THE WORLD OF ICE. 187

his head. “Yon brig had been deserted long ago,
and her stores must have been consumed, if they
were taken out of her at all, before we thought
comin’ here.”

For some time the party in the cabin ate in silence.

“We must wait patiently,” resumed the captain, as
if he were tired of following up a fruitless train of
thought. “What of your theatricals, Fred ? we must
get them set a-going as soon as possible.”

The captain spoke animatedly, for he felt that, with
the prospect of a long dark winter before them, it was
of the greatest importance that the spirits of the men
should be kept up.

“T find it difficult to beat up recruits,
Fred, laughing; “ Peter Grim has flatly refused to act,

2

answered

and Q’Riley says he could no more learn a part off by
heart than—’

“His grandmother's pig could,” interrupted David
Mizzle, who, having concluded supper, now felt himself
free to indulge in conversation,

“Och! ye spalpeen,” whispered the Trishinan.

“J have written out the half of a play which I hope
to produce in a few days on the boards of our Arctic
theatre with a talented company, but I must have one
or two more men—one to act the part of a lady.
Will you take that part, Buzzby ? Z

“Wot! me?” cried the individual referred to with
a stare of amazement.

“Oh yes! do, Buzzby,” cried several of the men
with great delight. “Youre just cut out for it.”