he air, and taking a
flight before resettling, they disturbed the newly-fallen, powdery snow,
which fell in showers, glittering in the brilliant sunshine like diamond
dust, and at times forming tiny rainbows, which came and went as the
_Hvalross_ glided on.

"We shall not starve here, Steve, in spite of the cold," said the
doctor, who now joined him. "This must be nesting time, and the storm
has disturbed the birds and invaded their nests. How grand it all seems
now one can look around without feeling one's heart in one's mouth, and
thinking that the next minute may be our last!"

"Then you felt frightened, too?" said Steve.

"Frightened? Why, my good lad, do you think any one could face peril
like that we have gone through without feeling frightened?"

"I should have thought brave men would."

"I should like to see the man who could pass through what we did
unmoved. Perhaps I'm wrong, my boy, but I don't think he has been born
yet. There, don't let's talk about it. Come and watch the man heaving
the lead."

They went forward to where Andrew was standing in the forechains busy
with the lead, casting it from time to time, for there were rocks all
about the entrance of the inlet or fiord they were making for; but the
lead always went down and down into deep water, and was rapidly hauled
up again, for all that was wanted was to know whether there was
sufficient depth for the vessel to pass along in safety.

"We're getting a lesson in arctic navigation, Steve," said the doctor
quietly. "People who sit at home at ease, as the song says, little know
how difficult it is."

"Ah! they don't know, indeed," said Steve. "Any one would think that
all we had to do was to steam right on till we were opposite the fiord,
and then turn to the right and go in at once."

"Which does not sound very nautical, Master Steve, and would result most
likely in landing the vessel upon the rocks. Water cold, Andra?" to the
man, as he hauled in the lead.

"Ferry, sir, ferry cauld inteet. She feels as if she hadna got any
fingers left. But it's a coot chop to do when she tidna know her way."

"Keep heaving more quickly!" cried the captain; and he then signalled to
the engine-room for more speed, while the Norsemen in the bows went on
fending off the pieces of ice through which they were now passing, the
surface being quite white with fragments.

The next moment there was a horrible crashing noise from astern, and
fresh orders