front when
they were nearly across.

"Na, tat's not watter," said Watty, who had followed him. "She's a'
ice."

"Nonsense! Look how clear it is!" cried Steve. "It must be water."

But as he reached the entrance he had to alter his opinion, for the
black-looking water proved to be perfectly solid; and Watty dashed on,
slid some distance, and ended by jumping upon it.

"Tak' car', laddie!" cried Andrew; "ef she gangs through she'll hae to
stay."

But there was no fear, and the boat was left upright in a snow-drift,
the provisions packed on the little hand-sleigh brought as well, and the
journey commenced through the chasm. At first every one proceeded
cautiously, expecting moment by moment to hear a sharp crack; but after
a few minutes confidence was felt in the strength of the ice, and all
stepped out boldly.

"Hadn't we better have brought the boat, after all, sir?" Steve asked
the captain. "There'll be open water as soon as we are through, and we
might get a seal or two, if we didn't get a walrus."

"If the water is frozen in this sheltered passage, my lad," replied the
captain, "there is no fear about the water on the other side."

"What! you think it would be frozen?"

"Certainly. I expect we shall find the open sheet of water along the
shore frozen from side to side."

"Then there'll be no walrus?"

"Not one."

"Nor seals?"

"I don't expect we shall see anything now for months but bears, wolves,
and foxes. Beside them, we shall be the only occupants of the place. I
have not seen a bird for days."

It proved as the captain had said, for as soon as they were well through
the narrow passage there lay the ice to right and left, and not a patch
of open water was to be seen. Winter had set in indeed, and after a
long tramp without seeing a single animal the party retraced their
steps, and returned to the ship light enough, but in excellent spirits,
the inevitable being accepted; and as there was an abundant supply of
food in store, the absence of game in boat and sleigh, though it made
Mr Lowe smile, was deemed to be of not the slightest consequence.

The next day the coaling began, the men being divided into four parties,
one to hew down the coal on the mountain-side, another to collect and
pass it down to the sledges, and the other two parties to draw the
loaded and empty sledges to and fro. The mineral fuel was abundant, and
the men worked so well that very soon the beaten track through