ee it now?"

Frank's eyes sparkled. He sprang out of his berth, and waved his fur cap
in triumph.

"See it?" he exclaimed; "of course I do! The exploring party is to start
at last. Do I go with the expedition?"

"It is not very long since you were in the doctor's hands, Frank," said
Crayford, kindly. "I doubt if you are strong enough yet to make one of
the exploring party."

"Strong enough or not," returned Frank, "any risk is better than pining
and perishing here. Put me down, Crayford, among those who volunteer to
go."

"Volunteers will not be accepted, in this case," said Crayford. "Captain
Helding and Captain Ebsworth see serious objections, as we are situated,
to that method of proceeding."

"Do they mean to keep the appointments in their own hands?" asked Frank.
"I for one object to that."

"Wait a little," said Crayford. "You were playing backgammon the other
day with one of the officers. Does the board belong to him or to you?"

"It belongs to me. I have got it in my locker here. What do you want
with it?"

"I want the dice and the box for casting lots. The captains have
arranged--most wisely, as I think--that Chance shall decide among us who
goes with the expedition and who stays behind in the huts. The officers
and crew of the _Wanderer_ will be here in a few minutes to cast the
lots. Neither you nor any one can object to that way of deciding among
us. Officers and men alike take their chance together. Nobody can
grumble."

"I am quite satisfied," said Frank. "But I know of one man among the
officers who is sure to make objections."

"Who is the man?"

"You know him well enough, too. The 'Bear of the Expeditions' Richard
Wardour."

"Frank! Frank! you have a bad habit of letting your tongue run away with
you. Don't repeat that stupid nickname when you talk of my good friend,
Richard Wardour."

"Your good friend? Crayford! your liking for that man amazes me."

Crayford laid his hand kindly on Frank's shoulder. Of all the officers
of the _Sea-mew_, Crayford's favorite was Frank.

"Why should it amaze you?" he asked. "What opportunities have you had of
judging? You and Wardour have always belonged to different ships. I have
never seen you in Wardour's society for five minutes together. How can
_you_ form a fair estimate of his character?"

"I take the general estimate of his character," Frank answered. "He
has got his nickname because he is the most unpopular man in his ship.
Nobody likes h