nd snapped
and bent in, so that at any moment there was the possibility of its
giving way.

"Lanthorn, quick!" said the captain; and as Johannes brought it the
captain's and doctor's pieces clicked; while, as soon as the light was
held well up, they calculated as nearly as they could where the bear's
breast would be and fired together.

A savage roar followed the reports, there was a scrambling rush, and
then a great rustling; and as the men came running up excitedly the dog
seemed to consider that he was free, and set up a furious barking as he
ran to the tied-up canvas door by the gangway, and stood gazing at his
master, waiting to be let out.

"Hit, and scared away," said the captain, re-loading. "Shall we go out
and see?" said the doctor. "No, not till daylight," replied the
captain; "it is too risky to go out in the darkness. We can track it
through the snow in the morning. Quiet the dog, Steve, my lad. There,
go below, my lads; the cold here is terrible. Good-night."

Talking eagerly about this interruption the men hurried below, and as
soon as the hatch was closed sounds arose which made Skene whine and
Steve stop his ears as he hurried into the warm cabin; for Andrew had
taken his pipes, and was making them skirl and drone in honour of the
victory.

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT.

IN THE STERN GRIP.

Steve slept soundly that night, and woke to find the blanket, pulled up
close to his ears, stiff with hoar-frost, and the stinging, prickling
sensation in his nostrils more acute than ever. There was no time spent
in dressing, and all were soon ready for the breakfast brought in by the
cook, who was loud in complaints about the way in which everything froze
in the galley, even when the fire was roaring in the stove. But he was
pretty cheerful, for he was a busy man with certain daily duties,
whereas tasks had to be made for the men, who, on account of the intense
cold and the solitary safety of their position, were not now even set to
keep any of the regular watches.

As soon as breakfast was despatched by lamplight, a start was made to
see if the bear was anywhere near; and as the canvas door was opened
with some difficulty, they stepped out into the semi-darkness to make
for the other side of the vessel, about a hundred yards from which a
hummock could be seen lying through the rising mist; and upon their
approaching it the footsteps of the bear could be plainly traced in
company with spots of blood,