Part 21 (1/2)

Soon he heard Johnson's voice in the distance calling out ”Ready”

”All right,” was the reply

Johnson pulled his rope vigorously, and then rushed to the loop-hole to see the effect The thin shell of ice had given way, and the body of the fox lay a the ruins The bears were soerly rushed to seize the booty

”Fire!” called out Johnson, and at once the electric spark was sent along the lines right into the keg of powder A formidable explosion ensued; the house was shaken as if by an earthquake, and the walls cracked asunder Hatteras, Altaht spare their shot, for four of the bears lay dead, and the fifth, half roasted, though alive, was scas could carry him

”Hurrah! Three cheers for Clawbonny,” they shouted and overwhelmed the Doctor with plaudits and thanks

CHAPTER XIV

AN ARCTIC SPRING

The prisoners were free, and their joy found vent in the noisiest de the house, which had suffered greatly by the explosion They cleared away the blocks piled up by the aniht and s of old Johnson

Next ular rise in the te up to 15 above zero

This colass rose as high as 31, and syan to crack here and there, and jets of salt water were thrown up, like fountains in an English park A few days later, the rain fell in torrents

Thick vapour rose fro promise of the speedy disappearance of these immense masses The sun's pale disc becaer above the horizon The night was scarcely longer than three hours

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Other tokens of spring's approach werein flocks, and the air resounded with their deafening cries Hares were seen on the shores of the bay, and mice in such abundance that their burrows coround

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The Doctor drew the attention of his coinning to lose their white winter dress, and would soon put on su rass for their sustenance A neorld lay beneath thatsnow

But with these inoffensive animals came back their natural enemies

Foxes and wolves arrived in search of their prey, and disht

Arctic wolves closely rese would deceive the most practised ears; even the canine race themselves have been deceived by it Indeed, it seems as if the wily anis, and ators have mentioned the fact, and the Doctor's own experience confirmed it Johnson took care not to let his Greenlanders loose; of Duk there was little fear; nothing could take hi was the principal occupation There was an abundant supply of fresh ans, and snow ortolans, which are delicious eating The hunters never went far froauns, and the whole bay presented an ani rapid progress The thermometer stood steadily at 32 above zero, and the water ran down the h the ravines

The Doctor lost no tiround, in which he sowed the seeds of anti-sobtic plants He just had the pleasure of seeing tiny little green leaves begin to sprout, when the cold returned in full force

In a single night, the thermo was frozen--birds, quadrupeds, aic; seal-holes reclosed, and the ice once e was ht The Doctor was rather disappointed at having all his work to do again, but Hatteras bore the grievance most unphilosophically, as it interfered with all his plans of speedy departure

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”Do you think we shall have a long spell of this weather, Mr