rolled and pounded and then hoisted up by the ankles till
most of the water was out of his lungs and he began to take deep,
gasping breaths.

But it was a long time before he was strong enough to get on his feet,
and even then his two chums had to support him back to Captain Simms'
house, where they received a severe lecture for going in the water so
soon after eating.

"It was an awful sensation," declared Noddy. "It just hit me like an
electric shock. I couldn't move a limb. Then I don't remember much of
anything more till I found myself on the beach."

Noddy's deep gratitude to his friends may be imagined, but it was too
painful a subject to be talked about. It was a long while, however,
before any of them got over the recollection of Noddy's peril.

CHAPTER XII.

A TALE FROM THE FROZEN LANDS.

Although Noddy had recovered remarkably quick, thanks to his rugged
constitution, from the effects of his immersion, Captain Simms ordered
him on the sick-list and he was, much against his will, sent to bed.

"He'd better stay there all night," said the captain. "We don't want to
run any risks of pneumonia. I don't suppose your uncle will worry about
you?"

"He's got over that long ago," laughed Jack; "besides, there's a
professor stopping at the hotel who is on the lookout for funny plants
and herbs. That's Uncle Toby's long suit, you know."

"So I have heard," smiled the captain. "Well, you boys may as well make
yourselves at home."

"Thank you, we will," said Billy. Whereat there was a general laugh.

There was a phonograph and a good selection of records in the cottage,
so they managed to while away a pleasant afternoon. Jack cooked supper,
"just by way of paying for our board," he said. After the meal they sat
up for a time listening to Captain Simms' tales of seal poachers in the
Arctic and the trouble they give the patrol assigned to see that they do
not violate the international boundary, and other laws. Before he had
taken command of the _Thespis_, of the Ice-berg Patrol, Captain Simms
had been detailed to command of the _Bear_ revenue cutter, and had
chased and captured many a sealer who was plying his trade illicitly.

The boys listened attentively as he told them of the rough hardships of
such a life, and how, sometimes, a whole fleet of sealers, if frozen in
by an early formation of ice, must face hunger and sometimes death till
the spring came to release them from their imprisonment.

"It