e of his feet, a burn which refused to heal, "ta
pipes" found no more favour in the Highlander's eyes, and he grew
low-spirited and irritable to a degree that made him snatch the pipes
one day from Watty, who had taken them down "to hae a blaw," as he
called it, and strike him across the head with the big drone.

Johannes was taken into consultation in the cabin, where they were in
pretty good spirits, Steve being occupied in helping the doctor and
captain in keeping the log, and noting down the observations they made
with the instruments and on the weather; but the Norseman shook his
head.

"I'm trying all I know, sir," he said; "but it's a hard task. I'm only
an unlearned man, and do not understand these things well; but it seems
to me, sir, that nothing was ever meant to live up here in the coldest
time. The birds have gone south, we have not seen the track of deer or
wolf for a month, and it is six weeks now since we have seen the
footprint of a bear. It is nature's long, dark, cold night, sir, where
nothing is meant to live."

"Humph!" said the captain shortly; "and so you are going to give in too,
and turn coward, eh?"

"No, sir," said the Norseman firmly; "and you know that I do not deserve
those words. Jakobsen and our two Nordoe brothers have done all they
can to keep up the men's spirits, and we shall do this, whether we live
or die, to the end."

"Of course you will, Johannes," said Steve warmly, as he was aware of a
peculiar sensation in his eyes; and then felt brighter than he had for
days, for the captain made a quick movement and snatched off the thick
fur glove he was obliged to wear in the heated cabin, even while he
wrote, for the ink still froze at a short distance from the fire.

Captain Marsham's movement was to hold out his hand to the Norseman, and
have it seized in a grip of iron.

"I beg your pardon, Johannes," he said. "My words were unjust."

"Say no more, sir," said the man, smiling. "You are the captain, and
have a right to speak words to bring your men up to their work."

"But they are not needed with you, my lad," said the captain warmly.
"But the others, what can we do to stir them out of this depressed
state?"

"Work them, sir. We want some great thing to draw them out of thinking
about themselves. Walks and ordinary work depress them. We want some
great call made upon them for their help."

"Yes; and how can that call be made?"

Johannes shook his head. The sugg