dered to stay there
till my return.

"You won't be afraid of the seal," said I, "will you? He is very
good-natured. Nero, come here."

It was rather dark as Nero came shuffling up, and I went forward to coax
him, for he snarled a little at seeing a stranger.

"Have you no light at hand?" said my companion, speaking for the first
time, in a very soft yet clear voice.

"No, I have not, but I will get some tinder, and make a fire with one of
the fagots, and then you will be able to see."

"Do so, then, my good lad," replied she.

I thought her voice very pleasing.

I soon lighted the fagot and enabled her to see Nero (who was now quite
quiet), and also the interior of the cabin.

She examined the cabin and the bed-places, and then said:

"Where do you sleep?"

I replied by showing her my bed-place. "And this," said I, pointing to
the one opposite, "was Jackson's, and you can sleep in that. Nero
sleeps with me. Here are plenty of seal-skins to keep you warm, if you
are cold. Are your clothes wet?"

"No, they are quite dry now," replied she; "if you will get me some
seal-skins, I will lie down on them, for I am very tired."

I spread five or six skins one on the other, in Jackson's bed-place, and
then I went out and threw another fagot on the fire, that we might have
more light.

"Do you want anything else?" said I.

"Nothing, I thank you. Are you going to bed now?"

"I was meaning to go down again to the men, but now I think of it, I do
not like to leave you alone with Nero, as he might bite you. Are you
afraid of him?"

"No, I'm not much afraid, but still I have no wish to be bitten, and I
am not used to sleep with such animals, as you are."

"Well then, I'll tell you how we'll manage it. I will take some skins
outside, and sleep there. Nero will not leave me, and then you won't be
afraid. The weather is clearing up fast, and there's very little wind
to what there was besides, it will be daylight in three or four hours."

"As you please," was the reply.

Accordingly, I took some seal-skins out on the platform, and spreading
them, I lay down upon them, wishing her good night, and Nero soon joined
me, and we were both fast asleep in a few minutes.

CHAPTER TWENTY.

Nero, who was an early riser, woke me up at daybreak, or I should have
slept much longer; for I had been tired out with the fatigue and
excitement of the night before. As soon as I was up, I looked into the
cabin, and fo