"I--I can't help it!" cried Steve piteously, as he now broke down
completely. "I--I have tried so hard, Mr Handscombe. I have done
everything till now, and it's of no use. I must lie down now like the
rest, and give up, for we shall never see the day again."

A pair of frozen mittens was thrown down, and Steve's hand was grasped.

"You have done everything, my lad," cried the doctor warmly. "I have
said nothing, but I have not been blind. I have watched the brave,
unselfish way in which you have tried to help and encourage the others;
but you have not done yet. Poor Lowe has taken to his bunk quite
helpless, and there is hardly a man ready to stir. We two have to take
things in hand, and the lot has fallen on us to try and save the crew of
this ship. I am only the doctor, so you must take the captain's place,
and go on fighting to the end."

"I can't," groaned Steve. "The end is close at hand now. I must give
up."

"A British boy ought never to give up, my lad," cried the doctor warmly;
"and you are not going to. They say that doctors say while there is
life there is hope. Well, captains ought to feel the same with their
crews and ships. If it were the end of November, I should be ready to
take a despondent view of our position; but we shall soon be having
March and the light. And you talk of giving up? Nonsense! You and I,
Steve, must be ready to show that we are made of better stuff. Come,
your hand upon it. Pluck works wonders, and you have plenty in you yet,
though it is a little bit frozen. Now, then, British boy, you'll fight
with me till you die? Come!"

"Yes!" cried Steve, for these words seemed to galvanise him into action.

"Hah! I thought so," cried the doctor. "Never say die, eh?"

"Never say die!" cried Steve half hysterically, for long watching and
the strain had terribly lowered his tone.

"Come along, then, captain. Your crew is sick all but the cook."

"And the Norsemen," said Steve.

"They're breaking down, boy. Even stout, staunch old Johannes has
caught the fever this morning."

"Fever?"

"Well, the complaint, my lad. He is sickening from the terrible
depression. It is more than human nature can stand to see one's
fellow-creatures breaking down day by day. There are limits to
endurance, and sooner or later every one must break down--except doctors
and deputy captains. Now, come on and help me administer medicine.
We'll get it, and then come back here and