I replied. "It seems that he was out
on the flat ice looking out for seals. He had just harpooned a fine
fellow, and was just on the point of putting him on his sledge, when he
heard a loud snuffling noise behind him; and turning round, saw to his
horror a huge white bear, squatting on the ice within a few yards of
him, and apparently trying to decide whether the seal or the seal-hunter
would make the more savory meal. Wallop, however, (that is the man's
name,) had no doubt about the matter. He flung the seal towards his
Polar Majesty, and took to his heels, fortunately reaching his
reindeer-sledge in time to escape being made the second course of
Bruin's dinner. 'Chacka-chacka punksky' means 'I will kill that bear
when I am a man.'"

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

"Oh! how exciting that must have been!" cried Nibble. "I think I should
like to be an Esquimaux, Mr. Moonman! Couldn't you leave me here for a
week or two?" "To live in a snow hut, and eat blubber and drink
train-oil?" I asked in return. "No, my mouse, I could not, or at least I
would not. And that reminds me that we must be flying home again, for
morning will soon be here. Blow, little Winds, blow the cloud back as
fast as you can."

How the seven little fellows puffed out their cheeks, and flapped their
wings! and how the cloud flew through the air! The mice looked back
regretfully, but the Esquimaux boys were already out of sight. Southward
and still southward we flew, the Winds striving with might and main to
keep up with my swift beam. Over land and sea, mountain and valley,
forest and meadow, till at last the great linden trees around the
Mouse-trap were shaking their heads at us, and the tall chimneys pointed
at us, and said, "look at those children! they have been out all night,
which is shocking. That vagrant Moonman is teaching them the worst
possible habits!"

CHAPTER XI.

A BIRTHDAY PARTY.

"UNCLE JACK!" said Fluff, one morning, as she came and stood by her
uncle's side in the porch, while he was reading his newspaper.

"Well, Blossom!" said Uncle Jack, looking up, "what is it? any more
murders in the nursery? we shall have to hang all those dolls before
long, I am firmly convinced of it."

[Illustration]

"No! no! Uncle Jack," exclaimed Fluff, looking much distressed. "It is
nothing about the dolls; and you _know_ that was a waxidental murder,
Uncle, and I don't see why you laugh about it." "There! there!