dness to go after him, my son," said Tregelly,
coolly; "and after all, he isn't likely to hit the dog in the dark."

A few minutes later they found the sledge, and as they were about to
start, Dallas kicked against something hard, which went spinning along
the ice-covered snow.

"What's that?" he said. "Why, Tregelly, it must be your pipe."

"Yes. It struck against me," cried Abel. "Here it is," he added in
triumph.

"Hooroar!" cried Tregelly. "Now, I call that fine, my sons. Why, if
old Scruff comes back and says he's killed Master Redbeard, this'll be
about as pleasant a time as I ever spent. But how's your arm, Master
Dallas?"

"Smarts, and feels wretched and numb, that's all. I can help pull the
sledge."

"All right, my son," cried Tregelly, giving the line a jerk; but in
vain, for the sledge was immovable, the runners being frozen to the
surface of the snow. "I say; think o' that."

Dallas and Abel gave the sledge a wrench, set it at liberty, and it
glided smoothly on, Tregelly insisting on dragging it all the way back
to the hut, where they shut themselves in, and then prepared an early
breakfast; but before it was ready there was a familiar thump on the
rough door, and Scruff was admitted, apparently free from fresh
injuries, for he gave all an intelligent look, and then seated himself
by the fire to lick his wound, before curling up and going to sleep.

"I wish I could do that," said Dallas.

"Do it without the curl," said Tregelly, smiling. "It's the best thing
for a man who has had such a shake as you have."

"No, no. The ruffian may come back."

"He won't come yet, my son," said Tregelly; "but if he should think it
best to give us another call, don't you be uneasy; we'll wake you up."

A quarter of an hour later Dallas was fast asleep, and Abel looked up at
Tregelly inquiringly.

"Is the sleep natural?" he whispered.

"Yes; why shouldn't it be?" was the reply.

"It seems so strange, after the excitement we have been through during
the last twenty-four hours."

"Done up, my son; regular exhausted, and wants rest."

"But I could not sleep, knowing as I do that the enemy might attack us
at any time. Think of the danger."

"I wonder you ever went to sea, then, my son," said Tregelly,
good-humouredly. "There's always danger of the ship sinking; and yet
you went to your berth, I suppose, every night, and slept soundly
enough, didn't you?"

"Of course."

"And I'll be bound to s