kindled
a lamp, which revealed the careworn forms of their lost comrades
stretched on the ground in their sleeping-bags. They were almost
exhausted for want of food, but otherwise they were uninjured.

The first congratulations over, the rescue party immediately proceeded
to make arrangements for passing the night. They were themselves little
better than those whom they had come to save, having performed an
uninterrupted march of eighteen hours without food or drink.

It was touching to see the tears of joy and gratitude that filled the
eyes of the poor fellows, who had given themselves up for lost as they
watched the movements of their comrades while they prepared food for
them; and the broken, fitful conversation was mingled strangely with
alternate touches of fun and deep feeling, indicating the conflicting
emotions that struggled in their breasts.

"I knowed ye would come, Captain; bless you, sir," said Amos Parr in an
unsteady voice.

"Come! Av coorse ye knowed it," cried O'Riley energetically. "Och, but
don't be long wid the mate, darlints, me stummik's shut up intirely."

"There won't be room for us all here, I'm afraid," remarked Bolton.

This was true. The hut was constructed to hold six, and it was
impossible that ten could _sleep_ in it, although they managed to
squeeze in.

"Never mind that," cried the captain. "Here, take a drop of soup;
gently, not too much at a time."

"Ah, then, it's cruel of ye, it is, to give me sich a small taste!"

It was necessary, however, to give men in their condition a "small
taste" at first, so O'Riley had to rest content. Meanwhile the rescue
party supped heartily, and, after a little more food had been
administered to the half-starved men, preparations were made for
spending the night. The tent was pitched, and the sleeping-bags spread
out on the snow, then Captain Guy offered up fervent thanks to God for
his protection thus far, and prayed shortly but earnestly for
deliverance from their dangerous situation, after which they all lay
down and slept soundly till morning--or at least as soundly as could be
expected with a temperature at 55 degrees below zero.

Next morning they prepared to set out on their return to the ship. But
this was no easy task. The exhausted men had to be wrapped up carefully
in their blankets, which were sewed closely round their limbs, then
packed in their sleeping-bags and covered completely up, only a small
hole being left oppo