search must be made, and that
instantly, if it is to be of any use; but in which direction are we to
go is the question. These poor fellows cannot tell us. `Out on the ice
to the north' is a wide word. Fred, Fred, can you not tell us in which
direction we ought to go to search for them?"

"Yes, far out on the floes--among hummocks--far out," murmured Fred
half-unconsciously.

"We must be satisfied with that. Now, Mr Saunders, assist me to get
the small sledge fitted out. I'll go to look after them myself."

"An' I'll go with 'ee, sir," said the second mate promptly.

"I fear you are hardly able."

"No fear o' me, sir. I'm better than 'ee think."

"I must go too," added Captain Ellice; "it is quite evident that you
cannot muster a party without me."

"That's impossible," interrupted the doctor; "your leg is not strong
enough, nearly, for such a trip; besides, my dear sir, you must stay
behind to perform my duties, for the ship can't do without a doctor, and
I shall go with Captain Guy, if he will allow me."

"That he won't," cried the captain. "You say truly the ship cannot be
left without a doctor. Neither you nor my friend Ellice shall leave the
ship with my permission. But don't let us waste time talking. Come,
Summers and Mizzle, you are well enough to join, and Meetuck, you must
be our guide; look alive and get yourselves ready."

In less than half an hour the rescue party were equipped and on their
way over the floes. They were six in all--one of the freshest among the
crew having volunteered to join those already mentioned.

It was a very dark night, and bitterly cold, but they took nothing with
them except the clothes on their backs, a supply of provisions for their
lost comrades, their sleeping-bags, and a small leather tent. The
captain also took care to carry with them a flask of brandy.

The colossal bergs, which stretched like well-known landmarks over the
sea, were their guides at first, but, after travelling ten hours without
halting, they had passed the greater number of those, with which they
were familiar, and entered upon an unknown region. Here it became
necessary to use the utmost caution. They knew that the lost men must
be within twenty miles of them, but they had no means of knowing the
exact spot, and any footprints that had been made were now obliterated.
In these circumstances Captain Guy had to depend very much on his own
sagacity.

Clambering to the top of a hummoc