ard the
_Flying Fish_, the engines having been temporarily stopped to receive
him, they found themselves in open water, or rather in a straight
channel some twelve miles in width and entirely free from ice, with a
clear sky overhead, a light easterly wind blowing, and the evening sun
lighting up the snow-clad peaks of the extensive island called North
Devon. An hour later, dinner having been postponed on account of their
near proximity to the land, the two vessels entered a commodious natural
harbour called Hyde Bay, and anchored there for the night, in order to
give the whaler's exhausted crew an opportunity to snatch a few hours of
much-needed rest.

The master of the _Walrus_, who answered, by the way, to the name of
Hudson, though only a bluff hearty seaman, and somewhat shy for the
first half-hour or so in such unaccustomed company as that of his four
well-bred easy-mannered entertainers, gradually thawed out under the
genial influence of the baronet's champagne, and proved himself a
tolerably well informed and by no means disagreeable companion. He
possessed a fund of interesting anecdote and information with respect to
the peculiarities of the region his hosts were now visiting for the
first time, and imparted to them many valuable hints as to the best
means of protecting themselves from the ice; but, as they did not see
fit to inform him of the aerial capabilities of the _Flying Fish_, he
laughed to scorn their project of reaching the North Pole, which he
assured them most solemnly was an utter impossibility. They duly drank
the unconscious Florrie's health, treated her father to some excellent
music, gave him a file of the latest newspapers they had brought with
them, and sent him back to his own ship at midnight a thoroughly happy
man.

On the following morning about half-past eight, whilst the party on
board the _Flying Fish_ were sitting down to breakfast, the sound of
oars was heard close alongside; and a minute later Captain Hudson,
ushered by George, made his appearance in the saloon. He was in a great
hurry and almost breathlessly explained that he had come on board to
repeat his thanks and those of his crew for their rescue of the previous
day, and to say "Good-bye," as he was about to weigh and proceed to sea
in chase of a large school of whales which had just been seen spouting
at a distance of some twelve miles in the offing. The baronet was good-
natured enough to offer to tow him to the scen