That was one day at the end of August, when at midday the sun shone quite hot, and they knew that harvest must be in full progress at home. They had been so great a distance to the south that it was all the men could do to pull back; and, as it was, they did not reach the mouth of the narrow waterway until close upon ten o'clock, and the _Hvalross_ till they were so utterly tired out that, after snatching a hasty meal, all were eager to throw themselves down to sleep. Safely anchored as they were, shut in from storms, right out where no bears, even if they swam out, could assail them, the keeping of a watch seemed very unnecessary, and Steve never thought it more so than that night, when he found that it was his turn to take the second watch in company with Johannes; for he was regularly fagged. However, his was only the watch to come, so that he was able to get a good sleep before he was called, and then arose with his eyes half closed and a general desire to quarrel with everything and everybody. "It does seem so stupid!" he grumbled. "What's the good of it?" "Being under a first-rate captain, sir, one who never lets discipline grow slack." "Oh, bother!" said Steve testily. "It seems such a nuisance when one is so tired and sleepy. It does no good now." "Yes, sir, a great deal," replied the Norseman. "Makes every one feel confident that he is being watched over, and may sleep in peace." "Wish I was being watched over and could sleep in peace," groaned out Steve. "No, I don't," he hastened to add; "it would be so precious selfish. But I'm not well, Johannes; I'm chilly. Got a bad cold, I think." "Then go and get your sheep-skin coat." "Would you? Well, I think I will." He went back to the cabin, and returned, putting on the thick coat, with its closely-cut pile of wool, shorn so regularly that it looked like velvet in the light of the glistening stars. "I don't like this watching in the dark," said Steve. "And how strange it is! Only the other day it was quite light at this time. Ugh! how cold I feel!" "You'll be better soon," said Johannes. "You have not had time yet to feel the good of your coat." "What good can that do me when I'm not well?" grumbled Steve. "Hullo! you've got on yours." "Yes, sir; and it's very welcome. The air is very cold to-night." "Freezing?" "Yes, sir, hard. I daresay we shall find the fiord covered with ice in the morning. Winter is coming, sir, you see." "Oh, but this is only a night frost that will go away in the sun quite early." "Perhaps so, sir; but you can never be sure about the weather at this time of year. It will make some of the walrus boats turn their heads south, many of them perhaps empty, while here they swarm more than ever." "Then they should come up here and catch them." "How?" said Johannes. "Sail and steam, as we did." "Yes, sir, that sounds easy; but suppose they cannot? Suppose you made up your mind to sail south to-morrow?"