"Because all the tying apparatus was aboard the schooner, and I hadn't
so much as a shoe-string about me. I wish I could have tied that
scoundrel Arsenic, though. If ever I meet him again I'll try to teach
him a lesson in gratitude. But what do you propose to do to-day,
skipper?"

"I suppose we might as well unbend and stow our canvas, since the 'Bee'
'll not want to use sails again for a while. We might also send down
topmasts, stow away what we can of the running rigging, get those
provisions on the beach aboard again, and----"

"Hold on!" cried Cabot, "you've already laid out all the work I care to
tackle in one day, and if you want any more done you'll have to ship a
new crew."

It was well that the lads had ample occupation for that day, otherwise
they would have been very unhappy. Even Cabot, for all his assumed
cheerfulness, realised the many dangers with which they were beset. He
believed that their unknown friend had deserted them, and that the
Indians might return at any moment in over-powering numbers. He knew
that without outside assistance and guidance it would be impossible to
traverse the vast frozen wilderness lying between them and
civilisation. He knew also that if he and White remained where they
were they must surely perish before the winter was over. So the
prospect was far from cheerful, and that evening the "Sea Bee's" crew,
wearied with their hard day's work, ate their supper in thoughtful
silence.

While they were thus engaged both suddenly sprang to their feet with
startled faces. A gun had been fired from close at hand, and with its
report came a confusion of shouts. Evidently more visitors had
arrived; but were they friends or foes?

White thought the latter, and snatched up a loaded revolver, declaring
that the Indians should not again get possession of his schooner
without fighting for it; but Cabot believed the new-comers to be
friends.

"If they were enemies," he argued, "they would have got aboard and
taken us by surprise before making a sound." So saying he hurried up
the companionway, with White close at his heels.

"Hello!" shouted Cabot. "Who are you?"

"We are friends," answered a voice from the beach in English, but with
a strong German accent. "Can you show us a light?"

"Of course we can, and will in a moment," replied Cabot joyously.
"White, get a----"

But White had already darted back into the cabin for a lantern, with
which he speedily emerged,