tern, filled it with snow, and
placed it above the flame. Regnar, noticing this, went out and brought
in the rude chest containing the remnants of their little stock of
coffee, and the basket with what was left of the day's lunch.

In the former were found a few matches, about a half pound of coffee,
perhaps a pound of sugar, a box and a half of sardines, and two or three
dozen ship's hard-bread. In the basket were left several slices of
bread, a junk of corned beef weighing about two pounds, and some apples
and doughnuts.

In a short time the tiny boiler, which held about a pint, was full of
boiling water, to which La Salle added some coffee, and soon each had a
small but refreshing draught, which helped wonderfully to restore their
usual warmth and vigor of circulation. From the lunch-basket, whose
contents had remained untouched all day, a slight meal was taken, and
then the remainder of the provisions put carefully away, although a
second cup of coffee was left preparing in the lantern for possible
contingencies.

La Salle looked at his watch--it was nearly eight o'clock.

"We are now well down off Point Prime, and are probably under the lee of
other ice, as we no longer feel the tossing of the sea. The boats are
all ready for use, but it is not likely we shall need them to-night,
unless, indeed--Let us hold a council of war, and decide at once on our
course of action."

[Illustration: ]

CHAPTER X.

THE COUNCIL.--PASSING THE CAPE.

Drawing his coat tightly around him, La Salle first drew aside the
rubber blanket which had been hung up for a door, and crawled out into
the storm. The snow still fell heavily, but although the wind blew very
hard, few drifts were formed, owing to the wet and heavy nature of the
large, soft flakes, although at times a flurry of sharp, stinging hail
rattled against the boats and the roof of the ice-chamber.

As nearly as he could judge, the wind was north-east, or perhaps a point
or two south of that, for at times there came warmer gusts, as if the
wind veered to a milder quarter. The roar of the sea could be plainly
heard, but evidently far up to windward, and there was little doubt that
they need have no apprehensions from that source at present.

Re-entering he found his friends anxiously awaiting his report on the
aspect of things outside, and he plunged at once into the gist of the
matter before them.

"I see no reason to expect any change in our situation unti