1 6 THE FUR CO UNTR Y. covered with white frost-bitten patches. It was urgently neces- sary to restore the circulation of the blood in the affected por- tions. This result Jaspar Hobson hoped to obtain by vigorous friction with the snow. We know that this is the means generally employed in the polar countries to set going afresh the circulation of the blood arrested by the intense cold, even as the rivers are arrested in their courses by the icy touch of winter^ Sergeant Long soon returned, and he and Joliffe gave the new arrival such a rubbing as he had probably never before received. It Vvas no soft and agreeable friction, but a vigorous shampooing most lustily performed, more like the scratching of a curry-comb than the caresses of a human hand. And during the operation the loquacious Corporal continued ta exhort the unconscious traveller. " Come, come, sir. What do you mean by getting frozen like this. Now, don't be so obstinate ! " Probably it was obstinacy which kept Thomas Black from deign- ing to show a sign of life. At the end of half an hour the rubbers began to despair, and were about to discontinue their exhausting efforts, when the poor man sighed several times. " He lives ; he is coming to ! " cried Jaspar Hobson. After having warmed the outside of his body, Corporal Joliffe hurried to do the same for the inside, and hastily fetched a few glasses of the punch. The traveller really felt much revived by them ; the colour returned to his cheeks, expression to his eyes, and words to his lips, so that Captain Craventy began to hope that he should have an explanation from Tliomas Black himself of his strange arrival at the fort in such a terrible condition. At last the traveller, well covered with wraps, rose on his elbow^ and said in a voice still faint — " Fort Reliance ? "
- ' The same," replied the Captain.
" Captain Craventy ? " " He is before you, and is happy to bid you welcome. But may I inquire what brings you to Fort Reliance?" " He is come to see the moon," replied the courier, who evidently thought this a happy answer. It satisfied Thomas Black too, for he beat his head in assent and resumed — '• Lieutenant Hobson ] " .
