CHAPTER XX,

Keeping it down—Mutual explanations—The true comforter—Death—N, ew-
Year's day.

T need scarcely be said that the sailors outside did
not remain long in ignorance of the unexpected
and happy discovery related in the last chapter. Bol-
ton, who had crept in after Fred, with proper delicacy
of fecling retired the moment he found how matters
stood, and left father and son to expend, in the privacy
of that chamber of snow, those feelines and emotions
which can be better imagined than described.

The first impulse of the men was to give three
cheers, but Bolton checked them in the bud.

“No, no, lads. Ye must hold on,” he said, in an
eager but subdued voice. “Doubtless it would be
pleasant to vent our feclings in a hearty cheer, but it
would startle the old gentleman inside. Get along
with you, and let us get ready a good supper.”

“OQ morther !” exclaimed O’Riley, holding on to his
sides as if he believed what he said, “me biler’ll bust
av ye don’t let me sereech.”

“Squeeze down the safety-valve a bit longer, then,”
evied Bolton, as they hurried along with the whole