Part 12 (1/2)

”I declare, Mr Clawbonny, you ,” exclaimed Bell

”Not I!” said Altaht of a seal But, stop, I do believe we are going to have the chance of a dinner off one, for I a on those lumps of ice yonder!”

”It is a walrus!” exclaiet up to hie di himself notin different directions, so as to surround the ani cautiously behind the huet within a few paces of him unperceived, when they fired simultaneously

[Illustration: ]

The walrus rolled over, but speedily got up again, and tried to make his escape, but Altamont fell upon him with his hatchet, and cut off his dorsal fins He made a desperate resistance, but was overpowered by his ene the ice-field with his blood

It was a fine anith, and would have been worth a good deal for the oil; but the hunters contented the off the most savoury parts, and left the rest to the ravens, which had just begun toon, and it was ti to Fort Providence The moon had not yet risen, but the sky was serene and cloudless, and already glittering with stars--nificent stars

”Co late Our hunting has not been very successful; but still, if a ruet quickly houide us”

They resolved to try athe windings of the coast; but, after so, they found themselves no nearer Doctor's House, and it was evident that they must have lost their way The question was raised whether to construct a hut and rest tillon, as Hatteras and Johnson would be so uneasy

”Duk will guide us,” he said; ”he won't go wrong His instinct can dispense with star and compass Just let us keep close behind him”

They did well to trust to Duk, for very speedily a faint light appeared in the horizon al low above the ground

”There's our lighthouse!” exclaimed the Doctor

”Do you think it is, Mr Clawbonny?” said Bell

[Illustration: Soon they alking in a bright lu shadows behind them on the spotless snow --P87]

”I'er the nearer they approached, and soon they alking in a bright lu shadows behind the their steps, they hastened forward, and in another half hour they were cli the ascent to Fort Providence

CHAPTER IX

COLD AND HEAT

Hatteras and Johnson had been getting soed absence of their cohted to see thelad to find themselves once more in a warht drew on, and the thermometer outside was 73 below zero

The poor hunters were half frozen, and so worn out that they could hardly drag their li cheerily, and the big kitchen fire waiting to cook such gaht in Clawbonny donned his official apron again, and soon had his seal cutlets dressed and s on the table By nine o'clock the whole party were enjoying a good supper, and Bell couldn't help exclai taken for an Esqui is the ions A good meal isn't to be sneezed at”

They all had their nified his agree nod

The cutlets were pronounced first-rate, and it seemed as if they were, for they were all eaten, to the very last morsel

For dessert they had coffee, which the Doctor brewed himself in a French coffee-pot over spirits-of-wine He never allowed anybody but hie; for heit was not fit to drink unless it burnt his tongue This evening he took it so scalding that Altamont exclaimed--