CHAPTER VIII.
_Fred and the doctor go on an excursion in which, among other strange things, they meet with red snow and a white bear, and Fred makes his first essay as a sportsman_.
But where were Fred Ellice and Tom Singleton all this time?
the reader will probably ask.
Long before the game at football was suggested they had obtained leave of absence from the captain, and, loaded with game-bag, a botanical box and geological hammer, and a musket, were off along the coast on a semi-scientific cruise.

Young Singleton carried the botanical box and hammer, being an enthusiastic geologist and botanist, while Fred carried the game-bag and musket.
"You see, Tom," he said as they stumbled along over the loose ice towards the ice-belt that lined the cliffs--"you see, I'm a great dab at ornithology, especially when I've got a gun on my shoulder.

When I haven't a gun, strange to say, I don't feel half so enthusiastic about birds!" "That's a very peculiar style of regarding the science.

Don't you think it would be worth while communicating your views on the subject to one of the scientific bodies when we get home again.

They might elect you a member, Fred." "Well, perhaps I shall," replied Fred gravely; "but I say, to be serious, I'm really going to screw up my energies as much as possible, and make coloured drawings of all the birds I can get hold of in the Arctic Regions.