hers, taking off their coats, commenced digging at this
with considerable energy for some length of time. But, Eric soon
discovered that, easy as the thing looked, it was a much tougher job
than he had expected, the ground being very hard from the fact of its
never having had a spade put into it before; besides which, the exercise
was one to which the lad was unaccustomed.

"Really, I must rest," he exclaimed after a bit, his hands being then
blistered, while he was bathed in perspiration from head to foot. He
did not wish to give in so long as he saw Fritz plodding on laboriously,
especially as he had made light of the matter when they began; but now
he really had to confess to being beaten. "I declare," he panted out,
half-breathlessly--"my back feels broken, and I couldn't dig another
spadeful to save my life!"

"You went at it too hard at first," said his brother. "Slow and sure is
the best in the long run, you know! Why, I haven't tired myself half as
much as you; and, see, I have turned over twice the distance of hard
ground that you have."

"Ah, you are used to it," replied Eric. "I'm more accustomed to
ploughing the sea than turning up land! But, I say, Fritz; while you go
on digging--that is if you're not tired--I've just thought of something
else I can do, so as not to be idle."

"What is that--look on at me working, eh?"

"No," said the lad, laughing at the other's somewhat ironical question;
"I mean doing something really--something that will be helping you and
be of service to the garden."

"Well, tell me," replied Fritz, industriously going on using his spade
with the most praiseworthy assiduity, not pausing for a moment even
while he was speaking; for, he was anxious to have the ground finished
as soon as he could.

"I thought that some of the guano from the place where the penguins make
their nests would be fine stuff to manure our garden with before we put
in the seeds, eh?"

"The very thing," said Fritz. "It's a capital idea of yours; and I am
glad you thought of it, as it never occurred to me. I recollect now,
that the Tristaner said they used it for the little gardens we saw at
their settlement. It will make our potatoes and cabbages grow finely."

"All right then; shall I get some?"

"By all means," responded Fritz; "and, while you are collecting it, I
will go on preparing the ground ready for it; I've nearly done half now,
so, by the time you get back with the guano I shall ha