; but you do as you please; command, and we will obey."

"They don't all speak like you, Garry," replied Shandon. "They aren't
all in an obedient humour! Suppose they were to refuse to execute
my orders?"

"Commander," replied Garry coldly, "I have given you my advice because
you asked me for it; but you are not obliged to act upon it."

Shandon did not reply; he attentively examined the horizon, and
descended with his two companions on to the ice-field.

CHAPTER XI

THE DEVIL'S THUMB

During the commander's absence the men had gone through divers works
in order to make the ship fit to avoid the pressure of the ice-fields.
Pen, Clifton, Gripper, Bolton, and Simpson were occupied in this
laborious work; the stoker and the two engineers were even obliged
to come to the aid of their comrades, for, from the instant they were
not wanted at the engine, they again became sailors, and, as such,
they could be employed in all kinds of work on board. But this was
not accomplished without a great deal of grumbling.

"I'll tell you what," said Pen, "I've had enough of it, and if in
three days the breaking up isn't come, I'll swear to God that I'll
chuck up!"

"You'll chuck up?" replied Gripper; "you'd do better to help us to
back out. Do you think we are in the humour to winter here till next
year?"

"To tell you the truth, it would be a dreary winter," said Plover,
"for the ship is exposed from every quarter."

"And who knows," added Brunton, "if even next spring we should find
the sea freer than it is now?"

"We aren't talking about next spring," said Pen; "to-day's Thursday;
if next Sunday morning the road ain't clear, we'll back out south."

"That's the ticket!" cried Clifton.

"Are you all agreed?" said Pen.

"Yes," answered all his comrades.

"That's right enough," answered Warren, "for if we are obliged to
work like this, hauling the ship by the strength of our arms, my advice
is to backwater."

"We'll see about that on Sunday," answered Wolsten.

"As soon as I get the order," said Brunton, "I'll soon get my steam
up."

"Or we'd manage to get it up ourselves," said Clifton.

"If any of the officers," said Pen, "wants to have the pleasure of
wintering here, we'll let him. He can build himself a snow-hut like
the Esquimaux."

"Nothing of the kind, Pen," replied Brunton; "we won't leave anybody.
You understand that, you others. Besides, I don't think it would be
difficult to persuade the comma