give poor Marsham the first
dose. Come along."

"But the medicine chest is here," said Steve.

"Yes, but this is a different medicine. I have some one mixing it, and
I persuaded Johannes to take the fireman's place and keep the furnace
going. On with your cap, and come on. Mitts, too, for it's colder than
ever."

Steve gave one more look at the captain, who lay there stern and calm
now, as if sleeping more peacefully, and then followed Mr Handscombe to
the engine-room, from which came up the clatter of an iron shovel and
the rattle of coals.

"That's better," said the doctor, "I've roused Johannes up to work. Now
let's go and see if the physic is ready."

Steve followed again, the doctor carrying a lanthorn along the dark,
crackling deck, whose canvas roof and walls glittered with pendent
icicles which made it resemble some wonderful grotto, while in the
neighbourhood of the engine-room the deck was slippery with the frozen
moisture. There was a warm glow of light by the galley, though, and a
faint sound from the humming stove was breaking the stillness of the
place, while quite a burst of hot light saluted them as the doctor
opened the door.

"Well, cook, my physic ready?"

"Yes, sir, gallons of it, as strong as I can make it. But I do want a
little help, sir. Can't you make that boy Watty rouse up? He'd be
better here than in his bunk."

"I'll try--I mean we'll try," said the doctor. "That's right. One
basin now, not much, for the captain; then we'll come back for the rest.
Hah! excellent. Try it, Captain Steve."

The cook stared, and Steve unwillingly tasted the strong soup.

"Go on," cried the doctor. "It takes ten table-spoonfuls to properly
try that stuff."

Steve went on, took his ten table-spoonfuls, and felt better.

"Hah! I knew you would," cried the doctor. "Now look: we must keep up
that medicine till further orders, and see if we can't bring the men
round. There are plenty of tins of preserved meat in store?"

"Any amount, sir; and plenty of reindeer meat still."

"Then we shan't break down there. Now, then, captain, _en avant_!"

They returned to the cabin, Steve carrying a small basin and the doctor
a large one, which he handed down to Johannes on the way, the Norseman
receiving it in a sad, awed, depressed way, and promising to eat it at
once. But they had very little success in the cabin, and Steve's
spirits, which had been rising, sank again as they returned to the