is deathbed. He shrank,
with a strength of feeling that surprised himself, from speaking to
Jacob about his infirmity, yet he felt the duty lying strong upon him,
for he knew well that, if nothing was said, the man would certainly go
back to his old habits on returning to the neighbourhood of the store
where drink could be obtained.

"Shall I break the ice at once?" thought Jack. "Perhaps it would be
well to wait till we know each other better."

"Don't," said the voice of his old laconic friend.

But Jack did wait, and the longer he waited the more disinclined to
speak did he become. He held strongly, however, that a right promise
once given should never be broken, and, under a feeling of desperation,
said to himself one day, "Would it not be much better to end this matter
by speaking without further delay?"

"Do," said conscience, approvingly.

And Jack did, then and there, the result being that Jacob Buckley did
not take it well, but told him flatly to mind his own business. Jack
flushed crimson and clenched his fist; then the absurdity of attempting
to knock sobriety into a man struck him, and he laughed as he said--

"Well, Buckley, that is just what I am doing, for it _is_ my business to
remonstrate with a comrade when I see him give way to a habit which will
result in his destruction if not abandoned."

After this Buckley allowed him to talk a little on the subject, but Jack
felt the work to be very distasteful. Eventually he gave it up,
consoling himself with the reflection that at all events he had brought
the man away on an expedition where nothing stronger than cold water and
hot tea was to be had for love or money.

At last the tide turned. On the same day a piece of great good and bad
fortune befell our explorers. It happened thus:--

Watty Wilkins roused himself from a golden dream one morning, threw off
his blanket looked up at the bush which served him and his comrades as a
canopy, and yawned. It was grey dawn. There was that clear sweet light
in the sky which gives sure promise of a fine day. Seeing that his
companions still slept, he drew from his breast a small Testament, read
a few verses, and prayed. This had been his custom ever since his
deliverance by the American ship.

Soon after, Jack moved his bulky frame, rolled round, threw out his
arms, and yawned. The yawn awakened Buckley, who immediately followed
suit--such is the force of example!

"I'll tell you what it is, ma