n by the rigging, and had a good look round. But on his left
there was nothing but the long, low ice cliff; on his right the
glittering sea, flecked with grey sea-birds floating above or calmly
sitting on the blue water.

He leaped down, gave Skene a pat, promised him some breakfast, and was
going aft toward the galley, but just then Johannes had turned the skin
back over the bare skull, pretty well restoring the shape of the head,
and he held it up.

"Make a grand ornament, sir, when it's done. Fine ivory teeth, hasn't
it?"

"Yes. Lend it to me a moment."

He took hold of the head, and at that moment became conscious of the
fact that Watty's greasy shock head was thrust outside of the galley,
and that the lad was watching him with a sneering grin upon his
countenance. There was not the slightest occasion to take any notice,
but these derisive grins made Steve feel hot, and as if he must punch
that head as hard as ever he could, for if he did not he told himself
that the annoyance would grow worse. He paid no further heed to the boy
then, but carried the heavy head to where Skene lay curled up to try the
effect upon the dog. That was visible directly in the ruffling up of
the thick frill and a low, deep growl; but the next minute Skene gave a
short bark, and curled his tail over his nose again, as if quite
satisfied that he was only being played with, and Steve bore back the
trophy.

"Knows better," said Johannes, smiling in his grave way; "dogs have got
more sense than we think for."

"Cooks' boys haven't," said Steve shortly, as he heard a low, jeering
chuckle, and saw that Watty had been watching him all the time, and now
drew in his head for a few moments, but thrust it out again to indulge
in another grin, which made Steve writhe and show his annoyance so
plainly that the Norseman said quietly:

"Don't take any notice of his sauce."

"No, I won't," said Steve shortly, as the head was withdrawn. But the
next moment--the cook being apparently too much engaged to notice the
conduct of his help--Watty thrust out his head again, and, seeing the
annoyance he gave, uttered another low, derisive chuckle.

Steve, unable to control himself, made an angry gesture, and the boy
withdrew his grinning face.

"He'll do it again directly," thought Steve; and, acting on the impulse
of the moment, he caught up the bear's head, ran sharply the few steps
to the galley door, stood ready close up to the side waiting;