"There is one on board, at all events, I'll leave behind," said Pen, with a frightful oath, "though he should eat my arm off."
"That dog?" said Plover.
"Yes, that dog; and I mean to do for him before I am much older."
"The sooner the better," replied Clifton, never weary of his favorite subject. "He is the cause of all our misfortunes."
"I believe he dragged us into the ice," said Gripper.
"Ay, and gathered it up like this in front of us, for such compact masses are never seen at this time of the year," added Wolsten.
"It is through him my eyes are so bad," said Brunton, wearily.
"And through him we have neither gin nor brandy," said Pen.
"So the men went on, each one having his own grievance against the dog
"Worst of all," said Clifton, "he is the captain!"
"A curse of a captain he is too!" exclaimed Pen, in a paroxysm of senseless rage "Well, he determined to come here, and here he shall stay."
"But how shall we got hold of him?" said Plover.
"Now's our chance," replied Clifton; "Shandon is not on board; Wall is alseep in his berth; and the fog is so thick that Johnson will never see us."
"But the dog?" interrupted Pen.
"Captain is lying asleep this moment close beside the coal bunker," replied Clifton; "if anyone chooses to———"
"I'll undertake to get him," cried Pen in a fury.
"Take care, Pen; he has grinders that can break iron bars."
"If he stirs I'll rip him up," declared Pen, taking up a knife, as he rushed down between decks, followed by Warren, who wished to have a hand in the business.
Both came back presently, carrying the dog in their arms, muzzled and tied up. They had surprised him in his sleep, and escape was impossible.
"Hurrah for Pen!" exclaimed Plover.
"And now what's to be done with him?" inquired Clifton.
