always +secure friends, and succeed in earning a good living. + +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. + +~The Penn Publishing Company~ + +~1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia~ + + + + +~The Story of the Iliad~ + +FOR BOYS AND GIRLS + +BY DR. EDWARD BROOKS, A.M. + +370 pages Profusely Illustrated + +Cloth Binding, $1.25 + +White and Silver Edition, $1.50 + +This is a story of absorbing interest both to young and old. It +relates in a simple prose narrative the leading incidents of one of +the greatest literary works of the world--the Iliad of Homer. Many of +its names are household words among educated people, and its incidents +are a constant source of allusion and illustration among the best +speakers and writers. No one with any claim to literary culture can +afford to be ignorant of them. + +The object of the work is two-fold--first, to present to young people +an interesting story which will be read with pleasure and at the same +time cultivate a taste for good literature; second, to give a popular +knowledge of this famous work of Homer and thus afford a sort of +stepping-stone to one of the grandest poetical structures of all time. + +It is thus a book for the home circle, and should be in every +household in the land. It is recommended especially for School +Libraries and young folks' Reading Circles, and also to schools as a +Supplementary Reader. + +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. + +~The Penn Publishing Company~ + +~1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia~ + + + + +~The Story of the Odyssey~ + +FOR BOYS AND GIRLS + +BY DR. EDWARD BROOKS, A.M. + +370 pages Profusely Illustrated + +Cloth Binding, $1.25 + +White and Silver Edition, $1.50 + +The Odyssey of Homer combines the romance of travel with that of +domestic life, and it differs from the Iliad, which is a tale of the +camp and battle-field. Although the ancient author concentrates the +attention on a single character--Ulysses--he refers to several +beautiful women, including some of the goddesses. After the siege of +Troy, Ulysses started on a voyage of discovery and adventure in +unknown lands, which, although described with poetic exaggeration, +"has been a rich mine of wealth for poets and romancers, painters and +sculptors, from the date of the age which we call Homer's down to our +own." + +In this wonderful poem lie the germs of thousands of volumes which +fill our modern libraries. Without some knowledge of it, readers will +miss the point of many things in modern art and literature. + +Ulysses was brave and valiant as a soldier, and was distinguished for +his wisdom and shrewdness which enabled him to extricate himself from +the difficulties which to others would seem insurmountable. + +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. + +~The Penn Publishing Company~ + +~1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia~ + + + + +~Harry Ambler, and How He Saved the Homestead~ + +BY SIDNEY MARLOW + +350 Pages Illustrated + +Cloth, $1.25 + +This is a narrative of a bright, active, and courageous boy, suddenly +thrown upon his own resources and subjected to the malicious plots of +a powerful enemy. The effectual and yet not unnatural manner in which +the hero turns his enemy's weapons to his own defence, constitutes, +perhaps, the chief charm of the book. + +The story abounds in humorous and exciting situations, yet it is in no +objectionable way sensational. There is nothing in it that will tend +to create or encourage a taste for mere reckless adventure. + +The author has given more attention to the delineation of his +characters than is usual in juvenile literature, thus making the story +pleasant reading, even for those who have passed the outer line of +boyhood. + +He believes in a "moral," but not in those bits of abstract virtue +which are so frequently forced into juvenile stories, only to be +"skipped" by the youthful reader. He would create a personal sympathy +with the best efforts of fallible boys and girls, rather than an +admiration for the mere name of virtue. + +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. + +~The Penn Publishing Company~ + +~1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia~ + + + + +~The Campers Out~ + +~OR~ + +~The Right Path and the Wrong~ + +BY EDWARD S. ELLIS, A.M. + +363 pages Illustrated + +Cloth, $1.25 + +This is one of the most interesting works of an author whose +productions are widely read and deservedly popular on both sides of +the Atlantic. Mr. Ellis has in perfection the faculty of making his +stories not only entertaining in the highest degree but instructive +and elevating. A leading journal truthfully stated that no mother need +hesitate to place any story of which Mr. Ellis is the author in the +hands of her boy, for he is sure to be instructed as well as +entertained. + +"The Campers Out" is bright, breezy, and full of adventure of just the +right sort to hold the attention of any young mind. It is clean, pure, +and elevating, and the stirring incidents with which it is filled +convey one of the most forceful of morals. It traces the "right path" +and the "wrong path" of several boys with such striking power that old +and young will be alike impressed by the faithful portrayal of +character, and be interested from beginning to end by the succession +of exciting incidents. + +Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. + +~The Penn Publishing Company~ + +~1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia~ + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Among the Esquimaux, by Edward S. 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