"We may as well start for the ship at once," said Barwell Dawson. "Olalola thinks a snowstorm is coming, and we don't want to get caught out in it if we can help it." They returned to where they had encamped for the night, and picked up the few belongings left there. Then they started direct for the shelters put up near the ship. The last half-mile of the journey was covered in a heavy snowstorm, and all were glad when they caught sight of the _Ice King_. They found Captain Williamson and Professor Jeffer on the deck, watching for them. "I was afraid you would be snowbound," said the captain. He and the professor were astonished at the sight of the polar bears. The game was taken to one of the storehouses, where some of the natives were set to work to prepare it for use during the winter now close at hand. It had been arranged that the Esquimaux and some of the sailors were to live on shore, while Barwell Dawson and his party, and the captain and engineer and two others, remained on the steamer. Thus all had more "elbow room" than if they had crowded the entire party in one place or the other. From the hold of the vessel several large lamps were produced and put into readiness for use. "The darkness of the winter months is the worst feature of a trip to these parts," explained Barwell Dawson to the boys. "Of course, I hope for a great deal of moonlight, but even so the dark days are many, and lights are absolutely necessary." "The darkness has a strange effect on some people," said Professor Jeffer. "I have heard of sailors going mad because of it. But I trust nothing of the sort happens to any one in our party." After that, there was a good deal to do for a week around the ship and up at the hut, and the days passed swiftly. Then, one clear morning, the explorer called to Andy and Chet. "Come with me, if you want to get your last look at the sun for some months," said he. They left the _Ice King_ and walked to the top of an icy cliff a mile away. Professor Jeffer was with them, and so were Dr. Slade and Mr. Camdal. On the top of the cliff they had to wait nearly an hour before the sun showed itself. The long beams of light flashed across the ice, and then gradually grew dimmer and dimmer, and then disappeared altogether. "Gone!" said Chet, in a low tone. All had been very silent for several minutes. "Yes," answered Barwell Dawson. "And you'll not see the sun again until next February!" "What a night!" murmured Andy, and somehow his heart seemed to sink within him. It was a silent party that returned to the ship. Andy and Chet both began to wonder how the long spell of darkness was going to affect them. "It won't be so bad the first few days--or nights," said Andy. "But after that----" He finished with a grave shake of his head. "Let us try to occupy our minds with work and by reading," answered Chet. "I guess it's the only way to keep from going crazy."