THE WORLD OF ICE. 207

guished on the horizon far off to the southward,
winding their way among the hummocks.

“Now, Meetuck,” said the captain, “drive like the
wind, and lay me alongside of Awatok’s sledge ;—and
be ready, men, to act.”

“ Ay, ay, sir,’ was the prompt reply, as the heavy
whip fell on the flanks of the leaders.

A few minutes brought them up with Awatok’s
sledge, and Captain Guy, leaping upon it with a
clasp-knife in his hand, cut the traces in a twinkling,
set the dogs free, and turning round, seized the
Hsquimau by the collar. The big chief at first
showed a disposition to resent this unceremonious
treatment, but before he could move Grim seized his
elbows in his iron grasp, and tied them adroitly to-
gether behind his back with a cord. At the same
time poor Aninga and her baby were swiftly trans-
ferred to the sailors’ sledge.

Secing this, the whole band of natives turned back
and rushed in a body to the rescue, flourishing their
lances and yelling fiercely.

“ Form line!” shouted the captain, handing Awatok
and Aninga over to the care of O'Riley. “Three of
you on the right fire over their heads, and let the
rest reserve their fire. J will kill one of their dogs,
for it won't do to let them fancy that nothing but
noise comes out of our muskets. Ready—present!”

A rattling volley followed, and at the same moment
one of the dogs fell with a death-yell on the ice, and
dyed it with its blood.