422 Chapter VII. 



over the ice, indulging in the most wonderful antics in 



o o 



the effort to get ricl of it, to the great amusement of us, 

 the spectators. When tired of their work at the rubbish 

 heaps they stretch out their round, sausage-like bodies, 

 panting in the sun, if there is any, and if it is too warm 

 they get into the shade. They are tied up again before 

 dinner ; but " Pan," and others like-minded, sneak away 

 a little before that time, and hide up behind a hummock, 

 so that one can only see a head or an ear sticking up 

 here and there. Should anyone go to fetch him in he 

 will probably growl, show his teeth, or even snap ; after 

 which he will lie flat down, and allow himself to be 

 dragged off to prison. The remainder of the twenty-four 

 hours they spend sleeping, puffing and panting in the 

 excessive heat, which, by the w y ay, is two degrees of cold. 

 Every now and then they set up a chorus of howls 

 that certainly must be heard in Siberia, and quarrel 

 amongst themselves till the fur flies in all directions. 

 This removal of the dogs on to the ice has imposed 

 upon the watch the arduous duty of remaining on deck 

 at nights, which was not the practice before. But a 

 bear having once been on board and taken off two of our 

 precious animals, we don't want any more such visitors. 



'On July 3ist ' Kvik ' again increased our population 

 by bringing eleven puppies into the world, one of which 

 was deformed, and was at once killed ; two others died 

 later, but most of them grew up and became fine 

 handsome animals. Thev are still living-. 



