ready.

"If we attempt to run the creatures will follow--it's their nature to do
so. We must try and kill one of them, and frighten the others away.
Show a bold front, friends, and we may yet escape their claws."

While Andrew had been speaking Archy had cast his eyes westward.

"Look, look," he exclaimed. "I see the masts of a ship rising up
against the yellow sky, near where the sun has just gone down."

Forgetting for the moment about the bears, the whole party turned their
eyes in the direction Archy pointed.

"You are right, boy--praise heaven for it," said Andrew. "Though my
eyes are weak I see the masts clearly. She must have been caught in the
floe before she could make her way into harbour for shelter. We may
reach her this night, and we will try to give the bears the go-by
without interfering with them."

The thought of a friendly greeting from countrymen, and a warm cabin and
wholesome food, after all their toils, raised the spirits of the weary
seamen. They once more pushed forward, making a circuit to avoid the
savage animals, and then directed their course towards the ship. The
long twilight enabled them to keep the masts in sight for a considerable
time, and they were then able to steer by a star, which shone forth just
above the ship. They did not fail, however, very frequently, to turn
their heads over their shoulders to ascertain whether they were pursued.

"If the bears track us, we must turn round and face them boldly," said
Andrew. "Ever meet Satan, and all spiritual foes in the same way, lad,
and they will flee from you," added the old man, putting his hand on
Archy's shoulder.

On and on they went, often stumbling over inequalities in the ice, which
the increased darkness prevented them from perceiving. Still they
struggled forward, hope urging them on. Although the ship could no
longer be seen, they felt confident that she was before them, and that
they must, if they persevered, reach her at last. The cold was intense,
but, weary as they were, they dared not sit down lest their limbs might
become benumbed, and might refuse to carry them forward. They knew,
too, that the savage bears might be following in their track with
stealthy steps, and might at any moment be close upon them. Hours
seemed to pass away. It was impossible to calculate time. Their
guiding star shone brightly from the sky; still as yet their straining
eyes could not make out the looked for ship.

"We ca