On the morning of the 1st December, while the most of the crew were away at Red-Snow Valley cutting moss, Fred collected his corps dramatique for a last rehearsal in the forecastle, where they were secure from interruption, the place being so cold that no one would willingly go into it except under the force of necessity.  A dim lantern lit up the apartment faintly.

“We must do it without a mistake this time,” said Fred Ellice, opening his book, and calling upon Grim to begin.

“’Tis cold,” began Grim.

“Stop, you’re wrong.”

“Oh! so I am,” cried Grim, slapping his thigh, “I’ll begin again.”

It may be remarked here, that although Blunderbore was supposed to be an Esquimau monarch, he was compelled to speak English, being unfortunately ignorant—­if we may so speak—­of his native tongue!

“Oh! ’tis a dismal thing,” began Grim again, “to dwell in solitude and cold!  ’Tis very cold [Grim shuddered here tremendously], and—­and—­(what’s next?)”

“Hunger,” said Fred.

“Hunger gnaws my vitals.  My name is Blunderbore.  ’Twere better had I been born a Blunder_buss_, ’cause then I’d have gone off and dwelt in climes more shootable to my tender constitoosion.  Ha! is that a bear I sees before me?”

“It’s not sees,” interrupted Fred.

At this moment a tremendous roar was heard, and O’Riley bounded from behind a top-sail, which represented an iceberg, dressed from head to foot in the skin of a white bear which had been killed a few days before.

“Stop, O’Riley,” cried Fred; “you’re too soon, man. I have to come on first as an Esquimau woman, and when Grim says to the woman he wishes he could see a bear, then you are to come.”

“Och! whirra, but me brains is confuged intirely wid it all,” said O’Riley, rising on his hind legs, and walking off with his tail, literally as well as figuratively, between his legs.

“Now, Buzzby, now; it’s your time.  When you hear the word ‘misery,’ come on and fight like a Trojan with the bears.  The doctor will remind you.”

Fred was remarkably patient and painstaking, and his pupils, though not apt scholars, were willing, so that the morning rehearsal was gone through with fewer mistakes than might have been expected; and when the crew came back to dinner about mid-day, which, however, was as dark as midnight, their parts were sufficiently well got up, and nothing remained to be done but to arrange the stage and scenery for the evening’s entertainment—­it having been resolved that the performance should commence after supper.  The stage was at the after part of the cabin, and raised about a foot above the deck; and its management had been intrusted to the doctor, who, assisted by Peter Grim, transformed that portion of the ship into a scene so romantically beautiful that the first sight of it petrified the crew with surprise.  But until the curtain should rise all arrangements were carefully concealed from every one except the dramatis personae.  Even the captain and officers were forbidden to peep behind the sail that formed a curtain to the stage; and this secrecy, besides being necessary, was extremely useful, inasmuch as it excited the curiosity of the men, and afforded them food for converse and speculation for a week before the great day arrived.