possible at the time.

Immediately behind the village there stood a small iceberg, which had
grounded there some years before, and was so little reduced in size or
shape by the action of each brief summer's sun that it had become to the
people almost as familiar a landmark as the solid rocks. In this berg
there was a beautiful sea-green cavern whose depths had never yet been
fathomed. It was supposed to be haunted, and was therefore visited only
by the more daring and courageous among the children of the tribe.
Tumbler and Pussi were unquestionably the most daring among these--
partly owing to native bravery in both, and partly to profound ignorance
and inexperience of danger.

"Let's go to ze g'een cave," suggested Tumbler.

Pussi returned that most familiar of replies--a nod.

We cannot, of course, convey the slightest idea of the infantine Eskimo
lisp. As before said, we must be content with the nearest English
equivalent.

The green cave was not more than half a mile distant from the village.
To reach it the children had to get upon the sea-ice, and this involved
crossing what has been termed the ice-foot--namely, that belt of broken
up and shattered ice caused by the daily tides--at the point where the
grounded ice meets that which is afloat. It is a chaotic belt, varying
in character and width according to position and depth of water, and
always more or less dangerous to the tender limbs of childhood.

Encountering thus an opportunity for mischievous daring at the very
beginning of their ramble, our jovial hero and heroine proceeded to
cross, with all the breathless, silent, and awesome delight that
surrounds half-suspected wickedness--for they were quite old enough to
know that they were on forbidden ground.

"Come, you's not frighted?" said Tumbler, holding out his hand, as he
stood on the top of a block, encouraging his companion to advance.

"No--not fri--frighted--but--"

She caught the extended hand, slipped her little foot, and slid
violently downward, dragging the boy along with her.

Scrambling to their feet, Pussi looked inclined to whimper, but as
Tumbler laughed heartily, she thought better of it, and joined him.

Few of the riven masses by which they were surrounded were much above
five or six feet thick; but as the children were short of stature, the
place seemed to the poor creatures an illimitable world of icy
confusion, and many were the slips, glissades, and semi-falls which they