ce, and regarded them for some minutes with anxious
expectancy; but, as the strange things did not burst, or go up like
sky-rockets, they soon returned with a somewhat disappointed look to
their hut-building.

The work was quickly completed, for Eskimos are expert builders in their
way, and the instruments had been carefully set up under shelter when
the first symptoms of the storm began.

"I hope the sportsmen have returned," said the Captain, looking gravely
round the horizon.

"No doubt they have," said Alf, preparing to descend the mountain. "Leo
is not naturally reckless, and if he were, the cautious Anders would be
a drag on him."

An hour later they regained the Eskimo village, just as Benjy came
running, in a state of dripping consternation, from the sea.

Need it be said that an instant and vigorous search was instituted? Not
only did a band of the stoutest warriors, headed by Chingatok, set off
in a fleet of kayaks, but the Captain and his companions started without
delay in the two remaining india-rubber boats, and, flying their kites,
despite the risk of doing so in a gale, went away in eager haste over
the foaming billows.

After exerting themselves to the uttermost, they failed to discover the
slightest trace of the lost boat. The storm passed quickly, and a calm
succeeded, enabling them to prosecute the search more effectively with
oar and paddle, but with no better result.

Day after day passed, and still no member of the band--Englishman or
Eskimo--would relax his efforts, or admit that hope was sinking. But
they had to admit it at last, and, after three weeks of unremitting
toil, they were compelled to give up in absolute despair. The most
sanguine was driven to the terrible conclusion that Leo, Anders, and
timid little Oblooria were lost.

It was an awful blow. What cared Alf or the Captain now for discovery,
or scientific investigation! The poor negro, who had never at any time
cared for plants, rocks, or Poles, was sunk in the profoundest depths of
sorrow. Benjy's gay spirit was utterly broken. Oolichuk's hearty laugh
was silenced, and a cloud of settled melancholy descended over the
entire village of Poloe.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.

FATE OF THE LOST ONES.

Leo, Anders, and timid little Oblooria, however, were not lost! Their
case was bad enough, but it had not quite come to that.

On parting from Benjy, as described in the last chapter, these three
went after a walrus, whi