The World of Ice

e "Pole Star"-Midnight-day-Scientific facts and fairy-like scenes-Tom

many whalers were seen actively engaged in warfare with the giants of the Polar Seas, and to several of these Captain Guy spoke, in the faint hope of gleaning some information as to the fate of the Pole Star, but without success. It was now apparent to the crew of

t whatever that poor Fred was in earnest, and had made up his mind to die in the search rather than not find him. He little knew the terrible nature of the country in which for a time his lot was to be cast, and the hopelessness of such an undertaking as he meditated. With boyish inconsiderateness he thought not of how his object was to be accomplished; he cared not what impossibilities lay in the way; but, with manly determination, he made up his mind to quit the ship and search for his father through the length and breadth of the land. Let not the reader smile at what he may perhaps style a childish piece of enthusiasm. Many a y

ll to work, a man can work 'is way hanywhere. Of course there's not much of a pop'lation in them parts, I've heerd; but there's Heskimos, and where one man can live so can another, and what one man can d

the captain down

s,

me the

like a Jack-in-the-box from the cab

t hung over the cabin door, "within sight of the Dani

be some information obtained regarding the Pole Star, and it was with feelings of no common

he residence of the governor, who received them with great kindness and hospitality; but the only information they could obtain was that, a year ago, Ca

ish, and procured several dogs, besides an E

ey passed in succession one or two Esquimau settlements, the last of which, Yotlik, is the most northerly point of colonization. Beyond this all was terra incognita. Here inquiry was again made through the medium of the Esqui

ed north, as far as the ice would permit, towards Smith's

urgeon, with surprise and admiration. This was the long-continued daylight, which now lasted the whole night round, and increased in intensity every day as they advanced north. They

ng the one season grow longer and longer until at last there is one long day of many weeks' duration, in which the sun does not set at all; and during the other season there is one long night, in which the sun is never seen. It was approaching the height of the summer season when the Dolphin entered

e main-top, gazing down on the glassy sea, which was covered with snowy icebergs and floes, and bathed in the rays of t

ntly, and a spar creaked plaintively, as the vessel rose and fell on the gentle undulations that seemed to be the breathing of the ocean. But such sounds did not disturb the universal stillness of the hour; neither did the gambols of yonder group of seals and walruses that we

ance from the ship, which caused much anxiety to the captain, although th

em a strange idea to you, but, do you know, I cannot

idea, Fred, for it has two of the charact

ow, I wish that it were always calm lik

daresay the Esquimaux would join with you in the wish, however, for the

silence, "you're very tiresome and stu

dreamy evening inclines m

ways inclined to think too much and to talk t

oo much and think t

n you. Did you ever see such a miserable set of cr

into your head?" in

extraordinary hag you gave your silk pocket-handkerchief to at parting

that. I have seen women so old that their tottering limbs could scarcely support them, going about in the bitterest November winds, with clothing too scant to cover their wrinkled bodies,

he young surgeon's character-perhaps its deep earnestness-that rendered it impossible, at least

oor wretches, Tom?" he aske

along and scratching among the refuse cast out by the tenants of the neighbouring houses. O Fred, Fred! in my professional career, short though it has been, I have seen much of these poor old women, and many others w

replied Fred, "but I never though

I'm wrong-I hope not-but it's a fact, I don't feel much for the young and the sturdy poor, and I make it a rule never to give a farthing to young beggars, not even to little children, for I know full well that they are sent out to beg by idle, good-for-nothing parents. I stand up only for the

hatic tone, "I would not!

have 'known better times'? They think of sons and daughters dead and gone, perhaps, just as other old women in better circumstances do. But they must not indulge such depressing thoughts; they must reserve all the energy, the stamina they have, to drag round the city-barefoot, it may be, and in the cold-to beg for food, and scratch up

sed his hand upon h

re or less, and they have strength to stand their sorrows, with hope, blessed hope, to keep them up; but poor old men and old women cannot help themselves, and cannot stand thei

commiseration. "Our being sorry for it and anxious about it (and yo

in would start a society, whose first resolution should be that they would not leave one poor old man or wom

e captain in a sharp voice. "Get out t

wrong?" said Fr

marked Tom. "I say, Fred, before we go on d

yes, I

ecially if you ever come to be rich or influential,

t know that I'll ever be rich, or in

m strikes you, will you always think it out, and,

mise to do that

aid the young surgeon, as they desce

ly, with an anxious expression of face. After taking

e breeze will be up in a little, I t

dvancing slowly as the boats towed her between two large icebergs, wh

d, as the sturdy sailor stood looking at th

get us on, right between two bergs as could crack us like a walnut. We can't get to starboard of 'em for

a few minutes. The men rowed lustily, but their utmost exertions could move the ship but slowly. Aid was coming, however, direct from the hand of Him who is a refuge in the time of danger. A breeze was creeping over the calm sea right astern, and it was to

n board stood watching the two

e smaller berg was overhanging the deck. At this critical moment the wind began to blow steadily, and soon the Dolphin was in the open water beyond. Five minutes after she had passed, the moving mountains struck with a noise louder than thunder; the summits and large portions of