y:

"The shortest day, my boy! Well, why don't you look pleased? What are
you thinking about?"

"I was thinking," said Steve as he started out of a reverie, "that it
would be the longest night."

"Well, take it that way, then: the longest night, and the shortest day.
To-morrow the sun will have started on the backward journey, so come,
cheer up, and--"

They all sprang to their feet, for a terrific report somewhere on high
was followed by a crashing roar as of thunder, and with one consent they
hurried on deck and out into the snow.

All was silent by then, but a few moments later there was a rushing and
crashing sound, evidently on the steep mountain-side, in the direction
of the chasm through which they had been in the habit of making their
way to the open sea.

"An avalanche of ice and rocks," said the captain.

"Yes, sir," said Johannes, as the rushing sound stopped. "The frost
must have rent open some big rock, and this started the others in
falling."

Here was something to do.

"A good beginning, though a few hours too soon, my lads. We've reached
the shortest day, and it's time to be active once more. Quick! wrap up;
coats on, and mitts. We'll go and see what the ice avalanche has done."

The men returned to their quarters, but it was in a dull, spiritless
way, which Steve could not help noticing, but he said nothing then.

"Take guns, sir?" he asked, as they reached the cabin.

"We may as well, my lad, though I don't think there will be anything to
shoot."

Steve was ready first, and went out on deck, to see the men coming up
from the forecastle, looking big and uncouth in their hooded fur coats
and mittens; but no one spoke as they stood there in the gloom waiting
for orders. Steve peered about, but could not see the face he sought,
and he turned to Hamish, who was close at hand.

"Where's Watty?" he said.

"In her bunk, sir," said the man surlily.

"In his bunk? Why didn't you rouse him up? It will do him good to
come. Andra isn't here, either. He ought to try and walk as far as
we're going to-day."

"Na, let them be, sir," said the man. "Better let the puir chiels dee
in peace."

"For shame!" cried Steve hotly; "what do you mean by talking about dying
in peace?"

"Only that she may as weel lee doon and ket it ower, sir. She'll neffer
see Scotia acain."

"Hamish, I should be ashamed to say that if I were a big, strong fellow
like you. What are you thinking about?"

"