MAROONED IN AN ARCTIC BLIZZARD That was indeed a winter of bitter cold and of almost unexampled severity.

It came suddenly, too, and with scant warning, as we shall see, and a full fortnight in advance of the time when it should have come.
Abel and Skipper Ed took Jimmy with them that year upon their autumn seal hunt.

It was deemed wise to leave Bobby behind with Mrs.Abel, despite his protest.

Though he was willing enough to remain when Mrs.
Abel declared that because of her recent illness she wished some one to stay at home and assist her, for she did not feel equal to the task, unassisted, of making things snug for the winter.

And of course there was none but Bobby to stay.
And so it came about that Bobby, with many longings and regrets, though cheerful enough withal, stood down on the beach one frosty September morning and watched Abel Zachariah and Skipper Ed and Jimmy sail away for the hunt, while he comforted himself with the thought that another year he, too, would go.
Indeed, he had already taken part in the spring hunt, and though he gave no hint that he had guessed what was in their minds, he knew well enough that the plea that he was needed at home to assist Mrs.Abel at the work was a subterfuge of his foster parents, instigated, he had no doubt, by Skipper Ed.