k he observed a long stretch of level
floe to the northward.

"I think it likely," he remarked to Saunders, who had accompanied him,
"that they may have gone in that direction. It seems an attractive road
among the chaos of ice-heaps."

"I'm no sure o' that," objected Saunders; "yonder's a pretty clear road
away to the west, maybe they took that."

"Perhaps they did, but as Fred said they had gone far out on the ice _to
the north_, I think it likely they've gone in _that_ direction."

"Maybe yer right sir, and maybe yer wrang," answered Saunders, as they
returned to the party. As this was the second mate's method of
intimating that he _felt_ that he ought to give in (though he didn't
give in, and never would give in, _absolutely_), the captain felt more
confidence in his own opinion.

"Now, Meetuck, keep your eyes open," he added, as they resumed their
rapid march.

After journeying on for a considerable distance, the men were ordered to
spread out over the neighbouring ice-fields, in order to multiply the
chances of discovering tracks; but there seemed to be some irresistible
power of attraction which drew them gradually together again, however
earnestly they might try to keep separate. In fact, they were beginning
to be affected by the long-continued march and the extremity of the
cold.

This last was so great that constant motion was absolutely necessary in
order to prevent them from freezing. There was no time allowed for
rest--life and death were in the scale. Their only hope lay in a
continuous and rapid advance, so as to reach the lost men ere they
should freeze or die of starvation.

"Holo! look 'eer!" shouted Meetuck, as he halted and went down on his
knees to examine some marks on the snow.

"These are tracks," cried Captain Guy eagerly. "What think you,
Saunders?"

"They look like it."

"Follow them up, Meetuck. Go in advance, my lad, and let the rest of
you scatter again."

In a few minutes there was a cry heard, and as the party hastened
towards the spot whence it came, they found Davie Summers pointing
eagerly to a little snow-hut in the midst of a group of bergs.

With hasty steps they advanced towards it and the captain, with a
terrible misgiving at heart, crept in.

"Ah, then, is it yerself, darlint?" were the first words that greeted
him.

A loud cheer from those without told that they heard and recognised the
words. Immediately two of them crept in, and, striking a light,