"But Blackbeard is always good and kind," returned the giant.

This argument seemed unanswerable. At all events the old man did not
answer it, but sat frowning at the cooking-lamp under the influence of
intense thought.

After a prolonged meditation--during the course of which father and son
each consumed the tit-bits of a walrus rib and a seal's flipper--
Chingatok remarked that the white men were totally beyond his
comprehension. To which, after another pause, his father replied that
he could not understand them at all.

Then, retiring to their respective couches, they calmly went to
sleep--"perchance to dream!"

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

A SHOOTING TRIP TO PARADISE ISLE, AND FURTHER DISPLAY OF THE CAPTAIN'S
CONTRIVANCES.

While our explorers were thus reduced to a state of forced inaction as
regarded the main object of their expedition, they did not by any means
waste their time in idleness. On the contrary, each of the party went
zealously to work in the way that was most suitable to his inclination.

After going over the main island of Poloe as a united party, and
ascertaining its size, productions, and general features, the Captain
told them they might now do as they pleased. For his part he meant to
spend a good deal of his time in taking notes and observations,
questioning the chief men as to the lands lying to the northward,
repairing and improving the hut, and helping the natives miscellaneously
so as to gain their regard.

Of course Leo spent much of his time with his rifle, for the natives
were not such expert hunters but that occasionally they were badly off
for food. Of course, also, Alf shouldered his botanical box and sallied
forth hammer in hand, to "break stones," as Butterface put it. Benjy
sometimes followed Alf--more frequently Leo, and always carried his
father's double-barrelled shot-gun. He preferred that, because his
powers with the rifle were not yet developed. Sometimes he went with
Toolooha, or Tekkona, or Oblooria, in one of the native oomiaks to fish.
At other times he practised paddling in the native kayak, so that he
might accompany Chingatok on his excursions to the neighbouring islands
after seals and wild-fowl.

In the excursions by water Leo preferred one of the india-rubber boats--
partly because he was strong and could row it easily, and partly because
it was capable of holding more game than the kayak.

These expeditions to the outlying islands were particularl