f you let old Andrew
or any of the rest know of what I have been saying to you, there are
some among us who would not scruple a moment to knock you on the head.
Remember my words. I ask you again, will you come with us?"

"No," answered Archy firmly. "I promised to stick by Andrew, and I am
not going to desert him."

"Then take the consequences," exclaimed Max angrily, "and remember, hold
your tongue, or it will be the worse for you."

Archy saw him return to the tent; but the men who crowded round the fire
seemed very unwilling to allow him a place among them, and Archy
suspected that had he listened to Max he should have had very little
chance of getting near it either.

On rejoining Andrew, Archy refrained from mentioning what Max had said,
as there were several other persons within hearing, and, indeed, not
till some time afterwards did he find his friend alone. Andrew, with
some of the better disposed men, and a few of the officers, had taken up
their quarters in a tent, and were now collected round a fire in the
centre of it, though a much smaller one than that formed by the men.
Andrew made room for Archy by his side. While they were discussing
their supper, they agreed that they would form a number of sledges with
runners for the boats, and placing the provisions and tents, with guns
and ammunition on them, and such other stores as they might require, set
off without further delay for the land. No one seemed to suspect the
treachery meditated by Max and his party. The carpenter's chest had
fortunately been saved, and while one party assisted him in collecting
wood and forming the sledges and runners, others were engaged in doing
up the provisions and stores in packages of a size suitable for being
carried on the sledges. The mutineers even assisted, and were
especially busy in fitting runners to the boats.

Some progress had been made in the work, when night coming on compelled
them to desist from their labours, and take shelter in their respective
tents. Archy, as he lay down to sleep, began to think that in spite of
the threats of Max he ought to have told Andrew what he had said.

"To-morrow morning will be time enough," he thought, and he was soon
asleep.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

MUTINY! MOST OF THE CREW CARRYING THE GREATER PART OF THE PROVISIONS,
SET OFF WITHOUT THE OTHERS.--PROPOSALS FOR PURSUIT, BUT NOT CARRIED OUT,
AND AT LAST THE REMAINDER COMMENCE THEIR JOURNEY ACROSS THE ICE, MEETING
W