you as if to say: "What! going to try
it again?--come, then, here's a chance for you." But when you threw, at
best you could only hit the empty space it had occupied the moment
before. Or if you seized a stick, and rushed at the enemy in wrath, it
grinned fiercely, showed its long white teeth, and then vanished with a
fling of its tail that could be construed into nothing but an expression
of contempt.

At last an expedient was hit upon for destroying these disagreeable
inmates. Small bows and arrows were made, the latter having heavy,
blunt heads, and with these the men slaughtered hundreds. Whenever
anyone was inclined for a little sport he took up his bow and arrows,
and, retiring to a dark corner of the cabin, watched for a shot. Davie
Summers acquired the title of Nimrod, in consequence of his success in
this peculiar field.

At first the rats proved a capital addition to the dogs' meals, but at
length some of the men were glad to eat them, especially when fresh meat
failed altogether, and scurvy began its assaults. White or Arctic
foxes, too, came about the ship, sometimes in great numbers, and proved
an acceptable addition to their fresh provisions; but at one period all
these sources failed, and the crew were reduced to the utmost extremity,
having nothing to eat except salt provisions. Notwithstanding the
cheering influence of the sun, the spirits of the men fell as their
bodily energies failed. Nearly two-thirds of the ship's company were
confined to their berths. The officers retained much of their wonted
health and vigour, partly in consequence, no doubt, of their unwearied
exertions in behalf of others. They changed places with the men at
last, owing to the force of circumstances--ministering to their wants,
drawing water, fetching fuel, and cooking their food,--carrying out, in
short, the divine command, "by love serve one another."

During the worst period of their distress a party was formed to go out
upon the floes in search of walrus.

"If we don't get speedy relief," remarked Captain Guy to Tom Singleton
in reference to this party, "some of us will die. I feel certain of
that. Poor Buzzby seems on his last legs, and Mivins is reduced to a
shadow."

The doctor was silent, for the captain's remark was too true.

"You must get up your party at once, and set off after breakfast, Mr
Bolton," he added, turning to the first mate. "Who can accompany you?"

"There's Peter Grim, sir, he's t