n that
day they had only had some hours of glow over the icy rampart that shut
them in. Then in the darkening sky the stars began to peer out one by
one, till, as the sky grew perfectly black, the heavens were one blaze
of glittering splendour.

"Why, the stars seem double the size that they are at home," said Steve,
as he stood out on the snow steps for a little while before retiring to
rest. "The sky looks so transparent, too, just as if you were peeping
right in amongst them. Look, look!"

He pointed at that which the others saw as soon as he, for a brilliant
meteor suddenly flashed into sight, formed an arc in the sky, and
disappeared, leaving a thin line of sparks behind it for a moment or two
before they died out.

"What was that?" cried Steve.

"A meteor," said the captain. "One of the little bodies which
astronomers say burst into light in passing through our atmosphere. But
come; the fireside is the best place on a night like this."

They retired to the cabin, after carefully tying the points of the
canvas down; and, after a walk right forward by the dim light of the
lanthorns to see that the men were all comfortable and well, the trio
returned to the cabin, where the stove was crackling and roaring, and
the hanging lamp, books, papers, and chess-board looked cheery and
home-like.

Skene followed them and stood at the door in a deprecating fashion,
slowly waving his plume-like tail from side to side, and looking, Steve
said, as if he would come in and stay if he were asked.

"Yes, come in," said the captain.

The dog entered with a bound, and couched instantly at the front of the
stove.

"It's getting intensely cold now," said the captain, taking up the
log-book to make an entry or two.

"I thought so," said the doctor; "but after my experience of this
afternoon I was afraid I might be wrong again. What do you say, Steve?"

"I think it's as cold as we've had it, sir. We can see our breath here
before this hot fire."

"Look here!" exclaimed Captain Marsham, as he sat, pen in hand,
examining the inkstand.

"What's the matter? No ink?"

"Ink? Yes; but look here--frozen, and in this cabin!"

There was the fact; the ink-glass was partly full of splinters and
scales of ice, while the bottom was like thick, melted black snow.

"Well, we can't have it any colder than that, can we?" asked Steve; and
then he started, for Skene suddenly sprang to his feet, his hair rose
about his throat, and