“Ice and snow, like the Esquimaux.”
While Jack imparted his plan to his fellow exiles they helped themselves to what provisions had been saved from the sled.
They found enough canned meat and biscuits to last them for a day or two, and the food revived them considerably.
The day was much warmer than the night, and they did not suffer from the cold to any extent.
After breakfast Jack selected a spot where they could safely build the ice house.
He secured a firm foundation on the ice, and then, with the hatchet, began to cut blocks of ice and shape them as he wished them.
It was an interesting day for the boys. They were so engrossed in watching and helping Jack and Hugo that when the ice hut was completed they were amazed to find that the day had nearly passed.
The hut was built in circular shape, with a very small aperture at the top. The cracks were filled with snow, and water thrown over it to form a complete casing.
In front a single block was left open, which, removed, allowed of entrance to the hut.
The boys were compelled to crawl through this aperture, and found quite a cozy interior, around which packed-down banks of snow indicated the couches they were to lie on.