Part 37 (1/2)

The _Canny Scotia_, then, avoided these point-ends; she kept well out to sea, well away from the pack, for there was not over-much wind, and Silas Grig had no wish to be beset again. But the _Arrandoon_, on the other hand, steamed, as I have said, in a straight line. She scorned to double a point, but went steadily on her course, ploughing her way through the bergs. There was one advantage in this: she could the more easily discover the seals, for in the month of May these animals, having done their duty by their young, commence their return journey to the north, the polar regions being their home _par excellence_. They are in no hurry getting back, however. They like to enjoy themselves, and usually for every one day's progress they make, they lie two or three on the ice. The capes, or point-ends, are favourite positions with them, and on the bergs they may be seen lying in scores, nor if the sun be s.h.i.+ning with any degree of strength are they at all easily disturbed.

It is their summer, and they try to make the best of it. Hark now to that shout from the crow's-nest of the _Arrandoon_.

”A large patch of seals in sight, sir.”

Our heroes pause in their walk, and gaze upwards; from the deck nothing is visible to windward save the great ice-pack.

”Where away?” cries Stevenson.

”On the weather bow, sir, and a good mile in through the pack.”

”What do you think, sir?” says Stevenson, addressing his commander.

”Shall we risk taking the ice again?”

”Risk, Stevenson?” is the reply. ”Why, man, yes; we'll risk anything to do old Silas a good turn. We'll risk more yet, mate, before the s.h.i.+p's head is turned homewards.”

Then the s.h.i.+p is stopped, and signals are made to Silas, who instantly changes his course, and, after a vast deal of tacking and half-tacking, bears down upon them, and being nearly alongside, gets his main-yard aback, and presently lowers a boat and comes on board the _Arrandoon_.

Our heroes crowd around him.

”Why,” they say, ”you are a perfect stranger; it is a whole week since we've seen you.”

”Ay,” says Silas, ”and a whole week without seeing a seal--isn't it astonis.h.i.+ng?”

”Ah! but they're in sight now,” says McBain. ”I'm going to take the ice, and I'll tow you in, and if you're not a b.u.mper s.h.i.+p before a week, then this isn't the _Arrandoon_, that's all.”

Silas is all smiles; he rubs his hands, and finally laughs outright, then he claps his hand on his leg, and,--

”I was sure of it,” says Silas, ”soon as ever I saw your signal.

'Matie,' says I, 'yonder is a signal from the _Arrandoon_. I'm wanted on board; seals is in sight, ye maybe sure. Matie,' says I, 'luck's turned again;' and with that I gives him such a dig in the ribs that he nearly jumped out of the nest.”

”Make the signal to the _Scotia_, Stevenson,” says McBain, ”to clew up, and to get all ready for being taken in tow. Come below, Captain Grig, lunch is on the table.”

Fairly seated at the table, honest Silas rubbed his hands again and looked with a delighted smile at each of his friends in turn. There was a bluff heartiness about this old sailor which was very taking.

”I declare,” he said, ”I feel just like a schoolboy home for a holiday?”

Rory and Silas were specially friendly.

”Rory, lad,” he remarked, after a pause, ”we won't be long together now.”

”No,” replied Rory; ”and it isn't sorry I am, but really downright _sad_ at the thoughts of your going away and leaving us. I say, though--happy thought!--send Stevenson home with your s.h.i.+p and you stay with us in place of him.”

Silas laughed. ”What _would_ my owners say, boy? and what about my little wife, eh?”

”Ah! true,” said Rory; ”I had forgotten.” Then, after a pause, he added, more heartily, ”But we'll meet again, won't we?”

”Please G.o.d!” said Silas, reverently. ”I think,” Rory added, ”I would know your house among a thousand, you have told me so much about it--the blue-grey walls, the bay windows, the garden, with its roses and--and--”

”The green paling,” Silas put in. ”Ah, yes! the green paling, to be sure; how could I have forgotten that? Well, I'll come and see you; and won't you bring out the green ginger that day, Silas!”

”_And_ the bun,” added Silas. ”_And_ the bun,” repeated Rory after him.