swer came back in good Parisian, "I will not
fail you. I have no fear now, and the life of the ice is nothing new to
me. When the winds have done their work, and we no longer look for the
loom of the cliffs, or the hazy purple of the distant forests, I will
take my turn in your place." And grasping La Salle's hand, Orloff
stepped into the chamber.

"How you do, George? Here's the doctor again," and La Salle, with no
little anxiety, approached his patient.

"I have no chills now, but my throat is still quite sore, and I have
some fever, I think."

La Salle laid his hand on the boy's forehead. It was parched with fever,
but a close search failed to discover any signs of dangerous throat
symptoms. He looked at his watch.

"It is now ten o'clock. You may take another dose of the nitre, and
gargle your throat well with a little of it. Are you warm enough?"

"Yes, thank you. I guess I can sleep now, and you had better go to bed
too. Good night!"

"Good night, George. You'll be better to-morrow."

And placing a few billets in the cylinder, La Salle rolled himself up in
his heavy coat, drew off his long moccason boots, and placing his
stockinged feet where the heat of the fire would dry the insensible
perspiration they had gathered during the day, he prepared for a short
nap.

"Regnie, keep up the fire for a couple of hours, and then call me, for
it grows cold, and we must not let George get chilled again, on any
account."

About one, La Salle awoke to find Regnie still awake, and keeping up a
good fire, although he used the wood but sparingly. The cold had
evidently increased, and La Salle drew on his boots, which had improved
much in drying. As Regnar turned to his berth, he said,--

"It cold to-night, colder to-morrow, and warm to-morrow night. Then we
be in the open Gulf, and the warm winds will come again."

George slept but restlessly; and once more during the night a small dose
of the sirup was administered. About three o'clock, Peter awoke, and
said,--

"Why no let Peter watch? No doctor, but keep good fire and let you
sleep."

"Well, Peter," said La Salle, "I shall be glad to rest; but you must be
careful of the wood, and put in as little as will keep up a blaze, for
we have not a great deal, and that not of a very good kind."

"Me know no woods here, and Peter will not waste any, you better
b'lieve."

Laying his hand on George's head, he felt a slight moisture; and
covering him still more closely,