Around these islands were walruses in abundance, and many fell to the guns.
Going shoreward one day over the thick bay ice, to enjoy with Mr Wilson and some others some sport among the bears, Harry, who was foremost, was startled beyond measure to notice the ice ahead first heave, then crack and splinter, while a moment afterwards a head, more awful than a nightmare, was protruded.
Harry’s fear—if fear it could be called—was however but momentarily: next moment his rifle was at the shoulder, and the monster paid his life as the penalty for his curiosity.
In a month the Inuita was—what her captain wished her to be—full to the hatches with blubber and skins.
Then all sail was set for merry England.
There was nothing but joy now on board, nothing but jollity and fun.
The men had a ball almost every night, with singing and story-telling to follow.
“I do believe, my dear boy,” said Captain Hardy to Harry one evening, “that you have brought all the luck on board. Well, now, I’m going to tell you a secret.”
“I don’t want you to, you know.”
“Oh, but I want to tell somebody,” said the captain, “and it may as well be you. It is this: As soon as I get my ship cleared and paid off at Hull, I am going straight back to Lerwick to ask Miss Mitford if she will be my wife.”