is to become of me, if you please, when Bateson has chopped my
bed into fire-wood?"

"Can't you guess?"

"I suppose the cold has stupefied me. The riddle is beyond my
reading. Suppose you give me a hint?"

"Certainly. There will be beds to spare soon--there is to be a
change at last in our wretched lives here. Do you see it now?"

Frank's eyes sparkled. He sprang out of his berth, and waved his
fur cap in triumph.

"See it?" he exclaimed; "of course I do! The exploring party is
to start at last. Do I go with the expedition?"

"It is not very long since you were in the doctor's hands,
Frank," said Crayford, kindly. "I doubt if you are strong enough
yet to make one of the exploring party."

"Strong enough or not," returned Frank, "any risk is better than
pining and perishing here. Put me down, Crayford, among those who
volunteer to go."

"Volunteers will not be accepted, in this case," said Crayford.
"Captain Helding and Captain Ebsworth see serious objections, as
we are situated, to that method of proceeding."

"Do they mean to keep the appointments in their own hands?" asked