This was quickly done.

Pomp was an adept at the business, and soon the six pelts were stored away on board the airship.

Then it was decided to ascend and continue the journey to the Pole.

“We ought to locate that very-much-sought spot in two days more,” declared Frank; “then we are homeward bound.”

Somehow the sound of the words “homeward bound” had begun to have a powerful charm for the explorers.

The time they had been absent and the thrilling experiences which had been theirs were certainly sufficient to satisfy the most fastidious seeker of wild adventure.

“Surely it will seem good to see home once more,” declared Gaston, warmly. “And think of the honor which awaits us!”

Pomp now lacked the co-operation of Barney in clearing the snow from the deck of the airship and its rigging.

But Frank and Gaston lent their services in this. Soon the deck was quite clear and ship-shape.

Then the rotascope was raised and the wings expanded.

The machinery was tried to see that no harm had come to it. Then all was in readiness for the start.

But just as Frank was about to enter the pilot-house a wild cry escaped Pomp’s lips.

“Fo’ de Lor’ sakes, Marse Frank!” he screamed, “jes’ cast yo’ eye ober yender!”

Frank did so. The sight which rewarded his gaze was a thrilling one.

Painfully clambering over an icy ridge near were two men. As they reached its summit and were in full view of the airship one of them shouted:

“Help! Help!”

“Great heavens!” was Frank’s wild cry, “that is Barney!”

“Barney!” gasped the professor.

“Yes, back from the dead!”

“Massy sakes, it am his ghostis!” cried Pomp, in terror. “Don’ go ober dere, Marse Frank!”

“Don’t be a fool!” cried Frank, angrily. “Come along, both of you!”

Gaston followed Frank instantly.

Barney it was, and but just alive. The Celt was covered with a coating of ice.

The man with him was shrunken to a shadow, with pale, cadaverous features. He could hardly creep along and blood marked his course over the snow.

“Barney!” cried Frank, rushing up to the spot. “Thank God you are alive! How did you come here, and who is this?”

“Begorra, Misther Frank, it’s a long swim I had!” replied Barney. “An’ it’s nigh dead I am wid me wet clothes. Shure, we’ll tell yez all about it whin we get warm!”

“Help us, for the love of God!” said the pallid wretch in a whisper.

Nothing more was said until the two exhausted men were helped aboard the airship.

Then Barney was undressed and thawed out, and both were given hot drink and food.

The Celt’s story was brief and succinct.

“Shure, whin I fell into that hole,” he declared, “fer toime me head was under wather. Then I cum up into the air an’ all was dark.

“I felt mesilf being carried along by the current, an’ thin all became loight agin an’ I kem out into daylight wanst more. I was carried about a moile below here, to a big, open basin av wather. I cloimbed out, an’ shure there in the ice I saw the hull av a big ship.

“Masts nor riggin’ there was none, only the hull. An’ whin I wint up to it this gintleman crawled out an’ spoke to me. Shure, he kin tell his story betther than me.”

“Golly! but I am done glad fo’ to see yo’ safe agin, I’ish!” cried Pomp, with glistening eyes.

“Shure, an’ it’s glad I am to be wid yez wanst again!” replied Barney.

The Arctic refugee now began, in a weak, quavering voice to tell his story.

“Three years I have passed in thus cursed clime!” he declared. “All has been solitude like unto death. Oh, God! the horror of that time!

“Three years ago our brig, the Valiant, in command of Captain Alexander Bent, was nipped by the ice and drifted hither, after many months of futile attempt to liberate her.

“I was the first mate, James Spencer, and I am to-day the only survivor. Within six months from the nipping of the ship every member of the crew of twelve men, save myself, were dead.

“A fearful disease struck us and all had it but me. I prayed to have it, but fate ordered otherwise.

“I buried them all, one by one, in the ice. Then I was left in solitude. For three years I lived on the stores of the ship.

“But last week the last biscuit gave out. I had no longer strength to hunt. I had given myself up to die when this man appeared before me. Even now it seems as if I must be dreaming.”

“No,” replied Frank, cheerily, “you are not dreaming. Cheer up, my good man, for you are sure of getting back home.”

“What!” cried the castaway. “Do not mock me. You are cast away here like me?”

“No; this is our ship.”
............