But even that only aroused in echo a chilling reply from the sheltering berg in front.
His late companions made no response at all, and Arthur Rushton made up his mind to desert his post to seek them.
IV
The idea of playing "Crusoe" did not then appeal forcibly to the lad, but just when he was thinking very seriously about himself and his companions, he caught sight of them on the forecastle. They were accompanied by the two small "bears" which had attacked them previously. Arthur shouted with joy when he perceived them.
"Oh, I am so glad to see you," he exclaimed. "I thought you were dead! How did you tame those animals? What queer beasts!"
"They are not beasts; they are men—savages if you like, but no beasts," replied the surgeon.
"I don't like them at all," replied Arthur. "But what are they then?"
"Fuegians. They have come from Tierra del Fuego. There is a Norwegian in the forecastle very ill! He has been wrecked on the voyage round the Horn, and it seems he and his friends picked these fellows up. The Norwegians boarded the derelict weeks ago."
"Well, supposing they did, how did they get into the Gladiator?" asked Arthur.
"That is what we have been learning. Their ship was disabled, and drifted in this direction before a nor'-wester. It was entirely wrecked on these islands, but fortunately the crew sighted the derelict. They boarded her, starved here, and died here, all but this Northman and his two companions. A terrible fate!"
"Perhaps we had better examine the vessel farther,"
