e worst of it
is, you always feel so terribly cold when your clothes stick to your
back. We'll just have to take chances, and make a heaping fire. Who
cares if those men do see it, and come sneaking around? What've we
carried guns up here for, if we can't defend ourselves in a pinch? Seems
to me, I'd rather get in a hot box with that crowd, than shake to pieces
with a chill. I had pneumonia once, and don't hanker after trying it
again, if I know it."

Still Ned said not a word, only increased his pace, if such a thing were
possible. The others came trailing along after him, almost out of breath
with trying to talk, and at the same time keep pace with their leader.

There was no longer any doubt but that the rain was starting in. The
breeze had increased imperceptibly, so that it was now blowing quite
stiffly. Looking out over the water, they found that the fog was quickly
thinning out. Already could they see several times as far as before, and
the distance was widening constantly.

"There is a vessel out there!" cried Teddy. "I saw her as plain as your
hat just then, when the fog lifted a little. Watch over there, and see.
How's that, Ned? Was I right?"

"She's there, without a question, Teddy, and I give you credit for
having sharper eyes than anybody believed," the patrol leader told him,
only too well pleased to find an opportunity to compliment the explorer.

"What kind of a vessel would you call her, Ned?" asked Jimmy; while
Francois stood and stared and listened, still believing that the boat
must be a phantom, such as was likely to vanish before their very eyes,
as might a wisp of trailing fog.

"I've seen whalers and sealers built like her," was the verdict of the
leader.

The fog was being carried away more rapidly now, and the boys soon made
another discovery that interested them. This was nothing more nor less
than the fact that a second, yes, a third and even a fourth vessel of
apparently the same tonnage lay at anchor further away, possibly a
couple of miles from shore.

"Take a good look while you can, fellows," Ned told them "because I
reckon that the wonderful disappearing fleet is before you right now. We
can say we've set eyes on the mystery of Hudson Bay, even if we never
learn what the answer is."

They all stared as hard as they could.

Meanwhile, Ned had unslung his glasses and was adjusting them to his
eyes. There was enough of the fog still floating around to make seeing
something of