The sixth night after the hunting-party had left the ship, Grim and Fred Ellice suddenly made their appearance on board.  It was quite dark, and the few of the ship’s company who were able to quit their berths were seated round the cabin at their meagre evening meal.

“Hallo, Fred!” exclaimed Captain Ellice, as his son staggered rather than walked in and sank down on a locker.  “What’s wrong, boy? where are the rest of you?”

Fred could not answer; neither he nor Grim was able to utter a word at first.  It was evident that they laboured under extreme exhaustion and hunger.  A mouthful of hot soup administered by Tom Singleton rallied them a little, however.

“Our comrades are lost, I fear.”

“Lost!” exclaimed Captain Guy.  “How so?  Speak, my boy; but hold, take another mouthful before you speak.  Where did you leave them, say you?”

Fred looked at the captain with a vacant stare.  “Out upon the ice to the north; but, I say, what a comical dream I’ve had!” Here he burst into a loud laugh.  Poor Fred’s head was evidently affected, so his father and Tom carried him to his berth.

All this time Grim had remained seated on a locker swaying to and fro like a drunken man, and paying no attention to the numerous questions that were put to him by Saunders and his comrades.

“This is bad!” exclaimed Captain Guy, pressing his hand on his forehead.

“A search must be made,” suggested Captain Ellice.  “It’s evident that the party have broken down out on the floes, and Fred and Grim have been sent to let us know.”

“I know it,” answered Captain Guy.  “A search must be made, and that instantly, if it is to be of any use; but in which direction are we to go is the question.  These poor fellows cannot tell us.  ’Out on the ice to the north’ is a wide word.—­Fred, Fred, can you not tell us in which direction we ought to go to search for them?”

“Yes, far out on the floes—­among hummocks—­far out,” murmured Fred, half unconsciously.

“We must be satisfied with that.  Now, Mr. Saunders, assist me to get the small sledge fitted out.  I’ll go to look after them myself.”

“An’ I’ll go with ’ee, sir,” said the second mate promptly.

“I fear you are hardly able.”

“No fear o’ me, sir.  I’m better than ’ee think.”

“I must go too,” added Captain Ellice; “it is quite evident that you cannot muster a party without me.”

“That’s impossible,” interrupted the doctor.  “Your leg is not strong enough nearly for such a trip; besides, my dear sir, you must stay behind to perform my duties, for the ship can’t do without a doctor, and I shall go with Captain Guy, if he will allow me.”

“That he won’t,” cried the captain.  “You say truly the ship cannot be left without a doctor.  Neither you nor my friend Ellice shall leave the ship with my permission.  But don’t let us waste time talking.—­Come, Summers and Mizzle, you are well enough to join, and, Meetuck, you must be our guide.  Look alive and get yourselves ready.”