dition as often as the men had
cleared away the quantities of seal and walrus blubber that were brought
in and rendered down. These expeditions were made to embrace business
and investigation; and their knowledge of the lay of the land
increasing, they persevered in their search wherever it was possible to
penetrate the valleys, while the coast to north and south was explored
as far as the boats could go.

But there was no sign of the lost crew, and as the time wore on it
became evident that they were not in the region occupied by their
friends.

"Let us hope that they may have reached home by now," said the doctor
one evening. "I think we have done everything we can to find them."

"Everything," said the captain gravely; "but we cannot fight against
fate."

There began to be certain signs now of the short summer nearing its
termination, beside the setting of the sun in the far north-west. The
birds were not so plentiful, and whenever a flock approached as many
ducks and geese as possible were shot, and placed in ice for use in the
winter, when no doubt they would all have gone south.

Thanks to the Norwegians, too, who proved to be very ingenious in
watching the seals so as to find suitable places, plenty of fish were
caught, making a most agreeable addition to their diet.

At last the captain announced to the men that there was no necessity for
more walrus or seal hunts to be carried out, for the cargo was
sufficient, and that now they were to occupy their time more with
hunting and exploring, so as to make their stores of venison and dried
and salted fish so ample that they could set the winter at defiance.

"Then you really think that we shall have to stay here all the winter,
sir?" cried Steve.

"I have not a doubt about it now, my boy," replied the captain. "We
came to help at first; now we are badly in want of help ourselves."

"It doesn't much matter, does it?" said Steve. "We are all very happy
and strong; and if we stop through the winter, we shall be here ready
for the breaking up of the ice."

"Yes, Steve, quite ready," said the captain, rather sadly; "but I did
not mean to be caught like this."

"We've got months yet, haven't we, before the real winter comes?"

"Not up in this latitude," said the captain, smiling. "According to my
calculations, we are as far north as any expedition has been. Did you
notice anything this morning when you first got up?"

"No, only that it was rather col