it
is best for us to try and be as comfortable as we can under the
circumstances. Last night, as you know, it was cold enough in all
conscience; but that will be nothing to what we may expect later on when
the regular gales and sea-fogs and snowstorms set in, and they continue
for weeks, I believe!"

"Begorrah, it's a bad look-out!" said the mate,--"a bad look-out,
anyway!"

"It is; there's no good of our blinking the fact," replied the
other,--"but, still, other shipwrecked crews have borne worse hardships
than we'll have to contend with, and, you know, what men have done men
may do! I wish we had some more of the poor old ship's planks, however.
Besides their being necessary for completing our house properly, we
shall want a large supply of them for fuel during the next four months."

"Sure and they'll float ashore," said the mate.

"I don't know about that," responded Mr Meldrum. "You said just now,
when you returned in the jolly-boat, that all the bows and forward parts
of the vessel had been washed to pieces; and yet, of all that wreckage
not a single scrap came ashore here to tell the tale before you brought
the news:-- what do you think of that, eh!"

"Be jabers, it's all that blissid current that takes it back agin! Sure
an' I've sane it floating in foreninst the land myself."

"Well, we'll have to try and baulk the current, then," said Mr Meldrum.
"We must keep a good look-out on the ship; and, as soon as we see that
the stern has broken up, the jolly-boat will have to be manned and
cruise about to pick up and tow ashore whatever timber and stray planks
may be seen."

"Right you are, sorr," replied Mr McCarthy. "I'll say to that!"

"Say, mister," interposed the American, who had remained silent during
the deliberations of the other two, although he was supposed to be
present at the council and a deliberative member. "How'll the grub last
all that air time! Twenty-seven folks all told, as I've kalkerlated
'em, take a powerful lot of feedin' in four months!"

"Ah!" said Mr Meldrum, "that's a serious consideration. However, with
that lot of penguins there,"--and he pointed to the little colony of the
quaint birds, which were still croaking and grumbling at them, not
having yet become accustomed to their strange visitors,--"I don't think
we'll starve! Besides these gentry, too, there will be lots more sea-
fowl, and perhaps some land ones as well. Still, it will be advisable,
Mr Lathrope, as y