set off to
climb to the top of a small iceberg, a little way to the north, from
whence they hoped to obtain a view over a considerable portion of the
floe. They lost no time in starting, but the distance was much greater
than they had expected.

"It seems to me as if the iceberg were moving away from us," exclaimed
Archy. "We have been walking on for the last half hour, and appear no
nearer."

"The berg is a good deal larger than I had fancied," answered Andrew.
"But never fear, we shall get up to it at last, and if we can manage to
climb to the top, we shall have a wider view over the plain, and a
better chance of seeing the poor fellows. It goes to my heart to leave
them to perish, and yet perish they must if they do not soon reach the
mainland. We must forget that they intended to desert us, and even if
they did, it is our duty to return good for evil, so come along Archy."

The iceberg was at length gained. Then came the difficulty of climbing
to the top. After walking nearly round it, they found a portion melted
and broken by the summer sun which afforded them footing. With the aid
of a boat-hook, and a coil of rope which Andrew had brought, they at
last reached one of the highest points. Hence they could see the edge
of the floe extending for a considerable way to the north, while their
eyes ranged over a wide extent of level ice, but all was one white
waste. Not the smallest dark spot could be seen upon it.

"I am afraid, Archy, we must give them up," sighed Andrew. "We should
risk the loss of our own lives if we were longer to wait for them."

Descending the iceberg, Andrew and Archy made their way back to the
boat. The boat was at once launched, and though she leaked slightly,
one hand bailing could keep her free. They all therefore, embarked, and
towing the runners, they made their way across to the floe. As they
found themselves once more gliding smoothly over the water, their
spirits rose, and some were anxious to try and make their way south in
the boat. Andrew and the carpenter, however, strongly objected to doing
this.

"The ice may close upon us, and we may run short of provisions long
before we can reach the Danish settlements," he observed. "Let us get
hold of the land first."

It was nearly dark by the time they reached the edge of the opposite
ice, and having unloaded their boat, they hauled her up, and proceeded
on to a hummock at a little distance. Here, without loss of tim