men began to grumble.

"I don't like the state of affairs, doctor," I said. "I fear there's
mutiny on the way."

"Why?" he said.

"The men are growing so discontented with their provisions; but hush,
here they are."

The doctor's nephew was standing by me as the crew came up, looking
fierce and angry.

"What's the matter, my lads?" I said, when they all came close to me,
and thrust their tongues in their cheeks.

"Look here, skipper," said Binny Scudds, who seemed to be leader, "we've
had enough of this here!"

"My good man,"--began the doctor.

"Now that'll do, old skyantific!" cried Binny. "We've had enough of
you. Who's been doin' nothin' but waste good, wholesome sperrits, by
stuffing black beadles, and dirty little fishes, and hinsecks in 'em,
till there ain't a drop fit to drink?"

"But, Scudds--" I began.

"That'll do!" he shouted fiercely; and he threatened me with an ice
pick. "We've had enough of it, I tell yer!"

"Look here, my man," said the doctor; and his nephew got behind him.

"Yes, and look here," said Scudds. "You want to diskiver the North
Pole, don't yer?"

"Well, you are very impertinent, my man," said the doctor; "but, yes. I
do."

"Then you shall diskiver it along o' the skipper, and young stowaway
there."

"And what will you do?" said the doctor.

"Oh," said Scudds, "me, and Borstick, and my mates is agoin' back.
We've had enough of it, I tell yer."

"But how are we to go on without you?" said the doctor.

"I'll show yer," said Scudds. "Now mates!"

To my intense horror, and in spite of my struggles, they seized us all
three; and then, with a lot of laughing and cheering, they brought up
some pieces of rope, and three good-sized blocks of ice.

"What are you going to do, scoundels?" I shrieked.

"Well," said Scudds, grinning, "my mates and me's of opinion that the
North Pole is down in the hole, and we're agoin' to send you three there
to see."

"But it's murder!" I cried.

"It's in the service of science," said the doctor, blandly. "We shall
make great discoveries. You won't mind, Alfred?" he said, to his
nephew.

"I should have been delighted, uncle, if I had only procured my skates,"
said the young fellow.

"These here's better than skates," said Scudds, grinning; and, to my
extreme horror, they bound the young man to a block of ice, carried it
to the edge of the crater, gave it a slight push, and away it went down,
and down, rapidly gliding till