The Esquimaux, instead of trusting to their dogs to draw them down the steep hill, had simply coasted, just as Jack had done many a time at home.

In a little while the dogs, that had been led by a number of the natives down an easier path than that which the steep hill offered, came up, barking and yelping.  They were again harnessed to the sledges, and the journey commenced once more.

This time it did not last more than an hour.  It was along a level stretch of ice, and soon they were in the midst of an Esquimaux village.

Huts of ice, with rounded tops, were on every side, with here and there a tent made of seal skins stretched over poles.  There were several hundred inhabitants, who mingled with the members of the hunting party, that included men, women and children, for, when the Esquimaux go for a several days’ stay after fish they take their families along.

“We seem to have struck camp at last,” remarked the professor to Andy.  “I wonder what they are going to do with us now.”

“The least they could do would be to untie us and give us a good meal,” growled the old hunter, who was stiff from being bound so long on the sled.

“Who said dinner?” broke in Washington from his sled.  “I jest wish I had a chicken pot-pie!”

“I’d willingly go without a meal if I was sure the airship was safe,” sighed the professor.

At this mention of their craft all the adventurers became silent and a feeling of sadness came over them.  But they had little time to indulge in gloomy thoughts.

As soon as the inhabitants of the camp had greeted the fishing party the captives were surrounded by a group of curious ones, who followed the chief, in his white furs, to where the prisoners’ sleds had been drawn up.  The white men, who must have seemed strange beings to the Esquimaux, were still fastened to the vehicles.  At a word from the leader the bonds were cut.

“I guess they want us to get up,” said Jack.

He rose from his sleigh, and his example was followed by the others.  The Esquimaux closed around them.  Then, before any of the prisoners could raise a hand in their defense, they were seized by a score of the dark natives and hurried off across the snow.

“Draw your revolvers and shoot!” cried Andy.  “They are going to kill us!”

“No!  No!” shouted the old inventor.  “To resist now would be folly.  Have patience a little longer!”

His voice was so earnest that all obeyed him.  So, unresisting, the captives were borne away.  Then a strange thing happened.

The sun, which had been shining in the sky from which it would not disappear for six months, suddenly seemed to darken.  The captives started in surprise.

“What’s the matter?” asked the old inventor, struggling to escape from the arms which held him.  “Is it night?”

“I guess dey done gone and blindfolded us!” exclaimed Washington.