“Agreed! agreed!” cried the men at once, and in a tone of prompt decision that convinced their leader he had their entire confidence—­a matter of the highest importance in the critical circumstances in which they were placed.

“Well, then, I’ll read the rules.  They are few, but sufficiently comprehensive:—­

“1st.  Prayers shall be read every morning before breakfast, unless circumstances render it impossible to do so.”

The captain laid down the paper, and looked earnestly at the men.

“My lads, I have never felt so strongly as I now do the absolute need we have of the blessing and guidance of the Almighty, and I am persuaded that it is our duty as well as our interest to begin, not only the Sabbath, but every day with prayer.

“2nd.  The ordinary duties of the ship shall be carried on, the watches regularly set and relieved, regular hours observed, and the details of duty attended to in the usual way, as when in harbour.

“3rd.  The officers shall take watch and watch about as heretofore, except when required to do otherwise.  The log-books, and meteorological observations, etc., shall be carried on as usual.

“4th.  The captain shall have supreme and absolute command as when at sea; but he, on his part, promises that, should any peculiar circumstance arise in which the safety of the crew or ship shall be implicated, he will, if the men are so disposed, call a council of the whole crew, in which case the decision of the majority shall become law, but the minority, in that event, shall have it in their option to separate from the majority and carry along with them their share of the general provisions.

“5th.  Disobedience to orders shall be punishable according to the decision of a council to be appointed specially for the purpose of framing a criminal code, hereafter to be submitted for the approval of the crew.”

The rules above laid down were signed by every man in the ship.  Several of them could not write, but these affixed a cross (x) at the foot of the page, against which their names were written by the captain in presence of witnesses, which answered the same purpose.  And from that time, until events occurred which rendered all such rules unnecessary, the work of the ship went on pleasantly and well.

CHAPTER X.

Beginning of winter—­Meetuck effects a remarkable change in the men’s appearance—­Mossing, and working, and plans for a winter campaign.

In August the first frost came and formed “young ice” on the sea, but this lasted only for a brief hour or two, and was broken up by the tide and melted.  By the 10th of September the young ice cemented the floes of last year’s ice together, and soon rendered the ice round the ship immovable.  Hummocks clustered round several rocky islets in the neighbourhood, and the rising and falling of the tide