on the dried meat they
carried on their backs, and the fresh meat and ptarmigan they procured
with bolt and arrow. At last they reached the coast.

It was a clear, sharp, starry night when they arrived at Wagtail Bay,
with an unusually splendid aurora lighting them on their way. Anxious
forebodings filled the breasts of most of the party, lest they should
find that their comrades had perished; but on coming in sight of the
principal hut, Oliver exclaimed, "There's a light in the window, and
smoke coming from--hurr--!"

He would have cheered, but Grummidge checked him.

"Shut up your hatchway, lad! Let us see what they are about before
goin' in."

They all advanced noiselessly, Grummidge leading, Strongbow bringing up
the rear. The hut had two windows of parchment, which glowed with the
light inside, but through which they could not see, except by means of
one or two very small holes, to which eager eyes were instantly applied.
A most comfortable scene was presented, and jovial sounds smote the
ears of those who listened. As far as they could make out every man of
the crew was there, except, of course, Big Swinton and Jim Heron. Some
were playing draughts, some were mending nets or fashioning bows, and
others were telling stories or discussing the events of the past day.

But a great change for the better was perceptible both in words and
manners, for some of the seed which Paul Burns had let fall by the
wayside, had, all unexpectedly, found good ground in several hearts, and
was already bearing fruit. Dick Swan and Spitfire no longer quarrelled
as they played together, and Bob Crow no longer swore.

"Heigho!" exclaimed the latter at the end of a game, as he stretched his
arms above his head, "I wonder if we'll ever play draughts in Old
England or see our friends again!"

"You'll see some of 'em to-night, anyhow, God bless ye, Bob Crow," cried
Grummidge, as he flung open the door and sprang in, while his
snow-sprinkled comrades came tramp, tramp, in a line behind him!

Who can describe that meeting as they shook hands, gasped, exclaimed,
laughed--almost cried; while Blackboy leaped around wildly joyful at the
sight of so many old friends? We will not attempt it; but, leaving them
there, we will conduct the reader down to a small creek hard by, where a
curious sight may be seen--a small ship on the stocks nearly finished,
which will clearly be ready to launch on the first open water.

From the wreck of t