Part 73 (2/2)

”No , lad,” said the doctor wearily, ”only wait”

CHAPTER FORTY ONE

”NEVER SAY DIE”

Three days passed, during which Mr Handsob and Steve worked hard watching by turns over their sick; and in spite of the boy's desire to evade the task, the doctor forced hiht of the moon The Norseun to lose hope, and declined to leave the fire, while the cook always pleaded for excuse--want of time

It would have been very beautiful out there; but the state of the crew, and his oant of energy, made the fiord look like a cold, dark, cruel, icy prison, and Steve was always glad to get back into the shelter of the shi+p

Then ca unwell, and asked Steve to go alone to attend to theof horror that he could not conceal, the boy slowly left the doctor's cabin

”He'll lie now as the others are lying,” said Steve to hio to his own cot and give up, for there was nothing h; ”never say die;” and, setting his teeth, he went on with the duty the doctor had inaugurated, and visitedthe, as it were, by inches

One by one the Norseave up, till only Johannes made the least effort, and that only when Steve stood by Then caned hi in the engine-rooalley, Steve found that the cook was seated listless and weary, his chin upon his hands, his elbows on his knees, gazing at the dying fire in his stove

”What!” cried Steve, ”you are not going to give up?”

The , and then shook his head

”The cold stuns them, the cold stuns them!” said the boy aloud in his despair and horror as he turned back to the cabin ”Mr Handsob,” he cried, ”what shall I give them? I can do no more”

There was no reply, and with a thrill of horror running through him Steve fled back to the deck, where the black darkness horrified hione out for want of attention, the boiler fire was nearly extinct, and even the outer cold seelooered to the ice-covered canvas door of the awning, and in his fearful loneliness strove to get the frozen fastenings undone, so that he ht at least have the stars of heaven for company And then he felt that he was not alone, for there was a sharp bark, the dog sprang to his side, and the boy dropped upon his knees and flung his arms about his faithful companion's neck

”Skeny, old lad!” he cried with a sob, ”and I thought I was quite left”

A sharp bark was the response, and in his delight the dog butted at him, seized his arm in his teeth, and playfully worried it

The nextwhat he was doing, dragged the canvas doorway open, and staggered out of the darkness and down the snow steps into what looked once ht; for the ht as day In his delight the dog threw hih the snow, and then turned over to repeat the perfor his eyes froburst into a joyous peal of barking at the objects which had struck his un, followed by a rolling volley of echoes

”Is this dreaht Steve; and at that moment there came a loud ”Ahoy!”

”Some one there!--there in that terrible solitude! Then it must be help”

The exciteain; but the words failed hi responded bravely and loudly it seemed to the boy at first, then faintly and ht was dim, and then all dark, for he had sunk insensible upon the snow

When he opened his eyes Skene was standing with his fore paws upon his chest, and nearly a dozen men in heavy furs stood about hie, as supporting him, said:

”Come, my lad, better? Where are your friends? in the shi+p?”

”Uncle!” was all that Steve could pant out, for he recognised the voice that he had not heard for a couple of years

CHAPTER FORTY TWO

THE WAY OUT