direction of the lady, as I was falling, revealed the retreating figure of Estas, and, of course, I uttered a short marine prayer for her. I was stunned for a time, but soon regained consciousness, and did not follow the advice of my companions—to return to the Dorondoro for treatment. However, my body was so stiff and sore from the effects of the fall, that further skating, for a time at least, was out of the question; indeed, it was only just before we left that I was able to indulge in the luxury of a few races with the young ladies.
During our stay the boats kept constantly plying between the vessel and the ice. This enabled the excursionists to leave and return whenever they felt disposed. When sufficient time had elapsed for them to acquire an appetite from the skating and many other exercises, preparations were made for a monster picnic. Fuel and stoves were brought from the ship, and a huge camp was formed; then fires were lit, and when this was accomplished, many curling, winding wreaths of smoke might be seen slowly and dreamily ascending from the ice, which presented an imposing spectacle. Stretching as far as the eye could reach was the level expanse, dotted here and there with moving figures, some of them so small as to be almost imperceptible in the
