182 THE WORLD OF ICE.

grandmother,” he said, “used to sing to the pig;” and
whether it was the effects of this lullaby, or of the
cold, it is impossible to say, but O’Riley at length suc-
ceeded in slipping away and regaining the ship, unob-
served by his canine friends. Half-an-hour later he
went on deck to take a mouthful of fresh air before
supper, and on looking over the side he saw the whole
pack of dogs lying in a circle close to the ship, with
Dumps comfortably asleep in the middle, and using
Poker’s back for a pillow.

“Faix, but ye must be fond of the cowld to lie there
all night when ye’ve got a palace on Store Island,”

“Fond of society, rather,” observed Captain Guy,
who came on deck at the moment ; “the poor creatures
cannot bear to be left alone. It is a strange quality
in dogs which I have often observed before.”

“Have ye, capting? Sure I thought it was all
owin’ to the bad manners 0’ that baste Dumps, which
is for iver leadin’ the other dogs into mischief.”

“Supper’s ready, sir,” said Mivins, coming up the
hatchway, and touching his cap.

“Look here, Mivins,” said O’Riley, as the captain
went below, “can you point out the mornin’ star to
me, lad ?”

“The morning star?” said Mivins slowly, as he
thrust his hands into the breast of his jumper, and
gazed upwards into the dark sky, where the starry
host blazed in Arctic majesty. “No, hof course, I
can’t. Why, don’t you know that there hain’t ne
morning star when it’s night all round 2?”