The Frozen Crew Of The Ice-Bound Ship; Or, Terrors Of The Arctic Region — page 46: what you’re looking at

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38 THE FROZEN CREW AND ICE-BOUND SHIP, his ribs, and was finally buried deep in his grizzly throat. Many more fierce strokes were needed before life was extinct, and as the rescued man rose, a hand on his shoulder startled him. “What, Nipcheese!” exclaimed Fergus Blake. “ Are you my deliverer ?”’ “Yes! he replied. “I didn’t give myself credit for so much courage. “But somehow or other,” he continued, ‘I can’t see a messmate in limbo, without lending him a hand to get out of the difficulty.” “Ah! your heart’s in the right place,” said the other; ‘though you be a pirate, and I shan’t forget this little kindness in a hurry.” ** A good action rewards itself.” **How the devil did you. find me out ?” “By a mere miracle. Lost in this infernal place, I was arguing with myself, which of the icy roads would be the shortest one, to put an end to my misery, Ichanced to take that one which brought me te your assistance,” | ‘“‘ Have you seen any of our comrades ?”’ *“ Not one.” ““ What can have become of them ?” *‘ Probably, the better part of them are providing a meal for the bears who attacked our party last nicht.’’ “But talking won’t belp us on our journey.” “Whatdo you think we had better do next?” said Nipcheese. ‘I say we, beeause as we have come athwart each other, we shall have to sail in company.” ‘‘ Reconnoitre a little, and then proceed.” ‘Then proceed to reconnoitre, and the sooner the better,’ replied the other. “Look out, and see if you discover any new dan- er:? “Yes,” returned the obedient Nipcheese, taking a survey of the desolate scene before them. **Ts the coast clear ?” “ As far as I can see, for blocks of ice and snow- hills, it appears so.” * Then,” said Fergas Blake, “‘ we must endeavour to regain the track we came by, and crowd all sail for the Ei! Malachor,”’ _ For some hours the travellers proceeded on their journey. It was deadly still, but unaccompanied by a gloomy state of dejection, for they had been fortunate enough to cross a path, which they recognised as one tra- versed previously, and now saw a chance of reaching their destination in safety. Suddenly, Nipcheese stopped in the course, which had been rapid, and, giving evident symptoms of distress, exclaimed to his companion— ‘* Messmate, I was thinking—’’ ** Something to the purpose, I hope,”’ interrupted Fergus Blake, a was thinking that I could eat a xeast fowl} and—” “ This is no time for jesting !”’ “No, faith!’ continued Nipcheese. “2 agree with you, Fergus. Hunger is too sharp to be jested with, and [ feel if we proceed, 1 shall starve for the want of food.’’ The speakers were now opposite the gigantic out- spires lines of an ice-cave, whose seemed to pierce the sky. Fergus Blake, taking into consideration then: ex- loity frozen I ‘To see if we can anchor safely in this port.” “Why, you are not going to 5 **T shall enter it, cost what it will. require rest.” ‘ Yes, but I don’t want to pay too dear for: my lodgings.” “ What is the use of debating,” said Fergus Blake to Nipcheese, who had now come up to him, ‘ You are now at the mouth of the cave ; lead the way and I'll convoy you.’’ “What, before you? I known my place better; besides, I might walk into more mouths than one.” ‘* Belay! shorten sail, and iet me move ahead.”’ With these words, Fergus Blake passed rapidly into the recess, and the next moment was surprised to find it occupied; for, on looking round, he saw a form wrapped in a dark and ample mantle. ‘By heaven! ’tis a woman,’’ he exclaimed as his eyes scanned more narrowly the object that had met his view, You say you CHAPTER XIV. THE HUNTRESSES SLEEPING.—AN INDIAN’S LOVE AND FIDELITY. A faint light glimmered through the cracks of the ice caye Fergus Blake and Nepcheese had entered, and announced that, notwithstanding its imperfect structure, there was another tenant of the strange abode besides the one at first observed. J Like her companion, this female was enveloped in a covering of fur, and appeared to be also slumbering soundly. ; The repose of these damsels seemed, in a great manner, to have been the result of the glow of exercise and animation engendered by the chase, of which several implements hanging above their heads gave further evidence. In fact, the whole habitation, adorned with rude curtains of skins, spears, and arrows, denoted that it was a permenant, rather than a temporary residence of a huntress. “l'hey are both dreaming,” said Fergus Blake, ‘‘and their sleep induced by nature’s best nurse, fatigue.” ‘“Perhaps so, therefore we'd better sheer off and look out for other moorings,” replied Nipcheese. ‘J know these niggers here of old,” he continued ; “after a nap they get up more savage than ever.” “Keep clear of foul weather point, Nipcheese,” muttered Fergus, in a low voice, in the fear of dis- turbing the women he was closely observing. “They may be Indians, as you say,” he added, “but it I never swallow another glass of grog, the fairer one is as beautitul as an angel.” ‘Yes, and the other one,’’ said Nipcheese, ‘‘now I come to look at her, seems to be a nice plump wench, only she is an angel of rather a darker sort.” ‘*We will wait till they are awake, and then sur- prise them.” ‘‘Take care, Fergus, that we are not surprised our- selves. If discovered we shall be put to the sword by the knives of the natives. ‘I’m told these fellows,’’ continued Nipcheese, “take off heads like hats, and put ’em on pegs in their parlours. Shiver my timbers, my head aches wih the very thought of it.” With the suddeness of the falcon turning on her 0 wing, did the fair Sumach, the Indian princess, start at a voice that had fallen on her ear. Trembling from head to foot, she rose from her recumbent position, vad bent her gaze towards the spot trom whence tue sound had proceeded. She dashed aside her blindiay tresses, and at once en- countered the figure of Fergus Blake, hausted state, and the necess ity of sleep and refi esh- ment to continue the journ ey, conceived the ide:a at once of using the hollow, before which a halt had been made, as a temporary place of shelter. “Where are you steerii. ag too?” asked Nipchee se, as he observed his compa) yion advancing to the ca ve just spoken of. oS An oI ra FOMiGoOOkSnc /