Seeing Crayford, Captain Helding stopped to speak to him.
"I have a casualty to report," said the captain, "which diminishes our numbers by one.

My second lieutenant, who was to have joined the exploring party, has had a fall on the ice.

Judging by what the quartermaster tells me, I am afraid the poor fellow has broken his leg." "I will supply his place," cried a voice at the other end of the hut.
Everybody looked round.

The man who had spoken was Richard Wardour.
Crayford instantly interfered--so vehemently as to astonish all who knew him.
"No!" he said.

"Not you, Richard! not you!" "Why not ?" Wardour asked, sternly.
"Why not, indeed ?" added Captain Helding.