On the shore, high up on a braeside, was an outlook, and the Walrus’s people saw both American and British ensigns dipped to welcome the Walrus.
The Walrus returned the salute.
Then flags of all kinds were set in motion, and the signalmen on board and on shore were very busy indeed, for a time.
“Yes, all was well, now,” said the signalman on shore, “but two dogs dead, and one Innuit. Sea Elephant had never been seen.”
The anchor was hardly let go when the officer’s boat was alongside, and he was heartily welcomed down below to exchange experiences.
He and his men had been very busy all the time, and they were ably assisted and supported by the kindly Yak-Yaks. He spoke in the very highest terms of Slap-dash, the chief. In the dreary days of winter, when the island was deep in snow, snow-shoe expeditions were got up; but sleighing, especially with the bears, who were better suited to the rough work, was preferred. The Yak-Yak died of inflammation. One dog fell over a cliff and was killed at once. The other was found dead. Both were buried side by side, and cairns mark their resting-place. “There is a cairn also,” said Slator, “on the poor Yak-Yak. I think we nearly all dropped some tears at his grave.”
I suppose they did, reader, for in the loneliness of such a place as this the heart is sometimes very near the throat. Sunshine brings mirth and happiness, gloom depresses, and there is always a certain amount of sadness in even the songs of northern nations, such as Iceland, Scotland, and Norway.
Both Charlie and Walt had some doubt as to how the Yak-Yak dogs would receive them again. But, accompanied by Ingomar, they boldly marched some distance into the interior, to the kennels. It was the afternoon of what had been a glorious day, and they had doffed their fur caps and coats.
The bears were not at home just then. Both bears and dogs, indeed, had gone away to roam the wilds nearly every day, but the Bruins, with the dogs, always came shambling or trotting back at eventide, to sleep and to eat.
They were away then at this moment, and Slap-dash proposed that, with the Newfoundlands and pet collie, they should all march forth to meet them.