and the Esquimaux added his voice in a
queer sort of native cheer that made all of the others smile.

"Now if we could only fly to her we'd be all right," exclaimed Mark.

The guide was busy overhauling the sled. He tightened some of the
retaining thongs that had become loosened, and then, with guttural
cries, he pointed to the vehicle, to the different members of the party
and to the long slope that lay before them, and which led down almost to
the abandoned airship.

"I believe he means for us to coast down the hill on the sled!" cried
Andy. "That's a good scheme. It will beat walking all to pieces!"

Down, down, down the adventurers went, like an arrow shot from a stout
bow. The bone runners of the sled glided over the frozen surface, which
was as slippery as glass.

The speed was very swift and the wind caused by the rapid passage cut in
their faces so that all had to pull their fur hoods over their heads.
The ice, scraped up by the runners, flew in a shower on either side.

The Esquimaux skillfully steered the sled. He avoided several hollows
and gullies that would have brought disaster, and kept the vehicle on a
proper course. In less than five minutes from the start at the top of
the hill they were at the bottom, more than a mile's distance, and
within a quarter of a mile of the airship.

Joy at the discovery of the _Monarch_ lent strength to travel-weary
legs. The refugees hastened on, and soon were at the place where the
craft had settled on a bank of ice and snow.

"Back to the _Monarch_!" shouted Andy. "I hope the ship is in working
order!"

Indeed this might well be a source of worry. One glance served to show
that the airship was frozen fast in the ice, while the gas bag, which
had collapsed, and was resting on top of the deck-house, was partially
covered with snow!

As weak as they were the boys set up a cheer and the men joined in, the
sound echoing for a long distance around.

CHAPTER XXVIII

ATTACKED BY THE NATIVES

"We must clear away the snow and ice!" said Professor Henderson. "Come,
boys, we must work quickly. We have no time to lose! Remember what
Dirola said about the natives following us!"

Now that he was back at his craft the inventor seemed to have recovered
all of his energies.

"Washington and I will see to the machinery, and get the bag inflated,"
he continued. "The rest begin to dig out the ship from below."

Fortunately the professor had foreseen the need of sh