aid so," was Captain Dinks' reply; "but I hope it won't come for
another hour at least." He then hailed the steward down the companion-
way, telling him to bring up his sextant from the cabin.

Fortunately, it just kept clear enough for an observation to be taken;
and when Captain Dinks had worked it out, both he and Mr Meldrum acting
independently so as to test the accuracy of the reckoning, it was found
that the ship was in 48 degrees 50 minutes south latitude, and 68
degrees 40 minutes east longitude. Consequently, the land they were
approaching could be none other than Kerguelen Land.

"As we now know where we are," said Mr Meldrum, when the fact was
established, "we must give the island as wide a berth as we can, for the
coast is most dangerous; and in winter-time, as it is now, July being
the December of the antipodes, the most fearful storms are said to
spring up at a moment's notice in its vicinity. As the wind is still
from the north-west, and we are well up to the northward, I should try
to weather it if possible; and, if we can't do that, we must pass to the
south of the land."

"Very good," replied the captain. "Only, you know the poor old _Nancy_
cannot sail as well now, as she could when in full trim. I don't at all
like the look of the weather, though, Mr Meldrum. It seems to me that
ono of those coast storms you were speaking of is brewing up. The ice,
too, is getting thick round us again; and if a fog comes on again we'll
be in a worse position than yesterday, for then we'd plenty of sea-room
at any rate, while now, we have that blessed island almost dead to
leeward."

"We must trust in Providence," said Mr Meldrum, "and keep a sharp look-
out if the fog thickens; but try to beat to windward we must, if
possible!"

During the bright morning, the hands, working diligently under the
supervision and help of the first mate and Adams, the second, had been
trying to make the _Nancy Bell_ a little more shipshape, and, although
they had been greatly hampered through the ropes and running gear being
frozen so stiff that it was almost impossible to unbend or run them,
they succeeded finally in trussing the mainyard again and splicing the
braces, so that they now were able to set the mainsail reefed, a welcome
addition to the limited sailing power of the ship in working to
windward.

All things were proceeding very satisfactorily in the afternoon, by
which time they had got the land to bear well on t