e's pusy wi' the
pipes; and chust then Chohannes lays holt upo' her py the shouthers an'
pu's her ower, and shows her the toes wass purning, and she tidn't
know."

"Is this true, Watty?"

"She can chust co and leuk the chief's foots an' see. Why, the tins o'
meat all coom oot lumps o' ice, and the soup freezes in the galley where
the fire's purning. She niver knew it could pe sae caud, or she'd ha'
stoppit at hame."

Watty was quite right, for the cold struck in everywhere; and if it had
not been for the great fire kept going in the engine furnace, the ship
would have been unbearable. For the cold produced so utter an
insensibility in the extremities that the doctor had to keep a very
watchful eye over the men, several of whom were slightly frost-bitten.

But he was well backed up by the four Norwegians, who had learned in
their own severe winters something of the power of the frost; and hence
it was that, when the darkness set in entirely for their four months'
night, all were still in excellent health.

"Help me, Steve, in every way you can, my lad. Let's keep the men's
spirits up till the twenty-first of December."

"You mean till the end of March," said Steve gloomily.

"No, my lad; as I said, till the twenty-first of December. Only get
that day past, and I can say to the men, `the sun is on its way back;
patience, and we shall once more have the light.'"

"What shall I do to help you?"

"First of all, cast off that despondent way, my lad, and set others an
example. You, I, and Mr Handscombe can't afford to be low-spirited.
There: be yourself, cheery and bright. I'm ready to encourage you in
starting games or sports. Anything to keep the men in a cheerful
state."

Steve tried, but in spite of moon and star-shine, more brilliant than
any present had ever seen before, abundant food, long walks for exercise
whenever the weather would permit, and, above all, encouragement to
sleep as long as they felt disposed, there was a peculiar depression
steadily creeping over the men with which it grew harder and harder to
battle.

At first they were merry and cheery enough in the glow of the fire, they
sang all the songs they knew, and joined in chorus; the fiddle was heard
going, and often enough the tune kept time with the beating of feet, as
the men tried the steps of some hornpipes. And on other nights Andrew's
pipes made most dismal sounds, to the great delight of the Scots; but
after the mishap to on