THE WORLD OF ICE. 263

population to the outskirts of the village. “Now,
then, ye may fire away, they won't hear ye—
huzza!”

A long enthusiastic cheer instantly burst from the
sailors, and was immediately followed by a howl of
delight from the Esquimaux, who capered round
their visitors with uncouth gestures and grinning
faces.

Entering one of the largest huts, preparations for
supper were promptly begun. The Esquimaux hap-
pened to be well supplied with walrus-flesh, so the
lamps were replenished, and the hiss of the frying
steaks and dropping fat speedily rose above all other
sounds.

Meanwhile, Fred and his father, having mutually
recovered somewhat of their wonted composure, began
to tell each other the details of their adventures since
they last met, while the former prepared a cup of
coffee and a steak for their mutual comfort.

“But, father,’ said Fred, busying himself at the
lamp, “you have not yet told me how you came here,
and what has become of the Pole Star, and how it
was that one of your men came to be buried in
the Esquimau fashion, and how you got your leg
broken.”

“Truly, Fred, I have not told you all that, and to
give it you all in detail will afford us many a long
hour of converse hereafter, if it please God, whose
tenderness and watchful cave of me has never failed.
But I can give you a brief outline of it thus :—