THE WORLD OF ICE. 295

« Never mind that,” cried the captain. “ Here, take
a drop of soup; gently, not too much at a time.”

“ Ah, then, it’s crucl of ye, it is, to give me sich a
small taste.”

It was necessary, however, to give men in their
condition a “small taste” at first, so O’Riley had to
rest content. Meanwhile, the rescue party supped
heartily, and after a little more food had been ad-
ministered to the half-starved men, preparations were
made for spending the night. The tent was pitched,
and the sleeping-bags spread out on the snow. Then
Captain Guy offered up fervent thanks to God for
his protection thus far, and prayed shortly but earn-
estly for deliverance from their dangerous situation ;
after which they all lay down and slept soundly till
morning—or at least as soundly as could be expected
with a temperature at 55° below zero.

Next morning they prepared to set out on their
return to the ship. But this was no easy task. The
exhausted men had to be wrapped up carefully in
their blankets, which were sewed closely round their
limbs, then packed in their sleeping-bags and covered
completely up, only a small hole being left opposite
their mouths to breathe through, and after that they
were lashed side by side on the small sledge. The
lavger sledge, with the muskets, ammunition, and
spare blankets, had to be abandoned. Then the rescue
party put their shoulders to the tracking-belts, and
away they went briskly over the floes.

But the drag was a fearfully heavy one for men