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CHAPTER XVI. Into Winter Quarters 188 CHAPTER XVII. A Reindeer Hunt, 199 CHAPTER XVIII. Esquimaux Experiences, 213 , CHAPTER XIX. An Arctic "Winter, 220 CHAPTER XX. Home Again 219 ff c and Ileal ten a |cortJ char (( UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. CHAPTER I. ABOUT TWO IDEAS. [!■> . . 188 . . 199 . 213 22<; . 239 CAPTAIN MARLING liad an idea. So too had a sturdv bov fourteen vears of ao-e. brown of hair and eyes, and ruddy of cljcek, wlio bore so strong a resemblance to tlie eaptain that you hardly needeil to hear tlie hitter call iiiin, "Hal, my boy," and to note the h)()k of proud afiletion in lii.s wcll-bronzcd coun- tenance, to know wliose son he was. The two were certaiidy very much alike both in appearance and in ;character. j^ "He's a regular chip off the old block," the cap- |t:iin would say when telling some incident tiint illns- ;^tratt'd Harold's fearless spirit, or tenacity of purpose, |tw() qualities that were a better inheritance for him than stocks (U' mortgages. The affection felt by the two toward each other was of peculiar strength. Harold was an only child, [and his mother had died when he was but a little el low. He had been lefl to the care of a childless aunt. I III I 6 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. who though affectionate aiul anxious enough, knew notliing about boy natnre and failed entirely to Mndei- stand her vigorous, enterprising eharge. He therefore not only missed a mother's synij)athy and patience, bni never eanie to feel at ease in his annt's house, every- thing there being too quiet and precise for his viva- cious ways. And so the brightest periods in his lifo were when his father would return from one of his long voyages, bringing with him wonderful gift^, and, what was still better, cansing a temporary snspen- sion of the firm discipline that made his boy's lil'e unhappy. The advent of the captain wrought a remarkable ehano;e in Aunt Etter's demure household. He was her brother, and they were the only remaining mem- bers of their family. They were, moreover, bound to each other by sharing in a common sorrow, for she had lost her husband not long before Harold became motherless ; and now her whole heart was fixed upon this burly brown-bearded man, who in his turn ex- hibited toward her au affectionate tenderness that was tlie joy of her life. Notliing that the captain would do was wrong in Annt Etter's eves. No sanctnarvwas too sacred to be invaded bv him. He mii»;ht smoke in the usuallv silent shaded drawing room and not provoke a nuwmiir. No rnle of domestic discipline was regarded as bind- ing uj)()n liini. The meals were arranged at just what hour he pleased. The lights were burned as late as 1 oi % '% Vi Ugh, IvllGW Y to 'iiulei- e therefore tit leiico, bill use, everv- ir his vi va- in his Hie one of his I gifts, and, ,ry suspen- ) boy's lite remarkable I. lie was iiiiiiT nieni- r, bound to )r she had hi became fixed upon s turn ex- rucss that M-rong in liered to be lially silent murmur, d as bind- just what us late as UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 1 he liked, and altogether the frigid formai liome life ^vas completely broken up, and Ilarohl felt like a pri>oner liappily releascnl from confinement. It must not be wondered at, then, if Captain Mailing was more to Harold than an ordinary father, for he uas a father, mother, benei'actor and liberator all in one, and his son worshiped him as if he were notiiing le.-s than a demigod. Harold, on the other hand, received from his father not only his own share of love, but standing as it >vere in his mother's place, had concentrated upon him- self the full power of the captain's big heart; for he could hardly move or speak without suggesting the pretty, graceful woman who ten yeai'S before had passed gently away leaving him to Aunt Etler's care. And so these two were all the world to each other, as tlie saying is, and now that Harold was maidng good progress through his teens, the captain found pleasure in laying before him his plans for the future as well as in relating the history of his last voyage. It was in this way that Harold came to kne .v' of the captain's idea, and forthwith to entertain an idea of his own. Captain Marling's idea M'as a rather curious one, and marine civdes at Halifax were much concerned about it. Such an enterprise had never been attemjjted ])}■ any " Bluenose" before, and it was therefore, as a matter of course, pronounced quite j)reposterous and (piixoiie. Yet the ciiptain did not look like a man ^ a UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. I II t I ill I ulio would hastily enter upon a wild-goose chase, neither did his past record afford ninc-h ground for tlie gossips and others to work upon. His reputation Mas that of a prudent and foreseeing, though enter- prising and daring man, and the almost uniform success that had attended his previous ventures, niakiui; him now at fortv-five vears of aierce their mysteries, stirred his soul like trumpet blasts, and in ids youth he had registered a lVo\| '«S soul and! InttJ tnoil had! put fcft khei froze A to m Woul liad ( UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. )se cliase, •omul for vptitatioii gli eiuer- : uniforiM venture.-!, ;e a coin- rh that he is friends , and Ids Marling's n iwindal J ])rinieof [it its best, in case of •oposed to hud been l)cen fond ithont its her tiiese ion. The |r. Kane, }X})h)rers of these >rave en- Ronl like listered a {^ow to make at least one trip toward the Pole as soon lis ills eircnnistanecs \\ould permit. That tune hail come at last. Voyaging; north, south, ej.st, and we.-t, circnnmavi^uting the globe over and over again, at first in the employ of others and latterly as his own employer and master, making money often where others entirely failed, his wealth had steadily increased, until he was able not only to put by as much as Harold ought to need, but to have left over more than enough to gratify his long-cher- ighcd ambition to try a tussle with the icebergs of the frozen North. At the same time he diil not by any means propose ^ make his expedition purely a pleasure trip. He woidd combine business with pleasure, and to this end hail determined upon taking a whaling vessel for his ship, and seeking to secure as many monsters of the deep as would by their blubber and bone pay the ex- j^nses of the voyage at least. A shrewd, far-seeing iDnn was Captain Marling, and much as his friends |nd ac(|iiaiiitances migiit laugh at his idea and strive to dissuade him from putting it into execution, he only lanuhed back at them saying, good-hiwnoredly: '"Have vour sav, mv friends, have vour sav. It relieves vour mind and does not alter mine, so nobody's the worse. Tin going up North whether you be true or false pTdphets. _ Aunt Ettcr was at first in a quite pathetic state of mental bewilderment. She had such unqualified faith ■ '£y 10 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. -:l ; ' in her brother that she could hard! y conceive of li is do iiur anvtliinix fuoli.-ii ; and vet between her own vauue exaggerated noiions about tiic Arctic regions, whicii she imagined liad a huge pohu* bear on every pinnacle of ice, and niigiity whales, wicked sword fish, and tierce walrus as thick as sheep in a pasture, and the ill-ad- vised gossij) of her friends wiio pound into her ever- open ears all sorts of terrifying tales, she was wrought up to a Slate of nervous excitement that it rtjquired all the captain's addi'css and firmness to keep he^' in check ; and only after nuich argument and per.^u .-inii Mas she finallv induced to set her mind at rest, and cease worrvinij. The caj)tain's idea in brief was as follows: He had imrcluised in Dundee, Scotland, a fine steam whaKr Mith all her equipments. He had also engaged a full com{)leraent of harpooners, boat steerers, and line managers, taking the utmost care to select men of good repute, and these with the engineers, carpenteis, and ordinary seamen made up as fine a crew as he had ever had under him. His first mate and several of his crew were men who had sailed with him for years, being "Bluenoses" like himself; the remainder iiailed from Dundee, coming over to Halifax in the shij). The arrival of the "Narwhal" at Halifax created no small ripple of excitement, and all day long the wharf to which she was moored received its stream of visitors, bent on examining as closely as they niight Ix' 1 1m UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 11 •e of liis do- own vague ', whicli she pinnacle of I, and fierce 1 tlie ill-ai\ at rest, ainl s : He IkkI .am wlia'ur a!j:ecl a full , and line cL men of carpenters, ^v as he luul several of ;li liini fur reniainiltr ifax in the rax created IV lonij the stream of y might Ix' permitted the fust steam whaler that had ever been in the port ; and the " Narwhal" was well worth a vi.-it. Sididly built of the very best materials, her bow sheathed with thick iron plates, and everything about her speakinii' of sturdy strength to resist the deadly embiace of the ice pack, or the cruel blow of the berg, she jiitsentcd a very dilferent appearance exteriuuly from tiie ordinary siiip or steamer. Then in her cabins and her hold there was still more to interest the visiter, 'i'iic joiig ranges of iron taidcs, now filled to the brim with coal, but, if the fates were propitious, to overflow in due time with unctuous blubber; the strong swift whalcboats carefully stowed amidships ; the arsenal of guns, har])oons, lances, and blid)i)er spados, standing in their racks, jxdished to i)erfection, and ready for service at once shoidd such a miracle ha]u>eii as that a svhale should make its aj)pearanee in Halifax Harbor ; the comfortable forecastle and cosy cabins, the powerful engines, well e({iial to the task of driving the "Narwhal" through opposing fields of ice —all tlie.-e proved siibja'ts of lively interest, aud to no one more than the captain's son. I'rom the day the "Narwhar'steamcd up the harboi-, and glided into her berth at the wharf, Harold had foresw 111 all other amusements in her fiivor. Unless his father wished his comjjany elsewhere, he spent all his free time on board the steamer, until presently thei-e was not a nook or craimy of her hold or cabins thai he had uoi exploied, not a mast that he had not 12 rP AMOXG THE ICE-FLOES. Ii climl)c(l, not a harpoon whose quality lie had not tested, by the familiar proeess of breatiiing upon its polislied hurfaee. Being tiie ea])tain's son, the crew from the first mate down were naturally very good to him, and many a thrilling story he heard from Red Angus, the big harpooner, or from Colin, the boat sterrer, of tough encounters with mighty whales, or sharp tussles with polar bears. And tiie more he saw and heard, the more his idea took possession of him initil he beeame })raetieally a boy of one itiea. It was with him awake or asleep. It filled his dreams i)y iiij»ht, and drove his lessons out of his head bv dav, Had he stopped to think about it, he would certainly liave said that his hap{)inoss depended entirely upon his being permitted to realize his dreams. J>ut all! just tlurc was the rub. The j)rospects of liis having his wish were not at all bright, for both his father and aunt seemed strongly opposed to it. The grounds of Aunt Etter's opposition were simple enoULdi : "No, no, John. I can't abide the thought of poor. little Harold going up amongst the wiiales and bear; and Esquimaux. It's all well enough for big men. but it's not the place for boys. AMiy, John, I lie awake at night picturing to myself our darling boy frozen stark and stiff on an iceberg, or maybe torn to pieces by a polar bear, and it just puts me all of a quiver." "■ Oh, well, you needn't take so gloomy a view of it al c: ^po,- tiiinj awa\- thert PS I Bah with I "I mind opinio to su."- UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 13 » had not upon ita the crow ■y i;ood to i'roin lied , the boat whales, or arc lie saw on of him a. It was dreams hv ^5^U 'ilB all that," answei'od the captain. ioassurin<>;ly. ^'If ]|e eamc with us, I'd taivo good care that he was fgcposod to no needk'ss risks. It's not that I'm thiiil; his desire to go with them, and of his father's refusal, tried to cheer him bv telling him to "Never mind !' the captain would take him next time for certain, ami prof Nurl UP AMON(J TlIK ICE-FLOFS. 15 seemed ^ 15iit id with iicet'orih htcaiucr, !ij)potit(', It. Tho y bi'liii^ f^orts of Biccondetl to tempt pose, tor IS. for tlie rapidly ts, Hour, cr lb" t(l ns, wcro •c Q;nrg*'(l ks~ fille.1 inks ow ju.s flukl, after d:iy was free knew 'ti ; refiis:il, ' mind !' tain, ami '■Hi-, ])n)niislni^ to hrinu; liiin all sorts of trophies from the JSDrth, a youn;^ stal to pet, a walrus' tusk, a Ix'ar's }»:iw, ami so forth. Harold tlio oughly appreciated their kindne.^s, — although indeed it only added to his heartaclie, — and felt bound to seem somewhat hiigliteneil hy it ; but all the same his eager longing lost none of its force. At length the day of departure drew near. On the morrow, if the weather were favorable, the "Narwhal" would set forth. Poor Harold moved about, the very picture of a disconsolate boy. He had two causes f>r Ixiing miserable. Tiie j)ariing with his father was always a great trial to him, and it seemed now particularly hard to bear when in all probability he would be longer away than ever l)ef)re ; and then theie Was his own deep disappointment in addition. 'J'lie last evening the little fmiily of three sat down to tea toirether, Harold seemed unable either to sav a Avord or eat a bite, although the captain did his best to be merry, and Aunt Etter spread the table with her most delicious dainties. Many a troubled glance did his father give him across the table, and more than *once an expression of half-formed resolve flitted across liis face, that might have given Harold some comfort Could lie have cauirht its meaning. Much earlier than his usual hour, Harold bade the captain an affectionate good-night and w nt off q'lietly to bed, his father saying as the door closed iii)on him : " Poor little bov ! I hate to refuse him." 16 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES, :!:' ^1: Captain iVFarlini^ romaiiifil talkliif^ with liis sister until a late hour and tlicu went oil* to his room. A.s ha ])as-(!tl Ilarohl's door lie could not rt'sist tii(3 impulse to go in and take a look at his darling boy. Ihirohl was asleep, but there were signs of recent tears upon his pale face, and he stirred uneasily, like one whose slumber was far from sound. N(;ver before had he seeineil to the captain to look so much like his dead mother. The big, strong man fairly started at the striking resemblance. . Presently Harold's lips moved. His face took on an expression of })assionate entreaty, and he mnrnnu'ed hiintlv, vet clearlv enouirh tr be heard : ' "Oh, father, please take me. I'll be so obedient. Please, father, please do." Then the light shining in his face awakened him, and his big brown eyes opened wide. In an instant he sprang up in his bed, threw his arms around his father's neck, buried his face in the brown beard, and sobbed out, piteously : ''Take me with you, father. Take me with you, or it will break my heart." 'if IJ caj)t onlv S hav« was / him :'| tliroi J^' 11 ie, now was 1 broai dear i Votl.' te si)()k( 5 Jl: I fathei % iri'adi .. dear, ' miiili brolh( <\\ to the bow to watch the waves curling back in foam from the steamer's ii'on [)row ; then he woidd dive down into the hot enirine room to look at tl movements o f tl le mi won Id, wu h tel( ">C0{ )e ght at 1 V maclinierv and nex t 1 le le us eve, be t rvmg to make " out Aunt Etter's trim cottage, and to see if she were s>till waving the white tablecloth. Straight out iiuo the ocean went the " Narwhal," until having put a sulficient brcailth of blue-green sea between herself and the rocky shore, she tiu"n(Hl almost due north, and proceeded onward with tlie Nova Scotian coast at her left, and the great glori- ous ocean stretching awav indcfinitelv on her risrht. There was a Hue fresh westerly breeze blowintr, whi<;h increased in vigor as t'le morning moved toward 20 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. niul-(l:iy, and presently the "Narwhal" began to pitcli and toss in a lively manner, to \vhi<;h Harold was not at all accustomed. He tlionght it very fine fun at first as the powerful .-teamer di{)pe(l and rose again with the lightne-^s of a diiek ; and standing bv the taffrail, with the breeze doing its best to blow his cap off his head, he laughed for very joy. Ere long, however, he began to have a feeling inside as if he had eaten somethiniz; at breakfast which had raised a row with his digestive apparatus. A most wretched sensation of squeamish ness took pos- session of him, and he was glad to sit down upon the bench beside the cabin skylight, especially as his head was swimming in a very bewildering fashion. He did not feel exactly alarmed at his novel experi- ence, but he did feel very much pi-ovoked. All his spring and vigor seemed to have left him, and he became as limp and languid as a jelly-fish. What could be the matter? Was he reallv croinor to be ill, and that just at the beginning of the splendid time he hoped to have? The thought was dreadful, anil he did so wish his father would come aloncj. But although he Imew he could not be far away, he })ositively had not the strength to get up from his seat and call to him. After &ittinis fither to look very concerned and [syniputliizintr, the bintf mariner burst into a lauirh 2iid threw iiimself down beside him, saying as he i)ut [liis brawny arm affectionately about his shoulder : I" fla ! ha ! my lad, and so you're feeling rather [iniserahle in your hold. Well, never mind. We've tali been throujjh it. Won't do vou a bit of harm. Jic dl riy;ht bv to-morrow. Come, I'll take von down to ivour berth. You'll be more comf)rtable there." [And picking up the big boy as though he W(M'e a [bai>y, the caj)tain threw him gently over his broad shouliier, and carried him down to ids snug cabin, ;"where he stowed him away in his own berth. {i Tliat was Harold's first experience of sea sickness, if and fortunatclv it did not last ^-erv lonir. He was a 1||)retty wretclied individtiul all that night, and not ■Ijgood for much the t\)llowing day; but by the evening of tiie second day he had picked up a bit, and the inorning found him as chippei' as a sparrow, witii a fine app(>tite for breakfast. In the meantime the " Narwhal " had ploughed her :,'ji ■^, 22 TIP AMONG TPIE ICE-FLOES. way past Nova Scotia, and Capo Breton, and across the great Gulf of St. La\vren(,'o, and was now nearing the cruel coast of NewfoiimUani]. She had not been making j)articularly rapid progress becausa the wind had been dead ahead, and Ca})tain Marling did not think it worth while to expend a large quantity of coal for the sake of another knot or two an hour. So soon as Harold had his sea legs on, he proceeded to make a thorough examination of his surroundings. As regards cabin accommodations, he found himself exceedingly well provided for. The whole stern of the " Narwhal " was taken up with a large saloon surrounded bv a number of staterooms, the saloon being liirhted by a skvlight, which made it verv bright and airv. The lariiest and best stateroom Mas of course the captain's, and it contained two berths, the upjier being assigned to Harold, who therefoi'e had the comfort of knowing that his father was sleeping beneath him and within easy reach. The captain's cabin was somewhat larger than an ordinary stateroom, and titted up with every possible convenience, no pains or money having been spared to make the '' Narwhal" a comfortable home. Not even a bath had been forgotten, for what seemed like a luxuricms arm chair proved, on being stripped of its trappings, to be a huge bath tub that would have con- tented an}' Jonathan or John Bull. Thei^> were chests of drawers, of rich dark mahogany with bright bra.-s bandies, set cunningly into the corners; tiiere were UP AMONG TIIK TCE-FI.OES. 23 1 across Hearing lot been lie wind ng did i[uantity hour, [■oceeded iindings. liimj^elf stern of e saloon e saloon I it very I'ooni was berths, tore liad sk'opin than an possible )ared to S'ot even d like u led of its ave con- re chests r\\t bra-s ere were racks of books fixed firmly upon the walls, and containing scores of volnnies dealing princi[)aily wiih life and adventure upon tiie high seas, and up in tlie frozen North ; there were pictures, telescopes, guns, revolvers and hunting knives artisticiilly arranged; and altogetlier it would have been a queer boy who aficra good look at Captain Marling's snug cabin did not at once pronounce it perfection. Harold had his own chest of drawers, his own book raek, on which his Bible, llobinson Crusoe, and other liieiMiy treasures stood in neat rows, and what pleased Ijini even more, his own rifle and revolver, presented to him by his fatiier on tiie day tiiey left Halifax, with the promise that he would teach him to use them as soon US he had a little leisure. He was an intenselv liMppy boy. The relief from the routine of school, and from the prim monotony of Aunt Etter's house- hold, cond)ined with the prospect of a long and ndventurous voyage with his father, filled him to over- flowing with delight. Even while his sea sickness was at its worst he felt no inelination to turn back, Ithough his father pretended to think he did, saving Wto idni verv seriously as the *' Narwhal " was bowliiu*- 'ijncrrilv along: *' Prettv sick, niv bov, aren't vou ? .^AVould vou like to ?kin coat buttoned close, was a very ditlerent being; and despite ai Th on tliat id face : lie kiml. xhaii.-tLMl [low, tho -. "Of rio-lit l)v u a bit." [Vom I lie il niatcrs, surgeon, ii's mess, of I hem. , a Nova r content tics, and save liis ility tliat Strum, ntrast to uulsome, arrayed doni»; the CD ve taken omehow lie same a " sou'- >kiii coat d despite UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 25 I all his da-liin^i; dandyism, at whieli old Strum was /? very fond of poking t\ui in Ids chunsy iliduon, Frank lia'l few superiors as a seaman. The eiiuineers were Scotch men, who had come out in the '• Xarwhah " Tliey wore ([uiet, reserved men, Aviiose hearts were on tlieir work, and were very much atta.'lied to eacli oilier, seeming not to need any other society, altliouuh disposed to be sociable enough when C"a|)taiu ^larling or tlie others made advances to them. Tiioir names were D*jnald Stewart and Archibahl McMillan. Finally there was tlie surgeon, a high-spirited young ic'llow, fresli from colh'ge, and full of pleasure at I lie prospect before him. lie had a brilliant record as a student, and iiis friends wondered very much that Kai'iiest liintou did notatonee settle down to practice. But he was in no liurrv. He was both vounu; and wealthy, and proj)()sed to iiave a spice of adventure before settlintr down. Accordinulv, no sooner iiad he lieard of Captain ^Earling's project, than he at once offered iiimself as surgeon on a nominal salarv, and "Was cordially accepted. IIo was a good-looking athletic chap, with a fine record for })rowess on the sod and cinder path, and Harold fell in love with him most promptly. Frank Lewis woidd be his hero, but Dr. Linton would be his chum, and he felt vcrv rich in his friends. While these necessarv particulars have been irettino' themselves set down, the "Xurwhal" lias been steam- . i iP '*te. -M I 26 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. iii<^ onward past the NowfoiUKllaiul coast, and by to-morrow morning will be in the harbor of Sr. John's. It was a gloi'ion.s evening, quiet and clear ; the sea was aflame wiih phosphorescence, and Harold, fascinat(.Ml by the sight of waves of molten gold rolling back from the steamer's prow, had been a long time at the bow, leanintjc over the <2;nnwale. The deck was almo-t deserted, all being below in saloon and forecastle, exce{)t the lookout on the other side of the ship from Harold, and the seconil mate, pacing the poop witi' steady step and watchfid eyes, whistling softly. Ti., forehatch happened to be left open. It lay in the deep shadow cast by the funnel, and presently something strangely like a human head was lifted above the combiiiii:, a i)air of keen, anxious eves took a lia.-tv glance about, and then the head disappeared. After a moment's interval it was lifted again. This time it staved Ioniser, and the eves caui^ht siixht of Harold's form outlined again-t the bulwarks. The lookout changed his position a step or two, and instantly tiie head vanished. Once more it was raised, and this time the coast seemed clear. The lookout was motionless, the mate was at the far stern, and only Harold was in sight. As silently as a snake a queer dark form crawled up from the hatchwaA'' and crept noiselessly toward the unconscious boy at the bul- warks. Skillfully kee})ing in the darkest shadows, it got right behind him, and then paused, for between him and it there was u broad band of moonlight it ^!^Se^1S UP AMONG THE irF:-FLoi:s. 27 and 1)V . John's, soa was scinated vj: back le at the s almost )rec'a.stU', lip from )op witi- y. T,.. the deep )mctliiiig bove the | a ha.-ty After a time it larold's lookout instantly ed, and out was id onlv X queer nd crept he bul- dows, it between ilight it dared not cross. One, two, tliree, four, five minutes j)as.-cd, and tliere was no I'uriiier movement. Then Harold, saying ah)nd, ''Dear me! time to go to bed," turned away to go toward tlie cabin. In so doiiiii; lie passed bv the shadow wherein the mvsteri- ous form cowered trembliiiirlv. Then like a lla.^ii an arm was tlirust out, and a thin hand was laid upon his arm, while a weak, })iiiful voice said, in tones of agonized entreatv : " For the love of God, sir ! " CHAPTER in. A I'ECULIAIl TROTECiE. H WITH a grent start of surprise Harold turned upon tlie speaker. He l)('lu.'le vicious, and the ])assionate intensity of entreaty it now ex})ressed would have touched a far harder heart than Harold's. Noticing the lalter's hesitation, and fearini^ lest he should call out, this unexjH'cted apparition mad-! as tiiough he woidd draw him back into the shadow, saying, in the same piteous tones: "For the love (»f God, sir, listen to me." " AVhat is it ? AVhat do you want? " asked Harold, not unkindlv, unconsciouslv vieldiu"; to the othci-'s influence, and stepping aside into the dark nook from which he had so suddenly emerired. "Please, sir, I'm starving, and I'll die if I don't 28 a .tM UP AM<).\(J Tin: i('i:-FL()f;s. 29 turned •e him, L'Ul'iollS- )out his .vroiiLiht lis poor han>:iiiL: than a Sharp no \vi>e • it now t tluui fcariiii; )n mad'! hadow, h)ve of [Farold, orlu'i''s )k from I don't ir soon ijot a bite to oat. I've liad notiiln'' to cat hnt a bit of a K)af since we j^tarted," answered the boy, whose wlioic appearance gave sucli strong support to iiis story. ** Hut who arc you, and wliat arc you doing here?" queried IlaroKl, iooUiiii^ hard at luni. •• Please, sir, my name is Patsy Kehoc, and I'm a stowaway — that's the truth of it, and it's no umi a denvin' it." And Patsv lunii; his liead us if he dared not hjoU his (picstioner in tiie face. A stowawav ! The name touclied Harold's svni- ])atiiics at once, and made ids lieart beat more (piickly. ilow oficn he had rea easy for him to go into the steward's pantry — which ho Avas ulad to find deserted — and take anvthinu; he pleased from it. Hastily filling two pockets with biscuits and snatching iip a bone of ham that had a good deal ot meat still left upon it, he hastened back to the bow. Patsv's eves fUrshed at the sight of the ham and biscuits, and witlk a fervent ''Lord love you, sir!" he proceeded lo stow them away as best he could in his tattered garments. It made Hal's heart ache to see the poor little fellow's trend)ling eagerness, and when he ventured one more request, he was only too glad tu lidfill It. " Could you get me a sup of water, sir? I'm pow- erful dry," begged Patsy. ■I UP AMONG THK IC'K-FLOES. 31 (1 to find il, coiili- •<)U doiTt 1 tlioii aiK lat (lark, shudder. t. Jollll'r*, captain."' g to eat, ill. one ever at it was whic'li lie »e })leasetl iciiits and d deal ol le bow. ham and sii'!'^ lie dd in Ills le to see nd wlien o glad to L m pow- "Of coiirso I (Ml!," rosp()nde(] Hal, promptly. II(; in.-tantly llmiiulit of a tin can wiili a cover to it that lie liad seen ihat cveninoftlv and .silcntiv as a shadow. Jle felt so sure of his father's permitting the stowaway to remain on board that he long(.'d to run and tell him about Patsy. But Patsv had bciiijed so hard for him not to do this until after the '^Narwhal" had left St. John's that to do Bo now would seem like breaking faith witii him. Yet -the thought of his passing another night, and j)erhaps even longer, in some dark corner among the casks and tanks, when he might be snugly ensconced in the fore- castle, was very repulsive. § Harold longed to take counsel with some one. But ill whom should he confide? He felt as though he did not know any of the men on board well enough ret to trust them with his secret. No ; if he could fjiot tell it to his fluher he coidd not tell it toanvbodv. that \\as clear. And so, feeling that he had no small .burden on his mind, he returned to the saloon, where ; his father hailed him with a cheerv : " Well, Hal, niv UP AMO^•G THE IC»FIiOE3. hov ; IkuI cnoiiirli .star ii;aziiiion. replying I'll soon )erth, ami at he was d on ilii> thougliis thinkiu,' niewliere uxui'ioiis ere doiiiL' iVoni his liini. At and witli eh Pat-y I ship hy igry, and now he was in connnand himself and was ordering Captain Marling to do something; and so it went on, until morning came and found Harold not as much refreslieii as he oui:;ht to have been bv his night'd rest. The " Narwhal " i)ad reached St. John's, and going on deck Harold saw ronnd abont him tha towering elilKs of this famous harbor, and straight in front the iniphiilieatre of the city. Here iliey spent the day purchasing furs, adding some further supplies to their larder, and securing the addition to their crew^ of two exj)erienced sailors — men thorougidy acquainted with tbe wild region for which they were destined, hi the bustle and activity that filled the day, Harold quite iforgdt his protege, and it was not until as the siui sank in the west the steamer ttuMied away from St. John's, ftutl passing out through the harbor's narrow^ gateway begtui once more to toss about upon the Atlantic's restless bosom, that he bethouixht himself of the bov |i the forehold. When he did think of him, he was ])atient for the time to come when he need be bur- dened with his .secret no longer. ' 'J'he evening was fine and clear, the breeze fresh f|tld favorable, and Captain Marling sent the steamer ji|tong almost at her best speed, while lie stood on the iiige talking earnestly with one of the men who pid joined them at St. John's. He was evidently H excellent luiinor, for his heartv \awAi could l)e lizard now and then ringing out as the sealer wotdd c 34 UP AMOXa THE ICE-FLOES. say sometliing that tickled his fanny. Harold noted all this, but still it would not do to interrupt him jii.^t then. The sun vanished, the stars came one by one into their places, the sailors put the ship in order for the night, and then everybody went below except tho.-e wijo.se duty it was to remain on deck. Captain Marling took the sealer down into the saloon to consult some charts with him, and all was quiet on board the " Narwhal," save the ceaseless throbbiui,^ of the engines, and the plashing of the waves that seemed to be vainly striving to oppose her onward progress. Now was the time for action. Goino; forward to the hatch, fortunately not yet battened down, Harold gently removed a section of the covering, and loaning over into the dark well, called out, softlv : "Pat'vl Patsv ! Come I " There was a stir somewhere over in a far corner, a whispered "I'm just a comin', sir," and presently the thin sharp face was underneath Harold, and peering up eagerly at him. " Come along, Patsy. Coast's clear," said Harold, in his most encoura<2:inteps. So close did Patsy keep to his protector that Captain MarliiiLr, who was at the other end of the saloon, did Udt notice him when he looked up, and said: "Oii, Hal. I'm glad you've turned up. Come here and I'll show you on this chart where the 'Narwhal' IS to go. }> Harold turned first red, and then pale, and In- voice liad a tell-tale quiver in it as he stepped for- ward, and pointing to Pat.sy, now fully revetded in the bright light, said, in a tone of assumed gayety, " I've brought you another passenger, father." Captain iSIarling sprang from his chair, a fiery flush sutfused his face, and his eves flushed anirrilv a- he cried : " AVhat's the meaning of this, boy? "What trick have you been playing upon me ? " 'm snu]) ^th 1 UP AMONG THE ICE-FT.OES. 37 said lie, eception or, bill, ■: "On, uml see, i\v too," hanimor, 1(1 lit liis 1 saloon. ;ity waif | close dill Marlinu'. did not II: "Oil. ere aiul ^ N^arwhal ' and lii^ )pe«l l"<»i'- ed in tlic tv. " I've a fit^i'v ugrily as What Tlie stowaway started as thoul( f' A BATTLE WITH THE ICE. A THOROUGH wash, a hearty supper, and a good iiinj)port of their forebodings. But in the midst of it ;ill there was one upon whom these untoward cnrcum- ; ^tallces had not the slightest effect. His face was alwavs bnVht and sunnv, his voice full of cheer and liis step buoyant. All day long while at his work he whistled or sang merrily to himself. His life seemed one unshadowed dream of deliril of the ''Narwhal" began. Captain Marling wanted Harold to remain below, but ho begged so hard to be allowed to stay on the bridge beside his father that he was permitted to have his own way. From there he ' -id a full view of the struggle now going on between the toices of nature in their destructive fury, and the etforts of man to cope with them. The steamer had been, so to speak, prepared for aetion. Her hatches had been battened down secin*ely, all loose ropes coiled snugly in their places, and the deck cleared of everything not needed. Every man M'as at his post. On the bridge were the captain, the first mate, and one of the sealers who had joined at St. I Jnhn's, often conferring toirether as to the best thinir to do. On the poop were the second mate and the pecoiul engineer, the latter having come up from the hot engine room for a breath of cooler air while his senior ofHcer took Ids place below, while in the 46 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES, 'i M waist of the sliip and at the bo\v, the men were gathered in little groups, awaiting llicir captain's coinmar.d. . ' As bravely and obediently as though she were a thing of life, did the gallant steamer struggle on ward. Harold, hugging tightly the rail of the bridge, a heavy tarpaidin hat tied fast upon his head, and a thick oil- skin coat protecting his body, hardly knew whether terror or fascination had most control of him, and the scene before him was cei-tainly well calcidated to inspire boy or man with both emotions to no small degree. The storm had now reached its height. The furious wind turned the tight-strained rigging into a huge aeolian harp, and played upon it tunes that sounded like the wild wails of tortured spirits. The steamer groaned through every timber as she rose and plunged in the mighty waves. But grandest and most terrible of all were the ice-floes ; some large enough to have borne the "Narwhal" upon their backs as lightly as a i powerful horse does its rider: others no bigger than one of the whale boats hanging in the davits. They were fully five feet thick, of hard Arctic ice — a por- tion of Jack Frost's last winter's crop; and driven hv the impetuous wind, they tossed about on the tunuilt- uous waves, crashing into one another with spli uteri ii<: collision, or battering the steamer's ironclad hull wiiii 'f' dull booming shocks that made her tremble from stem to stern. Tl SIOIIS (lama_< cliargi crept was 1 iniglit coidd much but wl be rerp Fine Harold out a iiad no ills du lioldiiio; deb'ght( come he Patsy nestled could Jo ii),ir and "it awe-stru " Fait iw just akogethc ot', and J UP AMO^-G THE ICE-FLOES. 47 were tain's ere a waixi. iieavv k oii- leilicr id I lie ed to small The keenest vigilance was recjiiired to avoid colli- sions wiih iinnien.se tloes that might have done serious (lamago, or to elude the fatal nip of icy moii.sters ciiarging madly upon one another. The steward crept cantiously up on deck to announce that dinner wa-^ ready, but nobody heeded him. Tlie dinner might wait, but the storm would not, and no man could be spared from his post. Not that there was nuich to do, save to look on at the tremendous conflict; but who could tell when the best efforts of all might he recpiired? Finding the wind unbearable on the exposed bridge, JIarold made his way back to the poop, and sought otit a hheltered nook beside the mizzen-mast. He had not been there long, before Patsy, relieved from his duties below, came creeping along the decks, holding fast to whatever was at hand, and Harold, (ieligiited to see him, called out : " Patsy ! Patsy ! collie here ! " Patsv at once steered tow^ard him, and the two bovs ne-tlcd sociably together in their corner, whence they could look out upon the storm, and listen to the grind- ing and crashing of the ice-floes. "It is dreadful. Patsy, isn't it?" said Harold, in awe-struck tones. " I'm so afraid, aren't vou?" "Faith, it is a bad storm, Master Harold, and that ice just looks as if it was acliin' to smash ns up altogether," rejilied Patsy; "but we'll be taken care of, and Fm not afraid." t m 48 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. "Just think, tlioiigli, Patsyj if one of those bi;^ cakes of ice was to make a hole in the steamer's side a'.u] siie was to sink, what would become of us tlien? AV^e couhlii't take to tlie boats, and we'd just liave to drown," went on Harohl, wlio felt disposed * take ratlier a gloomy view of the situation. " Arrah, now ! don't voii be thinkiuij: of that at all !" returned Patsy, putting on a bright smile. "Sure, nothin' of tlie kind's goin' to happen at all ; the steamer's too strong for any piece of ice to make a hole in her." " I don't know about that," said Harold, shaking his head doubtfully; "I've read of it happening, in the books." " Was it only in tlie books it happened ? " retorted Patsy, who seemed determined to be cheerful. '• Then sure, we needn't bother ourselves about it, for it's nut in the books we are." While they were sj)eaking, Frank Lewis came along the deck, and noticing the boys in the corner, approached them, saying : " Well, boy.s, don't yuu wish you were safe at home again ?" " I don't know but I do, sir," answered Harold. "Faith, then, and I don't," cried Patsy. "I'd rather be on board this steamer in the biofirest storm that ever was than bo at mv home airain." Lewis smiled at the speaker, understanding well his meaning. " You know when vou're well olf, don't you. Patsy ? " UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 49 "I think I do, sir; and I'm well pleased to slay, stunn or no atorm." Tiie afternoon wore away without any apparent ahateineiit in the violence of tiie if-Aii or the cinantitv «t' tiie ice, and with ap[)roach of niglit, anxiety on board tlie "Narwhal" increased. The steamer had so far stood the ordeal splendidly. The pumps had been frequently sounded, but no sii^n of a leak was (li-fcovered. The engines had been doing their work as sniootidv and steadily as though there were no storm, and bovond some sliirlit breakages in the saloon and paiury, no damage had been reported. All this had been made possible only by the exer- cise of the utmost care and skill on the part of the {':i|)rain and his assistants. So admirable was Captain Marling's seamanship, that even Peter Strum Jiardly vt-iuurcd a suirLTestion. All da\' long he liad stood ii|)un tlie bi'idge, watching every movement of his gal- lant ship, and of the ice that seemed to be conspiring fur her destruction. Just before dark he left his post for a few minutes to snatdi a hurried bite of food, ami then retin-ned there to spend the rest of the night. At supper time those who could be spared from the deck gathered at the tal)le, Jlarold, in spite of his iMieasiness, finding iiimself with a keen ap})ctite. They were just in the midst of their meal, when tiiere v,as a lieavy concussion under the stiiimer's stern. The proj)eller seemed to ceas(! its revolu- tiuns for an instant, and then start again with a rush. m UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. : S But, clearly enough, there was something wrong. Instead of running with the regularity witii whicli it liad been running all day, its jerlcy, spasmodic action told only too plainly tiiat serious damage had been done in some way. The chief engineer sprang from the table with a troubled face, and hastened off to the engine room. Frank Lewis hurried on deck, while the sursj:eon and Harold remained in the saloon, anxiouslv awaiting an explanation of what had happened. Wi)at seemed a long time to them passed without any one appearing, and Dr. Linton was just about to go up on declc, when Lewis ran down to get something from the cabin. "Hello, Lewis, what's happened?" cried Dr. Linton. "A pretty bad business," replied Lewis, who-e countenance showed mucli concern. " The propeller's broken." " Propeller broken ! " exclaimed the doctor. " How do you mean ? Broken right off ? " " Oh, no ; not so bad as that," answered tlie mate, unable to restrain a smile. " But one blade must be gone, anyway ; and we can't tell till morning what other damage has been done." Harold's heart sank witliin liim at these words, and Dr. Linton looked verv irrave. There was, indeed, plenty of cause for gnat anxiety. The situation of the steamer was perilous in the extreme. To have faced such a gale with everytliing in order would iiavo UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 51 Dr. ho.>e Uer's I |Ho\V 1st be IwhiU • heon task onoiiy;h duriiifr; the loiiu: liours of darkness. But to struggle with tempest and darkness together when in a semi-disabled condition ! Little wonder it' Cai)tain Marling's well-bronzed countenance took on a haggard look that did not seem at all natural, and it' Peter Strum was overheaid continuallv niut- tering unintelligible things, tliat may, perhaps, have been prayers, as the anxious night wore slowly away. [, and dec«e. Harold watched tiie proceedings with intense inter- 'pM est, and a constant shower of (jnestions. 80 soon as the wind had snfficicntly abated, and tiie sea become less tnrbulent, a lioisting gear was arraiiired at the stern. Then, under the direction of the chief engineer, the hnge heavy screw was s]owiy lifted from its phice, 1 I and, with many a '• lieave-lio" and "easy now," sw ung up on the deck, wiiere the damage done to it at once became ap{)arent. One of the blades had been broken short off, and it was a wonder to all that it had served its purpose so well as it had durino; the dark liours of danger. Two lutnrs of hard work and a new blade restored the screw to its original condition. Less than halt* tiiat time was sufficient to replace it at the stern; and then, with everybody on board feeling that a great l)nrden ll had ))een lifled from them, and that they had glad licarts and free, the " Xarwhal " Ment bounding over the waters, steering directly for Hudson's Straits. So soon as this had been siiccessfidly accomj)lislied, ( ai)tain Marling, thoioiighly tired out, went down to his cabin for the rest he so greatly needed, and did not appear again until supper time. Then he came out in excellent htimor, and had many qnesti(jns to ask of Harold, who was in close attendance upon him. " What do you think of a sailor's life now, Hal? Not much fiui about it in a s^torm, is there ? '* H UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. " No, indeed, f-ir," replied Harold, promptly. " I'm mighty glad the storm is over, and hope there won't be another in a hurry." " There's no telling, Hal. There's no telling," said the captain, shaking his head. " Plenty of storms up in these regions. Perhaps," he addt^l, with a sly looic at his j?on, '' you wish you were back in Haliliix again." " Not a bit of it, sir," pi'otested Harold. " I was a little frightened Inst night, but I'm all right now, and it'll take more to frighten me next time." " That's a good way of looking at it, Hal," said the caj)tain, with an approving smile. '• Just keep along tiiat line, and you'll soon get as hard to scare as old Peter himself." Harold blushed with pleasure at his father's et)m- mendation, and firmly resolved in his mind that he would keep along that line, and that even though he should never become quite as hard to scare as old Strum, who seemed to be made of sole leather, he was so tough, still he would follow liis example closely. The ''Narwhal," under a full head of steam, and with every stitch of canvas set, made great headway northward during the day. Tlie little ice that there was scjittered over the face of the ocean offered no opposition to her progress, and ere the sun sank to rest behind tlie lofty cliffs that liiieil the shore, slie had cast anchor at Nachvak' Bay. Then Ca[)tain ]Marling intended to procure, if possible, an Esquimau, who UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 55 might acpompnny him for the remainder of the vi)\afi;o as interpreter. Harold was hiirhly delighted at the prospect of a run on shore, especially as it wonld probably afford him his first glimpse of a genuine Esquimau, and long before the steamer came to anchor he had obtained j)ermission from his father to accompany him when he went on land. This the captain did not do that evening, as it was almost dark before the "Narwhal" was anchored to his satisfaction, consequently Harold had to restrain his impatience as best he might until morning. They had a visitor, however, whose coming in some measure consoled him — namely, the chief liKJtur of the Hudson Bay Company's post, which gives to Nachvak what little importance it possesses. This gentleman, who might be said to have been monarch of all he surveyed, for certainly his right there were none to dispute, the gentle Esquimaux be- ing entirely subject to him, proved to be a stout, full- bearded Scotchman of about middle age, with the manner of one accustomed to do and say pretty much what he pleased. He came out in his boat just about (lark, and, despite his important bearing, Harold tiiought him of little interest in comparison with the quartet of oarsmen that composed his crew. These Avcre unusually fine specimens of Esquimaux — four short, squat, dark-skinned, black- haired, brown-eyed, flat-nosed individuals, who seemed to be very princes of good humor. There was not a line of care or hint 56 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. U : i H of temper on their fat faces, and wlion, having socnred tlje boat, tiiey chuiibered awkwardly, but fearlessly, up the rope ladder at the "Narwhal's" side and stood in a little group upon the deck, Harold thouglit them the verv oddest-lookina; fellows he had ever seen. He at once went up to them, and was not a little proud to find himself almost a head above the talle.>t of the four. " Good-morning. Glad to see you," said he, in his most gracious manner. The Esquimaux grinned broadly, and after looking at one another said something together that was evi- dently intended as a reply to the salutation, but just what it was Harold couhl not, for the life of him, make out. "Can you talk English?" he asked. The dusky visitors grinned again, and, after another look at each other, shook their heads. " That's a pity," said Harold, " for I certainly can't speak your language." Suddenly a happy thought struck him. Though they couldn't talk, they undoubtedly could eat, so bidding them "stay there, he wouhl be back in a second," he darted off to the saloon, and presently re- appeared bearing a plateful of biscuits. He could not have made a better choice. The moment the Esquimaux saw the biscuits their eyes gleamed with delight, their grin extended well-nigh from ear to ear, and as soon as the plate was within reach they siraul- fi: UP AMONG THE ICE-Fl.OES. 57 tnncously made a grab at it, witli the result that sev- eral biscuits were knocked oif tlie plate to the deck, where they serainhlcd for tiiein with all the eagerness of street arabs scranii)ling' for pennies. Harold laui^hed heartily at their naive manners, and Patsy appearing at this moment, he called him over to share in the amusement. Their eager scramb- ling for the biscuits had given him an idea, which he forthwith proceeded to put into execution. AVitli- diawing a little way from the Esquimaux, who were still standing by the bulwarks, he held up a biscuit, and calling out, '' Here! Catch ! The first man that gets it, keeps it," threw it into tlu^r midst. Not for an instant did the natives hesitate. Thev may never have phiyed that sort of game before, but they knew exactly what to do, all the same, and with the agility of four expert football players, they made a dive for this biscuit. The struirijle that ensued was very funny, and the two boys laughed until their sides ached as biscuit after biscuit was thrown with the same result, the Esquimaux thoroughly entering into the spirit of the thing, and manifesting the utmost good humor. Nor were the boys the only spectators. The entire crew soon turned out to witness the sport, and were joined by the second mate and surgeon, so tliat when Captain Marling came up on deck with the factor, he foimd a noisy crowd gathered amidships, which he quietly joined, and, with his visitor, enjoyed the fun as much as the others. 58 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. Harold had just despatclied Patsy for a fresh supply of biscuits, and the excitcim-iit was at its height. Tos.siiig tlie biscuit into tlic air lie would shout: "Now, tlien — jump for it!" and jump for it the four fat "Huskies" would, knockiug the bis- cuit on the deck and rolling over one anotiier in their eagerness to get it. The one wiio succeeded in secur- ing the prize would then stuff it into the capacious bosom of his shirt, and be ready for a fresh struggle. ]5y the time the second supply of biscuits was ex- hausted the factor wished to return to the shore, and in vast good humor his swarthy oarsmen took their leave of the white visitors wiio had treated tlieni so handsomely. The following morning proved gloriously fine, and Captain Marling immediately after breakfast ordered his gig to be put in the water that he might be rowed ashore in state to return the factor's visit. Harold, as a matter of course, accompanied him, donning his best shore-going clothes for the occasion, and in high spirits at the prospect of a run on dry land ; for if it must be told, he had already begun to find ^he con- finement of shipboard life not a lit*^'^ ?' ^some, and a change, however brief, was wondt welcome. Nachvak could not boast of m, - lions wherewith to entertain its visitors. Half a do/en low, strong wooden buildings, gathered into a sort of square, con- stituted the Hudson Bay Company's post, and besides that, at a little distance off, a cluster of the picturesque- UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 69 looking skin tents in wliicli the Esquimaux live tliiriiig the liot months of their brief .summer were the only siome scanty pateiies of moss and lichen, tliere was none, except tiiat here anil tliere in sunny-slieltered nooks tiny green leaves might be found thrusting their way through tiie unpropitious soil. The factor — who rejoiced, by the way, in the good Scotch name of Donald McTavish — greeted his visitors very cordially, and escorted them at once to his quar- ters, where Plarold had the opportimity of going about on his own account, while the elders partook of some ref'resiunent in the factor's be.st parlor. He was soon an ()l)joct of lively interest to a group of Esquimaux ciiildren, who followed him about like a pack of dogs, watching his every movement and chatting to one an- other. They kept at a very respectful distance, and Harold, wishing to be friendly, made several attempts to overcome this reserve ; but his efforts resulting only in a very sudtlen and complete scattering of his dusky followers, he gave it up as a bad job. Presently, however, he had better fortune, for after lie had made the rounds of the post, looking into the storehouses, now filled with furs awaiting the comiiiij of tlie annual ship, and taking a peep at the men's quarters, which seemed i-ather close and stuffy abodes for summer time, although no doubt just the right thinir for the bitter davs of midwinter, he went over to the Esquimaux village. He no sooner approached it GO UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. i\ I ' tliaii a fat little mail came toward him, crnnning from ear to ear, whom Harold, with some little difHciilty, recoiiiiized a? one of the factor's boatmen. He Avas very j^lad indeed to see him, and holding out his haiul, gave him a cordial "Good-morniiig." The Esquimau looked at the oulstretohcd hand as thougii he expected to see something in it. Tiicu finding it was empty, lie took hold of it in botii of his and pressed it to liis bosom. He was a jolly look- ing little man, quite three inciies shorter than Harold, but considerably broader, and the boy could not help thinkinij to himself that if it came to a hand-to-hand struggle, the '^ Huskie " might prove a very tough cus- tomer. Harold wished, very much that he had taken some lessons in the Esquimaux language before coming up North, for it did seem so stupid to be standing there vis-a-vis with this 2)1 easant- faced native, and to all appearance trying to out-do him in griiming. One can always fall ba(;k upon the sign language, however, so pointing at the cluster of tents, Harold called out loudly, as if his hearer was somewhat deaf: " I'd like to see your tents. Come along and show them to me." Whereat the Esquimau enlarged his smile by way of indicating that he understood, and at once waddled off toward the tents, with Harold following close in iiis wake. There were about twentv tents irathereJ together in an irregular group, and made apparemly of very poor pan'iimcut, the actual material being Huile : UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 61 IV of olF ills |n;ly Mill! ul 10 sealskin, with the hair carefully scraped off. Each tent was the abode of a family, and with an air of con.-cioiis pride, ilarolcrs guide eonducteil him to the C(ine of yellow eriidcled .skin of wiiich he was the lord and master. It was about the same size as an ordinary Indian wigwam, and put together in much the same way ; long, thin pieces of driftwood formed the ribs, and a row of heavy stones was placed around the bottom fringe, to make it secure against the frequent assanlts of the wind. Hardly liad Harold peeped into the tent, tlian he backed out again with a celerity which suggested that something had seared him. But it was not his heart that failed him. It was something much less poetic. It was liis stom- ach. For there, right at his feet as he entered, on cither side of the narrow doorway was the Esquimau's lardei" — two great piles of seal meat and blubber, as repulsive looking a sight as it is possible to conceive, r.nd uiving forth an odor that surelv onlv a native, educated to it from childhood, could endiu-e for one inunicnt. Either the sight or the stench would have ht ( n quite enough for Harold, but togetlier they were siinplv overwhelminir, and turning awav lie liastened out of the encampment in the direction of the shore. His guide hurried after him with a very puzzled cxprc-sion on his fat, dirty face, aiid seemed quite relieved when Harold, having by a gnat effort over- come his internal dissensions, said, with a reassuring smile : / ^ : >'? 62 UP AMONG THR ICE-FLOES. ', " Oh, it's all right ! Made me feel a little seasick, that's ail." The "Hiiskie," of course, could not understand the words, but the speaker's tone and expres-iou made it clear to him that he was not offended, and that was sufficient. Harold continued his progress toward tlio shore, for he had noticed a couple of kayaks, or E-s- quiniaux boats, drawn up on the beach, and he was anxious to examine them closelv. He had read much about these curious little boats, which are, to the dusky dwellers in the regicm of eternal ice, what the birch- bark canoe is to the red man of the forest. He had seen many pictures of them, any's hand, he covered it with tears and kisses, ex- claiming, joyfully : " Sure, he's not dead at all ; indeed he's not. Oh, the dear young master !" Even in the midst of his own deep emotions, Cap- tain Marling could not help observing Patsy's dis- play of genuine feeling, and his heart was touched bv'it. " That youngster's got something good in him," said he. " I'm glad now I let him stay with us." The doctor's prophecy in regard to Harold proved correct. He spent the rest of tliat day in his berth, and was a trifle shaky the following morning, but otherwise was not a whit the worse for his very nar- row escape from death. When he reappeared on deck, UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 60 the "Narwhal ".had left Xachvak far behind, Captain ^lai'ling having succeeded in securing a satisfactory interpreter, and was now at the entrance to llutlson Straits, Aviiere another hard struirsxle with the ice was anticipated. At first the prospect for a successful run seemed very good, the field ice being loose and rotten, and permitting the steamer to plough steadily through it; at tiie rate of from six to eiijiit knots an hour. But as the day wore on, the weatlier unfortunately set in thick, a dense fog hanging over the sea, making it necessary to slacken speed, especially as the appear- ance of many " growlers " — fragments of large ice- bergs — hinted broadly at the proximity of big bergs, and made a sharp lookout imjwrative. Steaming cither at half-speed or dead-slow, the " Narwhal '* crept cautiously onM'ard, the fog occasionally lifting ami allowins: a sig-lit of land to be obtained. It was a very dreary business, particularly when, as happened more than once, it was foinid advisable to tie up to a huge floe, and resign all idea of progress for the time. One such floe was three hundred yards long by two hundred yards wide, and at least twelve feet thick, a perfect island of ice, which woidd have carried the " Xarwhal," solid and heavy as she was, on its broad, white back as easilv as a feather's weight. The two sealers whom lie had taken on at St. John's being thoroughly acquainted with the locality, and the peculiar kind of navigation the steamer was now ex- 70 UP AMOXG THE ICE-FLOES. i t perlencing, Ciiptain Marling put the ship in their cluirge, and allowed hinisolt' more leisure than he had done since the commencement of the vovaijre. This wa3 pleasing to Harold, who was never so happy as when in his father's company, and the captain took the opportunity to tell him something about the famous bay toward which they were directing their course. " H you could only see, my boy, the kind of ships in which the first Englishmen sailed across the ocean to discover tiiis continent, you would just set them right down for lunatics. Why the ' Discoverie,' in which Henry Hudson had the pluck to push his way throudi all the ice and fo<>; and other dantjers of these straits into the heart of the bi"; bav bevond, could easilv stand on the 'Narwhal's' deck and yet leave us plenty of room to work the ship. She was a crazy little crafr, not much better than one of those ballast hookers that we laugh at in Halifax harbor, and yet in her, Henry Hudson, more than two hundred and fifty years ago, crossed the Atlantic, ventured through these straits and made his way clear down to the southern end of the bav, where he staved all winter. Poor fellow ! he deserved a better fate than fell to his lot," added the captain, musingly. " Why, father, what happemal to him? Was he frozen to death in the winter?" inquired Harold, eagerly. " Worse than that, Hal ; worse than that," an- swer ham to th they lia(i ofth men littk adrlf seen UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. u r> swored tlie captain. "Oh, how I'd like to liavc my hands on tiie .scDundrcls ! Wouldn't I string them up to the yardarm at .short notice! You .scf^, Hal, wlien tliev were on their wav baelv the next sunimei-, thev liad a mutiny on board the ' Di.^coverie,' and the re.^t of" the crew forced Captain Hudson, Ids son, and seven men who stood by him, to get into a boat with just a little water and food, and then the scoundrels cut them adrift and sailed away. Not one of them was ever seen again. Just fancy, Hal, if the 'Narwhal's' crew were to play that game on u.- " Not much fear of that, is there, father?'' an- swered Harold, in a very confident tone, yet at the same time drawing nearer to Ids father and taking liold of one of his hands; for the thought of Henry lludsim with his young son adrift in the merciless ice in an open boat took hold of his quick imagination, and he could not restrain a shudder, as he asked : " What do you think became of them, father?" '• I am sure I don't know, Hal," replied Captain Marling. " It was in nudsummer the villains cut them adrift, and the bay would be full of floating ice. Poor fellows ! no doubt they did their best to make the land. But even if they succeeded, they wouldn't^ have been much better off, for there were no Es{[uimaux aloiiij the east coast, and their onlv chance would have been to go clear across the couritry to Nachvak, a matter of hundreds of miles, which of course was an utter impossibility." 72 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. l\ n Tlic gallant disco vcrei* of the great bay tliat now bears his name, and particularly tiie boy tliat sliared bis ^ad fate, were often in Harold's thoughts after tliis, altlionjxh he little imairined that the time would Come when the same kind of villainy that had suc- ceeded in Hudson's undoing would bring his father and hiinself into deadly peril. ' On the fourth day the fog cleared, the siin shone out bright and warm, the ice to a large extent disaj)- peared, and putting on a full head of steam Captain !Marling sent the " Narwhui " along at a fine rate of speed. The unclouded sky, the pleasant air, the rapid progress, brought back everybody's good humor again, and hearts Mere liijlit and countenances cheerful as the good steamer ploughed swiftly onward. To avoid the bulk of the ice which the current carries down from Jack Frost's fastnesses alone; the southern side of the straits and out into the Atlantic Ocean, there to re- solve itself back into its original water, Captain Marling coasted the northern side of the stiait, and C7 7 Harold had a fine oj)portunity of studying an Arctic landscape. As they passed along, they saw hngo beetling cliffs, broken here and there by stretches of low land, or rather rocks, the relics of last winter's snow lying in small patches in the gullies, while on the sunniest slopes of the hills a faint tinge of green coidd now and then be detected. The picture was a very dreary one. " I should die if I had to live in such a countrv as i iw L'(l er 1(1 ic- ier iiie ip- lin of )Ul in, tl K! im he Ire- pi 11 nd Itic go of r's lo)i Ion as I p Aiii'iiiL: ilio Ir*' 1' I';ig0 «: UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 73 this," soliloquized Harold. "No trees, no flowers, Imrdlv anv u;rass. Wliv, what could a fellow do? Jle couldn't play cricket, or base hall or tennis, or anything of that kind. He couldn't go swimming, for the water's too cold. I'm precious glad I don't live here, anyway — aren't you, Patsy ? " he added suildenlv aloud, as he noticcxl Patsv coraini»: toward him along the deck. "Whj''s that, Master Harold, if you please?" a^ked Patsv. "Aren't you glad you don't live over on that land fli liic year round ?" ^'T.oth, that I am, sir," replied Patsy, fervently. "It's little liking I have for Griffintown, but I'm thiiikinix that same place is a mit>Iitv siuht better than this awful hole. Sure, mv eves are achiii' for a bit of a tree, and there isn't so much as a leaf in the whole place. But what's that, Master Harold?" Ik; ex- claimed, excitedly, grasping Harold's arm and point- inii; to the wide stretch of open water on the seaward side of the steamer, where his keen eyes had detected a thin column of water, like a fountain in a flower garden, rising from the sea. Harold looked very hard, but being a little too late, saw nothing. "There ! there it is !" cried Patsy, pointing to the spot with a trembling linger, and this time Harold saw it plainly. " It must be a whale ! Let's call father," exclaimed 74 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. Harold, running to the head of the companion way and shoutin*!^ at the top of his voice, " Father, father, come np ! We see a wiiale." Captain jNIarling was in the cabin consulting some charts, but at tiic first sound of his son's voice ho threw them down and dashed up on decic witii an agility that could hardly have been snrpa>sed by Master Harold himself. In the meantime the news had become known to all on board, and tlie seaward bulwark was crowdeil with faces eagerly scanning the rippled blue plain, from the midst of which the signifi- cant f )untain had appeared. "There she spouts ! Tiiere she spouts! " M'ould bo tiie cry, as the fountain played again. The whale, indeed, seemed to be doing its best to attract attention. It was a whale of the right kin.i, of medinm size, and was coming toward the ship in a slanting direction, in evident innocence of the i)resence of those whose special mission it was to wage war upon itself and its kindred. Happily, however, for this particnlar monster of the deep, and much to the chagrin of those on board the " Narwhal," preparations had not yet been made to en- gage in its pursuit ; and there was nothing to do but look idly on, and waich the great creature flinging its challenge into the aii, and rolling its vast bulk over the waves, ji'-st as if it understood }K'rfectly that the *' Narwhal " was not vet readv to do it harm. Fraidv Lewis was anxious to get out his rifle, and see if it were possible to kill the whale with a bullet, UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 75 since tho harpoons were not in readiness; hut Captain Marlins^ would not suffer it. He was a tender man :it iicart, and lie could not approve of wiiat would be, after ali, a bit of needless cruelty; for even tiiough tlic whale were killed, it would be .^ure to sink before the gear could be rigged to deal with it properly. So it was permiited to go on its way unscathed, the men watchinsj- it with longing eves, as turning off at an angle, probably because it discovered tiie presence of the steamer, it went away down the strait, giving a farewell spout ere it finally vanished. The bovs naturallv felt verv i)roiid of having sighted the rirst whale ; and Captaii* Marling, by way of en- cuui'aging i^^uch shar})ness of vision, promised them a five-dollar gold piece for each time that either one of thciii woidd be the first to point out a " fish." For hf it known that, although whales are not really fish at ad, but warm-blooded mammals, the whalers will never call them any tiling but fish. The appearance of the whale filled the " Xarwhal " with excitement and bustle. The unexpected difficul- ties encountered on the passage northward had delayctl Ciiptain Marling very materially. But now he was determined to make u[) for lost time; and orders flew thick and fast, as the dav drew toward its clos«^ In fditv-eight hoiu's they ought to be right in the midst of the whaling ground. CHAPTER Vir. fl PREPARING FOR ACTIOX. WITH wind and wciitlier fav()rable, and but little ice obstructing her progress, the "Narwhal" steamed on through Hudson's Straits, then through Fisher Strait, and thence up into Howe's Welcome, where Captain JNIarling proj)()sed to make his first attempt against the poor whales, whose only crime was their possession of such valuable blubber and bone. On board ship everything was at fever heat of activ- ity. A great deal had to be done before whaling cuukl be properly entered upon, and there was work for evervbodv. The crew of the " Narwhal,'^ includinii- the captain, consisted of fifty men, some of whom bore very odd titles ; for whalers seem to have taken a good many of their business terms from the Hutch. There was, for instance, the speksioneor, the officer under whose direction the whale is cut up ; the skee- man, whose duty it was to superintend between declcs the stowing away of the blubber in the tanks ; and others with titles equally queer. The " Xarwhal " had a fine outfit of eight whale boats, and there were, there- fore, eight harpooneers, including the mates and the speksioneor, eight bout steerers, including the skeemaii and boatswain, and eight line managers, the duty of 76 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 77 tlie latter being to pull the stroke oar in the boat, and to see that tlie lines arc coileil away clear, so that they Avill rnn out freely when a fish has been struck. Tlie first thing to be done was to get the boats out, thev being ahvavs stowed awav under deck mitil tiie wlialing grounds are reached. It did not take long to have tluni up on deck, and, after a minute examina- tion at the hands of the captain and carpenter, thor- ouglily cleansed from all dust and dirt. Tliey were beautiful boats — long, low and narrow, sharp at bt)th b(Av and stern, and j)ainted })ure white, with a broad crimson stripe a little below the gunwale. Each boat would carry six men, five to row and one to steer, the liarpooneer pulling tlie bow oar, and having command over all. The steering is done, not by a rudder, but by a long oar which projects out over the sharp stern, and with which the steerer can sweep his obedient boat round upon her track in one-half the space in which it could be done by a rudder. All the boats having been gotten ready, the crew next turned their attention to ''spanning <»n" — that is, attaching the lines to the harpoons and coiling them away in the boats. The bustle reached its height over the operation, for each boat's crew did their best to have their craft equipped first, and the rivalry and excitement "\vere very keen, as under the captain's watchful and approving eye they toiled away like heavers. Harold had already attached himself to Frank Lewis' boat, tuid he got very much worked up 78 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOEg. I over the contest, running about from l)oat to boat to see how the otlier competitors were getting on, and then back to liis own to encoui'age its men by assuring tlicm tl»at thev were bound to win. Tliis was wliat thev liad to do. Eacli boat carries two harpoons — a gun liarpoon and a liand harpoon. The gun harpoon is made wliolly of iron, but the hand harpoon has a long wooden handle that makes it look something like an old-time spear. To tJic harpoons is first fitted the " forogore " or " fore- gaugcr" — that is, a piece of white untarrcd two-and- a-quaiter inch hemp rope from three to twcve fathoms lonji;, whicli is much stronijer and more vielding than any ordinary rope. Then to this foregore the remain- ing whale lines, of which there arc five to each boar, are carefully spliced, tlie rcsuk being a line more tluui six hundred fathoms in length, or a little over half ;i mile. A pretty long fishing line; but then, of course, it is intended only for the biggest kind of fish, if it be right to call a whale a fish. This mammoth fishing line is then carefully flaked dow^n in the stern sheets in a compartment made fur the purpose, with the exception of about one hun- dred fathoms, which are flaked down in a box in the centre of the boat called the '4breline beck," and of the *' foregore," which is coiled in a small tub or kid in the verv bows of the boat risiht aloiiii-side the ijun. The ])roper disposition of the line is a matter of the highest importance, for if this should be careles-ly in": UP AMOXG THE ICE-FLOE? 79 i (l(Hio, and tlio line slionld Iinppen to catdi ^vl^en the linrpoon is fa.-t in a whale and the monster is "sonnd- inj::" — tiiat is, diving into tlie d(»ptlis of tlie ocean — tiicre is no telling what the eonserpU'iiccs miirlitbe; hut the ehnnces are ten to one that the l)ig whale boat Mould be instantly draixired under water as thony;h it were a feather. Consequently, while the men, in their aiixietv to be first at the finish, worked with all tlieir f^pced, yet it could be easily seen that there was no actual haste. Xothinu; was slurred over, but everv- thiufT was done thorouii;hlv : for might not their own lives pay the penalty for slighted work? Frank Lewis aided his men bv hand as well as bv voice, and thus working away together they got the lead of all the other boats, Harold's shrill shout of "First — first! We've finished first!" nresontlv announciuir that the second mate's boat had won, whereat the others cheered heartily,and offered him tiieir congi-atidations ; for it is considered an omen of good luck to have your boat readv first. The lines having been satisfactorily stowed, the next proceeding was to prepare the whale-boat's arma- ment, which is quite an extensive one. First there were the two har})0()ns — the harpoon gun, which is fixed on a swivel on the bows so that it can be turned in any direction, and tlie hand harpoon, that lies beside the gun, the handle resting on a '*inik" or eruteh, ready for immediate use. These harpoons are made of the softest Swedish iron, so that they may 80 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. readily bciid witliout sna}>ping, and the distortions thev soniotiincs underiro when in ti.' n\ ^9> V ^ 6^ o .V 4^ #/ ^ Ua ^,\ TTT i", 82 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. the blue water, already settling down for its night's rest ; and so smooth was lier progress, that Harold could faintly feel the tlirob of her engines, even up in liis lofty eyrie. Far away to the right, a dim dark line siiowed where the land broke the otherwise clear horizon, and here and there level patches of white, or tall fantastic forms indicated the presence of the ice, which is indeed never entirely absent from these quar- ters. So widely scattered was this ice as to offer no obstacle to the progress of the ** Narwhal," and at the rate the steamer was now going she ouglit to reach Rowe's Welcome by sunrise. Seeing Patsy emerging from tiie companion way, Harold hailed him with a loud "Hello, Patsy ! how is this for high?" Avhich made the boy look up in a puzzled way, for he had been below while the crow's nest was being put in position, and so knew nothing about it; but he had no difficulty in making out who called him, and shouted back, "Well done. Master Harold ! What's the weather like up there?" " Splendid I " replied Harold. " Won't you come up ? Come along ! " Now Patsy was even more expert in the rigging than Harold, and it seemed but a few seconds before he reached the bottom of the cask and knocked for admittance; on attempting to join Harold inside, however, he found himself somewiiat at a ioss. Harold was standing upon the little trap door, which could not therefore be opened, and there was nut UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 83 room enouiih in the crow's nest for him to stand aside and allow the trap to be pushed up. Aa'':e- consult- ing together awhile, the boys iiit upon a plan which successfidly met the difficulty. Harold climbed up to the top of the cask and sat upon the edge, holding on by the tips of the mast, which projected a little (listmce beyond it, and then, the coast being clear, Patsy had no difficulty in effecting an entrance, so that in a moment or two the boys were standing together in the crow's nest. It was, of course, pretty close quarters, but they did not mind that. They had the same delightful sensation as is experienced by travelei*s who have ac- complished the ascent of some lofty mountain peak, and they promised themselves frequent trips to this exalted position. The sea had by this time fallen into almost complete calm, and although tlie dusk was draw- ing nearer, they could see a good distance from the steamer. They were, of course, sharply on the look- out for whales, and erelong their search was rewarded by the discovery of something large and black swim- ming rapidly in the direction of the "Narwhal." Instantly they raised the cry of " A whale! a whale! we see a whale!" and Lewis, who was at this time walking the quarter deck, it being evening watch, shouted back to them eagerly : " Where is he? Point liim out." "There! there!" replied Harold, indicating the spot with his outstretched arm, while Lewis brought W:u: 84 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. liis gla^s to bear upon it. Lewis looked long and care- fully, and then callinij to him one of the men tiiev liad taken on board at St. John's, asked him to look. Then tiiev had a siiort consultation toy-etiicr, the bovs watching them impatiently, and wondering why orders Tvere not given for the boats to be lowered riglit away. But evidently no such orders were to be given, for shaking their heads in a way tliat implied it was not necessary to do auytliing, tiie men parted, and Lewis called up to Harold: "Only a bottle- nose, Hal ! Not worth going after." "Onlva bottle-nose?" exclaimed Harold, turninsj inquiringly to Patsy. "Wliat does he mean?" " Faith, I don't know," replied Patsy. " But, I'm thinking that if I don't get back to my work, the steward will be after me witli a stick." And so saying, the activ^e little chap dropped down througli the hatch, and made his way to the deck, with the ease of a monkey in his native woods. Plarold intended to follow him at once, but a move- ment on the water near the ship attracted his attention, and he lingered on until at length darkness closed around him, and Lewis shouting up to him, "Say, Hal ; are you going to stay up there much longer? Hadn't you better come down?" he prepared to return to the deck. No sooner had he started than he began to regret liaving postponed his descent so long. It was easy enough gottting into the crow's nest iu broad UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 85 daylight, but it was a very different matter get- ting out of it again in tlie dark. Lifting up the hatoii, he cautiously dropped his fect tiirough, and felt around for the firat rung of the ladder beneath. But somehow or other, he seemed unable to find it. AftCi several unavailing efforts, he drew himself back into the cask, feeling not a little nervous. His chief difficulty was that he had to hold the trap up while crawling through, and it was a pretty heavy affair, being almost the full size of the bottom of the Ciisk, and strongly put together. He felt very much in- clined to call to Lewis to come up and iielp him out of his difficulty. But against this his pride rebelled. Patsy had gotten down all right, why shouldn't he ? He would try again. Moving vjry carefully, he once more dropped through, holding to the cask with his right hand, and holding up the trap with his left. After feeling around for a moment, and stretching his leg out as far as it could go, he succeeded in touching the ladder rung, and with a thrill of relief dropped upon it. But as ill-luck would have it, his foot slipped off the rung, the whole weight of his body came upon his right arm, and instinctively he let go the trap that was held up by his left, and grasped the bottom of the cask with both hands. The heavy hatch thus released, fell at once, striking him a ciuel blow upon the top of the head, and forcing ids head down between his shoulders. The blow was very severe, and but for the soft, thick cap, that partially 86 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. i: ^ ;|i|i 1 i ; il [ 1 i 1 1 protected liis skull, it would certainly have stunned the boy. As it was, it made him feel giddy and faint, and only by that supreme effort which imminent dan- ger can ciiU foiih, was he able to retain his hold and save himself from being daslied to the deck. More than this he could not do, and in tliat perilous position he hung, realizing his danger, but powerless to rescue himself from it, while he heard, as in a dream, Lewis' voice calling up from below, " What are you about up there, Hal? Going to stay all night? Come down, or your father will think something's happened to you." CHAPTER VIII. AMONG THE MONSTERS. HAROLD'S long delay in coming down from the crow's nes'j made Lewis feel somewhat anxious, and when there was no response to his call, he thought it best to go up at once, and see what was the matter. Accordingly, he hastened up tie rigging with the ease of a well-trained sailor, and the fii'st thing he knew his face came in contact with a pair of heels, that dangled downward in a very stmnge fashion. "Good heavens! what's the meaning of this?" he exclaimed, feeling about to find out where the rest of Harold's body was. " What's the matter with you, Hal ? " he cried out. "I'm caught here, and I can't move," answered Harold, faintly. " Oh, is that all," replied Lewis, in a tone of relief. " I'll soon let you loose. Just hold on a minute longer." Then looking downward into the abyss of darkness below, he shouted : " Ahoy ! on deck there !" " Aye, aye, sir ! " answered one of the watch. " Just bring me up a lantern here, and look sharp about it," commanded Lewis. The man hastened to obey, and in a few momenta the welcome light came swinging up the mast. It at 87 I? 88 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. Iliiil^ ouce made the situation clear, and wliile the sailor lield it, Lewis had nu difficulty in extricating Harold from his perilous position, and as the boy was already recovering from the effects of the blow, the descent lo the deck was easily accomplished. " That was a funny sort of a scrai)e for you to get into," said the second mate, when they were on firm planks again. " How on earth did you manage it?" Harold described just how it happened. *• Humph ! " said Lewis. " We must have that hatch fixed so that it will stav up when anvbodv's climbing in or getting out. We can't have it playing pranks like that." Captain Marling looked a little grave at first when Harold told him of his adventure ; but when after a careful examination of the boy's head by the surgeon, no further injury than a big bump was discovered, and Harold assured him that he was really all right now, his countenance cleared, as he said : " Oh, well ; you can't learn to be a sailor, and espe- cially a whaler, without taking plenty of hard knocks, my boy, so we won't say anything more about this one. And now to bed, Hal ; there'll be plenty to do ami see to-morrow, if fortune favors us." The prospects were bright when Captain Marling came on deck next morning, and he looked the very picture of good humor as he moved briskly about, making sure that everything was in perftct readiness to go in chase of the first cetacean that might come TW^ UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 89 intosiglit. Tlie "Narwlial" was moving at a moder- ate speed through the wide waters of Howe's Welcome. Tlie day was clear, and not too warm. The wind played gently over the blue plain, which was dotted licre and there with floes and frajrments of ice that otlered no obstacle whatever to the steamer's advance. A more auspicious day could not have been desired, and every heart on board beat liigh with hope. Aloft in the crow's nest one of the Newfoundlanders, glass iu hand, scanned the sea carefully, while those on deck looked up at liim every moment, impatiently awaiting the signal that their prey was iu sight. In this way the morning hours jMtssed, and still the occupant of the crow's nest kept silence, until those below began to grow weary and restless. The engines were no lonsrer used, as the slightest noise made bv the screw, or, in fact, by anything under water, would be sure to scare the wary and watchful whale, were he ill the neighborhood. But with plenty of canvas set, the "Narwhal" bowled along, tacking hither and tliitherso as to cover as much of the fishing ground as possible. At length, as noon drew near, the long-awaited and welcome cry of " A fish ! A fish ! " came down from the lookout ; and instantlv all was excitement on board. The maintopsail was backed, and two bo^ts quickly lowered and sent in chase. The second mate's was one of the two, and Harold begged very hard to be allowed to go in it. But his father thought he had :<, ' -I F^ II' 90 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. better stay on board ; so he had to be content to watch the proceedings from the crosstrec, into wliicli he climbed iia soon as tlie boats left the ship. Pulling with all their might, the sinewy oarsmen sent their graceful boats leaping over the waves toward the whale, which was in full sight, not more than a quarter of a mile distant from the ship. Before they M'ere half-way to it the monster sank, causing Harold to utter a groan of disappointment. But tiie men in the boats knew better; and, spreading out so as to cover plenty of ground, they rowed on more slowly, awaiting the whale's reappearance. The minutes passed while everybody fairly trembled with excite- ment ; and then, at last, the black, rounded mass of the whale's back was seen to rise close to the boat oh which Frank Lewis was bow oarsman and harpooneer. The others held their breath as the handsome second mate laid his oar fore and aft, and rose to handle his gun. Quick, yet cautious, was every movement. Tiie great musket was pointed at its mighty target. For an instant Lewis glanced along the barrel ; then tlieie came a flash, a puff of smoke, a moment of intense anxiety, followed by a joyful cry from the crow's nest of " A fall ! A fall ! " that was echoed from the suc- cessful boat, making it beyond doubt that Frank Lewis was fast to a fish. Immediately the steamer's deck was alive with men, all frantically shouting, "A fall! A fall I "—that being the whaler's term to designate a harpooneer's m UP AMONG THE 1CE-PI.OE8. 91 success in striking his imgegunic — and rusiiing to the boats, to make ready for instant departure. Captain Marling ordered four more boats to l)e low- ered, instructing tliem to s^pread out in different direc- tions, so tbat some one of them might be near the wiiale when it rose to blow, it having, as usual, " sounded " the moment it received the keen har(K>on. Tiie mpidity with which his orders were carried out spoke volumes for the discipline prevailing on board hi.s sin'p. Each man knew his boat, and his place in that boat. There was the liveliest possible bustle, but no confusion. Splash ! splash I splash ! splash I and one after another the four graceful boats were dropped from the davits. " Stand to your oars I Give way ! " cried tiieir captain. And off they went in the direction of Lewis' boat, upon which the "jack'' — the flag — was now flying, in token of his success. Spreading out widely, tlieir harpooneer? kept a diligent lookout for the mon- stci below, while the boat that had started at the same time as the second mate's drew up alongside of her, in order to bend on its lines, should that be necessary. "There she blows !" cried the men in one of the boats presently. And, sure enough, the whale rose suddenly to the surface, not more than a hundred yards away, and sent up into the air a fountain of water whose reddish tinge showed that Lewis' harpoon had reached a vital part; and then, no doubt becoming aware of the presence of the boats, it dived into the fiii i -f •1 82 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. deptlis again, tlie lines running out at a rate that made the boliurd hcas, alert to discover the first sign of the presence of wliales. One fine, clear morning, when father and son were thus employed, the captain happened to be looking due north, while Harold was looking due south, when Harold suddenly grasped his arm, and, pulling him around, pointed away off", about thiee miles distant, ex- claiming, breathlessly : " Tiiere, father ! what's tiiat ?'* Captain Marling brought his glass to bear upon the spot to which Harold pointed, and the moment he looked, his face became radiant, and turning toward the boats " on bran," lie shouted, joyfidly : " A fish ! a fish ! a whole school of them, right otf to the south ! !Make ready every boat on board ! '' The excitement that followed was indescribable. Every man on board the " Narwhal " was in motion, and to an unj^racticcd eye it might have seemed a scene of hopeless confusion. But this was not the case at all. Each man knew his jdace and his work. The confused crowd socm resolved itself into groups p^athered about each boat, and with a quickness hardly 100 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 'I III ill! credible, the boats were dropped into the wnter, the men into their seats, and witli a hearty " Good liK.'k to you, my boys," they were off to meet the approaching whales. In the stern of the second mate's boat sat Harold, scarcely able to keep his seat for the fever of excite- ment that possessed him. The instant his father had confirmed his hope that the black spots far to the south were iK)ssible j)rey, he had s]ij)ped out of the crow's nest, and not missing his footing this time, scuttled down to the deck, where he posted himself in close proximity to Frank Lewis, determined that the boat should not go off without liim. The whales were coming directly towaid the ship, there being at least a dozen of the monsters, plough- ing their way through the water ri}>pled by a gentle breeze, and sending up little fountains from the blow- holes in their mighty heads. As they would soon become aware of the steamer's presence, and in all probability take to the depths at once, it was necessary to meet them before they came too near, and, accord- ingly, the men bent to their oars with an energy that called for every ounce of muscle in their sturdy frames. Yet not a woixi was sjioken. Neither did the oars, vigorously as they were being pulled, make the slightest soiuid beyond a faint splashing, for thick thrum mats lay on the giniwale between the thole pins. These precautions were necessaiy because of the exceeding quick hearing of the whales. UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 101 Dividing into two groups of four each, tlie boats spread out so as to allow tlie procession of wiiales to pa-s between them, thus affording tiie best possible opiwrtimities for attack, and thus they shot over the waves toward tlieir gigantic prey. Lewis' boat led the group to the right, and Harold feit as though he could hardly breathe as they drew neaier and nearer to the big fish, without thtir pres- ence being observed by them. The steersman stood higli in his place, one hand grasping tlie great oar, to every movement of which the swift boat responded like a thing of life, and the other keeping time to the strokes of the rowers. A few minutes more, and at a signal from him, Lewis drew in his oar, laid it care- fully fore and aft, then turned his face toward the bow, and put his hands up(m the harpoon gun. They were now almost within striking distance. A few strokes more, and the critical moment would come. The oarsmen strained yet a little harder; the boat fairly leaped over the water. The second mate having given one sharp glance along the line to make sure that all was clear, pointed the gun at the unconscious whale; there was an instant's pause, then a loud report, and then the glad cry of " A fall ! a fall ! " rang out ovci the waves, for Frank Lewis' luck had once more asserted itself, and he was fast to a fine big whale. But the luck was not with him only. Scarcely had his shout of triumph reached the ship, when it was followed by the same inspiring sound from others of if m<^^ 102 tip AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. iiii»''i the boats, until, before the school of terrified wimlea sanU out of siglit, uo le.^s than four boats were fast, and the men of the '* Narwhal " were in for a most exciting and exhausting struggle. This time the fates seemed altogether favorable. Tiie bay was entirely clear of ice, onlv a urentle breeze stirred the sur- face of the blue waters. The whale hunters had the whole day before tliem, and no reason appeared why they should not make prizes of all four of ilie huge creatures in which their harpoons were now fastened. Two of the fish were ratlier small, but the other two — one of them being Frank Lewis' — were of great size, and worth, perhaps, almost ten thousand dollars apiece. The instant the whale to which the second mate was fast felt the keen harpoon boring into its vitals, it threw up its tail and dived into the depths, the line running out at such a rate that the smoke arose in clouds from the bollard head, half shrouding Lewis, who, lance in hand, stood up in the bow ready to give his captive its coup de grace so soon as he could get near enough. The men drew in their oars, and the light boat fled like a shadow over the waters, as the stricken monster vainly sought safety in flight. So des{)erate was its efforts to free itself, that nearly a mile of line was taken before the runninjj-out ceased. Harold's heart was palpitating with delight. He thought that in all his life he had never experienced anything half so glorious as this, being towed along ■■P« UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 103 at the speed of a lightning express train by a giant i\<\i. Not a mite of fear or nervousness had he. He liad no time for tliat. The struggle was too absorb- ing to allow him to think of anything else. "My! but this is grand!" he exclaimed to the steersman. "I never had so mucii fun in my life." The steersman gave him a pleasant smile, to show that lie heard him, but was too engrossed in his work to make any reply, which, however, made little differ- ence to Harold. "Take in line," called out Lewis; and with the speed and skill that comes only from long practice, the men drew in the dripping line, and coiled it away in its nest, ready to run out again should it l)e required. Fathom after fathom it came swiftly in, until at least one-half of it had been recovered. "Stand by now, and be ready to give way," was licwis' next order ; and the men put their oars in posi- tion, while all waited with bated breath for the reap- pearance of the whale, which must soon come to the surface to breathe. One, two, three minutes passed, and then suddenly, so close to the boat that the com- motion it caused set it to rocking, the huge black, glis- tening back of the whale rose out of the water, and a f^tream of water deeply dyed with blood shot up in the air. " Tiiere she blows ! Tliere she blows ! Give away on your left there, hard 1 " shouted Lewis, grasping the long, keen lance in his right hand, and round 104 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES; i' I swept the boat in tlie direction he desired. " Now, tiien, altogether," he cried again. The men bent to their ours. The stout ash blades bent beneath tlie strain upon tiiem, and the boat ahuost sprang out of the water in response. Tl ?ee mighty strokes, and Lewis was clo>e beside the whale's forefin. For an instant the polished lance flashed in the sunlight, then it sank up to its hafl in the sofl flesh. " Back water, for your lives ! " shouted the second mate, dropping down into tiie bottom of the boat, and the oarsmen sent tlie boat backward. They did so just in time. Maddened by this fresh attack, the whale, lifted its terrible tail high in the air, and brought it down with awful force upon tiie very spot where tlie boat had been the moment before. The spray from the blow drenched everyone on board, and the boat rocked as though in a whirlpool. " No, you don't," cried Lewis, joyously. " That was a close shave. But a miss is as good as a mile." As if disgusted at iis failure to crush its tormentors, the whale sent up a spout that was nearly all blood this time, and then "sounded" once more. But evi- dently its end was near. The line did not run out at all so fast as before, and only a few hundred yards had been taken ere the creature returned to the surface a short distance from the boat. " We've got our fish right enough this time," said Lewis, smiling broadly. " We'll just stand off* until she ' kicks the bucket.' " run mm UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES, 105 For a few minutes the wliale lay still upon the water, as though resting, anil tlie tired men were t;lad to rest al«o. Then came the final flurry. The h>'ge frame ircnibled all over, the deadly tail was hi ted and brought down upon tlie water witii resour.Uing blows, sjwut after spout of dark heart's blood incarnadined the sea, and then all was still. " Pull up, now, men. It's all over," ordered Lewis, after waiting a little while to make sure it was the case. The boat drew alongside of the miglity carcass, a hole was cut in each fin, the fin tow ])assed through them, and the big fins lashed tight to the sides, so as to offer no obstruction to towing. The tail was then secured to the stern of the boat, and the prize in tliis manner towed to the steamer, which, happily, was not far away. When they got time to look about them, those on the second mate's boat saw with delight tiuit one of the other boats had already killed its fish, and was making toward the ship, while the other two were still fast, with good prospects of like success. The towing of such an unwieldy prize was no easy task, but they had only half a mile to go, and their hearts were ligiit ; so with clieery songs they tugged away, and in due time were alongside of the " Narwiial." Approaching at the port side, the fish was brougiit between the fore and main rigging, and made fast by a rope around its tail that passed through a block on 106 UP AMONG THE ICK-PLOES. i tlie foremast, and anotlier rope througli a hole iu the under jaw, that was rove tli rough a tackle on tlie inainnia.-'t. Tlie whale was on its back, and the right fin. whicii was next the ship, was dragged taut up, and secured bv a chain to the upper deck. A stout wire r()|)e, stretching from the mainmast to the foremast, and known as the '' blubber guy," held four large blocks, through which were rove the fore and main *• s|)ek" tackles, whose use was for hoisting on board the liuge layers of blubber, some of which would weigh between one and two tons. The "kent" or cant tackle having been rigged, the object of which is to turn the fish over as it is being flinched, everything Avas in readiness for this interesting operation. The men were didy refreshed from the ship's stores, and then the work of flinching the whale began. Harold looked forward to this with intense curiosity, and posted himself in his favorite eyrie in the main cross-tree, where he could overlook everything with- out getting in anybody's way. He did not expect it to be as interesting as the chase of the whale, but it could hardly help being well worth seeing, and such, indeed, it proved to be. In the port main rigging was the captain, superin- tending the whole business ; at the gangway stood Peter Strum, with eye watchful to see that every com- mand of the captain was minutely carried out. Upon the upturned belly of the whale jumped the eight harpooueers, their boots being armed with iron spikes, UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 107 to prevent tlieir slipping, and at it they went with tiu'ir keen bhibber spades and knives. First of all, a stiij) of bhibber, nearly a yard in width, was cut from me neck, jnst abaft ilie fin; and a huge iioie being cnt in the qnd, the strap of the cant tackle was passed throngh it, and by tliia means the fi-li eonkl be tnrned ovm' as desired. With spade and knife the men cut big .. ips of blubber from the belly, which were, one by one, hoisted on board the stt^amer, where thev were received bv the boat steerei*s, who Willi long knives cut them into pieces about two feet square, and passed these pieces over to the line mana- gers, whose work was to seize them with pick haaks, or pickies, as they are called for short, and send them shooting throngh a small hole in the main hatchway to the deck below. Here they were taken charge of bv the "skeeman," and bv another man, oddlv de- nominated as the " kiuir," and stowed awav between decks until a favorable opportunity should come for the final operation of *' making off." When the blubber had all been removed, the pre- cious whalebone, worth at least twelve thousand dollars a ton, and of which the whale would vield a good part of a ton by itself, was careful Ij' detached from the vast mouth, and lifted on board by special tackle. Then the great tail was cut off for a purpose that will be afterward explained, and thus stripped of everything of value, the "kreng" or carcass was released, disappearing with a plunge into the grccu I iiisipi 108 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. Pi Mater, which it turned to bh)0(l for some distnnce, while the men sent up a histy ciieer by way of ii farewell. Tiie men had worked hard and well, only two h(nirs being required to dispose of the first wliale, and were allowed a brief rest, and another " lunch all around" before attacking the second, ft)r the " Nar- wlial" had been wonderfully fortunate, three out of the four whales having been secured, the two big fellows and one of the small ones, and the day's work would "pan out" at least thirty thousand dollars, Jio that it is safe to say that from Captain Marling down there was not a merrier — nor a dirtier — crew afloat than toiled and laughed and joked 'ud shouted on board the steamer all through that long niidsumnier afternoon. Harold found abundant amusement for a long time in watching all the bustle and noise, and then after it became somewhat monotonous he discovered another way of entertaining himself, which proved so diverting that he felt boiuul to call Patsy up to share it with him. No sooner had the })rocess of flinching besjun than the steamer was surrounded bv hundreds of fulmar petrels, or "mollies" as the whalers call them, noisy, greedy, quarrelsome birds, in appea^'aiice much resembling the ordinarv seairull, that clamored and fought over the numerous pieces of kreng and blubl)er wherewith the water about the ship was liberally sprinkled. So fearless did their insatiable voracity render them, that they would even alight K 1 i UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 109 upon tlie whale within reach of tlie men, v.ho would often catch one of them and fling it back into the iiii(l.-?t of tlie flock swimming eag<'rly alongside, pro- ducing a disturbance that very soon subsided. They More not worth killing, and Captain Marling would not suft'er Harold to shoot tiiem ; but they were a great uiii.-ance, so he had no objection to his making a mark ofihem in throwing. Accordingly, the two lads brought up a bucket of small lumps of coal, and had fine fun weiiiii: which could make the best shots, usiny; the coal for ammunition. The "mollies" were pretty cute, and could dodge the missies with good success, but their voracitv often betiaved them, for thev would run the risk of beiuQf hit rather than lose some choice morsel upon which they had decided, so that as between hit- tiiiir and missiny;, honors were about even. Just before darkness enfolded the ship in its soft; embrace for the night, the work of flinching was fiiii-hed, and to the accompaniment of a lusty cheer that actually terrified the mollies, and went echoing out over the still water, the third and last kreng sank into the depths, while the tired men, all smeared with hlood and blubber, indulged in a grand clear up be- fore tumbling into their berths. Harold soon followed their example, and his dreams wore full of whales and mollies and cxcitins: inci- dents, but they contained no j)rophecy of what awaited liini on the morrow, and in blissful ignorance of cuiuing peril he slept as oidy a weary boy can sleep. CHAPTER X. IN PERIL. THE deck of the "Narwhal" presented a most unattractive sight when Harold stepped out upon it the following morning. As the process of" making off" was yet to be performed no attempt had been made to clean it up, and it was in an indescribably filthy condition, and so slippery that the most exper- ienced sailor had to ponder the path of his feet pretty carefully if he did not want a roll into the lee scup- pers. After the carpenter, however, had sprinkled sawdust over the worst places it was not so bad, although Harold could not help regretting that it was necessary to make such a mess of the steamer that had always hitherto been kept as neat as Aunt Etter's best parlor. It was a fine calm morning, and there were no Avhalos in sight, so Captain Marling ordered all hands to turn to and assist in the business of "making off." This was not so interesting as the work of fliuchillL^ The great strips of blubber weighing from lialf a ton up to two tons apiece were hoisted up on the main deck, and there divided into pieces about twelve or sixteen pounds weight, by men called " krenger.-." These pieces were then passed on to the "skinners," no l-mi UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. Ill wlio removed the tough strong skin, and lianded then' over to tlie choppers, who, nsing big cluinks from the wliale's tail as ciiopping bh)clvS, ciiopped the large pieces np into little ones, and these by means of a canvas shoot called a " lull " were sent down the hatchway into the tanks waiting below to receive thcni, where they would remain until despatched to the refinery at the end of the voyage. It was an animated and cheerful sis-ht, even if not "^ particularly picturesque one that the main deck ])resented during the ''making oiF." The precious blubber, looking more like huge lumps of cheese than anything else, came tumbling up out of the hold, and went from kienger to skinner, and from skinner to chopper, growing smaller and smaller in its journey, until at last, reduced almost to mince meat, it disap- peared down the hull, and vanished into the dark iron tanks, to be disturbetl no more for perhaps many months. Harold, of course, must needs be krenger, skinner, and chopper by turns, and although he was inevita- bly more of a bother tlum a help, .md gruff old Peter 8tnmi would have banislied him to the stern if he could have had his own way Captain Marling thought it best that his son should know the business (•f whaling from start to finish, and accordingly the boy was given full liberty to do what he pleased in the matter. It was little short of a miracle that he did not cut off some of his fingers in his frantic efforts to 112 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. vie witli the expert choppers, and he did manage to give himself a cut in his boyish zenl. But it was only a sliglit one which a bit of sticking plaster made all riglit. From morning till noon the men toiled away like beavers, and wei'e just resuming after having stowed away a good dinner, when the cry of " Whale, ho ! Whale, ho !" from the crow's ne.st, whicli all this time had never been unoccupied, threw them into a state of excitement and confusion. Dropping their knives and chop})ers, they swarmed to the steamer's side, and there, sure enough, not a mile away, two whales could be seen spouting and rolling about on the water. Captain Marlimr was at fii*st quite in a quandary. There Avas still sufficient work to occupy his crew for the rest of the afternoon, and the "making off" must be finished now that it was bei^un. One \\hale on board was worth two in the water, and the blubi.>or could not be neglected. On the otiier hand, the whales just sighted were evidently fine large ones, and it seemed too bad to let them go without having a try at them. At this jtmcture the second mate presented himself and, touching his cap respectfully, said ; '' I should like to have a go at those wdiales, sir. Do you think you could spare my boat?'* The captain hesitated a moment. Lewis' first whale had by this time been safely stowed away in the tank?:, and he was therefore the best entitled to be sent olf II UP A.A[OXG THE ICE-FLOES. 113 again. "It seems a pity to lose such a good chance, sir," urged Lewis. The captain pulled out his watch, ghinced up at the sky, which was beginning to be clouded over as though thick weather was at hand, rubbed his chin thought- fully, and at length said : ''Very well, Lewis. But I can't spare more than your crew. So you'll liave to try it alone." "All light, sii'," replied Lewis, his face lighting up with joy ; and then he shouted : "Crew number (me get ready to launch at once." Tiie men singled themselves out from the crowd, aiul while their shipmates looked enviously upon them, tiirew down the tools with which they had been work- iug and ha?«tened to launch the boat. Within a few minutes after Lewis' order the boat was off, and rowing swiftly in the direction of the whales, which had ('han 180 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. For a few moments he was kopt in harrowing siis pcnso, and tlicn, to liis nnspoakable delight, Tiewis opened his eyes, put his hand np to his head, and asked, in a faint, bewiklercd way: "What's hap- j^encd? What's tlie matter?" Tlie reaction was too mueh for Harold's over- strained nerves, and bnrsting into tears, he exclaimed : " It's all right. He's dead. I killed him." LeM^is soon recovered his senses, and sitting up, looked from the dead beai* to the Aveeping boy with an expression in which amazement and delight were oddly mingled. "Did you really kill him, Hal?" he asked at length. "I did, indeed," replied Harold, Aviping aAAay his tears. " I jabbed him in the eye Avith the lance." Satisfied that all danger Avas over, Lewis proceeded to examine himself, and to his huge relief found that beyond the bump from the ice, Avhich had lendered him insensible, he had suffered no injuries Avhatever. " T am not hurt a bit," said he. "If I'm not the luckiest felloAv alive ! Come, uoav, let us go back to the boat and get some help. We can't mannge that great carcass betAveen us." The men of the boat Avere inmiensely surprised to hear of the killing of the bear, and taking a big piece of Avhale line they dragged the body back to the boat, Avhere thev skinned it Avith their sheath knives, and stretching out the pelt to dry, cached or stored the '■a UP AMONG THE ICE-FL()E3. 131 ;¥l carcass in a hummock, for although polar bear i^tviik is lar from toothsome, especially when mw, still it Ava.s belter thau no food, and there was no telling to wiiat extremities they might be driven ere the "Xar- wluil" would find them. On the particulars of the struggle bei^ig told, Harold became quite a hero in the sailors' estimation, nnd altogether this incident served to make a welcome break in the long day of waiting which passed with- out any sign of the steamer's api)roach. Once more the night closed in upon them, and with such com- })osure as they coukl muster they prepared to make the best of their sorry plight. The following morning found them beginning to show very plainly the effects of their continued ex- posure, for although the night was comparatively mild, aUil happily free from wind, it was, of course, impos- sible to obtain any real comfort, and sleej) came only because of utter weariness. Poor Harold seemed so miserable in both mind and body that Lewis was filled with anxiety concerning him. The boy had a constitution of no ordinary sturdiness; but it was hardly calculated to endure long protracted exposure on an ice floe. As the sun rose bright and strong in the heavens, a new dan}' lay and brought no cheering news to the captain, who had not left the deck, nor closed his eyes all night. ** We'll bj sure to find them to-day, won't we, Peter?" sai4 ■'It. li 'Hi HhWiP ,i i- 1 I'i * 1 1 1 1 i f ■- ■■> il i ; 1 ■ 1 I i 134 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. lio, with assumed cheerfulness to the faithful old mate, staiuliiig near him on the hridge. " Aye, aye, sir ; no doubt of it. Tiiey\'e just riui off before the wind. We'll piek them up ere nigiit- fail," replied Peter, iu a tone of confidence that did the captain good. But that day passed in fruitless search, and anotlioi' night came, and the darkness that en\vrai)ped iho steamer was not deeper than the gloom which filled the captain's heart, and affected every one on board. It was a sorrowful ship's com})any. Harold and the second mate were both prime favorites, the crew ot the boat comprised the pick of the forecastle, and their absence made a gap which all felt acutely. Patsy Kehoe was almost beside himself with grief and anxiety. His warm, passionate Irish nature h;id gone out to Harold in a love that daily acts of kind- ness had formed and fostered until it became the very centre of his life. He scarcely slept or ate as the time passed, and the missing ones were still unfound, and somehow. Captain Marling came to feel as thoujjh there was no one who sympathized with him so fully as did the little Irish stowawav. The third day came, and the weather was still fine. Having struck straight across the open water in the track of the storm until he reached the ice, the "Nar- whal" had then coasted along its edge, the captain feeling sure that if anywhere, the boat must be ui)oa this ice. Unfortunatelv, he tiu'ned southward first, m. fully UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 1 '^Fi and thus lost a day, not turning north again until it M-as clear he liad gone much farther tlitin the boat could possibly have done. Tiicn he steered toward the north, and pushing tlie steanuT to her utmost speed, scanned every loot of the shore ice as he passed. Tlie tliird (hiy was drawing to its close, and, utterly worn out, the heart-broken captain had tlirown him- self upon the bench beside the cabin skylight and fallen into a profound slumber, wlien Peter Strum, then up in the crow's nest, shouted out at the toi> of his grutl' voice : " Boat, ahoy ! on the lee side ! " Patsy just at that moment appeared on deck, and ustantly catching the mate's meaning, he sprang to the captain's side, and shaking his arm vigorously, ' ■ ^ out in his ear: "Wake up, sir! Wake up! Mr. Strum" xvJ». '1 tl lem }f Half stupefied will) sleep, the captain staggered to his feet, and looked about him in a bewildered wav .' y and just then Strum's voice roared out again : " * Nar- whal's ' boat, and all hands safe.'^ With a fervent exclamation of "Thaidi God ! thank God!" Captain Marling rushed to the rigging, and climbing up to within a few feet of the crow's nest, cried: '• Where ? where ? Show me where ! " There was the boat in full view, lying close to the edge of the ice, and there standing beside it, and making frantic signals to the steamer, were one, two, three, four, five, six men and a smaller figure, that could not be mistaken. f!fp"!||i|l 9m ilHi'f 136 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. On sped the steamer, straiglit toward them. Right up to the edge of the ice she glided. Witli tlie speed of thought a boat was lowered, and Well, what more is there to tell, save that in a few moments, Harold, pale, haggard and weak, but living, was folded to his father's heart. 1 ^ II I CIIAPTEll XII. IX QUIET WATERS. IT is easier to imagine than describe the scene of gladness and gratitude which followed the re- union on the ice. Weak and faint as the rescued ones felt, the appearance of the " Narwlial " had infused new life into them, and they vied with their rescuers in the vigor of their manifestations of joy. The parties made a very lively group, and no one was more demonstrative than Ca})tain Marling, who, hav- iiiii; first assured himself that Harold had suffered iK^thinu; more from hunijer and exhaustion than what a little care would soon make all right again, wont from one to the other of the boat's crew, shaking their hands and clapping them on the back, giving full vent to his feelings. Then, bethinking himself of their famished condition, he shouted out: "All hands on board to dinner," whereat the whole party hastened back to the steamer as fast as hunii;rv men cuuld go. A few days of rest and quiet completely removed all traces of their hard experiences from those who had been in such danger. Even Harold regained his j)lumpness and. color with a rapidity little short of sur- prising, and the interrupted process of " making ofi'" 137 rT" 138 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. having been duly completed, the " Xarwhal'a " prow ^vas once more pointed northward. It was now tlie middle of tiie Arctic summer, and tlie weather was almost uniformly fine and very delightful. Largo quantities of ice continually £ >• peared, but, as a rule, in a much broken up condition, so that the steamer had little difficnlrv in forcinjj^ her "wav throuiih it, althouii;!! now and then the heavv floes would close in about her, and with every sail i^et, and the engines under full steam, she would iro boriny; and pushing her way through them into open water again. Had a gale sprung up while this was being done the captain's skill would have been taxed to save tlie vessel from injury, for solid and heavy as she was she would at times collide witii an unusually big floe ^vith such violence as to recoil several yards, before again gathering way, and charging her obstinate oppo- nent. These collisions sometimes produced very ludicrous consequences, the sharp shock tumbling over meuibers of the ship's company who were unpre})ared for such a sudden stoppage. Poor Patsy was one of the worst sufferers, for once while in the act of carry- ing a tureen of soup to the dinner table lie was sent headlong, the tureen being dashed to fragments at his i(i^i^ and he himself half-drowned in its hot contents. Fortunately, the soup was not hot enough to scald him, but it would be hard to conceive a more comical object than he presented when he got on his feet again, with the thick, greasy soup spattered all over his faee UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 139 and chest. He was greeted with a roar of laiiirliter as lie stumbled into the saloon, and Captain Marling, enjoying the joke as keenly a*' anybody, hailed him with a hearty : " Look here, l\itsy, tliat's not the pi'o- per way to bring soup to tlie table. Go back and get some more, sir, and bring it to us properly," which order Patsy at once proceeded to execute. They were discussing their future programme at the table that day, and the captain for the first time revealed a project that he liad ciierished from the out- set, but which he had not intended to foHow out unless he should be favored with good fortune in his whale fi.-hing. This project was nothing less than to push on from Howe's AVelcome through Lyon Iidet into the wide waters of Fox Channel, hunt whales there until the tanks were well filled, and then, keeping still northward past the Melville Peninsula, venture through Fury and Ilecla Strait into the great Gulf of Boothia, seeking a cosy corner of Committee J>ay to winter in, and the following spring going on still northward to Lancaster Sound, thence eastward to the IJaffin Sea, and, turning southward, steer through Davis' Straits into the broad Atlantic, and so home again. It was a daring scheme, and as full of fascination for men of spirit as it was full of thought for men of reflection. Both classes were well represented in the little group that listened to the captain unfolding it, and if at first; with the exception of imperturbable old Peter Strum, their breath was taken aw ay by its bold- >m ^ i: lii^^^^i 140 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. ness, they soon regained their composure, and settled down to discuss tiie matter calmly, Harold listeniii*^ with all his might, and hoping no less intently that liis father would have his own wav. The pros and cons were simply these : No one on board had ever been in those ice-bound waters before, the best charts of them were little more than guess- work, and the prospect of a long, dark Arctic winter away up in the heart of that mysterious region could hardly be called a pleasing one, so that aside from the ordinary perils of Northern navigation, such as being nipped by the floes, or smashed into by an iceberg, or wrecked by a storm, there were good grounds for hesitation. On the other hand, there was much to be said in support of the scheme. Gallant old Connnander Baffin, in a small and crazy vessel of only lifty-livo tons, had penetrated successfully the then undiscovei'ed regions, part of which now appropriately jierpetuates his name; and if his poor ship was equal to the ordeal, how much more the strong and sturdy " Nar- whal," more than ten times her size ! In every man who is a man the spirit of adventure and discovery is strong, and here was a famous chance to give it free exercise. The route Captain Mailing proposed to take was comparatively unknown. Few ships, and certainly no whalers, had ever been over it. Who could say M'hat discoveries might not be made by enterprising men having every possible advantage, UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 141 id ill aiidcr y-five vered uatcs the S^ar- Dum rv is free d to and Wiio e by tage, wlicn such wonders liad been acconiplished by others not one-iialf so well equipped? There were provi- sions on board for two full years at least, fuel in abundance, furs in plenty for every body — nothing lack- ing, in fact, that Arctic explorers would need. All this Ca})tain Marling laid before his listeners w ith an earnestness that made him positively eloquent, and it was not long ere Frank Lewis became as enthu- siastic as himself. Dr. Linton was the next convert, and then, more slowlv, the tw^o entjineers. As for the old mate, what the captain thought, he thought; and that was an end of the matter for him. There were, however, two members of the gronp that had been gathered together for consultation who very clearly did not yield to the captain's persuasive eloquence. These were the two sealers shipped at St. John's, New- foundland, by name Joseph Collins and Lemuel Stacey. They were, by no means, attractive men, and more than once Captain Marling regretted having taken them on board ; for although their experience in Northern navigation was very valuable at times, still, upon the whole, their assistance was never absolutely indispensable. And they were both such rough, sullen, sclHsh men that their presence was a positive blight ; :ind evervbodv alwavs felt much relieved when thev took themselves off in the evenings to their own state room, which fortunately was, as a rule, quite early. Tiiey had listened to the discussion without taking part, not speaking until appealed to by the captain, ITT" 142 UP AMONG THE ICK-FLOES. infill "when Collins, in liis grim way, urged a number of objections against the scheme; and, finding tluni, one by one, met and overcome by the others, rehip.scd into a sulky silence, from which he refused to be drawn again. Stacey, on liis part, iiad nothing to say at ail, but evidently gave tacit support to his countryman. Yet their silence by no means meant assent ; and, as uill be seen farther on, their opposition, instead of dying away, became of increasing strength, and event- ually bore very troublesome fruit. Dav succeeded dav of sunshine and warmth, and thcv were easv times on board the "Narwhal." The fires were put out in order to save coal, and, under a fair press of sail, the steamer bowled pleasantly along, tacking hither and thither according as the ever-pres- ent ice required, or as the captain might direct. He was in no hurry. He would have liked ver}^ much to come across a couple more whales, and the crow's nest was never without its sharp-eyed watcher. But he knew verv well that Ausjust was usuall v a blank month for the whalers. Just why it was so, none could tell. Tliat it was so, all coidd testify from actual experience; and so he was not disappointed at the time passing Avithout any whales making their appearance. There was one desire the captain was anxious to gratify, and that was to do some sealing before the winter set in. Tlie best time for that had, of course, already passed ; but away up in these vast solitudes, where they were rarely, if ever disturbed, they must mmmmmrn. mm UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 143 .^tillho found in plenty; and to .socnre a fow tliousaiid (if their pelts would be ii very good way of tilling in the month. At Repulse Bay the captain had his wish. The *• Narwhal" had been brought to anchor tiiere for a day or two, and became surrounded at night by ail immense ice pack, upon Avhich, when morning broke, seals were discovered in great numbers. Imme- diately the steamer was thrown into the liveliest ex- citement. Not a man stopped to think of breakfast; but, snatching up a ship's biscuit, crammed it into his mouth or his pocket, and, grasping a liand sj)ike, an iron belay ing-pin, or whatever else woidd serve as a club, hurried on to the ice in piu'suit of the seals. Of these, there were many thousands scattered over a o;reat field of fairlv level ice which had,bv the force of the wind, been consolidated, so that there were few open spaces ; and consequently there was no danger in going about. Captain Marling was one of the first upon the ice, Harold following close in his wake, and they were soon in the midst of the slauu-hter. It was indeed a slaughter. The poor seals made hardly any attempt to resist or escape, although here and there a big bull would bravelv show fiirlit, onlv to be knocked over ignominiously for his pains. The clubs were plied vigorously by the powerful sailors — the two New- Ibiindlanders, Collins and Stacey, being particularly active, and looking positively happy for once, as with tremendous blows they knocked their prey over, on right and left. 'm \\fiii ■'il;^ i ; 144 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. Harold soon got very sick of the business. The seals seemed so helpless, and there was something wonderfully appealing and pathetic about the expres- sion of the smaller ones, as, apparently recognizing the futility of attempting to escape, they lay panting on the ice, and looked up into the faces of their pur- suers. " Come along, Hal," cried his father, noticing that the bov hunii: back, and did not seem inclined to follow the retreating seals. *' You've got a good club. Don't waste any time. There'll soon be no seals left." *• No, father. I guess not. I don't like this work. It seems too cruel," replied Harold, respectfully. " All right, my boy," answered the captain, appre- ciating Hai'old's motives. " I won't urge you. Do just as you please." And then, as he hastened olF after the others, he added : " Don't go far away. The ice may change at any time." '' I'll take good care, father," said Harold. And, turning off* to the right, he went over to the edge of the ice field, where the open water was. He had not been there long before an incident occurred that made the operation of seal killing more distasteful than ever. Tiie poor seal has a hard time of it. In the water the sharks and the sword fish pursue him with unap- peasable maws, and when to escape from them he be- takes himself to the ice, the polar bear, Esquimaux, and scalers give him no peace. Even the sun becomes UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 145 )iir seals And, pgQ of id not made ever. ^vatel* iinap- Ihe be- Luiaux, icomes #1 ^.is enemy, by raising blisters on his back, tliat cause liini intense suffering, and make him dread returning to the water; so much so, indeed, that if found by .stealers in that condition, and puslied off the ice into tiie water, he will scramble back on to the fioe at their very fnQt, seeming to prefer death by their clubs to fiirtlier sufferins:. It happened that several of these strange sea mon- sters, called sword fish, were in waiting at the edge of tlie ice. No doubt they had followed the seals thither, and driven them up on the ice. The sealei"S were now acting in their favor by driving their prey back to tiiein again. As Harold stood near the jagged edge of the ice floe, a little band of seals, fleeing from their human enemies, scuttled swiftly })ast him and })lunged into the water, that looked so like a haven of security. ])ut, alas, for them ! it was nothing of the kind. Hardly had the green water closed over tiiem than they reappeared at the surface, barking and lashing the water as if in a state of frenzy. At first Harold, watching them with breathless in- terest, could not make out the cause of this disturb- ance. But presently it became clear enough. The sword fish were in the midst of the helpless seals, which, barking, splashing, diving, sought in every way to evade their greedy enemies. The commotion was tremendous, and soon the crimson hue of the water told that more than one seal had fallen victin)s to the cruel sword. Thrilled with excitement, wishing with ■H I 146 UP AMONG TUE ICE-FLOES. m-i*: all his heart that he could ttike the part of tlie seals, but, (^f course, utterly powerless to do so, Harold watched this one-sided struggle going on. And iIilu a very I'eniarkable thing happened. The seals were now climbling back upon the ice, quite regardless of the boy's presence, of M-hich, indeed, they seenicd quite unconscious. About ten yards away Harold noticed a small seal swimmintr straight toward him witli all its might, and not fixr behind it a huge sword fish, evidently in hot pursuit. The seal, for- tunately for it, had a head start, which would just about enable it to reach the ice, and this it succeeded in doing the instant before the sword fi?h, conn ng on with a terrible rush, furious with disappointment, dashed its mighty weapon into the ice at the very spot whei'e its intended victim had escaped. The ice, thick as it was, trembled with the force of the blow, and the terrified seal, uttering most piteous cries, hurried toward Harold, who was standing spellbound at this wonderful sight, and before he could move, placed its shiny head between his two knees in unmistakable ap))eal. Harold was so astonished that he hardly knew what to do, but mechanically stooped down and patted the head of the seal, just as if it were a dog. The poor, liuntcd creature looked up at him with eyes of won- derful softness and beauty, and there and then Haivjld determined within himself that if it were possible to get the seal safely to the steamer he would adopt it as UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 147 I. his pet, and perhaps take it back to Halifax with liim. Silting down on tlie ice, he took tlie creature's soft, siMootii liead, all dri])ping as it was, between ijis iiands and fondled it tenderlv. Siraiiije to sav, it made no resistance whatever. On the contrary, it seemed to tlioroui2;idv trust the kindness of its new-found friend, and its pantings and raoanings ceased altogether as it lav rcstfuUv at ids feet. Harold was full of deliy-ht. He liad often read of seals making capital pets. In fact, there had been two in a pond in the Public Gardens at lionie for some time, that he had frecpiently visited, and had seen them allow their keeper to play with them as if they were puppies. He was not long in making up his mind, therefc^re, to adopt this seal that had come to him so strangely, as liis pet. But how was he to get it to the " Xarwhal " ? That was a problem which had to be solved first, and it did not look like an altoi^ether easv one. To earrv the creature was ont of the question. It was quite too heavy, even if it did not object to being treated like a baby. To lead it was no le?s impracticable. There s>eemed but one way of meeting the case, and that was to drive the seal. Harold held a light club in his liand, and getting beliind his voluntary captive he waved it over its back, at the same time saying, in encouraging tones : "Get up, ik)w, Sidney. Off you go. Make for the steamer as fast as you can." At first the seal went very well, and by shaking 1-. m m\ 148 UP AMO>G THE ICE-FLOES. the club to right or left, as tlie case required, Harold w&H able to uiake it keep a pretty straigiit course for its destination. But after going iialf the distance it got tired, and s^oenied to think that it was already (niite far enough from the water; for, in spite of the threai- ening club, it turned around and refused to advance an incli, sending forth a pitiful moaning that was almost Inmian in iis expression. Harold did his best to coax it along, saying, reas- suringly : ''Come along, Shincy. I won't liurt you. I'll be so good to you ! Oh, come along, won't you?" But Sidney was proof against all Ins blandishments, and in his despair he was about to try and pick the ungrateful animal up, when Lewis came along, and seeing Harold's predicament, called out : " Hello, Hal ! What are you about there ? " Harold was immensely relieved at hearing his friend's voice, and started to him. " I've got a prize. Come and help me get it to the steamer." Lewis came over to him at once, and Harold told him briefly how the seal had come into his possession. " Indeed, this is a remarkable seal," said Lewis, on liearing the account. " I'll help you got him to steamer." And picking the creature, which vainly tri. to escape, up in his strong arms, he bore it off to the *• Narwhal," just as though it had been a tired child. Captain Marling readily gave his consent to the seal being kept on board, and a big tub was at once M ll 1 Ml'' Km iJ 1 1 cm UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 149 filled witli water and placed near the foremast, so tl.at It ooiild bathe wlienever it widied. Manv a time in the long and dreary days that were yet to come did Harold feel thankful for tlie good fortune whicii threw Hhiney in his way, fur he made a most interesting pet. • ^ CHAPTER XIII. GATHERING CLOUDS. 1 ■ 1 ill THE seal hunt had been very successful, over five thousand pelts Iiaving been taken, and one of tlie larirest tanks had been filled with the blubber. *' Now if I can only get a few ^A'alrus," said Cap- tain Mai-ling, reviewing with profound satisfaction the results of the day's operations, "I shall be very well content." He had not to Malt I0112: before his wish in this direction was gratified also. They were in a very good place for walrus, the fi.tain's confidence. Once when they went they foiuid Big Akx; engaged in earnest conversation with the prisoners, but although he was evidently very much flustered at their seeing him, and slank olf inimediately, they did not think the mcidcnfc of any importance, and said nothing about it. Had 1G6 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. they mentioned it to the captain, the tragedy tliat was near at hand might possibly iiave been averted. Af'ier enjoying freedom of a(;tion fur more tlian a week, tlie "Xarwlial" became beset by an ice pack wliich snrrunnded lier in all directions, and slie was evidently a prisoner until there should be a decided cluuiLie in the wind. Tlie evening being damp and chilly, no one felt tempted to linger upon deck, and after darkness had setiled down upon the steamer all was quiet on board, tiiere being nobody visible save two seamen doini:: dutv as the bow watch, crouched in the shelter of the foremast, and Peter Strum leaning silently over the stern taffrail. In the saloon the ci\\)- tnin, the second mate, the surgeon, and one of the emxineers were seekinsx a diversion of their thoiiirhts in a friendly game, and wei'e growing deej)ly inter- ested. The other engineer was making additional entries in the journal he delighted to keep, and Harold was reading; fu' tiie third time one of his favorite books, to wit, " ^Ir. Mid.-hipman Easy." It seemed a very peaceful and secure scene, and little woul<] (me have thought how soon it was to be rudely disturbed. It was Harold's custoin since Shiney had come into his possessi\verful grasp, a huge lioniy liaiul was tiiriir«t over his mouth so that he could not erv out, and before he realized wiiat was being done witli him, he was borne off by IMij: Alee to tlie forecastle, and dumped down in tlie midst of the saiK)rs witli the steru injunction: "Keep your mouth shut, now, or somethiug'll l)a})|*en to you." ^Startled and bewildered, Harold looked about him, and among the iirst his eyes fell upon were Collins and Stacey, whom he supposed to be lying in irons in the dark storeroom. Ciearlv there had been treacherv somewiiere, and he was at once reminded of seeing ]:5ig Alec sneaking away from the placxi of the New- f )undlanders' confinement. He furthci' noticed that there was a good *ieal of drinking going on among t!ie men. They must iiave gotten at tii'3 spirits somehow, l"or the brandy flowed freely, and all seemed to be ])ar- taking of it. Collins, who appeared to be tiie leader, showed great satisfaction at Harold's capture. "Ah ! ha!'^ he said, with a wicked laugh. "Now we've got the young cub, perhaps the old bear won't irrowl so loud." Captain Marling did not notice Harold goinsjc out, but after he had been gone some little time, he looked up from his game, and, missing him, exclaimed : '• Hello ! what's become of Hal ? " " Gone up on deck lo say good- iii^lit to Shiney, no doubt," answered Lewis. *' He alwavs does it befn'e he goes to bed." 168 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. "Well, it's about time he was in bed," said the cap- tain. "Hi, there! Paisy. llun up on deck and tell Master Harold that I want him." Patsy hurried off to obey, and the game was re- .stuiied. Ten, fifteen, twenty minutes passed, and Patsy did not return. " Plai^ue the brat, what's keeping him so long?" said Ca{)tLiin Marling, testily, and ending the game lie was just about to go up on deck himself, when Patsy j'u-ihed into the saloon, his face as white as a sheet, and his whole appearance betokening great agitation. " Hello, youngster, what's the matter?" cried the captain, in surprise. '* Oh, sir, there's a great deal the matter,'^ repeated Patsy. " They've got Harold in the forecastle, aiul Mr. Collins and Mr. Stacey are there too." '• Harold in the forecastle, and Collins and Stacey free ! Great heavens ! what's the meaning of this ? " exclaimed the captain, a sharp thrill of apprehension striking to his heart. Then he added, more calmly: "This is bad business, shipmates; we nmst look into it at once. Let us get our revolvers." Th.ere was some slight confusion as each one hast- ened to his cabin, and returned revolver in hand. The faces of all looked very grave. A crisis, whose magnitude it was impossible yet to estimate, was at hand. The future hung upon what might happen within the next tew minutes. ■ p UP AMONG THE ICE-FI-OES. 169 '• Stay here a moment while I go on deck and see liow the land lies," said Captain Marling, as he quieily left the saloon. After a brief absence he returned, his face looking o;raver than before. " Things look })retty bad," he reported. " The men have gotten hold of the spirits somehow, and many of them are in liquor already. God knows what mischief tliey'U be up to. I wish to heavtn my boy were here. But surely they won't do him any harm." They were not left long in doubt as to what the men had in mind, for presently tiiere was a tramp of heavy and unsteady feet along the deck and down the companion way, which soon explained itself by the entry into the saloon of fully a score of the sailors with Collins and Stacevat their head, while Big Alec, holding Harold fa>t in liis mighty grasp, was not far behind. There could be no mistake about the purpose of the intruders. They had come to bend the ctiptain to their will, and in view of the penalties to which they exposed themselves by thus breaking into open mutiny, had fortified their courage by potations of brandy until they felt equal to any excess. There was a look of dark leering triumph upon Collins' evil face as he surveyed the captain's little baud tluit, numbering only six in all, now stood toirether in tlie rear of the saloon, and then glanced b;ick over his own supporters, of whom there were 170 Ur AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. more than three to one, while yet others were on deck awaiiiiig ilie issue. His imprisonment liad tilled iiiin witli a wild passion for revenge, and lie was deter- mined to have it regardless of all consequences. " Well, captain," said he, fiist breaktng the ominous silence, " we've just come down to say that we don't haid^er tifter going any farther north and that wc; think it's about time to right about ship, and make tor home. Isn't that about the size of it, shipmates ?" A murnuir of assent from those behind expressed approval of his words, and, with an insolent smile, he awaitetl a rei)ly. It came without delay. " I am the captain of this ship," said the captain, calmly, yet steridy, "and will suffer no one to dispute mv authoritv. By this action von have l)Ccomc gniltv of mutiny; and I give you warning, all of you, that unless you leave this cabin at once, and go back to your berths, I will hand you over to the authorities at the first port we reach." Collins was evidently ready for this, and it had not the slightest effect upon him; although some of the more sober of the men winced slightly, and began to look as if they wished they hadn't come on any such errand. *• Thank you, captain," answered Collins, still smiling insolently. " I haven't a doubt you'll do exactly as yon say, if you only get the chance. But we'll take mighty good care you don't. And what we've got to say is just this : If you don't consent to UP AMONG TIIK K'E-FLOES. 171 turn about and go liome, and jH'oniise to say nothing :il)(>ut this, wo'ro just going to give you and your friends one ot" the boats, and let you go on up north :is far as you please, Avhile we'll take the steamer, ami go down south as far iis we })lease. That's our little plan. Wiiat do you think of it? " A strange ehill went to Captain Marling's heart as he heard these words, and there eanie up in his mem- ory the talk he had had widi Harold about Iliid-on ;uid his eruel fate. But there was nc^t a sign of I'ear or irresolution on his eountenanee as he made re])ly : " You blaek-hearteil .scoundrel ! This is all your devil- ish dointr, and dearlv shall vou pav for it. Leave the eabin this moment, or I'll shoot vou where vou stand." And the shining barrel of a revolver was pointed straight at Collins' head. Taken completely by sur])rise, the ra-cal fell baek a ])ace or two, his face livid with rage and fright. .As he did so, Big Alec stepped forward, holding Harold by his left hand, and in his right, one of the long, keen knives used in separating the whale blubber from the skin. " Shoot, if you daie ! " he shouted — for he was wild with drink — "and your cub shall pay fur it." Poor Harold gave a shriek of ten-or, and cowered down as the half-crazed giant held the wicked blade in his face. Quick as a fla>h, all six revolvers of the captain's little band were leveled at the mass of men in front. A moment more, and there would have been an awful scene ; when suddenly — from no one knew 1^' 172 UP AMONG THE ICE-FI.OES. wlierc, for no oik; saw liis approach — Pat.sy sprang forward, his face iiflanic witli heroic puij)0.-c. In his hanil lie held a short iron bar which lie hnd picked up somewhere, and ere Jiig Alec conld avoid him, indeed before he was aware of his proximity, he bronnht ilie bar down with all his might upon the iirm that held Harold, shouting, as he did so : " Kun, Harold, run ; for God's sake ! " With the spring of a deer, Harold obeyed, and with tlie loar of a wild beast Collins rushed forward to in- tercept him. But ere he could take a second step a sharp crack split the air, and with a bullet in his biain the ill-starred wretch pitched forward at the captain's feet — stone dead. The report of the revolver was ft)ilowed by an in- stant of profound silence. Appalled at the fate of their leader, the mutineers stood as if petrified ; and, seizing the opportunity. Captain Marling, still kee})- ing his revolver pointed at them, while they shrank back in terror from its diadly muzzle, shouted in his sternest tones : " Fools ! Do you want to share the fate of this scoundrel? Back to vour berths, now. I'll talk to you in the morning, when you've got your wits again." Completely sobered by fright, and abject in their collaj)se, the men one by one slunk out of the saloon until only Big Alec was left. He was about to follow, when by a sudden impulse he wheeled round, and with all his drunken fury tiu-ned to maudlin penitence, UP AMONG THE ICE-FI-OES. 173 nislied across the saloon, and throwing; liimsclf on liis knees before the captain, wliile the tears ponred down liis bronzed clieeks, cried out, imph)riniily : "For (lod's sake captain, forgive nn; ! 1 didn't know what 1 was doino; ! " Captain Marling, who in his delight at Harold's safe deliverance, and relief at the happy turn of affairs, felt as if he could forufivo evervlxulv and evervthinir, .Slid, very gently : "Ail right, Alec, we'll see about it in the morning. Just call one of the men, and put that tiling out of sight," pointing to Collins' body. Big Alec went off, and bringing back anotiier sailor, the two carried away the body, and then departed airain witiiout another word. They were very quiet in the saloon when once more left to tliemselves. The gravity of the peril, and the tragedy by which it liad been averted, made tiieni little inclined to talk, although their hearts were fdled with profoundest thankfidness. "My darling boy!" said the captain, at length, patting his son's curly head, "little did I dream into what dangers I was bringing you when 1 con- sented to let you come. It mtist be Aunt Etter's })i'ayers that keep you safe from harm. God bless the dear woman ! what will she say when she hears of this? ]>Ht, bless my heart, I've never thanked Patsy. Where is the bov ? Hi, there ! Patsv ! Patsv !" he shouted at the top of his voice. Divining tiie reason of this stentorian summons, Patsy emerged from tJje IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /. // 1.0 I.I If 1^ lil 1.8 1.25 1.4 III 1-6 -^ 6" - ► y),

■■'1'.' iM '^ ^ i 176 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. maddened captor, Patsy's brave blow, and his wild dash for liberty, Collins' furious spring after iiim, and then the sharp crack of the revolver, and the (lull thud of the traitor's body upon the floor, — it took but a moment J but, oh ! how dreadful it all was ! Early in the forenoon Captain Marling called the crew together, and committed the body of the unhappy Collins to the icy water, wrapped in a canvas shroud and heavily weighted, that it might sink far down into the silent depths. He could not suppress a sigh of relief as the white, shapeless thing slipped into the water and vanished. It seemed as though it carried with it all the tremble that had been weighing so heavily upon him of late ; for it not only removed the chief cause of that trouble, but made the way moie open for him to deal leniently with those whom that evil man had led astray. For a brief space after the corpse, with a soft splash, had disappeared forever, there was a dead silence on board, during which each man might almost have heard his neighbor's heart beat. Then, lifting his head, and looking into the faces of his men with an expression full of mingled kindness and reproach, the captain asked them : "Shipmates, have I not always been a good captain to you ?" "Aye, aye, sir!" came in hearty cheers from the men. " Did I ever refuse to listen to any of your reason- able requests?" ill UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 177 r rcason- '* No, sir I no, sir ! " cried the men in chorus. " Well, don't vou thiuk vou have treated rae verv badly in listening to that poor wretch who has paid so dearly for putting evil thoughts ii.to your heads?" *• We have, indeed, sir, and right sorry we are for it," spoke up Big Alec, in tones whose sincerity was uniiistakable, while the others murmured their assent. " I believe you, my men, I believe you,'' continued the captain; ^' and because I do, although you have been guilty of the worst crime a sailor can commit, I do not intend to punish you as the law gives me power to do. Indeed, on one condition I will not punish you at all." " Please, sir, what's the condition ? Just name it, sir," said Big Alec, eagerly. " Well, it's just this," answered Captain Marlinjj. "If you will all promise me fai hfully to stand by rae and the ship, no matter where I see fit to take her, and will go back to your duty with good hearts, ready for anytiiing, I will say nothing more about what hap- pent'd last night." " We will, sir, we will ! with all our hearts ; won't we, mates?" shouted Alec, turning round to his fol- low sailors; and when they chorused their assent with equal heartiness, he took off his cap, swung it in tlie air, and called for three cheers for "Captain Marling ! God bless him ! and we'll follow him clear to the North Pole ! " to which the men responded with a vigor that awoke the echoes amid the Arctic silences. M lit' 178 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. :||!,:| y i " All rij^ht, my men ; it is a bargain between ns. Bygones shall be bygones, and we'll be good friends to the end of the chapter/' said the captain, his face showing plainly that the burden had been removtcl from his mind, and ihat his wav seemed clear before him. He dismiri.sed the men ami, looking very mnch relieved, they went back to their work. The crisis was over. The difficulty happily overcome. The cap- tain had Mon the day, and the only sufferer was the poor wretch who, forgetful of all the captain's kind- ness, and regardless of his own pledged duty, had tried so hard to play him false. There was a change in the wind about mid-day, and the ice pack began to disintegrate, allowing the " Narwhal " to make some progress northward. Put it was very slow work at first, and required careful maiuigemeut. The *' leads," as the open water between the floes are called, were few and far between, and often after following one to its end, it would be found to be stopped by an iceberg, or a specially heavy mass of floe ice, which put farther advance in that direction out of question, and rendered a retreat neces.'-ary. Ca))tain Marling grew increasingly impatient as that day passed, and another and another, without the stnb- borii ice showing any disposition to abate its opposi- tion. He was anxions to get as far north as possible before the brief Arctic autumn came on, as tiie navi- gation of Fury and Hccla Strait woidd, in all proba- biliiy, be very difficidt, and it would not be wise to Tnr UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 179 veen us. [ friends his face removeci ,r before ly much he crisis The cap- • was the ii's kind- uty, hud mid- day, •wing the d. Put lI careful I' between veen, and be found avy mass direction -arv. nt as that the stub- ts opposi- possible tiic navi- all proba- je wise to is attempt it in a stormy season. By a free use of steam lie migiit iiave gotten aiiead a little farther, but tills was just what he wished to avoid. He iiml sufficient coal left in his bunj^ers to carry him to the end of his expcilition provided it was sparingly used, but if he squan iered it now in fighting the floes, he would have to do without it when fighting the cold at their winter quarters. The delay, however, had one advantage ; it gave iiim plenty of time to talk with Harold, and he told the attentive boy many an interesting story of the early explorers, and their wonderful courage. They had such miserable little vessels in comparison with the powerful, well-equipped " Narwhal '* for instance, that their achievements were rendered all the more heroic. Harold was filled with admiration for Frobisher and Baffin and Master John Davis, those fearless souls who fought their way far into this wilderness of sea and ice, long before the days of Franklin and McClin- tock and Parry. *' Why, do you know, Harold, they had to resort to the strangest plans to save themselves from destruc- tion," continued the captain. *' During one of brave old Frobisher's voyages, a barque named ' Deimis ' of oniv a hundred tons, mind vou, was struck so hard bv a huge ice floe, that she sank at once in the sight of the whole fleet, and soon after a tremendous tempest sprang up that played the very mischief with the other vessels. The ice surrotmdal them on ail sides. 111 m ■4 180 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. and in their desperation, fearing every moment lest tiie sides of their siiips would be crushed in, they protected tiieni witii cables, mattresses, planks and even spare masts, wliicli might act as fenders against the pitiless blows of the ice. A stiil stranger device was that employed by the * Judith,' another of the same fleet. When being sorely beset, she made fast to the biggest piece of ice she conld find, and crowding on all sail, used it as a sort of batterirg ram with which to force her way throngh the ice, and it seems tj have been quite a success too." ** But, father," interrupted Harold, " nothing like that could ever happen to us in this great big steamer, could it ? " " Not likely, Hal ; not likely," answered the cap- tain, "but we've got to be very careful, all the same. There's always the danger of being nipped, you know, and no vessel that was ever built, not even the 'Great Eastern ' herself, could stand being nipped." " Why, what's being nipped, father? " cried Harold, opening his eyes wide. "Simple enough, my boy ; simple enough ; it's just getting in l)etween two great ice floes which the wind or current is pressing together, and then, unless some- thing interferes, the ship is cracked just as a nut is emcked in the nut cracker. It is a very serious busi- ness, I can tell you, and I devoutly hope we won't have any of it. But I must run up on deck, now, and see how we are getting along." And leaving jnt lest 11, they ks ami against f device of tlie e fast to rowding im with it seems ling like stoiinier, the cup- the same. L)U know, le ' Great 1 Harold, it's just the wind ess some- 3 a nut is ious busi- we won't eck, now, d leaving UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOE:'?. 181 Harold to think over the j)eril8 of Northern naviga- tion, Captain Marling went up on deck. He found the prospect looking much more promis- ing, Tiie ice was separating floe from floe, wide k^ada were opening up in all directions, esixi(!ially to the nortli- ward, and tiie wind was favorable, blowing strongly from the west. With his good spirits thoroughly restored, the captain sang out his orders cheerily, and under a full press of sail, the "Narwhal" dwlging this way and that way from lead to lead, made good headway up Fox Channel toward Fnry and Heclu Sirait. With two days of ordinarily good weather, the entrance of the stmit ought to be reached. Although the tmks were now sufficiently well filhnl to .satisfy the captain, a sharp lookout was nevertlui- less kept for any game that might be met, as he wished to make as complete a collection as possible of Arctic trophies. He was particularly anxious to secure a good sjxicimen of that strange fi.«h, the uni* corn, — or " unic/*' as the sailors call him for short, — and when one morning a fine "unic'* was siglitid cutting through the water not far from the ship, he ordered a boat lowered imniodiatelv and took com- mand of it himself, with Lewis as harpooneer. Harold, of course, accompanied him. Wherever liis father went he followed. There was no gainsay- ing that. The oarsmen were the best on board, aid directing another boat to he made ready in case assist- ance shoidd be required, the captain ordered his men li i f : J 182 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. ■r to " give way," and off shot tlie boat after its prey. Tiiey had to approach the unicorn— or narwlial, which is its projxir name — very cautiously, for they are wary creatures and ea.rsily startled, so that one must never forget the sailor's maxim to "keep off her eye." Pulling along smoothly and swiftly, tiie boat crept up to within striking distance, and then Lewis, not losing a moment, rose in his place, and using the hand harpoon this time, sent it deep into the narwhal jnst behind the fin. With a tremendous start and flurry the stricken fish flung up its tail and dived into the depths, taking out more than a hundred fathoms of line as rapidly as any w hale could do. Then it stopped all at once. Tiie line lay loose in the water. The prize seemed already as good as won. Hauling the line in handover hand, the men found little resist- ance offered* on the part of their captive, and more than one-half of the rope had been coiled away in its place, when the strain ceased altogether. Noticing this, Lewis at once called out : " Look sharp, there ! the unic's coming up again." He had hardly uttered the words when, like an apparition, a huge form rose from the depths, on the starboard side of the boat; there was a lijrhtniuof-like rush that made the water fairly hiss, and then a crash as the mighty horn pierced through the tough wood as though it had been paper. So fierce was the narwhal's charjje that fullv two-thirds of its horn entered the boat, the sharp point finding its way into the thigh of 'y ! '11 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 183 an oarsman who was sitting near the gunwale, knock- ing him off his seat, and inflicting a severe wound, from whicii the blood guslied out. For a moment all was confusion. Thinking only of the injured man, Captain Marling at once sprang to his side, and with tliat presence of mind which never failed him, whipped out his big silk handker- chief and tied it tightly around the poor fellow's leg, above the wound, thereby stopping the flow of blood, uhicli otherwise would have been fatal. In the mean- time, Lewis gave his attention to their plucky assail- ant, plunging a lance again and again into its broad back; for so firmly was its horn imbedded in the l)oat'8 side, that it could not extricate it. The keen lance soon did its work, and witii its life-blo(xl dyeing the sea around, the unicorn ceased to struggle. *' Hurrah ! " cried Harold. " He's done at last." ''Yes," replied Lewis. "But he came pretty near doins: for us firet. Bv Jove ! how he did charge us. I fairly shivered when his horn came through the boat." Then turning to the injured seaman, he said : " Much hurt, Bell ? He hit you pretty hard." " That he did, sir," answered Bell, who was hold- ino; on to his letj with both hands above the wound as the captain had bidden him. " A little more, sir, and he'd a' taken my leg off' altogether." " We must get back to the ship at onoe," said the captain, "and let the doctor look after this man's leg. Just signal for that other boat to come along." I i m :f_ ' •■ 1 1 V*. it,"" 184 UP AMONG TUE ICE-FLOES. Lewis signaled accordingly, and on tlic Cilicr boat coming up, the captain, tlie Mounded sailor, and Har- old got into It, and hastened buck to the .ship, leaving the boat with the narwhal in tow to follow more slowly. Tlie horn had made a hole little larger thnn itself, and the bout did not leak badly, so that there was no danger of its filling. Arriving at the steamer, the sailor was handed over to Dr. Linton, who had him well bandaged up before the other boat got back, and painful as tiie wound was, no serious cousequences were to be feared. The question that now presented itself was how to get the narwhal on board without injuring his horn, which the captain was particidarly anxious to secure uninjured, since the fi.-rh had made such brave use of it. After many plans had been suggested, none of which quite met the difficulties of the case. Captain Marling at length decided that he would rather make a bigger hole in the boat than have a break in the unic's horn. Accordingly the ship's carpenter was bid- den to cut out the piece around the horn, and then the fore spek tackle being attached, the narwhal was hoisteil on board in triumph. He proved to be a very fine specimen, being almost twenty feet in length, and boasting a horn fully seven feet long, a really formidable weapon, which would have made it more than a match for the largest whale in the duels that these sea mon.sters sometimes figlit. The long hoin was on the left side of the broad, blunt UP AMONG TttE ICE-FI.OES. 1S5 no8e, and on the right side, hidden in the blubber that overlaid tiie skull, was a tiny iiorii scarcely a foot long, wliieh went to siiow that this strange creature was not really a unicorn, after all. Harold put in a claim for this little horn, which his father very willingly allowed, and it made a valuable addition to the collec- tion of trophies the young fellow was forming on his own account. The two days of fine open weather Captain Marling prayed for had been granted him, and the " Narwhal" was now at the entrance of the .strait which led mto the nivbterions *t^im where he so daringly proposed to spend t' winter. Under the best of circumstances the navigation of this difficult strait could not be other- wise than arduous. But if the fine weather held^ the attempt was well worth making; so putting on all sieam, and spreading plenty of (anvas, the sturdy ve.-sei entered upon her trying task. Unfortunately, the fine weather sarv to save pression ^ heavv itrinix ti) ;'s a bad ilied, he e mate's shore to d as eye or slowlv wing re- nd there ' leads," tiie far- iiore un- he sontli rs call a cose ice ire Hal)le mighty hen tins ;he men tliereby passion blew all r to save Up Among the Tec Floes. I'ftK'' 1"^'"'- , ( UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 187 tlie steamer from being cruslied between colliding floes. To make matters worse, tiie lowering clouds toward evening let fall a lieavy snow storm, through which it was impossible to see more than her own length troin the steamer. Then were ominous and signifi- cant preparations begun to be made. Provisions were hoiHted up from below, and ranged along the upper deck so that they might be thrown into the l)oats or upon the ice at a moment's notice. The men were bidden to put on their warmest clothing, and to make up into little bundles that might be strapped upon their backs the thiuirs thev absolutelv required. The cooks were ordered to prepare a supper of tlie most substantial kind, and of this every one partook heartily, for it might perhaps be the last meal they would eat on board the steamer. Darkness set in earlv, e»'eatly addina' to tiie difficulties of the situa- ti(m. Nobody thought of turning in. All held tiiem- selves in readiness to jump for their lives ; for when a vessel is nipi)ed the relentless ice must pass either under or over the ship; unless it passes through her, crushing in both sides at once, as it Las been known to do. Beset by darkness, storm, and a foe against whicn nothing could be done, the " Narwlial " battled bravely with all three while the long hours of that anxious night dragged slowly on, and none could venture to prophesy what the next minute might bring forth. k ^ , U-fc< ' CHAPTER XVI. INTO WINTER QUARTERS. THAT was an awful and ever-memorable niglit. The wind shrieked madlv tliroudi the rijii^inir, as though the spirits of the strait, resenting the inti'u- siou of tiie " Narwhal/' were crying out for her de- struction; the snow beat fiercely on tiie faces of Cap- tain Marling and Peter Strum, as stanUng upon tlie bridge they peered anxiously into the darkness, vainly striving to gain some idea of what was before tiieni ; at intervals only too frequent, the great cruel floes would crash together, and the stout frame of the steamer would moan and groan in tlieir terrible em- brace. Fortunately, they seemed much broken up, probably in the passage through the narrow portion of the strait above ; and although big enough to be fatal to a smaller and frailer vessel, tlie " Narwlial," built of the best oak and teak, and specially strength- ened with iron, came ofl^ uiiscathed from attdck after attack, altliough no one on board could tell but tliat at the next nip she would share the fate of the "North Britain," whose surgeon, sitting in the cabin, beheld the ice breaking through from both sides at once, and had barely time to beat a retreat, or of the "Laurel" and "Hope" that were squeezed perfectly 188 11 nniii! ; le niglit. rijTirinir, he intru- L* lier de- of Cap- iipon tlie iS, vainly re them ; uel floes e of tlie •ible ein- )ken u]), r portion i^h to be arwiial," 5treno;th- iek after but tiiat of the le cabin, sides at )r of the perfectly UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 189 flat and then thrown upon the ice to sink helplessly to the bottom so soon as tlie pack loosened. Fully alive to the perils of their position, Harold kept in the saloon, it being altogether too stormy for him on deck, his little bundle, containing a change of clothes, and a few other necessaries, lying upon tlie table where it could be grasped in a moment. Patsy kept liim company. Ever since his gallant action at the time of the mutiny, the two boys had been greater friends than ever, and Caj)tain Marling, who was nothing if he was not grateful, encouraged the lad to spend his leisure tiine in a corner of the saloon, lend- ing him books to read, and in other ways showing a warm and kindly interest, in him. There had been so wonderful an improvement in Patsy since his uninvited appearance on board the steamer, that it would be doubtful if any one of his old companions in the Halifax slums would recognize him. The blessings of good food, proper clothing; and a comfortable bed had not been wasted upon him. He had grown both taller and stouter, and really good looking. Instead of slouching along in a hang- dog way, he walked with as alert and springy a step as Harold him^^elf. So quick was he to learn his duties, so faithful in discharging them, and so respect- ful at all times, that, recognizing the value of his services, the captain had some time back added his name to the ship's company, and allowed him good wages, which fact, more than anything else, had m A'. I- i M Ill 190 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. caused the happy boy to respect himself, luid to feel tliat he was at last of some good in the world. Tlie boys were silting together in the saloon, doing their best to keep up one another's courage by taking the most cheerful possible view of the situation. "If the worst does come, Patsy," Harold Mas say- ing, "and we have to leave the ship, we'll still have a good chance of getting off all right. Father was tell- ing me a little while au;o that in one year there were twenty whalers crushed to pieces up in Melville Bay, and nearly every man got safe home some way o ' other." " But sure, Master Harold, we're not going to pieces at all," replied Patsy, stoutly. "Didn't I have a dream last nii>;ht that I was Avalkinir the streets of Halifax, feeling as proud as the captain himself, — Gi)d bless him ! — with a fine suit of clothes on my back, and my wages clinking ag'in' one another in my pockets." Harold, anxious as he felt, could not keep from smiling at Patsy's earnestness. "And how do you know that your dream must come true?" he asked. " Because," answered Patsy, his voice sinking into a whisper, " I put my beads imder my pillow, and sure the dream must come true." Harold had too much regard for Patsy to smile tliis time. Indeed, he felt no inclination to do so; on the contrary, he took comfort from the simple faith of the mm I (1 to feel l1. Jii, doing )y taking on. Mils say- II liave a was tt'll- lore were ^ille Bay, e way o ' 1 to })iect's I liave a streets of elf,— God my back, T in my eep from ?am must king into How, and smile tliis o; on the itli of ihe UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 191 stowaway, and it was with entire sincerity that he said: ** I'm glad you told me about your dream, Patsy. I believe it's going to come true myst'lt'." Patsv's eves glistened. He had felt timid about giving his reason, fearing he would be laughed at, and Harold's respect for his way of thinking touched his heart, encouraging him to add : " And sure, Mas- ter Harold, as soon as I do set foot in Halifax, I'm going to the church, and I'm going to give particular thanks for our getting out o' this scrape." The boys grew weary as the night wore on, and Dr. Linton having jiromisc^d to waken them the moment there was immediate danger, they curled up one at either end of the long sofa and soon fell asleep, to dream, perhaps, that they were both in Halifax again, with all the perils of the voyage passed. When they awoke it was broad daylight, and the sturdy "Narwhal" was still afloat and uninjured. They went up on deck together and found the captain and Strum at their post, but not in at all as anxious a state of mind as they had been during the night. The snow storm had ceased. The sky gave token of fine weather being not far oiF, and the ice was much less threatening in appearance. "Hello, Hal! Up already?" was his father's cheery greeting. "The old ship has weathered it ail right, you see; but we've had a pretty hard time of it up here, I can tell you." *' Yes, indeed, father. I felt so sorry for you, out '' I- M 9'^! 11 I WW 192 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. my if ■f; ill the storm all night. I hope, when I come to l)e a captain, I won't have to pass many nights like last night,'' said Harold. " You've got to take whatever comes, my boy, fair, weather or foul, whether on sea or land, if you ever expect to accomplish anything," answered the captain. *' I think we've got through the worst of it now, and if you'll just take charge of the ship," he continued, addressing Lewis, who was standing near by, "Peter and I will go below and take a little rest." They had gotten through the worst of it. Every hour the prospect improved, and by midday they were able to push on through the stmit at a rate of speed that would bring them out into the Gulf of Boothia ere nightfall. The scenery through which the " Narwhal " passed was very grand, albeit somewhat monotonous. Great, dark cliffs rose rugged and frowning from the shore, broken here and there by coves and fiords, in which the remnants of last winter's ice still lingered, being already reinforced by fresh additions, for the nights were growing cold now. Where the cliffs opened a little, allowing a peep into the interior, faint patches of green yet marked the hillsides, and more than once the telescope revealed the presence of rein- deer feeding upon the mosses and Arctic grasses, which form their scanty food. All that day the steamer forged ahead with but lit- tle interruption, the ice being so much broken up that UP AMONQ THE ICE-FLOES. 193 she could easily force her way through it, the wiud meauwhile blowiug gently from the west. The biggest whale that ever disponed its vast bulk in Arctic waters would not have tempted Captain Marling to turn aside in its pursuit. The end of October was at hand. The steamer must be securelv settled in her winter berth ere November came, for it could not very well be done after that; so crowding on both sail and sieam, the captain made the " Narwhal " put her best foot forward, so to speak, and the good ship covered herself with credit. The sun had yet a little way to go before disappear- ing for the niglit, when amid the cheers of the sailors the steamer i)assed out of the strait into the broad watere of Boothia, and the most difficult part of her work was finished. It only now remained to seek a safe harbor, and make ready for the long, cold winter that would soon be upon them. Captain Marling had determined to try Garry Bay, which cuts into the Melville Peninsula near its head, and just around the corner, as it were, from the outlet of the strait. Accordingly, the *• Narwhal" lay to that night, and at daybreak next morning steered toward the bay, which was reached the same afternoon. A careful examination satisfied him that he could hardly have made a better choice. The bay was deep and free from obstruction. To the north and east the cliffs rose up in solemn majesty, offering complete protection from the winds that were most to ^i: ^■'Mi 19-1 UP AMONG THE ICE-FL0E3. li be dreaded ; to tlie south, the land lay low and level, ■while westward tlie prospect was uninterrupted as fur as eye could see. Here and there tiie mighty line of cliffs was broken by valleys running far inland, through whicli the captain promised himself explor- ing forays ti>at would serve to vary the monotony of winter life. " Capital, sir ! capital I " said he, rubbing his hands joyfully, and beaming upon the imperturbable Strum, as he took in the many advantages of the situation. "Here we'll be as 'snug as a bug in a rug.' No northerly or easterly winds to bother us. No current to disturb the ice. Good hunting ground to the south, and plenty of * Huskies' not far oif, I'll be bound." Strum grunted his assent. If the captain was satisfied, he was too, and that ended the matter. Pushing well up to the head of the bay, the "Nar- whal " was brougiit to anchor in a sort of a natural dock, formed by two projecting ridges of rock, ere the darkness settled down. The following day was devoted to a thorough clean- ing and overhauling of the ship. From the stokers and oilmen down in the dark engine room up to the sailors taking off the top masts, every man worked with a will. The weather was favorable, but who could prophesy how long it would continue so, and the best advantage must be taken of it, for there was much to be done ere the vessel would be ready for the winter. The ship having been made clean, and put in apple- n UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 195 nd level, ed as far f line of ■ inland, • explor- Qouotony liis hands >le Strnm, sitnation. •ug/ No 'o current the south, bound." [)tain was er. the " Nar- a natural ck, ere the ugh clean- tokers and the sailors ed with a ,vho could id the best as much to the winter, t in apple- pie order, the next business was to turn her into a housc. This operation Harold found wonderfully interesting. Having had it in view from the initiation of his enterprise. Captain Marling had made due pro- vision, and in the forehold there was a put of planks, rafters and joints, that now for the first ;ime revealed their purpose. The deck was turned into a carpenter shop; sawing, planing, and fitting piece to piece went on. All who could be of any use lent an assisting hand, and the work progressed rapidly. Always quick to tiiink of anything that would impart a little variety to the life of his sailors. Cap- tain Marling made the setting up of the roof-tree and the fitting of the frame the excuse for a regular old- time "frolic," or " bee" as it would be cidled in the countryside. A particularly good diinier wa8 served in the middle of the day, and in the evening, when the Mork was finished, they were allowed to dance and sing to their hearts' content, so that they were all made to feel in high good humor. The fine bright days continued, and the house on deck grew rapidly. The roof and sides being com- pleted, the next business was the packing; for, of course, no ordinary wooden walls would be of much avail against the fearful cold that would come in due time. The securing of the material for packing afforded another pleasant bit of variety. The ma- terial was the diy moss, which thickly clothed t!'** sheltered portions of the laud near by, and which : ■III I*:"" lit I- 1 in ■f?K.'l|ii| >:,{■ mw 196 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. t'ley prooiired bv going on ^'hore with gunny sacks, wliich were quickly filled with tlie spongy stufif. Harold thought it very fine fun at first clambering over the rocks, and up among the clifTs, but after a while it ceased to be amusing, and then he betook liimself to exploration. He a»ked his father to allow Patsy to accompany him, and having promised not to go any distance inland, but to keep within gunshot of the shore, he took his gun and a supply of ammuui- tion and started off in great spirits. He felt himself to be a real explorer. " Why, Patsy," said he, proudly, as having scaled the first range of cliffs, they looked down upon the great fiord on which the " Narwhal" lay motionless, *' perhaps nobody before ever stood where we're stand- ing now ; just think of that ! S'pose we call this point Harold's Hill, and that one over there Patsy's Peak." Patsy laughed at the idea of any place being called after him, but Harold insisted that as explorers tiiey had the same right to call places after them- selves as other people had ; so the hill and the peak were duly christened, and the two boys proceed to farther discoveries. ^- Hi, Patsy I look here ! what's that ? " cried Harold presently, pointing excitedly with his finger to a level stretch of land a mile or more distant, upon which some stmnge-looking animals could be seen moving slowly. " What queer-looking creatures they lire I Their heads seem bigger than their bodies." '•^'i-^m. UP AMONG THE ICE-PLOES. 197 IV sacks, iff. imbering but after le betook to allow ed not to inshot of ammuui- t liimself ng scaled upon the lot ion less, 're staud- this point i-'s Peak." tice being explorers ter tliem- 1 the peak 3roceed to ;?" cried is finger to itant, upon d be seen itures they (odies.** . I Shading his eyes with his hand, Patsy lookc<1 long and hard, but could make nothing of them. " Sure,** said he, " if their heads weien^t so big, I'd say they were cows." " I've got it ! " cried Harold ; " they're moose, that's what they are." Harold had never seen a live moose, but moose heads stuffed and mounted were often on exhibition at the furriers ir. 'Talifax, and he was quite familiar with their ai)pearai.oe. "Right you are, sir," said Patsy. "Tiiey're moose, and no mistake. Wiiat a fine thing it'd be if we could shoot one now. Woiddn't the captain think a deal of us?" The very same thoughts were running tlu'ough Harold's mind, and the temptation to go off in pur- suit of the supposed moose was very great. But it did not cause him to forget his father's injiuiction, and his tone was decided enough as he answered : " No, no. Patsy. We mustn't do that. The moose are at least a mile away, and we're as far from tiie ship now as we ought to be. We'd better be getting back, as it is." On their return to the steamer, they at once an- nounced their discoveiy, and Captain Marling had a good laugh at them. "Moose, do yon say, Harold? Not a bit of it. No moose in this country. It Mas reindeer you saw. And just so s )on as this job is fin- ished, we'll go and hunt them up, I promise you." 198 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. i5 i Harold slioiited with deliglit at the pro.si:)ect of a reindeer hunt, and found it hard to restrain his impa- tience during the next few day.s, while the deck house was being completed. Captain Marling took good care that this was most carefully done. Upon the first roof a layer of moss, at least a foot thick, was laid, and stamped firmly down. Then over this a second roof of heavy planking was built, and the cracks be- tween the boards caulked with the same useful moss. This having been satisfactorily acc(miplished, it only remained to fit the windows and doors into their places, and the deck house was complete. The result was, the transformation of the deck into a very roomy and comfortable chanil r, which, although perhaps rather dark in the daytime, — for the windows were necessarily small, and, moreover, had triple sashes, — looked well enough at night, when half a dozjn big lanterns shed a generous light into every corner. Harold highly approved of it. There was lots of room for the skvJarkinu: in which he loved to indulge with Patsy, and the very idea of turning .he steamer into a house was full of romance and charm to him. He liad no premonition of how desperately weary he would become at what now seemed so delightful, in the long, dark, cold days that were approaching, and with what joy he Mould hail the removal of the last plank in that deck house, whicii, being now complete, rendered tlie "Narwhal " readv for the winter. CHAPTER XYII. A REINDEER HUNT. THE preparatious for winter were not completed a day too soon. Fortunately, neither were they a dav too late. The first dav of November saw the steamer's dock, which it had been decided was hence- forth to be known as Narwhal Inlet, covered thick with ice ; and each day thereafter tiie shore ice crept farther out into the bay, until, by the end of the week, not a speck of open water was visible from the crow's nest. " The steamer's in bed, now, Harold," said Captain Marling, as, walking out upon the ice, now strong enough to bear a regiment, tiiey looked back at the " Narwhal," which presenteii a very snug, comfortable appearance, with her covered decks and shortened masts. "She onlv needs her bedclothes; and then she won't mind the cold an atom." " Her bedclothes, father ! Why, what do you mean ? " queried Harold, in surprise. " The snow, my boy, the snow," answered the cap- tain. " When the winter snow comes, we'll pile it up on the roof and around the sides, until she is almost biuied in it. She'll be a vast deal warmer for that, I can tell von." " Then we'll be living in a snow house, jtist like the ltf9 ■ 200 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. ..-.^ii-tii Esquimaux, won't we, father?" exclaimed Harold, his face kindling at tlie idea. " That's so, Harold ; only that our snow house will have a wooden inside, which will make all the diifer- encein the world, as vou'U soon see for vourself, when we come across some Huskies." '* And when will we see some Huskies, father ? " asked Harold, eagerly. " Oh, they'll be along fast enough, if there are any of them about," answered the captain. " Tliey'll see our smoUe, and come to find out what it means. The sooner they come the better ; for I want a couple of them to he our guides when we go after the reindeer. It wouldn't be wise for us to go off entirely on our own hook." Captain Marling was right in judging that the Es- quimaux would come along so soon as the presenoeof the " Narwhal" was discovered ; for the verv next dav a procession, that Harold thought more interesting than a circus parade, was seen slowly approaching the ship, coming from the south. There were some half-dozen sledges, each drawn by as many dogs, and loijded with an extraordinary assortment of furs, frozen seal meat household implements, old women and young chiklren, while beside them walked a number of men, and more women, more children, and more dogs. They were the oddest-looking lot of people Harold had ever beheld ; and, as they drew near tl.ie ship, they could be seen chattering vigorously to each other, and pointing at the III UP AMOXG THE ICE-FLOES. 201 arold, his loiise will lie (liifer- self, when father?" •e aie any liey'll see MIS. The couple of reindeer, y on our t the Es- ?noeof the Bxt (lay jv (ting than the ship, lalf-dozen '.ded with seal meat ciiildren, and more were the r beheld ; d be seen ing at the steamer, evidently feeling somewhat uncertain a^ to wliat this ,-trauge-looking thing was, and what kind of people inhabited it. They were not long left in doubt. Tiie half-brce^'l m i!'' 2 Mll'^^ m m 202 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. Patsy. "You're as higli as the best of them, but you're not as broad. Sure, they're as round as a barrel, aren't tliey, now ? " " Nobody wants to be as broad as they are." ^aid Ilarohl, " or to have such a flat nose, either," lie added, witli a laugh, looking full into tiie fiaee of a Huskie beside him, wiio, noticing tlie laugh, but of course understanding notliing of tiie boy's uncompli- mentary words, roturned the laugli Avith interest, revealing two rows of sturdy teeth as yellow as parcli- nieut. His good nature quite won Harold's heart, and remembering his experience at Xachvak, he at once ran olf to tiie steward for a plate of biscuits, wiiich he proceeded to distribute among the visitois, whose bright eyes fairly snaj)ped witii deliglit, for there is nothing they crave more than farinaceous food. Having permitted his dusky visitors to wander about the deck for an hour or more, inspecing iis wonders with childish curiosity, and peppering Lane with excited que.-tions. Captain JNIarling gave eacli a bountiful supply of hard tack, and sent tiiem away, first taking care to make arrangements for the rein- deer hunt on the following day. Tiiey went away very obediently, and rejoining their wives, who liad all the time been wailing for them on the ice witii admirable patience, returned to the siiore, where they set np their tents, and encamped for the night. Tlie following day was as fine as heart could wish, .l.ij . :..i. 1 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 203 hem, but unci as a are." j^aid ther," lie face of a li, but of iiicompii- intt^rest, as parch - r.s lietirt, ak, lie at f biscuits, e visitois, liglit, for iriuaceous wander ec'ing its ing Lane ve each a }m away, the rein- Lnt awjiy who Jiad ! ice w itii here they t. iild wish, and the whole vessel rang witli the bustle of prepara- tion for the hunting party. Captain Miirlinu; had determined to give as many of his men as wislied, a day on siiore, for they had now been a long time cooj^ed up in the vessel ; so it was announced that with the exception of the first mate, tiie steward, the cook, and a couple of sailors, the rest of the ship's company might get ready for a day's outing. The men were highly pleased at this, and set about equipping them- selves with great energy. They were allowed entire freedom in the matter, and the consequence was thnt some of them presented a very ludicrous appearance when they considered themselves ready for the hunt. None of them had rifles, but being bidden by the cap- tain to take any weapon from tlie steamei-'s armory they chose, one man picked up a lance, another a har- poon, a third a flensing knife, a fourth a blubber spade, a fifth a cho})per, and so on until every one of then) had an offensive weapon of some kind. " If Jack Falstaff could only see them," remarked the surgeon, who had a great turn for Shakespeare, " he would not rest content until he hati enlisted every man jack of them in his famous regiment." However, if they were not very appropriately armed, and had not enjoyed much pievious experience in hunting reindeer, they made up in strength and spirits what they otherwise lacked, and nobody was in better humor than Big Alec, who, ever since Captain Marliuof's magnanimous action at the time of the ; ' V^ !..| i \ A 204 tJP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. mutiny, had been the best-l)eliaved and most vahiable sailor on board the siiip. Before the day would close he was to have an opportunity of showing by still stronger proof how deep was his gratitude for Ids captain's forbearance. The hunting party, as it moved away from the steamer, presented quite an imposing appearance. It numbered forty, including Harold and Patsy, and at the Esquimaux camp it was made up to the even fifty by the addition of all the able-bodied men, who, look- ing very happy at the prospect of getting a lot of veni- son when the deer are at their best, were to act as guides for their white friends. The two boys were in great " fettle." Harold had iiis own rifle, and Patsy a small one that the captain had loaned him, and which, considering how little he knew about using it, was likelv to be more dansrerous to iiimself than to the game. But this view of the case, of course, never entered his mind, and proudly shouldering the rifle, as he had seen the soldiers do in Halifax, he marched along at Harold's. side, the hap- piest boy on earth. "Won't it be splendid if we each shoot a deer. Patsy ? " said Harold. "We might do it, you know.'' " Indade, that we might. Master Harold," replied Patsy, full of faith in both Harold and himself. "Sure, fhis rifle'll kill anything it hits." They had much conversation of the same kind as, ied by the Esquimaux, the party made their way up 1 UP AMONG THE KJE-FLOES. 205 valuable Diild close by still e for iiis from the ance. It ly, and at even fiflv I'lio, look- t of veni- to act as arold had 18 captain V little he ^anijerous ;\v of the 1 proudly iers do in the liap- >t a deer, >u know.'* ," replied f. "Sure, I kind as, Ir way up through one of the valleys, and thence to the kvel land beyond the cliffs where tlie boys had seen the reindeer a few days before. There were no deer in sight at first, and Captain Marling divided his little army into groups of five, putting each group under the guidance of a native, and then directing them to spread out in such a way as to sweep the whole plain, and, by describing a sort of semi-circle, come all together again at the farther side. Ai)out the middle of the day, he gave orders for a general advance along the wdiole line. The going was pretty rough and wearisome as the two boys, sadly out of practice in tramping owing to long confinement on shipboard, soon found out. The ])lain was strewn with bowlders, intersected by gullies, and tossed up and down in hills and hollows that made walking anything but an amusement. Captain Marling and Dr. Linton, with Harold and Patsy, composed one of the groups, their guide being a sturdy little Huskie, whose stubby legs carried him over the ground at a surprising pace. By the time they had gone a couple of mile?, Harold began to lag, and his father, noticing it, said : ''Look here, Harold, there's no need of your tiring yourself out keeping up with us. Suppose you and Patsy stay here, and we'll come back and pick you up after a while. The reindeer may turn this way when thev're started, and then vou'll have a chance at them." --J Ml s ; -s -i i(!; -i 206 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. ?/. Harold's pride had prevented him from proposing this plan iiimself, but wlien his faiiier suggested it he readily assentec] ; so the tliree niei. went on ahead, leav- ing the two boys at the base of an elevation, wliich tliev at once ascended in order to follow the otln/'rs' movements. '•Now if the reindeer will onlv be cood enouirh to come right along," said Harold, stretching himself at his ease on the summit of the knoll, '' I shall be most happy to have a shot at them." "It's not many shots we'll be gettin' if we wait for the deer to come to us," said Palsv. "It's we must go after them." The inequalities of the country soon hid the rest of the party from view, and the boys were apparently the only living objects within the bounds of the horizon. After a while thev beo^an to feel somewhat lonelv, and, coming down from their post of observation, set out to follow in the track of the others. When thev had gone some distance, they were glad to see Big Alec coming toward them. It seemed that he, like them- selves, had found the walking very troublesome, and not having a rifle, but only a whaling lance for a weapon, had decided to give up the chase of the deer, and wander about as he pleased until the hunt was over. Big Alec seemed no less glad to see them, and the three strolled along together at a leisurely pace. Preseutlv their attention was aroused bv the sound of rifle shots so distant that they sounded more like I i! UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. £07 roposing ted it lie 3a(l, leav- )!}, Mliicli le others' noiigh to iinself at 1 be most i Ma it for 3 we must le rest of rently the 2 horizon, iiely, and, set out to tliev had Big Alec Ice them- onie, and ice for a the deer, liunt Avas liem, and r pace. he sound lore like the popping of corks than the explosion of death-deal- ing gunpowder. "Ah, ha! That means bnsiness," exclaimed Alec. *' I hope they'll drive the deer this way. I'd like to have a look at them." To judge from the reports of the rifles, the sailor's wish was likelv to be tiratified, for the firing; tjrew nearer, showing that the deer were coming in their direction. "Get your gun ready. Master Harold," said Alec, grasping his spear tightly. "They must be coming •s way." Harold made sure that the cartridge was in its place, and then, trembling with excitement, awaited the ap- pearance of the reindeer. They were not kept long in suspense. From the other side of a ridge not half a mile away, a herd of deer, probably the same the boys had seen before, dashed into sight with half a dozen Esquimaux dogs barking madly at their heels. They were heading directly for the boys, and when they dis- appeared ill a gnlly, Harold could not breathe for ex- citement until they rose into view again. On they came at a lumbering but swift gallop, headed by a splendid buck witli antlers branching out like a forest tree. There were at least twenty of them, and all in fine condition. " I'm going to try for him," cried Harold, pointing at tiie leader. So intent were the deer in escaping from the dogs ■ ! i 208 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. m tliat they did not notice the boys and their companion until they were ahnost upon tlieni. Tlien with a fierce snort tiie big Inick threw up his liead, anu at that moment Haruhi, wlio was standing ahnost in front of him, leveled iiis rifle and tired. Down went the buciv with such suddenness as to nearly turn a somersault, and off darted the herd, swerving swiftly to the left, just giving Patsy time to send a bullet into the last one, which broke its leg, and rendered it an easy victim to the dogs, who soon pullai it down. With a glad hurrah, Harold rushed forward to pos- sess himself of his prize. But he reckoned without his host. The deer was only stunned, not killed. Just as the boy was within a few steps it sprang to its feet, and furious with pain from the bullet, which had SI ruck it at the base of the horns, charged straight upon him. '•My God! the boy!" cried Big Alec, as he saw Harold's danger. Harold saw it too, and tried to avoid it. As he did so, his foot turned upon a loose stcme, and he fell headlong. It was a most fortunate accident. The maddened deer was almost upon him. Another moment, and he would have been caught in the tremendous autler.-. But the sudden fall saved him, and, unable to check itself, the fierce creature bounded over his prostrate body, giving him more than one sharp blow with its hard hoofs as it passed. Before he could rise it had turned, and was making i UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 209 tmpanion h a fierce 1 at that front of the buck niersault, the left, ) tlie last an easy 'd to pos- without t killed. mg to iis liicli had straight he saw As he d he fell ht. The Another in the ved him, bounded than one } making for him again. Now was Big Alec's opportunity. With a shout that sounded more like the roar of a bull than the utterance of a human throat, he sprang in front of Ilarold, brandishing the lance. But what did the reindeer care for whale lances! They had no terrors for him. Not for an instant did he pause. The great antlers were lowered to receive the lance, knocking it at once out of the sailor's gra.«p, and then, as he refused to budge, they crashed into his broad breast. Big Alec gave vent to another roar, this time of agony, for he was sore hurt by the sharp tines, and throwing his arms around the horns, sought to drag the deer to earth. A tremendous struggle ensued. The deer was one of the largest of its kind, and the sailor one of the largest of his kind. Tliey were well matched, and both had their fury arou.-ed to the high- est pitch. Scrambling to his feet, Harold repossessed himself of his rifle, and stood at one side watching this extraordinary wrestlintj match witli intense anxiety. He did not dare to fire, for so rapid and confused were the movements of the combatants that the chances were he would hit Alec instead of the buck. In the meantime, Patsy, in whose composition tlie element of fear seemed somehow to have been omitted, had snatched up the lance, and was giving the deer vicious prods in the side and neck, from which the blood was streaming. Yet the powerful creature was o X 210 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. tmi clearly getting the better of his opiionent. If tlie fiiiiior could only have gotten the animal around the neck, he would have been more than a matcii for it ; but his hold upon the huge horns gave him very little advantage, and he was fa.^t beeoniing exhauflted in his efforts to save himself from being gored by the in- furiated animal. "For God's sake, shoot the brute!" he gasi)ed out, finding himself in such straits. Just as he spoke the buck presented his side broadly to Harold, as the latter stood by watching eagerly for a chance to render his companion aid. " Now, my l)oy, now ! " cried Big Alec. Harold raised his rifle, and without waiting to take aim, fired at the buck. The bullet entered just behind the shoulder. The creature gave a wild bound into the air, dragging the sailor clear off his feet, and then fell upon him dead, l)eyond all doubt, this time. The bullet had cleft his brave heart. Instantly the boys sprang forward to extricate Big Alec from his critical position. With a great effort they dragged the dead deer off, and tiien, to their great alarm, discovered that he wjas insensible. They tried such means as suggested themselves at the mo- ment to rouse him, but still, to their great alarm, he remained immovable, and as white as he was still. " Mercy on us ! " cried Harold. " Surely, he can't be killed!" . If the ound the ih for it; ;rerv little ted iu his ly the iu- isy^ed out, spoke the d, as the to render ng to take List beliind ound into , and then ime. Tlie tricate Big reat effort 1, to tiieir )le. They at the mo- eat alarm, IS lie was y, he can^t o a '*• ==^ I nn UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 211 If he were not, he certainly looked startlingly like it. His clothes had been torn to tatters in the terrible struggle, the sharp tines of the antlers had wounded him in places upon both his breast and face, from which the blood flowed freely, and in that last desper- ate bound, the noble buck^s death-throe, he had been hurled violently to the ground, his head coming into contact with one of the bowlders that lay everywhere about. "Oh, Patsy, what shall we do?" said Harold, with a sob ; for he really feared that the bii; fellow, who had come in so bravely between him and danger, had forfeited his life. He would have had his svm- pathy drawn out for any one in such a situation. It was intensely strong for one who had risked so much for him. " Sure, sir, he can't be dead I He's only fainted," replied Patsy, in a tone that betrayed his own anxiety. " Let's get the blood off his face, and he'll come to all right." ^ There was a pool of water near by, and dipping his handkerchief in this, Harold gently bathed Big Alec's face, being rejoiced to find that it was not so badly cut, after all, and that the blood was ea?«ily stancheil. Still, Alec remained motionless, while from the more serious wounds on his breast the life-blood was slowlv ebbing away. "Oh, why don't they come!" cried Harold, wild with anxiety, and the sense of his own hel])lessness. % %^ fin-' ' f-%' 212 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. "If Dr. Linton were only here! Do go, Patsy, and Bee if vou can see anvthinof of them." Patsy at once ran off, and Harold was left alone with the insensible sailor, whose life now hnng upon the chance of Dr. Linton reaching him within a very few minutes. Poor Bisr Alec! he was drawino; verv near death! Each moment saw his chances dimin- isldng, and, if anything was to help him, it must come speedily. t^^ I CHAPTER XVJII. f ESQUIMAUX EXPERIENCES. WHEN each minute seems an hour, one cannot measure accurately the flight of time, and Harold could not tell how long Pat.^y had been gone, ere he returned, running at full speed, and so out of breath that he could hardly say the words: "Dr. — Linton's — coming — ju.^t — beiiind !" before the doctor himself a})peared, and at once threw himself down beside the still motionless body. He felt Big Alec's pulse, and then placed his hand upon his heart. '•Not dead yet! ''he reported, looking very mucli relieved. "But we must stop this blood right oif. Get me some moss, quick, boys." The boys hastily gathered up some handfuls of moss and handed them to him. " Now, your liandkerchiefs." Having got- ten the handkerchiefs, the surgeon with deft hands proceeded swiftly to make bandages for the wounds, and soon had the bleeding completely under control. " So far, so good," said he. " Now, to wake him up." Patsy brought his hat full of water from the pool, and Big Alec's face was drenched with it, Harold meantime chafing his hands vigorously. This treat- ment was soon successful. The sailor stirred, opened his eves, closed them again, and then put up his hand 213 "11 rfa: 214 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. to feel his liead, muttering, in a bewildered way: " What's the matter ? Who strnck me ? " In a few minutes more he had quite regained his senses, and made an effoil to get up on his feet, but Dr. Linton restrained him. "No, no, Alec," he said, kindly, "you must lie there until we can carry you to the ship. If you try to move, you'll start your wound,-'! bleed ino' again." "As vcu ?'■ sir," answered Alec. "I do feel pretty well shaken up, and I'll just keep still." A couple of he ,, .'I )rs were then dispatched to the steamer to procure a hammock and a pair of hand- spikes, with which a sort of stretcher was improvised, and four strong seamen bore the wounded man to tlie " Narwhal," where, by Captain Marling's direction, he was placed in Collins' stateroom, as he would be better off there than in the dark and stuffy forecastle. If anv feeling of resentment had linsrered in the captain's mind, it was completely and finally banished when he heard of Big Alec's braverv in the bov's behalf. He lost no time in expressing Ir's gratitude, and in assuring the well-pleased sailor that he had by his gallant action secured a friend whose memory of that service would not be short-lived. The hunt had been highly successful, no less than twelve fine fat bucks and does having fallen victims. These were equally divided between the Esquimaux and the steamer, and if ever people looked happy, it was those dusky, dumpy savages, as they toiled home UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 215 •ed wav : ained his ieot, but ' he said, icarrv vou tart your ! do feel led to tlie of hand- 1 pro vised, iian to tlie direction, would be forecastle, ed in the ' banished the boy's gratitude, be had by emorv of less than 1 victims, squimaux happy, it iled home to their tents, bearing their heavy loads of delicious venison ; for as a matter of fact they have no higher ideal of bliss than a stomach filled to repletion with favorite food. They had a glorious blowout that night, men, women, and children, eating and eating and eating until it seemed a marvel they did not share the fate of the frog who strove to be as big as the ox. But then it was an era in their lives to have an unlimited supply of reindeer meat; for, having no guns, it was not often they were successful in hunting these fleet-footed crea- tures. The white visitors' brilliant success as hunters, and generosity in dividing the spoils, quite decided the Huskies to make their winter quarters in close prox- imity to the steamer, of which plan Captain Marling highly approved, as he wished to study this interesting pe()i)le closely; and, moreover, the band was too small to be much of a burden, even if he had often to contribute to its support during the long winter. Harold and Patsy were delighted at the idea of having such quaint neighbors, and promised them- selves fine fun learning how to manage an Esquimaux dog sledge, and in turn teaching the Esquimaux boys how to handle a gun. They were disappointed at first because the natives lived in tents of dried reindeer skin instead of snow houses, but the captain explained that the tents Avere only summer residences, and that the snow houses would be built so soon as the firm, drv winter snow had come. 11 216 rP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. Sure enoiigli, after the first heavy snow fall, and when there was no longer any doubt but that winter hud come to stay, the E-squiniaux set about making preparations for their winter abode; and the two boys, mIio now spent the greater part of every day ashore with the natives, watched them with eager interest. Their first proceeding was to hunt out a s^at is factory bed of snow, which they did by means of snow testers, long, lijiu rods of reindeer bone, which they thrust througli the crust down into the snow beneath, to make sure tiiat it was well packed, and fit for their purpose. A good bed having been found not far away, they at once set to work to build their " iy-loos.'* Of many a ciow house had Harold been the proud architect, but he felt that his most ambitious efforts would look little better than ant heaps beside tiie sym- metrical structures these ignorant natives built up like magic before his eyes. Taking a long, strongly-made knife, the Esquimaux woidd describe a circle in the snow of about ten feet in diameter, thereby indicating where the base course of blocks was to be laid. Then the blocks were cut out from the bed, and laid around this circle. These blocks were the size of a lary-e pillow, and weighed about twelve pounds apiece. They were laid upon their edges, not like bricks in a series of courses, but in one spiral course that ascended without break from foundation to summit, changhig in the ascent from a rectangular to a triangular shape, the cap of the dome being formed by three triangular UP AMONG THE ICE FLOES. 217 fall, and at winter niakiny: ;wo boy.s, IV asliore interest. tislactory *v testers, 3y tliru-t , to nuike purpose. ', thev at he proud us efforts tlie syni- It up like i»;lv-made le in the iidicating I. Then \\ around ' a large 5 apiece, icks in a ascended LUging in ir shape, 'iangular blocks meetinor in a kev block that held all firiulv togetiier. Harold was filled with admiration for the skill with wliich the dusky buildt:rs liasliioned the blocks and fitted them togetiier. Borrowing one of the sailor's shealh knives, he tritd his own hand at it, but soon gave up in despair, for the blocks that he cut would not do at all. They were of all shapes and sizes, and utterly refused to lie snugly together. " I'll have to get one of the Huskies to teach me, I see," said he, throwing down his knife, " but I'm bound to learn." When the dome had been completed, a hole was cut at one side for a door, and a long covered way built to keep the wind from blowing in too fi-eely. This covered way was, of course, very low, and one had to go through on his hands and knees. The next business was to chink the crevices between the blocks, which was done by cntting off a little snow frcm the edges of the blocks and ramming it into the cracks and crevices with a blow of the fist. Finally, a foot or two of loose snow was heaped over all the dome except at the entrance, and the " igloos " were com- pleted so far as the outside part of them was concerned. Then came the furnishing of the inside, and if the bovs had been filled with admiration before, thev were overflowing with wonder now. These clever work- men in snow proceeded to make a platform which was about thirty inches high, and took up nearly three- m\ i \iv I 'I "^ 218 rP AMOXa THE ICE-PJ.OES. fourths of tlie inside space. Upon this they spread a layer of moss and the reindeer skins, and in response to Harold's wondering inquiry, showed very clearly that this platform was intended for their bed. The boys were fairly staggered. A snow house seemed tolerable enough if you could get nothing better. But a anow bed I That was quite too much of a good thing. "Did you ever hear the likes of it?" exclaimed Pate crack of their master's whip. Their only redeeming feature, next to their a!)ility to drag a sledge seemed to be the simplicity of their appetite. They would cat anything and everything, and Harold used to amuse him.«elf experimenting upon them. One of them that a sailor succeeded in coaxing on board the steamer, showed his appreciation of Jack's hospitality by devouring a cloth hat, a boot, the best part of a flannel shirt, and one leg of a pair of trowsers before he was detected in his mischief. When the natives completed their " igloos," which they built in a sort of circle, their little village pre- sented quite a snug and cosy appearance from the out- side, whatever thin-skinned, cold-blooded writers from the South might think of the inside, and it was evi- dent that they considered themselves particularly for- tunate in the selection of a site for their winter settle- ment ; for they were the very pi(;ture of contentment, 11 220 UP AMONG THE ICK-FLOES. as they waddled about in their furry garments from igloo to igloo, or fioni ihe settlement to the steamer. There was a constant interchange of visits between these neighbors. The white men went to the natives to study their habits and mode of life, and to try and pick up something of their language. The natives came to the white men to study their bread and their beef, and to try and pick up any unconsidered trifles that might be lying around handy ; not that they were ligiit-fingered and unworthy of trust. On the contrary, they would not appropriate so much as a pin without first asking permission. But then tiiey were no more bashful about asking than children in short frocks wouUl be. Harold, with that easy benevolent characteristic of those to whom the giving costs nothing, was at first disposed to grant so many of their requests that his father had to interpose, and order him to give nothing more away without first asking him. Not a day ])ass£d that alone, or accompanied by Patsy, Harold did not pay a visit to the igloos. With the help of Lane, the interpreter, he began to master the "Innuit" language, and would proudly repeat to his father every new won! he acquired. One of the first sentences he got a good grip upon was the curious but eminently appropriate way in which the Huskies say good-bye, viz: " 2'a-bouike apeimiak in atU" which in plain English meant ** Good-bye, don't bump your head." Hai'old thought this exceedingly amus- ing, and resolved to carry it home with him, though r I f I UP AMONG THE ICE-FLORS. 221 iiits from steamer. botweou e natives ) trv and 2 natives lud their etl trifles iiat tiiey On tlie as a pin lev were in siiort nevolent nothing, requests a to give mied by 5. Witii o master repeat to le of tlie ) curious Huskies in atit" I't bump V amus- , tlioiigh he forgot everything else; as for Patsy, lie f)Un(l he could make himself so well understood by dint of plenty of gestures and grimaces, that he left tiie lan- guage of the tongue alone, saying tiiat his " unruly member" was altogether too clumsy to get 'round the native speech. The boys' chief source of delight, however, Avas being taught how to manage an Esquimaux dog sledge. This was an art by no means easily learned. The dogs were utterly unruly, having gotten pretty well out of training during the summer; and, moreover, they evidently ha way of anything ight the native houses were capable of great improvement. However pretty and romantic they looked wlien freshly built, they soon prove themselves hollow frauds, so far as keeping warm the visitors from the South was con- cerned. The walls were far' from air-tight, the outside air passing through as readily as it would through a lump of white sugar held between a boy's lips; and as this outside air was always well below zero, inside warmth was hardly attainable when the only means of heating consisted in a couple of small stone lamps, in which a feeble flame flickered all dav Ions::. Even supposing it had been possible to make sufficient lieat to warm up these snow huts properly, their construc- tion put this out of the question. The snow must not be allowed to melt. The temperature inside must, therefore, be kept below freezing point. In other words, the Esquimaux in their winter homes live in a tempemture so chilly, that one might almost make ice cream there without having to put iced salt on the freezer. And yet, as Harold noticed, they never seemed cold, and their children would play about with- out clothing in this freezing atmosphere. When the whole family gatiiered in the igloos, and the stone lamps were burning at their feet, tliawing out blubber or venison for dinner, the heat ascending to the roof would begin to melt the points and edges of the blocks above. Tiien somebody would take a handful of snow from the floor and paste it on the leak. Then if the heat continued, these snowballs would u \\ 224 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. ( ! 1311 ' I ■ ; 'a^^ become sjituratetl with water, and But let Patsy's experience illustrate the consequence. Harold and he were sitting in an igloo one cold day, and out of respect for the feelings of their guests, the Esquimaux had warmed the place ilp as much as they dared. Indeed, coming in from the bitter cold, the boys fo \ tlie place almost comfortable. Presently Patsy, who was lounging on tlie edge of the bed with the hood of his fur coat thrown hack, felt a drop of water falling upon his head, and look- ing up saw that the roof was beginning to melt. One of the Esquimaux noticed it also, and promptly aj)plied a snowball to the leak, stopping it at once. The cause of his discomfort having been removed, Patsy resumed his place, and was lolling there at his ease, when suddenly he sprang to his feet with a •shout that startled the others, and, putting his hand to the back of his neck, cried : "Oh, musha! musha! what's this that's struck me? Ouch ! there's a snake down my back, sure ! " It wasn't a snake, of course, but it was something almost as bad. The snowball put up to patch the leak having become saturated with water had fallen off, and found its way with perfect aim in between Patsy's hood and the back of his neck, the icy slush slipping down his backbone with an effect which may be easily imagined. Thenceforward Patsy never sat in an igloo without keeping one eye upon the roof aud changing his posi- l;i ; ii.-. UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 225 Bt Patsy's Id and lie i out of squiraaux iv dared. )VS fo' 1 e edge of \vn back, ind look- elt. One promptly at once, removed, ive at his b witii a bis iiand lick me ? )methinor >atch I he ad fallen between icy slush uch may tion at the slightest suspicion of a leak. One lesson was enough for him. Indeed, it would have been for any one. The incident, moreover, caused Harold and him to wonder still more how these simple Esquimaux could pass winter after winter in such conifortlcss abodes. It also made them more grateful for their own snug quaiters, and for the far more pleasant homes they hoped by-aud-by to see again. without his posi- T?r CHAPTER XIX. m AN ARCTIC WINTER. WINTER had come, and such a winter as no one on board the " Narwhal " had ever experienced before. Down, dow^n, down, crept the mercury in tlie thermometer until at lengtii it could get no farther, and then one night the registering glass that hung at the door of the deckhouse froze solid, so that you could have handled the mercury just as though it were a stick of candy. Moreover, as the mercury sank the days shortened, the period of daylight growing briefer as the close of the year drew near. The immense value of the deck house now became evident. For the men to have been confined to tiie forecastle, which alihougii more roomy than such places ordinarily are, was still none too spacious for two score men, would have been very trying to their temper and spirits. But the huge deck liouse, lit by half a dozen lamps, and warmed by a couple of big stoves Captain Marling had not i'or- gotten to provide, made a splendid refuge from the cold and dark, where the sailors could read, sew, make curious carvings out of wood or play games according as they pleased. Tiiey, of course, had nothing to do but to keep the ship iu order, and although tiie cap- 226 U UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 227 as no one tperieuced ury ill the 10 farther, at hung at i tiiat vou thousjrh it shortened, le close of f the deck a to have 3ugh more still none been very huge deck I'lued bv a 1 not i'or- ? from the sew, make according ling to do h the cap- tain's discipline never relaxed so far as the control of the men was concerned, they were allowed abundant freedom of action within proper limits. They were, upon the whole, a very contented, peaceable lot of men, and if they ever did feel disposed to grumble at any of the hardships inevitiible in their situation they had the sense to keep it to themselves. The tragical con- sequences of Collins' evil counsel had taught them a lesson they were in no hurry to forget. The one thing to be feared by men situated as were those on board the "Narwhal" was the scurvv, Tlie constant eating of salt food, and the lack of active employment made this dread disease a contin- gency to be carefully guarded against. There was not so much danger of it in the saloon, because the cap- tain had laid in an abundant supply of cacMcd meats and vegetables; but the sailors, of course, had the regulation fare of salt junk and hard tack, and if they were to do nothing but loll about trying to keep them- selves warm, the probability was that they would be down with the scurvy ere the winter was half througli. Here, again, the captain's forethought found illus- tration. He had anticipated all this, and had made provision against the difficulty in a way that did credit to his ingenuity. Calling the men together one fine morning when the thermometer was about twenty- five degrees below zero, he asked them how they would like to have a game of baseball. They re- ceived his question in much the same way as if he il 11 ii; f T f ; ■ .1 ' ■■ 228 "UP AMOXG THE ICE-FLOES. had asked how thev wouM like a slice out of the moon. But he assured theui he was in earnest, pro- ducing a baseball as a token of his sincerity. He then explained his scheme, which was simply that a fipace about a hundred yards square should be cleared of" loose snow, and thus converted into a ball fiehl, the like of which ceriainlv did not exist anvwhere else on the continent. With big lumps of coal, which would show out plainly on the white ground for bases, and iiandspikes for bats, there was nothing to prevent their having lots of fim, even though the game in skill and style fell far below the League standard. The men took hold of the idea at once. The space required was carefully cleared and smootlicd, and thenceforward every day that the weather permitted the most of them were to be seen playing baseball to the very best of their ability. The scene was a most curious one, and ludicrous in the extreme. Every player was little better than a moving mountain of furs, some of them being muffled up until only their eyes and nose were visible. Their luinds were encased in mits tiiieker than any catchers' gloves, and a good fly catch was almost an impos-^ sibility, although now and then some lucky fellow would, quite as much to his own surprise as to that of his companions, succeed in jMBrforraing the difficult feat. Tumbles were the rule rather than the exception, and sliding for bases was the regular way of getting there. Captaiu Marling generally filled the import- ^ UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 229 it of the nest, pro- ty. He )ly that a )e cleared field, the I'e else on eh would lases, and rent their skill and rhe space hed, and permitted aseball to licrous in 3r than a g muffled e. Their T catchers' m impos- kv fellow that of his [cult feat. ?xception, )f getting e import- ant position of umpire, doing so with a zeal and gravity worthy of a League official. Harold and Patsy were, of course, in ecslacies over the baseball. No game was complete without them, and they were looked upon as the "mascots" ft)r the respective sides, a very active but good-natured rivalry being created. First one side and then the other would develop a " wonderful baiting streak," and the scores were kept with great acciira(;y, so that comparisons could be made at the end of the week, and the averages made up. It need hardly be said that there were no games postponed on account of rain while the season lasted. So that an Arctic baseball field proved itself to be not entirely without advantuges. Although the only thing in the way of a grand stand was a big snowdrift at one side of the '•dia- mond," the game was not without spectators. The Esquimaux were always on hand, laughing merrily at the mishaps of the playere, even though they could not appreciate the good points of their play. If the ball chanced to roll their wav, thev would all make'a rush for it, each trying to be the first to pick it uj) and return it to the nearest player. By-and-by the sun went down beldnd the horizon, and did not come up again. The long Arctic night was upon the people of the " Narwhal," and for tiiree weary months they were doomed to constant twilight, the Aurora B«)realis, that flamed and flashed across the face of the Northern firmament with an iudescrib- ) I !! ill i Hi I 'I ?mv 'im UP AMONG THE ICE-rLOES. able variety of splendor, being their beautiful, but in- sufficient, substitute for tlie sunlight. Harold did not take kindly to the idea of parting with the sun. It seemed very strange to \Nake up in the morning, and find it no brighter than it was when lie lay down to sleep; and althongli it was not dark enough to prevent one from going abroad as usual, still tlie rantre of vision was verv limited, and constant care had to be exercised. Baseball, of course, became no longer possible. The shari)est eye could not follow the flight of the sphere in that uncertain light; and the men were lamenting their hard fate, when again the clever captain proved equal to the occasion. He had foreseen all this when he was making ready for a winter in the land of dark- ness ; and from that mysterious locker, into winch not even Harold was permitted to peep, now produced a ball which, under Dr. Linton's manipulation, assumed, the proportions of a pumpkin. "Here, Harold," said the captain, tossing him the huge sphere. " If you can't see a baseball in this dim light, you'll have no trouble in seeing this. We'll play football a tier this." And play football they did, day after day, during the remainder of the winter. In this game the Esqui- maux became active sharers. Thev could run and tumble and trip and pick up a pumpkin as well as any of their white fi lends, and thev entered into the fun with amazing vigor for such fat little fellows. Is UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 231 I, but in- ' parting te up iu las wlieu not dui'k IS usual, constant ble. The le sphere imentiiig 1 proved liis when of dark- le 1 1 icli not 3duced a assumed him the this dim ^e'U play v^ during le Esqui- id tumble 7 of their fun with As the mouth of December drew toward its close, Harold began to take a deep interest in the almanac, and to count the days that still remained. Evidently he and Patsy had something important on their minds, which would in due time be declared. The week before the twenty-fifth, the matter was made known. Cap- tain Marling was sitting in the saloon, reading, when Harold stepped up quietly, and, putting his arm around his fathered neck, said, in a very meaning tone : *' Father, do you know that next Wednesday will be the twenty-fifth? " Captain Marling looked up, and there was a sly twinkle in his eye, as he answered : " I hadn't thougiit of it, Hal. Why do you mention it?" '•' You know well enough, father." " I'll know better if you tell me, Hal," returned the captain, who was apparently impervious to liiuts. *• Why, it's Christmas, of course," said Harold, despairing of getting his father to say it for him. " Sure enough, my boy, sure enough ! What a pity we were not at home, so that we might keep it !" And the captain's face grew contemplative. *' But we will keep Christmas, all the same, won't we, father?" exclaimed Harold, somewhat anxiously. "Keep Christmas up here! And pray, sir, how shall we manage that? No woods to get a Christmas tree in. No shops to buy Christmas presents in." And the captain smiled, as though to imply that Harold was talking nonsense. 1^ :« 232 UP AMONG THE ICE -FLOES. I"!*.- '■<■ . i iiM But the bov was not so ea.*>ilv rebuffed. He moro than lialf siispectetl his father of beinij only in fun ; and, anyway, he intended to luive just as good a Clirist- mas as could be managed under the circunj-tances. " If we can't get a Christmas tree, or buy presents, we can liave lots of fun, all the same, father," siud Harold, in a very determined tone; "and I mean we shall have it, if you have no olyections." "Not a bit, my boy, not a bit,*' laughed the captain. "Go right abend. I'll give you full charge, an be put d the.«e, s of the 1 to raid IS duck, er dain- scinating ed toma- iuly had if enjoy- ir hosts, nvtliintr. r would 'er still, Qg upon made a the day, uid that ed with captaiii •t of tlie Every- body knew what was coming, for Harold had made Ho secret of the matter. But they were none tiie less eager, notwithstanding. Some fifteen minutes previously, Patsy had been sent as a mes.senger to the Esquimaux, bearing an in- vitation for the entire party to come over in a l)ody to the steamer, where there was sonjething pleasant in store for them. Tliey accepted, of course; and now the men, women, and children, to the number of fifty, at least, were pressing into fhe brilliantly illuminated room, whose radiance almost blinded their eyes, un- accustomed to such light. Harold gave them a warm welcome, and led them to the after-part of the room, where, in the open space, a large object, shrouded in canvas had been looking very mysterious. With happy, expectant faces they crowded about him, while the crew surrounded them with a ring of interested spectators. Harold clapped his hands as a signal for somebody unseen. The canvas cover was suddenly whisked away, and, lo ! before the gaze of all stood a veritable Christmas tree, covered with all sorts of decorations and parcels, and dotted with candles, which the two boys proceeded rapidly to light. There was a vigor- ous round of applause from the ship's company, in \vhich the Esquimaux, not understanding anything more than that everybody was in high good humor, joined by grinning to the full extent of their capa- cious m( ths. Mil?! 236 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLO F5. At first sight, aiivi viewed fi'ora a little distance, the Cliriatnias tree looked natural enough, but on closer examination it won hi be .seen to be .'^uch a tree as probably had never been set up in honor of Santa Claus before. There were, of course, no trees to be had far Nortii, and Harold would have been compelled to do without what seemed to him the chiefest ])art of a Christmas celebration, had not hid friend Lewis come to his aid. " I'll make you a Chl'istmas tree, Hal," said he, when Harold had told him his diffiouliv. " How can you do that?" asked Harold, eagerly. '' Easy enough," replied Lewis, " Make it out of reindeers' horns," Harold could not understand it at first, but Lewis soon made his meaning plain. A post was set up as a backbone, and to this tiie branching antlers were secured in such a way that when the work was com- plete the effect was capital, and the resemblance to a tree quite striking. tiarold was delighted with it. He thought it even better than the regulation spruce cone ; and now that it was laden witii gifts for the people of the very region from which old Santa Clans is popularly sup- posed to set out on Jiis annual joy-giving journey, it seemed to him the finest Christmas tree in his expe- rience. The gifts were both numerous and appropri- ate. Everybody on board had contributed something. There were knives, and hatchets fyr the men, needles TJP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 237 nice, the >ii closer L tree as f Santa es to be )ra{)elled ])art of ^viri come said he, igei'ly. t out of it Lewis t up as a I 2i's were -as com- nce to a t it even low tliat lie very 1 irly sup- irney, it is expe- ppropn- j uethiiur. needles and beads for the women, cakes and sweetmeats for the children, and many another tiling besides, while piled about the foot of the tree w^ w a number of basrs, one for each household, containing biscuits, sugar, tobacco, and salt, delicacies as rare among the Esquimaux as are canvas back and terrapin among ordinary folk to the South. Tlie scene in the deck house that evenincr was an exceedingly happy one, and Harold vowed that he had never spent a more delightful Christmas in his life, thereby showing very clearly how much more blessed it is to give than to receive. Having been well feasted with tiie remains of the dinner, the natives went back to their igloos, not much wiser, perhaps, on the subject of Christmas, but certai-nly very much pleased with the conduct of their white friends. Tiie longest winter, like the longest night, must come to an end, and in due time the combination of night and ^^ inter the "Narwhal" was expeiiencing passed away, and the sun returned. Eacii day he stayed a little longer in the heavens, and each day the effect of his beams became more perceptible. As the days grew longer and warmer, the people of the "Narwhal" grew restive. They were utterly weary of their inactive life, and buriiQd to be off on their homeward voyage. Not even Captain Marling was exempt from this restlessness of spirit, and it was in order to ])acify it, for a time at least, that lie planned an exploring expedition which came very near bring- ■'i: li.A ! 238 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. ing about a terrible catastrophe. But the story must wait for the following chapter. We may, however, add just here, that it led them into a peril — grave beyond the others — from which by-and-by they could tell of their rescue. A peril too, that added greatly to Harold's reasons for giving special thanksgiving to God. He had stored up many before; but this added one that he never forgot. But we must go on to tell of it. Wl storv must ¥ , however, ril — grave they could ed greatly inksffivintr ; but this ! must go CHAPTER XX. HOME AGAIN. rpHE northern side of Garry Bay was formed by a J- great stern headland that tiirust its barren bulk far out into the watera of Boothia Gulf. At the point it rose into a peak whose summit commanded an immense stretch of land and sea. Growing impatient at the slow advance of spring, for whose warm hand he must needs wait to unlock the icv fetters that bound liis ship fast, Captain Marling determined to attempt the ascent of this peak to see, if from so lofty an eyrie, he could catch a glimpse of open water in the gulf beyond, for as far as eye could see from the " Narwhal" the ice was still unbroken. The time was the latter part of April. The days "were already moderate in temperature, — that is, they were like ordinary winter days Halifax, — and there ought to be no difficulty in carrying out the captain's sclienie. Harold was very glad to hear of it. Nothing would suit him better. " Of course, you'll let me go, father," said he, confidently. "Oh, I suppose so, Hal, if you promise to be a very good boy," answered the captain. " And may Patsy come too, father ? " asked Harold. "He'd like to ever so much." 239 240 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. The captain hesitated a moment, and then, as if something had just occurred to his mind, said : "Yes, yes, certainly ; you may both come. It will probably be our last picnic." They started the following day, the party being made up as follows : Captain Marling, Dr. Linton, Frank Lewis, both the engineers, Harold, Patsy, and half a dozen sailors with Big Alec at their head. Then there were three Esquimaux sledges, heavily laden with tents, provisions, and firewood, under the charge of native drivers, who orackefl their long whips and looked very important as the procession moved away from the ship. Evei'vbody had to walk of course, and the going was none too good, so that the rate of progress was not more than about three miles an hour. Tliis, how- ever, would take them to the base of the mountain at least an hour before the early nightfall, and tliat would allow them sufficient time to put up their camps, and make tiiemselvcs comfortable for the night. For the first hour or so, the boys kept well up witii the head of the party, but after that they began to lag and drop back, until presently they brougiit up the rear, and more than once the captain had to call out: "Brace up, boys, brace up! There's no time fur loitei'ing." Harold looked verv lonjrinijlv at the sledires, which the well-trained dogs seemed to have no difficulty in dragging over the snow that bothercKl liim so much. UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 241 n, Qs if : "Yes, probably tv beinij Linton, Ltsy, and iir head, ilv ladea e charge liips and red away (le going he.ss was lis, liow- intain at at would ips, and For tlie he head lag and he rear, all out : inie for .a, which iculiy in D much. He was too proud to confess himself tired out, and would rather have dropped in his tracks than beg for a lift. But oh I how glad he was when his father, looking back and noticing his lagging gait, called out: "Getting played out, Hal? Well, you and Patsy just jump upon the sleds for a while aud rest your- selves." The lK)ys did not need to be told twice. The next moment they were each upon a sledge, and thus, by alternate walking and riding, reached the campground in good condition. Tiie tents were pitched in a snug little pocket at the mountain's foot, the fires made, the eupjier cooked, the dogs fed, and then, ix)lling them- selves in furs, the wiiole }^rty lay down to sleep as only tired men c^n sleep. Tlie long night passed quietly away, the only sound that broke the stillness being the occasional barking of a dog given to disturbing dreams, or the snoring of some heavy sleejier. All were awake at dawn, and glad to got the cup of steaming hot tea the cook soon had ready for them. Then preparations were made for the ascent of the mountain. With the exception of one Esquimau, who was left in charge of the dogs, and two sailors to take eare of the tents, the whole party set out. Tiie day was perfect — the sky unclouded, the sun in full force, and the wind light. " We has'e everything in our favor," said Captain Marling to Lewis, "and, barring accidents, we ought to be back here early in the afternoon." 242 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. li ■'% " I shouldn't wonder if we neebitious for fame as a mountaineer, or eager for a fine view. " Oh, no ! We must go on to the top," returned Harold, rising to his feet. " Come along with you." And off they started again. UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 243 larp look- The sun ^ood deal n. «We Marlincf lat of the le ca2)tain follow in their pro- Is having s base, so . But as t becan)e taxed his iie party, ork!'* he lowlxink. f this old he others as it is," for fame returned itli you/' Toilsome and tiring work it was, now creeping carefully on hands and knees around a perilous cor- ner; now climbing in the same fashion straight up some slippery slope; then walking in Indian file along a narrow ledge, where a single false step meant instant destruction — there was demanded a constant exercise of watchfulness and care Each party of climbers was strung out u{X)n a long rope, which they fastened around their waists, thus making it impossible for one to be carried away unless all went together. The two boys were in the centre of the Lewis party, and many a serious tumble would they have had but for the sustaining rope. Onward and upward tliey toiled, as the morning hours slipped away, often halting for a few minutes to take breath, and rest their wearied limbs. They found the good of the football practice, for it had kept both wind and muscle in working order. Indeed, but for it, the ascent would probably have had td be abandoned as beyond their ^K)wers. After two hours of climbing, they came to a spot where the captain ordered a halt to consider the situation. This was far from promising. Before them stretched a long, smooth slope of snow, which had the rugged mass of the mountain top above, and below the dark abyss of a gorge, whose depth there was no estimating. The only way onward lay across this perilous slot)e, and Captain Marling hesitated before attempting it. When Lewis came up they con- 244 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. I* ! . 1 suited togetlier for some minutes, and at last tlie cap- tain decided to make the venture first with his party, leaving Lewis and his to follow, in event of the paas- age across j)roving not so dangerous as it appeared, Accordinglv, takinjj with iiini one of the enirineers, tlie most active of the seamen, and tlie sturdiest of ti»e two Esquimaux, and seeing to it that they were securely fastened to tlie rope, Captain Marling at- tacked the slope. Each man carried a good ice pick, and the leader at the critical places cut holes for the feet before proceeding. "Doesn't it look dangerous, Mr. Lewis?'' said Harold, drawing close to the second mate, for he felt very nervous. " Do you think father will get across all right?" "To be sure he will," answered Lewis, cheerfully. "He'll do it in about ten minutes." Slowly but surely the four men crept onward, until they were lialf way across. Then they rested a moment, and the captain, looking back, waved his hand triumphantly, and shouted: "It's all right! There's no danger ! " He had better have kept silence. His rash boast echoing from peak to peak, through the still air, aroused the sleeping demon of the mountain. Far up alwve him, among the scars that seamed the summit, there was a sound of rustling that swiftly swelled into an ominous roar. The captain heard it, and looked upward with a startled glance. Lewis heard it, and m t the cap- liis party, the paas- ap})eared. ^nirineers, O 7 est of t lie liev were irlinar at- good ice holes for 5?" said 3r he felt ^et across leerfullv. ird, until rested a aved his 11 right! isli boast still air, Far up summit, illed into i looked d it, and SImw Up Aiiioiii,' tile k'p Floi's. Vixao L'l') :, T UP AMOXa THE ICE-FLOES. 245 ^^M ~~ 1 J ■'It 1 .1 r <'///' ' "{ hk cried out in an agony of alarm : "God Ijelp tlieni ! tlie avalanche !" But tiicre was no time for rescue or retreat. With awful speed, a vast mass of snow that had been iianging up there ready for a fall leaped over the edge and went hurtling down the sh)pe, sweeping all before it into the abyss beyond. For an instant the air was dense with particles of snow; then it cleared, and on the spot where four strong men had the moment before been standing, bracing themselves to withstand the shock, there was not even a mark of their footprints. The mountain had conquered, after all! Struck dumb with horror, the spectators of this terrible catastrophe stood motionless. Lewis was the first to recover himself. "All hands to the rescue !" he cried. "There's not a moment to lose.'* Without a word the others followed him as he set off on the path they had come, Harold feeling as though it were all some dreadful dream from which in time he must awaken. Lewis' keen eve had cau^jjlit sight of a ledge leading down into the gorge where Captain Marling and his men had been hurled. If they could only get to them they might yet be able to save them. The ledge fid filled its promise, and hast- ening down as rapidly as they dared, they reached the upper end of the gorge. To Lewis' delight this gorge proved not to be so deep as it seemed from above, and clambering along over the tumbled snow 246 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. that filled it half full, they came at length to the veiy spot where the avalanche, bearing its human prey, liad taken its mad plunge. Tliere was no doubt about the place, for one of tlie ice })icks projected through the snow like a signal of distress. They had no spades, but the snow was loose, and at it they went with their hands, working for dear life. Presently a glad shout from Lewis announced that something had been found. It was a foot. Digging away furiously, the whole body was soon uncovered, and behold it was the seaman who had brought up the rear. Tiie rope was still attached to him. He was insensible, but breathing. " Hurrah ! '^ cried Lewis. " We'll have them all soon." The digging went on with redoubled vigor. The engineer, the Esquimau, and lastly Captain Marling were disinterred. All were unconscious, but happily none were dead. The shock of tlie avalanche, the fall over the cliff, and then the smothering plunge into the deep snow had driven them into insensibility; but, strange to say, beyond a few scratches in the face, none seemed to have received any other injury. Under Dr. Linton's direction, vigorous measures were taken to restore the rescued ones. These were speedily successful. One by one they regained con- sci()u>ness, and tlien to the delight of all it was dis- covered that not a bone had been broken or serious hurt suffered. UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 247 the veiy prey, liad ibout tlie oiigli tlie se, and at dear life, iced tliat Digging ncovered, anght up lim. He them all or. The Marling t happily nche, the iinge into lity ; but, face, none measures lese were ined con- ; was dis- or serious "Tjet us thank God for our most wonderful escape," 6aid Captain Marling, fervently, when he had quite re- covered himself. *'\Ve will not risk our lives in an- other attempt, but return to the camp at ouce.'* During all this time of harrowing uncertainty Harold had shown remarkable sell-ccnitrol. After the first cry of horror, not a sound escaped his lips; but no one had dug into the snow with more desperate enerev, and it was his hands that fir.-jt touched his father's form. Now that the agony was over, the natural reaction followed, and his suppressed feelings foimd relief in a flood of teal's as his father hujjijred him to his heart. So rejoiced were all at the wonderfid escape of Cap- tain Marling and his companions, that there was no room for regret at the mountain being left unsealed. Returning at once to the camp, they resttd there for the night, and the following day made their way back to the " Narwhal " without farther mishap. There was still a month of waiting before them, which they found very hard to endure patiently ere the glad cry of **open water in sight'' came down from the crow's nest, and it was a fortnight after that before the open water made its way into the "Nar- whal's" snug harbor. Then the fervid Arctic sinnmer seemed to come with a rush. The ice broke up into floes as the warm wind blew upon it, the snow van- ished from the hillsides before the hot ravs or the sun, and the great gulf that had so lately been sleep- 248 UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 1115: hcncatli its icv coverlet awoke into waves that (lanced and i^parkled merrily in tlie sunshine, aa though they were cliallcn'^ing the noble vessel which, like them, had been for months asleep, to arouse her- self and prepare for action. The challenge was prom [)tly accepted. The "Nar- whal" was readv. Nothing remained to be done. The deck house had been cleared away, the topmasts sent up, the engines oiled and burnished, and so on a beautiful morning in June, amid the joyful cheers of the crew, the sturdy steamer moved smoothly out into the broad waters of the gulf, and the homeward jour- nev was begun. Harold stood beside his father on the bridge, his face beaming with joy. " You look as though you were glad to be getting back home, Hal,'' said the captain, laying his hand upon his shoulder. "I am indeed, father. I think we've had a splendid time of it up here, but I'll be so glad to see dear old Halifax again," answered Harold. "You wouldn't care to change places with one of those Esquimaux, then?" inquired the captain, with a smile. " Not by a long chalk," res})onded Harold, promptly. " One winter in the ice is all well enough ; but to spend one's whole life here ! Ugh ! it would soon be the death of me." Favored by fair weather the " Narwhal " made UP AMONG THE ICE-FLOES. 249 good progress up tlic Gulf to Priuce Regent's Souiul, tlience passing through Lancaster Sound and out upon the vast expanse of Jjaffin's Bay, where, getting into the sweep of the great Arctic current setting strongly southward, she sped past Davis' Strait to the Atlantic Ocean. The passage was marked by little incident. The constant presence of floe and berg rendered a careful lookout from the crow's nest always necessary, but everv damper of this kind was successfully avoided, and by tlie latter part of August the steamer, having halted at Nachvak to land Lane, the inter- preter, was gliding past the forbidding coast of New- foundland at a rate that three davs later brouuht her into Halifax harbor. Great was the interest her return created, and Cap- tain Marling found himself (juite a lion in nautical circles because of his remarkable voyage. ILirold too came in for an embarrassing amount of attention, his former playmates looking uj)on him as a hero of the first rank. As for Patsy, when, arrayed in brand new clothes, and with a pocket full of money, ho appeared like a vision in the midst of the squalid surroundings from which he had fled with such hapj)y results, his |)eople utterly failed to recognize him, and he had some difficulty in persuading them that this stout, strong, brown-faced lad who bore himself so well was the lean, shambling, unkempt creature that they had known as Patsy Kehoe. When the results of the vovajre came to be ascer- 250 UP AMOXG THE ICE-FLOES. tained, Captain Marling had no cause to regret Iiifl venture. Tlie well-stored tanks yielded a rich return, and afier dividing a handsome sum among the sin'p's company, everybody coming in for a share, the baknce remaining to his credit was so considerable, that he was enabled to carry out his design of giving up the sea, and settling down to a life on dry land for the remainder of his days, finding congenial employment in tlie owning and management of ships. As regards Harold, liowever, the result of the voyage was prec^isely the opposite. It determined his future by making it clear beyond all question that the sea was hh vocation. Accompanied by Patsy, who was ever to him what old Peter Strum had been to his father, he circumnavigated the globe in the captain's vessels, and in due time rose by steady gradations until at length he trod the quarter deck the proud com- mander of his own ship. But far a' d wide as he sailed, and many and mar- velous as were his adventures, wherever asked what was the most momentous and interesting experience of his life, lie always answered that it was the voyage he took in the good steamer " Narwiial," up among the Arctic ice-floes. THE END. regret his cIi return, the sliij/s le balance uit lie was ip the sea, 1 for the iploymeiit t of the mined his 1 that the Eitsy, wlio sen to his captain's ions until •ud com- md mar- ked wliat irience of '^oyage he Qong the m tkfl