THE WORLD OF ICE. 291

“I must go too,” added Captain Ellice; “it is quite
evident that you cannot muster a party without me.”

“That's impossible,” interrupted the doctor. “Your
leg is not strong enough nearly for such a trip; besides,
my dear sir, you must stay behind to perform my
duties, for the ship can’t do without a doctor, and I
shall go with Captain Guy, if he will allow me.”

“That he won’t,” cried the captain. “You say
truly the ship cannot be left without a doctor. Neither
you nor my friend Ellice shall leave the ship with my
permission. But don’t let us waste time talking.—
Come, Summers and Mizzle, you are well enough to
join, and, Meetuck, you must be our guide. Look
alive and get yourselves ready.”

In less than half-an-hour the rescue party were
equipped and on their way over the floes. They were
six in all—one of the freshest among the crew having
volunteered to join those already mentioned.

Tt was a very dark night, and bitterly cold; but
they took nothing with them except the clothes on
their backs, a supply of provisions for their lost com-
rades, their sleeping-bags, and a small leather tent.
The captain also took care to carry with them a flask
of brandy.

The colossal bergs, which stretched like well-known
land-marks over the sea, were their guides at first ;
but after travelling ten hours without halting, they
had passed the greater number of those with which
they were familiar, and entered upon an unknown
region. Here it became necessary to use the utmost