e rapidly went on
with his task.

"No, never."

"Oh!" ejaculated the Norseman, and he looked across at his companion
inquiringly, but with his busy fingers working away till the last piece
had been securely bound at the port side and a short wooden ladder
extended from side to side.

"Now, what's next?" asked Steve.

"Get up the crow's-nest. It'll want two of us for that."

"Well, I'll help," said Steve.

"Ay, sir, and I'd like your help; but it'll want one of my mates, with
his strong arms, to hold her securely while she's made fast."

He hailed the deck, and a man came up with a small rope, which Johannes
took, climbed up a little higher and passed the end through a little
block high up just below the truck, drew upon it, and sent the end of
the line down rapidly to the deck.

"Then this crow's-nest is for a look-out place?" said Steve.

"That's it, sir. Makes a nice snug cover for a man to stand in when
we're among the walrus or seals, or seeking a way through the ice."

"And this ladder is for a man to creep up and get in through the
bottom?"

"Right again, sir; you don't want no telling. He creeps up the ladder,
in through the bottom, shuts the door down, and there he is, able to
look out eight or nine miles any way."

Steve looked down, and could see that the men on deck were making the
great cask fast to the end of the line. Then, turning to the man again:

"You said something about looking out for ice."

"Ay, sir, I did."

"How long will it be before we come in sight of any?"

The sailors both looked at him and smiled.

"'Bout as long as it takes to cast your eyes to the nor'ard, sir."

"What do you mean?"

"Look yonder," said the first Norseman, jerking his thumb over his
shoulder. "You can see ice, can't you?"

Steve looked in the direction indicated, and shook his head.

"Nonsense, sir!" said the other. "There's ice--one, two, three
good-sized bits floating this way."

"I can't see them," said Steve sadly. "Your eyes are better than mine."

"Maybe, sir. We've been at sea longer than you. Try again."

The boy looked, holding on by passing his arm round one of the shrouds,
while the mast gave from the pressure of the wind, and produced a
peculiar effect, as of swinging, now that his attention was not directed
to the work going on.

"Feel all right?" said the first Norseman.

"Yes."

"Not giddy, sir?"

"No, I think not. I'm all right, but I can't see any ice."

"T