then work right round the coast,
and come up again on our side."

"For several reasons, my lad," said Captain Marsham, smiling. "It would
be very risky to take the men so far from our headquarters, not knowing
how soon we may be attacked by a terrible storm. We do not know that we
are upon an island with a farther shore. And it would be impossible to
make such a journey as you propose. Are these reasons enough?"

"Plenty, sir. Are we going any farther?"

"No. We have got by the days of endless light, my lad, and I don't wish
for us to be benighted out in these snowy valleys."

So the captain gave the word to turn back, and they reached the ship
just at dusk, after a most uneventful journey, not having encountered a
single head of game.

The next morning they found that more snow had fallen, and the deck had
to be cleared. There was not the most remote prospect now of doing more
that season, so the boats were made snug and covered; and as there was
no likelihood of the ship moving in a drift, so set fast was she in the
ice, the men were now started to rig up an awning like the roof of a hut
and completely cover in the deck. This was worked at with a will, till
a double thickness of canvas was spread, and over that tarpaulins.

"Keep some of the cold out, eh, doctor?"

"Yes," said that gentleman; "and I suppose in a night or two you'll have
snow over it to keep us warmer."

"It is probable. Wonderful how rapidly we are settling down into
winter. A long one, too," he added in a low voice. "Can you keep us
all in good health till the summer comes again?"

"It depends more upon yourselves than upon me," said Mr Handscombe
sharply. "Keep every one so busy that he gets tired and has no time to
think."

"I mean to," said the captain quietly. "There will be enough to keep
them pretty well employed in getting and sleighing over to here all the
coal I hope to have on board--enough, that is, to make up for all that
is gone, and so as to give us an ample supply to keep our stoves burning
as much as we like."

"Well," said the doctor, "with plenty of work, plenty to eat and drink,
and the means of keeping up bonny fires, I do not see why we should not
pass through the winter pleasantly enough. The darkness will be
depressing when it comes, but the men will have grown pretty well
accustomed to it; for it comes on, I suppose, so thoroughly by degrees.
Let's see, how long will it be perfectly dark?"

"Not at