or rabbit down amongst the trees or
bushes beneath them, he gave a low growl. One night he sprang to his feet
and barked very loudly and angrily.

The Crusoes were awake at once.

And no wonder, for terrible noises, like distant thunder, were heard just
beneath their feet. They were startled still more when explosion after
explosion took place, both in the air and in the earth, while the ground
was shaken under them.

It was a curious, giddy movement, and made them all feel rather sick.

Then the thunder-storm burst in earnest, with rain and hail in torrents,
and the whole island seemed to be on fire with the lightning.

Tom had to take Pansy in his arms to soothe her, for she shook and
trembled like a little bird. But in two hours it was all over, and the
stars were shining as bright and large and near as before.

* * * * *

Sometimes the moon shone with a stronger light than it ever does in this
country. It seemed so close to them, too, that Pansy used to say it was
only just resting on the snowy hill-top.

On moonlit days the children were always abroad in the forest or by the
lake-side watching Flossy catching fish. She dived and swam far more
quickly than an eel.

It is terribly dreary to want the sun, but after a month one gets used to
it. Besides, one knows that bright and beautiful days are on ahead. Older
people might have felt very weary, but none of our Crusoes lost heart.

I have not told you yet of the Aurora Borealis, which was best seen on
dark, starry nights. It was not in the north only, but all around them,
great bright fringes of coloured lights--chiefly green, crimson, or pink.
How they danced and flickered, to be sure! Such dazzling beauty no pen
could describe, and I will not attempt it.

Well, Christmas-day came at last, and how glad they all were to be still
spared alive and in comfort!

Tom meant to make the most of it. But, of course, there was no turkey or
goose to roast. Instead, they had a splendid great rabbit stuffed with
nuts, and roasted roots to eat with it.

They had no crackers either, but Tom and Frank got an immense pile of dry
wood, and heaped it in the middle of the rocky bridge that led to the
mainland, and early in the day or night--whichever you like to call
it--they set it alight.

[Illustration]

Now, probably this pile saved some of their lives. It had been placed
there about five days before Christmas, and a huge bear, who h