aid Captain Marsham.

"Oh! oh! Ah, then that would help you a bit. Ice is ice, sir, all the
world over."

"Of course."

"But there, you give it up, sir: that's my advice. Take a trip a little
way if you like, and do your bit of shooting; you can do that without
any risks. Then come back. Why, only last year--let me see, it was the
beginning of June, like this is--a well-formed, strongly built schooner
touched here--the _Ice Blink_ they called her--from Hull, Captain
Young--"

"Yes," said Captain Marsham quietly; "and they sailed north, and have
not been heard of since."

"Eh? How did you know?" cried the consul. "Oh, of course, from the
papers."

"Yes, and from other sources too, Captain Hendal. Mr Young is--"

"Was," muttered the Norwegian.

"_Is_, sir," said Captain Marsham sternly, "a very old friend of mine,
and this lad's uncle. We are going to try and find out where they are
frozen up."

A complete change came over the Norwegian, who took a step forward and
clapped his hands heavily upon Captain Marsham's shoulders. Then
turning smartly, he caught Steve by the hand, shook it heartily, and
ended by resting his left arm on the boy's shoulder as he gazed down at
him with his keen blue eyes looking moist.

"God bless you, my lad!" he cried in a deep voice, "and your expedition
too. Right, Captain Marsham, and I beg your pardon. I thought you were
going on a risky fowling trip, and it made me angry to think of your
taking a lad like that up into yon solitudes. But it will not be dark
to you when the sun goes down; there's always a bright light in the
hearts of those who go to help others in distress. Now, then, what can
I do to help you? For I say God-speed to your trip with all my heart."

"Thank you, thank you. Well, you can help me in several ways. As an
old ice-goer you can give me many hints. Above all, as a brother-sailor
you know the value of a good crew. I have some trusty men, but I want
four more--young, strong, hearty, Norway lads, who have been well among
the walrus, and who can tackle a whale or a bear."

"Then you mean work?"

"Certainly. I will not believe my friend is lost, though I am going up
yonder; so I make this a pleasure and hunting trip."

"So as to pay expenses?" said the Norwegian.

"Yes. This special steamer and her fittings mean some thousands of
pounds, and I think I may as well reduce the cost all I can."

"Of course; and you have called your steam