imbing,
and a slip up here would be very, very risky."

"Yes, it is bad climbing," said Steve, as he slowly mounted higher and
higher, warning his companion, who kept close below him, when he was
going to kick down some of the ice which encrusted the ropes.

And so the top-mast was passed, and with the main topgallant mast they
came to the ice-covered cross-spells, which had been lashed on, and
directly after Steve was beneath the cask raising his hand to push open
the hinged bottom; but, to his surprise, it did not yield.

"It's frozen!" he cried; and he made effort after effort to move the
trap, but in vain.

"You'll have to let me come, sir," said Johannes quietly. "I'm thinking
that the nest is full of snow."

Steve moved off the spell on which he stood, and held on to the shrouds
upon the other side, leaving room for the Norseman to take his place.

"Well?" said Steve, as the man exerted his huge strength without effect.

"More than I can do, sir," said Johannes quietly. "Let's try it a
little at a time." And, taking tightly hold, he began to thrust with
one shoulder up and up, until the trap began to crack and give way
little by little.

Then a little powdery snow began to crumble out, and the Norseman paused
to rest.

"You see I am useful," he said, smiling. "I don't think you could have
moved that."

"Aloft there! Can't you get in?" came from below.

"Crow's-nest full of ice and snow!" cried Steve.

"Knock up the bottom, and let it fall through."

"Well, that's what we are doing," said Steve to himself; and then he
watched as the Norseman toiled away till he could get one hand through
the opening he had made.

"Mind!" cried Steve. "Put on your glove, or you'll take the skin off."

"No," said Johannes gravely, "not yet awhile. It does not freeze in
that way now; that is when the colder weather sets in. The sun is
warming the air too much everywhere. Look, there are drips forming."
He worked as he spoke, and now sent the snow and ice showering down from
the cask, till at last there was quite a little avalanche, after which
he drew himself up inside, let the door close, and scraped and worked
away, throwing out consolidated portions, and then sweeping the
snow-dust till he could open the trap partially and shuffle it out with
his feet. "Warm work, sir," he said at last, as he looked over the edge
and down at Steve.

"Let me come and have a turn, then, for it's horribly cold here."

"