came, and three hours later the steamer lay at anchor off the city of
St. John's.

The party had funds enough to secure a change of apparel and respectable
quarters, until they should hear from Waring's father, to whom he had
telegraphed their safe arrival, and want of money. A telegram to the
wife of the new captain of the Mercedes, conveyed to Baltimore the news
of the death of her brother-in-law.

Of course the party received much attention, and for a few days they
were the lions of the city, although tales of adventure on the ice are
of too frequent occurrence in St. John's, to awaken any lasting
interest; for scarcely a winter elapses without the arrival of one or
more crews who have seen their vessel disappear beneath the resistless
pressure of colliding icebergs.

CHAPTER XXIII.

THE CAPTAIN'S VISIT.--HOMEWARD BOUND.--BROTHER AND SISTER.

At last the expected draft arrived, and the party were to leave for
Halifax the next day in the Cunard steamer. La Salle had invited Captain
Randall to spend the evening in a private parlor of the hotel, and at
eight o'clock he was ushered in, and found no other guest save his first
mate, Mr. Blake, who was still first officer of the Mercedes.

The table was well spread with delicacies, and although some constraint
existed, the wine did its work, and soon Blake and Randall were laughing
and joking, as if no cause for ill-feeling existed between them. At
Randall's request La Salle gave a summary of their adventures,
concluding the recital as follows:--

"Thus passed the long days of our anxious drift, until your vessel
steamed back to her old sealing-ground, and we left forever behind us
our ice-built hut and the Deadman's Berg."

The effect was magical. The smiles faded from the faces of the guests.
Randall's lips were drawn and thin, his eyes fixed and glittering, and
one hand stole stealthily to his hip. Regnar, too, was pale, but not
with fear, and his hand grasped the hilt of the antique dagger.

"Let me help you to some of this, captain," said La Salle; and rising,
he uncovered a small dish before him, and taking from thence a pair of
Derringers, presented them at the head of his astounded guest. "Up with
your hands, murderer," he said, sternly, "or you die on the instant!" At
the same time Blake and Regnar seized him by the arms.

"What is the meaning of all this?" asked Waring, trembling and appalled.

"Dis no good, La Salle. No Injin hurt man in his w