* * * * *

Tom was time-keeper.  He had a little log-book in which he had been careful to note down day and date every morning, and, like a good lad, he never forgot to wind his watch.  He made a really first-class Crusoe.

But they were all good.  And what a grand guard Briton was!  If ever he heard the slightest sound of bird or rabbit down amongst the trees or bushes beneath them, he gave a low growl.  One night he sprang to his feet and barked very loudly and angrily.

The Crusoes were awake at once.

And no wonder, for terrible noises, like distant thunder, were heard just beneath their feet.  They were startled still more when explosion after explosion took place, both in the air and in the earth, while the ground was shaken under them.

It was a curious, giddy movement, and made them all feel rather sick.

Then the thunder-storm burst in earnest, with rain and hail in torrents, and the whole island seemed to be on fire with the lightning.

Tom had to take Pansy in his arms to soothe her, for she shook and trembled like a little bird.  But in two hours it was all over, and the stars were shining as bright and large and near as before.

* * * * *

Sometimes the moon shone with a stronger light than it ever does in this country.  It seemed so close to them, too, that Pansy used to say it was only just resting on the snowy hill-top.

On moonlit days the children were always abroad in the forest or by the lake-side watching Flossy catching fish.  She dived and swam far more quickly than an eel.

It is terribly dreary to want the sun, but after a month one gets used to it.  Besides, one knows that bright and beautiful days are on ahead.  Older people might have felt very weary, but none of our Crusoes lost heart.

I have not told you yet of the Aurora Borealis, which was best seen on dark, starry nights.  It was not in the north only, but all around them, great bright fringes of coloured lights—­chiefly green, crimson, or pink.  How they danced and flickered, to be sure!  Such dazzling beauty no pen could describe, and I will not attempt it.

Well, Christmas-day came at last, and how glad they all were to be still spared alive and in comfort!

Tom meant to make the most of it.  But, of course, there was no turkey or goose to roast.  Instead, they had a splendid great rabbit stuffed with nuts, and roasted roots to eat with it.

They had no crackers either, but Tom and Frank got an immense pile of dry wood, and heaped it in the middle of the rocky bridge that led to the mainland, and early in the day or night—­whichever you like to call it—­they set it alight.

[Illustration]

Now, probably this pile saved some of their lives.  It had been placed there about five days before Christmas, and a huge bear, who had the nightmare I suppose, came yawning out of his cave and down the mountain-side.