er the _Hvalross_."

"Yes; I have used your Norse term for the sea-horse."

"The name will make our lads eager to go."

"Then you can get me four to go with us?"

"You shall have the four finest men who have not already started, sir."

"Come, that sounds better," said the little, keen-looking man who had
not yet spoken. "May I shake hands with you, Captain Hendal?"

"Yes, sir; I like shaking hands with Englishmen," said the big
Norwegian, holding out his great palm, the back of which was strangely
suggestive of a polar bear's paw; and he laughed as he looked down at
the little white hand laid in it, and then gave it a grip which changed
its colour. "But you're not a sailor."

"I? No, a medical man."

"Name?"

"Handscombe," said the doctor, smiling.

"Got stuff in you, though," said the Norwegian grimly, "or you'd have
hallooed when I gave your hand that nip. But why are you going? They
won't want a doctor?"

"Oh, I don't know; I may be useful. I am a bit scientific though, and
want to see what we can discover."

"Good," said the Norwegian; "deal to learn up there, sir. Ice,
currents, the cold, the storms--and you'll find something beside snow;
but you will not find the North Pole."

"No," said Dr Handscombe, smiling; "we don't expect that, do we,
Steve?"

The lad smiled.

"Why not, sir? We might, you know."

"Yes, my lad, you might," said the Norwegian seriously. "It is more
likely to be found by accident than by those who go on purpose. Well,
Captain Marsham, I'll see about your men at once. Shall I find you on
board by-and-by?"

"Yes; I'll stay there till you come."

They parted, the Norwegian to stride away for the little town, while
Captain Marsham with his two companions made at once for the
sturdy-looking vessel with its low grey funnel lying in the land-locked
harbour, about fifty yards from the sunny shore.

CHAPTER TWO.

TO NORRARD.

Steve Young, who was walking first, suddenly stooped down and took up a
handful of sand, which was so hot, fine, and dry that it began to
trickle between his fingers like that in the kitchen egg-boiler at home,
as he trotted softly to the edge of the wharf and looked over, to find
exactly what he expected: the boat made fast to one of the cross
timbers, with a big swarthy man in a blue jersey asleep in the stern,
and a rough-looking, shock-headed boy also asleep in the bows, the hot
sunshine having a soporific effect on both.

As Steve