216 THE WORLD OF ICE.

“Tt beats natur’, quite,” said one.

“ All to sticks,” cried another.

“ And wot a tree-mendous giant he makes. Three
cheers for Peter Grim, lads!”

Three cheers were promptly given with right good-
will, but the giant did not move a muscle. He was
far too deeply impressed with the importance of play-
ing his part well to acknowledge the compliment.
Having gazed long enough to enable the men to get
rid of their first fow of enthusiasm, Blunderbore rose
majestically, and coming forward to the foot- lights,
looked straight over the heads of the men, and
addressed himself to the opposite bulk-head.

“Oh! ’tis a dismal thing,” he began, and continued
to spout his part with flashing eyes and considerable
energy, until he came to the word Blunderbuss, when,
either from a mistaken notion as to when it was his
time to go on, or nervous forgetfulness of the plan of
the piece, the Little Bear sprang over the edge of the
iceberg and alighted on the middle of the stage.

“Qh! bad luck to yees intirely,” said the Big Bear
from behind the scenes in an angry whisper, which
was distinctly heard by the audience, “ ye’ve gone and
spoiled it all, ye have. Come off, will ye, and take
yer turn at the right time, won’t ye ?”

In the midst of the shout of delight caused by this
mistake, O’Riley, forgetting that he was a bear, rushed
on the stage on his hind legs, seized the Little Bear
by the fore leg, and dragged him off at the other side
amid loud applause. Blunderbore, with admirable