Propping himself against the trees, he closed his eyes for a second, and
before he could pry them open again, he, too, was fast asleep.

When he awoke it was broad daylight and his companions were
already astir.

"Did you fellows wake up last night?" he asked, rubbing his eyes
sleepily.

Barney and the Major shook their heads.

"Then you didn't see it?"

"See what?"

"The white thing."

Barney stared. The Major's face was noncommittal.

Bruce told them of his experience.

"He's been seeing a ghost," declared Barney, with a laugh.

"On the contrary," said the Major slowly, "I think he hasn't. There are
white creatures in the Arctic; just such ones as he has described. I have
seen them myself. No, not white bears, either. But I have never seen them
this far South. I will not say now what I think Bruce saw but I will say
I do not think it was an Indian."

"Look!" exclaimed Barney suddenly in a whisper.