They are stowed away down in the hold." "Just the thing!" cried Raed; "the very essence of gallantry!" "Corliss, Bonney, and Hobbs," shouted the captain, "bear a hand at those old stairs,--quick! Don't keep ladies waiting!" The old stairs were hurried up, and let down from the side.

The captain stood ready with a stout line, which he whipped around the top rung, and then made fast to the bulwarks.

"That'll hold 'em," said he.
The _oomiak_ was then brought up close, and the foot of the stairs set inside the gunwale.

The _oomiak_ was about twenty-seven feet in length by six in width.

Like the _kayaks_, it was covered with seal-skin; or perhaps it might have been the hide of the walrus.