322 THE WORLD OF ICE.

were cannibals, and that whoever was wrecked or cast
ashore on their coasts was killed and roasted, and eat
up at once.”

“So ye’re right,” rejoined Buzzby ; “ but Providence
sent the crew to one o’ the islands that had bin visited
by a native Christian missionary from one o’ the other
islands, and the people had gin up some o’ their worst
practices, and wos thinkin’ o’ turnin’ over a new leaf
altogether. So the crew wos spared, and took to
livin’ among the natives, quite comfortable like. But
they soon got tired and took to their boats agin, and
left. Mrs. Ellice, however, determined to remain and
help the native Christians, till a ship should pass that
way. For three years nothin’ but canoes hove in
sight o’ that lonesome island; then, at last, a brig
came, and cast anchor off shore. It wos an Australian
trader that had been blown out o’ her course on her
way to England, so they took poor Mrs. Ellice aboard,
and brought her home—and that’s how it wos.”

Buzzby’s outline, although meagre, is so comprehen-
sive that we do not think it necessary to add a word.
Soon after he had concluded, the guests of the even-
ing came in, and the conversation became general.

“ Buzzby’s jollitication,” as it was called in the
village, was long remembered as one of the most
interesting events that had occurred for many years.
One of the chief amusements of the evening was the
spinning of long yarns about the incidents of the
late voyage, by men who could spin them well.

Their battles in the Polar Seas were all fought over