CHAPTER I.

Depurture of the “ Pole Star” for the Frozen Seas—Sage reflections of Mrs.
Bright, and sayacious remarks of Buzaby—Anwuictics, fears, surmises,
and resolutions—Isobel-——A search proposed—Departure of the ‘ Dol-
phin” for the Far North.

  

IGRESSIONS axe bad at the best, and we feel
some reeret that we should have been com-
pelled to begin our book with one; but they are
necessary evils sometimes, so we must ask our reader’s
forgiveness, and bee him, or her, to remember that we
are still at the commencement of our story, standing
at the end of the pier, and watching the departure of
the Pole Star whale-ship, which is now a scarecly
distinguishable speck on the horizon.

As it disappeared Buzzby gave a grunt, Fred and
Isobel uttered a sigh in unison, and Mrs. Bright re-
sumed the fit of weeping which for some time she
had unconsciously suspended.

“T fear we shall never see him again,” sobbed Mrs.
Bright, as she took Isobel by the hand and sauntered
slowly home, accompanied by Fred and Buzzby, the
latter of whom seemed to regard himself in the light
of a shagey Newfoundland or mastiff, who had been
left to protect the family. “We are always hearing