Title: The Field of Ice - Part II of the Adventures of Captain Hatteras
Author: Verne, Jules, 1828-1905
Language: English
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*** Start of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "The Field of Ice - Part II of the Adventures of Captain Hatteras" ***


[Redactor's Note: The Field of Ice {Number V004 (Part II)} in the
T&M numerical listing of Verne's works is a translation of Part II
of Voyages et aventures du capitane Hatteras: II: LeDésert de glace
(1866) first published in England in this Routledge (London, 1874)
anonymous translation. Other translations are Osgood (Boston, 1874),
Ward, Lock, and Tyler (1876), Goubaud & Son (London, 1877), and
Hutchinson (London, 1890). This early work was never published by
Scribners or Sampson and Low and never found the wide popularity
obtained by the works published by those houses. Page numbers are
retained in this version to assist in the later collating the
numerous illustrations. A List of Illustrations has been provided.
(NMW)]



THE FIELD OF ICE



BY JULES VERNE,


AUTHOR OF "A JOURNEY TO THE NORTH POLE."
"THE CHILDREN OF CAPTAIN GRANT."
ETC


WITH 126 ILLUSTRATIONS BY RIOU



LONDON AND NEW YORK


GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND SONS


1875

[All rights reserved.]



LONDON
Printed by Simmons and Botten
Shoe Lane, E.C.



CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
THE DOCTOR'S INVENTORY
 1

CHAPTER II.
FIRST WORDS OF ALTAMONT
 10

CHAPTER III.
A SEVENTEEN DAYS' MARCH
 22

CHAPTER IV.
THE LAST CHARGE OF POWDER
 32

CHAPTER V.
THE SEAL AND THE BEAR
 44

CHAPTER VI.
THE "PORPOISE"
 55

CHAPTER VII.
AN IMPORTANT DISCUSSION
 66

CHAPTER VIII.
AN EXCURSION TO THE NORTH OF VICTORIA BAY
 77

CHAPTER IX.
COLD AND HEAT
 88

CHAPTER X.
WINTER PLEASURES
 97

CHAPTER XI.
TRACKS OF BEARS
 107

CHAPTER XII.
IMPRISIONED IN DOCTOR'S HOUSE
 118

CHAPTER XIII.
THE MINE
 130

CHAPTER XIV.
AN ARCTIC SPRING
 143

CHAPTER XV.
THE NORTH WEST PASSAGE
 154

CHAPTER XVI.
ARCTIC ARCADIA
 163

CHAPTER XVII.
ALTAMONT'S REVENGE
 173

CHAPTER XVIII.
FINAL PREPARATIONS
 181

CHAPTER XIX.
MARCH TO THE NORTH
 187

CHAPTER XX.
FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW
 199

CHAPTER XXI.
THE OPEN SEA
 209

CHAPTER XXII.
GETTING NEAR THE POLE
 216

CHAPTER XXIII.
THE ENGLISH FLAG
 227

CHAPTER XXIV.
MOUNT HATTERAS
 240

CHAPTER XXV.
RETURN SOUTH
 253

CHAPTER XXVI.
CONCLUSION
 264



LIST OF FULL PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS



THE FIELD OF ICE



"Altamont had already swung his hatchet to strike, when he was
arrested by a well known voice"


 132--frontispiece.



"The tired-out dogs were harnessed sorely against their will, and
before long bringing the few but precious treasures found among the
débris of the brig"


 9



Johnson's Story


 11



"The poor fellows felt like colonists safely arrived at their
destination."


 57



"'I dispute the claim,' said the Englishman, restraining
himself by a powerful effort."


 72



"Clambering up the steep, rocky wall he succeeded, though with
considerable difficulty, in reaching the top."


 77



"Soon they were walking in a bright luminous track, leaving their
shadows behind them on the spotless snow."


 87



"Hatteras could only manage to keep off his pursuers by flinging
down one article after another."


 120



"The carpenter began his task immediately."


 154



"The Doctor did not allow him to proceed, for he really feared the
two antagonists might come to blows."


 162



"It was a strange and touching spectacle to see the pretty
creatures--they flew on Clawbonny's shoulders, etc."


 169



"Dealt him such a blow on the head with his hatchet that the skull
was completely split open."


 177



"The poor seal struggled desperately, but could not free himself
from the grasp of his enemy."


 184



"On the 29th Bell killed a fox and Altamont a musk-ox."


 192



"At Bell's suggestion, torches were contrived."


 188



Three hours afterwards, they arrived at the coast and shouted
simultaneously "The sea, the sea!"


 206



"And the doctor, leaning over the side of the vessel, could see
the whales and the dolphins and all the rest of the monsters of the
deep."


 214



"It is a volcano, he explained."


 217



"Mast and sail were torn off and went flying away through the
darkness like some large, white bird."


 224



"Altamont speedily discovered a grotto composed of rocks."


 234



"There he was, standing on a rock, gazing fixedly at the top of
the mountain."


 242



"Hatteras did not even turn once to look back, but marched
straight on, carrying his country's flag attached to his staff."


 249



"Dead, frozen----"


 262



"Two hours later, after unheard-of exertions, the survivors of the
Forward were picked up by the Hans Christian."


 266



[no caption]


 267



THE FIELD OF ICE.



CHAPTER I.



THE DOCTOR'S INVENTORY.


It was a bold project of Hatteras to push his way to the North Pole,
and gain for his country the honour and glory of its discovery. But
he had done all that lay in human power now, and, after having
struggled for nine months against currents and tempests, shattering
icebergs and breaking through almost insurmountable barriers, amid
the cold of an unprecedented winter, after having outdistanced all
his predecessors and accomplished half his task, he suddenly saw all
his hopes blasted. The treachery, or rather the despondency, of his
worn-out crew, and the criminal folly of one or two leading spirits
among them had left him and his little band of men in a terrible
situation--helpless in an icy desert, two thousand five hundred
miles away from their native land, and without even a ship to
shelter them.

However, the courage of Hatteras was still undaunted. The three men
which were left him were the

[Illustration: ]

best on board his brig, and while they remained he might venture to
hope.

After the cheerful, manly words of the captain, the Doctor felt the
best thing to be done was to look their prospects fairly in the
face, and know the exact state of things. Accordingly, leaving his
companions, he stole away alone down to the scene of the explosion.

Of the Forward, the brig that had been so carefully built and had
become so dear, not a vestige remained. Shapeless blackened
fragments, twisted bars of iron,

[Illustration: ]

cable ends still smouldering, and here and there in the distance
spiral wreaths of smoke, met his eye on all sides. His cabin and all
his precious treasures were gone, his books, and instruments, and
collections reduced to ashes. As he stood thinking mournfully of his
irreparable loss, he was joined by Johnson, who grasped his offered
hand in speechless sorrow.

"What's to become of us?" asked the Doctor.

"Who can tell!" was the old sailor's reply.

"Anyhow," said Clawbonny, "do not let us despair! Let us be
men!"

"Yes, Mr. Clawbonny, you are right. Now is the time to show our
mettle. We are in a bad plight, and how to get out of it, that is
the question."

"Poor old brig!" exclaimed the Doctor. "I had grown so
attached to her. I loved her as one loves a house where he has spent
a life-time."

"Ay! it's strange what a hold those planks and beams get on a
fellow's heart."

"And the long-boat--is that burnt?" asked the Doctor.

"No, Mr. Clawbonny. Shandon and his gang have carried it off."

"And the pirogue?"

"Shivered into a thousand pieces? Stop. Do you see those bits of
sheet-iron? That is all that remains of it."

"Then we have nothing but the Halkett-boat?"

"Yes, we have that still, thanks to your idea of taking it with
you."

"That isn't much," said the Doctor.

"Oh, those base traitors!" exclaimed Johnson. "Heaven punish
them as they deserve!"

"Johnson," returned the Doctor, gently, "we must not forget
how sorely they have been tried. Only the best remain good in the
evil day; few can stand trouble. Let us pity our fellow-sufferers,
and not curse them."

For the next few minutes both were silent, and then Johnson asked
what had become of the sledge.

"We left it about a mile off," was the reply.

"In charge of Simpson?"

"No, Simpson is dead, poor fellow!"

"Simpson dead!"

"Yes, his strength gave way entirely, and he first sank."

"Poor Simpson! And yet who knows if he isn't rather to be
envied?"

"But, for the dead man we have left behind, we have brought back a
dying one."

"A dying man?"

"Yes, Captain Altamont."

And in a few words he informed Johnson of their discovery.

"An American!" said Johnson, as the recital was ended.

"Yes, everything goes to prove that. But I wonder what the
Porpoise was, and what brought her in these seas?"

"She rushed on to her ruin like the rest of foolhardy adventurers;
but, tell me, did you find the coal?"

The Doctor shook his head sadly.

"No coal! not a vestige! No, we did not even get as far as the
place mentioned by Sir Edward Belcher."

"Then we have no fuel whatever?" said the old sailor.

"No."

"And no provisions?"

"No."

"And no ship to make our way back to England?"

It required courage indeed to face these gloomy realities, but,
after a moment's silence, Johnson said again--

"Well, at any rate we know exactly how we stand. The first thing
to be done now is to make a hut, for we can't stay long exposed to
this temperature."

"Yes, we'll soon manage that with Bell's help," replied the
Doctor. "Then we must go and find the sledge, and bring back the
American, and have a consultation with Hatteras."

"Poor captain," said Johnson, always forgetting his own
troubles, "how he must feel it!"

Clawbonny and Bell found Hatteras standing motionless, his arms
folded in his usual fashion. He seemed gazing into space, but his
face had recovered its calm, self-possessed expression. His faithful
dog stood beside him, like his master, apparently insensible to the
biting cold, though the temperature was 32 degrees below zero.

Bell lay on the ice in an almost inanimate condition. Johnson had to
take vigorous measures to rouse him, but at last, by dint of shaking
and rubbing him with snow, he succeeded.

"Come, Bell," he cried, "don't give way like this. Exert
yourself, my man; we must have a talk about our situation, and we
need a place to put our heads in. Come and help me, Bell. You
haven't forgotten how to make a snow hut, have you? There is an
iceberg all ready to hand; we've only got to hollow it out.
Let's set to work; we shall find that is the best remedy for us."

Bell tried to shake off his torpor and help his comrade, while Mr.
Clawbonny undertook to go and fetch the sledge and the dogs.

"Will you go with him, captain?" asked Johnson.

"No, my friend," said Hatteras, in a gentle tone, "if the
Doctor will kindly undertake the task. Before the day ends I must
come to some resolution, and I need to be alone to think. Go. Do
meantime whatever you think best. I will deal with the future."

[Illustration: ]

Johnson went back to the Doctor, and said--

"It's very strange, but the captain seems quite to have got over
his anger. I never heard him speak so gently before."

"So much the better," said Clawbonny. "Believe me, Johnson,
that man can save us yet."

And drawing his hood as closely round his head as possible, the
Doctor seized his iron-tipped staff, and set out without further
delay.

Johnson and Bell commenced operations immediately. They had simply
to dig a hole in the heart of a great block of ice; but it was not
easy work, owing to the extreme hardness of the material. However,
this very hardness guaranteed the solidity of the dwelling, and the
further their labours advanced the more they became sheltered.

Hatteras alternately paced up and down, and stood motionless,
evidently shrinking from any approach to the scene of explosion.

In about an hour the Doctor returned, bringing with him Altamont
lying on the sledge, wrapped up in the folds of the tent. The poor
dogs were so exhausted from starvation that they could scarcely draw
it along, and they had begun to gnaw their harness. It was, indeed,
high time for feasts and men to take food and rest.

While the hut was being still further dug out, the Doctor went
foraging about, and had the good fortune to find a little stove,
almost undamaged by the explosion. He soon restored it to working
trim, and, by the time the hut was completed, had filled it with
wood and got it lighted. Before long it was roaring, and diffusing a
genial warmth on all sides. The American was brought in and laid on
blankets, and the four Englishmen seated themselves round the fire
to enjoy their scanty meal of biscuit and hot tea, the last remains
of the provisions on the sledge. Not a word was spoken by Hatteras,
and the others respected his silence.

When the meal was over, the Doctor rose and went out, making a sign
to Johnson to follow.

"Come, Johnson," he said, "we will take an inventory of all we
have left. We must know exactly how we are off, and our treasures
are scattered in all directions; so we had better begin, and pick
them up as fast as possible, for the snow may fall at any moment,
and then it would be quite useless to look for anything."

"Don't let us lose a minute, then," replied Johnson. "Fire
and food--those are our chief wants."

"Very well, you take one side and I'll take the other, and
we'll search from the centre to the circumference."

This task occupied two hours, and all they discovered was a little
salt meat, about 50 lbs. of pemmican, three sacks of biscuits, a
small stock of chocolate, five or six pints of brandy, and about 2
lbs. of coffee, picked up bean by bean off the ice.

Neither blankets, nor hammocks, nor clothing--all had been consumed
in the devouring flame.

This slender store of provisions would hardly last three weeks, and
they had wood enough to supply the stove for about the same time.

[Illustration: The tired-out dogs were harnessed sorely against
their will, and before long returned bringing the few but precious
treasures found among the débris of the brig.--P.9]

Now that the inventory was made, the next business was to fetch the
sledge. The tired-out dogs were harnessed sorely against their will,
and before long returned bringing the few but precious treasures
found among the débris of the brig. These were safely deposited in
the hut, and then Johnson and Clawbonny, half-frozen with their
work, resumed their places beside their companions in misfortune.


CHAPTER II.



FIRST WORDS OF ALTAMONT.


About eight o'clock in the evening, the grey snow clouds cleared
away for a little, and the stars shone out brilliantly in the sky.

Hatteras seized the opportunity and went out silently to take the
altitude of some of the principal constellations. He wished to
ascertain if the ice-field was still drifting.

In half an hour he returned and sat down in a corner of the hut,
where he remained without stirring all night, motionless as if
asleep, but in reality buried in deepest thought.

The next day the snow fell heavily, and the Doctor congratulated
himself on his wise forethought, when he saw the white sheet lying
three feet thick over the scene of the explosion, completely
obliterating all traces of the Forward.

It was impossible to venture outside in such weather, but the stove
drew capitally, and made the hut quite comfortable, or at any rate
it seemed so to the weary, worn out adventurers.

The American was in less pain, and was evidently gradually coming
back to life. He opened his eyes, but could not yet speak, for his
lips were so affected by the scurvy that articulation was
impossible, but he could hear and understand all that was said to
him. On learning what had passed, and the circumstances of his
discovery, he expressed his thanks by gestures, and the Doctor was
too wise to let him know how brief his respite from death would
prove. In three weeks at most every vestige of food would be gone.

About noon Hatteras roused himself, and going up to his friends,
said--

"We must make up our minds what to do, but I must request Johnson
to tell me first all the particulars of the mutiny on the brig, and
how this final act of baseness came about."

"What good will that do?" said the Doctor. "The fact is
certain, and it is no use thinking over it."

"I differ from your opinion," rejoined Hatteras. "Let me hear
the whole affair from Johnson, and then I will banish it from my
thoughts."

"Well," said the boatswain, "this was how it happened. I did
all in my power to prevent, but----"

"I am sure of that, Johnson; and what's more, I have no doubt
the ringleaders had been hatching their plans for some time."

"That's my belief too," said the Doctor.

[Illustration: Johnson's Story. --P.11]

"And so it is mine," resumed Johnson; "for almost immediately
after your departure Shandon, supported by the others, took the
command of the ship.

I could not resist him, and from that moment everybody did pretty
much as they pleased. Shandon made no attempt to restrain them: it
was his policy to make them believe that their privations and toils
were at an end. Economy was entirely disregarded. A blazing fire was
kept up in the stove, and the men were allowed to eat and drink at
discretion; not only tea and coffee was at their disposal, but all
the spirits on board, and on men who had been so long deprived of
ardent liquors, you may guess the result. They went on in this
manner from the 7th to the 15th of January."

"And this was Shandon's doing?" asked Hatteras.

"Yes, captain."

"Never mention his name to me again! Go on, Johnson."

"It was about the 24th or 25th of January, that they resolved to
abandon the ship. Their plan was to reach the west coast of
Baffin's Bay, and from thence to embark in the boat and follow the
track of the whalers, or to get to some of the Greenland settlements
on the eastern side. Provisions were abundant, and the sick men were
so excited by the hope of return that they were almost well. They
began their preparations for departure by making a sledge which they
were to draw themselves, as they had no dogs. This was not ready
till the 15th of February, and I was always hoping for your arrival,
though I half dreaded it too, for you could have done nothing with
the men, and they would have massacred you rather than remain on
board. I tried my influence on each one separately, remonstrating
and reasoning with them, and pointing out the dangers they would
encounter, and also the cowardice of leaving you, but it was a mere
waste of words; not even the best among them would listen to me.
Shandon was impatient to be off, and fixed the 22nd of February for
starting. The sledge and the boat were packed as closely as possible
with provisions and spirits, and heaps of wood, to obtain which they
had hewed the brig down to her water-line. The last day the men ran
riot. They completely sacked the ship, and in a drunken paroxysm Pen
and two or three others set it on fire. I fought and struggled
against them, but they threw me down and assailed me with blows, and
then the wretches, headed by Shandon, went off towards the east and
were soon out of sight. I found myself alone on the burning ship,
and what could I do? The fire-hole was completely blocked up with
ice. I had not a single drop of water! For two days the Forward
struggled with the flames, and you know the rest."

A long silence followed the gloomy recital, broken at length by
Hatteras, who said--

"Johnson, I thank you; you did all you could to save my ship, but
single-handed you could not resist. Again I thank you, and now let
the subject be dropped. Let us unite efforts for our common
salvation. There are four of us, four companions, four friends, and
all our lives are equally precious. Let each give his opinion on the
best course for us to pursue."

"You ask us then, Hatteras," said the Doctor, "we are all
devoted to you, and our words come from our hearts. But will you not
state you own views first?"

"That would be little use," said Hatteras, sadly; "my opinion
might appear interested; let me hear all yours first."

"Captain," said Johnson, "before pronouncing on such an
important matter, I wish to ask you a question."

"Ask it, then, Johnson."

"You went out yesterday to ascertain our exact position; well, is
the field drifting or stationary?"

"Perfectly stationary. It had not moved since the last reckoning
was made. I find we are just where we were before we left, in 80°
15" lat. and 97° 35" long."

"And what distance are we from the nearest sea to the west?"

"About six hundred miles."

"And that sea is----?"

"Smith's Sound," was the reply.

"The same that we could not get through last April?"

"The same."

"Well, captain, now we know our actual situation, we are in a
better position to determine our course of action."

"Speak your minds, then," said Hatteras, again burying his head
in his hands.

"What do you say, Bell?" asked the Doctor.

"It strikes me the case doesn't need long thinking over," said
the carpenter. "We must get back at once without losing a single
day or even a single hour, either to the south or west, and make our
way to the nearest coast, even if we are two months doing it!"

"We have only food for three weeks," replied Hatteras, without
raising his head.

"Very well," said Johnson, "we must make the journey in three
weeks, since it is our last chance. Even if we can only crawl on our
knees before we get to our destination, we must be there in
twenty-five days."

"This part of the Arctic Continent is unexplored. We may have to
encounter difficulties. Mountains and glaciers may bar our
progress," objected Hatteras.

"I don't see that's any sufficient reason for not attempting
it. We shall have to endure sufferings, no doubt, and perhaps many.
We shall have to limit ourselves to the barest quantities of food,
unless our guns should procure us anything."

"There is only about half a pound of powder left," said Hatteras.

"Come now, Hatteras, I know the full weight of your objections,
and I am not deluding myself with vain hopes. But I think I can read
your motive. Have you any practical suggestion to offer?"

"No," said Hatteras, after a little hesitation.

"You don't doubt our courage," continued the Doctor. "We
would follow you to the last--you know that. But must we not,
meantime, give up all hope of reaching the Pole? Your plans have
been defeated by treachery. Natural difficulties you might have
overcome, but you have been outmatched by perfidy and human
weakness. You have done all that man could do, and you would have
succeeded I am certain; but situated as we are now, are you not
obliged to relinquish your projects for the present, and is not a
return to England even positively necessary before you could
continue them?"

"Well, captain?" asked Johnson after waiting a considerable time
for Hatteras to reply.

Thus interrogated, he raised his head, and said in a constrained
tone--

"You think yourselves quite certain then of reaching the Sound,
exhausted though you are, and almost without food?"

"No," replied the Doctor, "but there is one thing certain, the
Sound won't come to us, we must go to it. We may chance to find
some Esquimaux tribes further south."

"Besides, isn't there the chance of falling in with some ship
that is wintering here?" asked Johnson.

"Even supposing the Sound is blocked up, couldn't we get across
to some Greenland or Danish settlement? At any rate, Hatteras, we
can get nothing by remaining here. The route to England is towards
the south, not the north."

"Yes," said Bell, "Mr. Clawbonny is right. We must start, and
start at once. We have been forgetting our country too long
already."

"Is this your advice, Johnson?" asked Hatteras again.

"Yes, captain."

"And yours, Doctor?"

"Yes, Hatteras."

Hatteras remained silent, but his face, in spite of himself,
betrayed his inward agitation. The issue of his whole life hung on
the decision he had to make, for he felt that to return to England
was to lose all! He could not venture on a fourth expedition.

The Doctor finding he did not reply, added--

"I ought also to have said, that there is not a moment to lose.
The sledge must be loaded with the provisions at once, and as much
wood as possible. I must confess six hundred miles is a long
journey, but we can, or rather we must make twenty miles a day,
which will bring us to the coast about the 26th of March."

"But cannot we wait a few days yet?" said Hatteras.

"What are you hoping for?" asked Johnson.

"I don't know. Who can tell the future? It is necessary, too,
that you should get your strength a little recruited. You might sink
down on the road with fatigue, without even a snow hut to shelter
you."

"But think of the terrible death that awaits us here," replied
the carpenter.

"My friends," said Hatteras, in almost supplicating tones;
"you are despairing too soon. I should propose that we should seek
our deliverance towards the north, but you would refuse to follow
me, and yet why should there not be Esquimaux tribes round about the
Pole as well as towards the south? The open sea, of the existence of
which we are certified, must wash the shores of continents. Nature
is logical in all her doings. Consequently vegetation must be found
there when the earth is no longer ice-bound. Is there not a promised
land awaiting us in the north from which you would flee?"

Hatteras became animated as he spoke, and Doctor Clawbonny's
excitable nature was so wrought upon that his decision began to
waver. He was on the point of yielding, when Johnson, with his wiser
head and calmer temperament, recalled him to reason and duty by
calling out--

"Come, Bell, let us be off to the sledge."

"All right," said Bell, and the two had risen to leave the hut,
when Hatteras exclaimed--

"Oh, Johnson! You! you! Well, go! I shall stay, I shall stay!"

"Captain!" said Johnson, stopping in spite of himself.

"I shall stay, I tell you. Go! Leave me like the rest! Come, Duk,
you and I will stay together."

The faithful dog barked as if he understood, and settled himself
down beside his master. Johnson looked at the Doctor, who seemed at
a loss to know what to do, but came to the conclusion at last that
the best way, meantime, was to calm Hatteras, even at the sacrifice
of a day. He was just about to try the force of his eloquence in
this direction, when he felt a light touch on his arm, and turning
round saw Altamont who had crawled out of bed and managed to get on
his knees. He was trying to speak, but his swollen lips could
scarcely make a sound. Hatteras went towards him, and watched his
efforts to articulate so attentively that in a few minutes he made
out a word that sounded like Porpoise, and stooping over him he
asked--

"Is it the Porpoise?"

Altamont made a sign in the affirmative, and Hatteras went on with
his queries, now that he had found a clue.

"In these seas?"

The affirmative gesture was repeated.

"Is she in the north?"

"Yes."

"Do you know her position?"

"Yes."

"Exactly?"

"Yes."

For a minute or so, nothing more was said, and the onlookers waited
with palpitating hearts.

Then Hatteras spoke again and said--

"Listen to me. We must know the exact position of your vessel. I
will count the degrees aloud, and you; will stop me when I come to
the right one."

The American assented by a motion of the head, and Hatteras began--

"We'll take the longitude first. 105°, No? 106°, 107°? It is
to the west, I suppose?"

"Yes," replied Altamont.

"Let us go on, then: 109°, 110°, 112°, 114°, 116°, 118°,
120°."

"Yes," interrupted the sick man.

[Illustration: ]

"120° of longitude, and how many minutes? I will count."

Hatteras began at number one, and when he got to fifteen, Altamont
made a sign to stop.

"Very good," said Hatteras; "now for the latitude. Are you
listening? 80°, 81°, 82°, 83°."

Again the sign to stop was made.

"Now for the minutes: 5', 10', 15', 20', 25', 30',
35'."

Altamont stopped him once more, and smiled feebly.

"You say, then, that the Porpoise is in longitude 120° 15', and
latitude 83° 35'?"

"Yes," sighed the American, and fell back motionless in the
Doctor's arms, completely overpowered by the effort he had made.

"Friends!" exclaimed Hatteras; "you see I was right. Our
salvation lies indeed in the north, always in the north. We shall be
saved!"

But the joyous, exulting words had hardly escaped his lips before a
sudden thought made his countenance change. The serpent of jealousy
had stung him, for this stranger was an American, and he had reached
three degrees nearer the Pole than the ill-fated Forward.


CHAPTER III.



A SEVENTEEN DAYS' MARCH.


These first words of Altamont had completely changed the whole
aspect of affairs, but his communication was still incomplete, and,
after giving him a little time to rest, the Doctor undertook the
task of conversing again with him, putting his questions in such a
form that a movement of the head or eyes would be a sufficient
answer.

He soon ascertained that the Porpoise was a three-mast American
ship, from New York, wrecked on the ice, with provisions and
combustibles in abundance still on board, and that, though she had
been thrown on her side, she had not gone to pieces, and there was
every chance of saving her cargo.

Altamont and his crew had left her two months previously, taking the
long boat with them on a sledge. They intended to get to Smith's
Sound, and reach some whaler that would take them back to America;
but one after another succumbed to fatigue and illness, till at last
Altamont and two men were all that remained out of thirty; and truly
he had survived by a providential miracle, while his two companions
already lay beside him in the sleep of death.

Hatteras wished to know why the Porpoise had come so far north, and
learned in reply that she had been irresistibly driven there by the
ice. But his anxious fears were not satisfied with this explanation,
and he asked further what was the purpose of his voyage. Altamont
said he wanted to make the north-west passage, and this appeared to
content the jealous Englishman, for he made no more reference to the
subject. "Well," said the Doctor, "it strikes me that, instead
of trying to get to Baffin's Bay, our best plan would be to go in
search of the Porpoise, for here lies a ship a full third of the
distance nearer, and, more than that, stocked with everything
necessary for winter quarters."

"I see no other course open to us," replied Bell.

"And the sooner we go the better," added Johnson, "for the
time we allow ourselves must depend on our provisions."

"You are right, Johnson," returned the Doctor. "If we start
to-morrow, we must reach the Porpoise by the 15th of March, unless
we mean to die of starvation. What do you say, Hatteras?"

"Let us make preparations immediately, but perhaps the route may
be longer than we suppose."

"How can that be, captain? The man seems quite sure of the
position of his ship," said the Doctor.

"But suppose the ice-field should have drifted like ours?"

Here Altamont, who was listening attentively, made a sign that he
wished to speak, and, after much difficulty, he succeeded in telling
the Doctor that the Porpoise had struck on rocks near the coast, and
that it was impossible for her to move.

This was re-assuring information, though it cut off all hope of
returning to Europe, unless Bell could construct a smaller ship out
of the wreck.

[Illustration: ]

No time was lost in getting ready to start. The sledge was the
principal thing, as it needed thorough repair. There was plenty of
wood, and, profiting by the experience they had recently had of this
mode of transit, several improvements were made by Bell.

Inside, a sort of couch was laid for the American, and covered over
with the tent. The small stock of provisions did not add much to the
weight, but, to make up the deficiency, as much wood was piled up on
it as it could hold.

The Doctor did the packing, and made an exact calculation of how
long their stores would last. He found that, by allowing
three-quarter rations to each man and full rations to the dogs, they
might hold out for three weeks.

Towards seven in the evening, they felt so worn out that they were
obliged to give up work for the night; but, before lying down to
sleep, they heaped up the wood in the stove, and made a roaring
fire, determined to allow themselves this parting luxury. As they
gathered round it, basking in the unaccustomed heat, and enjoying
their hot coffee and biscuits and pemmican, they became quite
cheerful, and forgot all their sufferings.

About seven in the morning they set to work again and by three in
the afternoon everything was ready.

It was almost dark, for, though the sun had reappeared above the
horizon since the 31st of January, his light was feeble and of short
duration. Happily the moon would rise about half-past six, and her
soft beams would give sufficient light to show the road.

The parting moment came. Altamont was overjoyed at the idea of
starting, though the jolting would necessarily increase his
sufferings, for the Doctor would find on board the medicines he
required for his cure.

They lifted him on to the sledge, and laid him as comfortably as
possible, and then harnessed the dogs, including Duk. One final look
towards the icy bed where the Forward had been, and the little party
set out for the Porpoise. Bell was scout, as before; the Doctor and
Johnson took each a side of the sledge, and lent a helping hand when
necessary; while Hatteras walked behind to keep all in the right
track.

They got on pretty quickly, for the weather was good, and the ice
smooth and hard, allowing the sledge to glide easily along, yet the
temperature was so low that men and dogs were soon panting, and had
often to stop and take breath. About seven the moon shone out, and
irradiated the whole horizon. Far as the eye could see, there was
nothing visible but a wide-stretching level plain of ice, without a
solitary hummock or patch to relieve the uniformity.

[Illustration: ]

As the Doctor remarked to his companion, it looked like some vast,
monotonous desert.

"Ay! Mr. Clawbonny, it is a desert, but we shan't die of thirst
in it at any rate."

"That's a comfort, certainly, but I'll tell you one thing: it
proves, Johnson, we must be a great distance from any coast. The
nearer the coast, the more numerous the icebergs in general, and you
see there is not one in sight."

"The horizon is rather misty, though."

"So it is, but ever since we started, we have been on this same
interminable ice-field."

"Do you know, Mr. Clawbonny, that smooth as this ice is, we are
going over most dangerous ground? Fathomless abysses lie beneath our
feet."

"That's true enough, but they won't engulph us. This white
sheet over them is pretty tough, I can tell you. It is always
getting thicker too; for in these latitudes, it snows nine days out
of ten even in April and May; ay, and in June as well. The ice here,
in some parts, cannot be less than between thirty and forty feet
thick."

"That sounds reassuring, at all events." said Johnson.

"Yes, we're not like the skaters on the Serpentine--always in
danger of falling through. This ice is strong enough to bear the
weight of the Custom House in Liverpool, or the Houses of Parliament
in Westminster."

"Can they reckon pretty nearly what ice will bear, Mr.
Clawbonny?" asked the old sailor, always eager for information.

"What can't be reckoned now-a-days? Yes, ice two inches thick
will bear a man; three and a half inches, a man on horse-back; five
inches, an eight pounder; eight inches, field artillery; and ten
inches, a whole army."

"It is difficult to conceive of such a power of resistance, but
you were speaking of the incessant snow just now, and I cannot help
wondering where it comes from, for the water all round is frozen,
and what makes the clouds?"

"That's a natural enough question, but my notion is that nearly
all the snow or rain that we get here comes from the temperate
zones. I fancy each of those snowflakes was originally a drop of
water in some river, caught up by evaporation into the air, and
wafted over here in the shape of clouds; so that it is not
impossible that when we quench our thirst with the melted snow, we
are actually drinking from the very rivers of our own native land."

Just at this moment the conversation was interrupted by Hatteras,
who called out that they were getting out of the straight line. The
increasing mist made it difficult to keep together, and at last,
about eight o'clock, they determined to come to a halt, as they
had gone fifteen miles. The tent was put up and the stove lighted,
and after their usual supper they lay down and slept comfortably
till morning.

The calm atmosphere was highly favourable, for though the cold
became intense, and the mercury was always frozen in the
thermometer, they found no difficulty in continuing their route,
confirming the truth of Parry's assertion that any man suitably
clad may walk abroad with impunity in the lowest temperature,
provided there is no wind; while, on the other hand, the least
breeze would make the skin smart acutely, and bring on violent
headache, which would soon end in death.

On the 5th of March a peculiar phenomenon occurred. The sky was
perfectly clear and glittering with stars, when suddenly snow began
to fall thick and fast, though there was not a cloud in the heavens
and through the white flakes the constellations could be seen
shining. This curious display lasted two hours, and ceased before
the Doctor could arrive at any satisfactory conclusion as to its
cause.

The moon had ended her last quarter, and complete darkness prevailed
now for seventeen hours out of the twenty-four. The travellers had
to fasten themselves together with a long rope to avoid getting
separated, and it was all but impossible to pursue the right course.
Moreover, the brave fellows, in spite of their iron will, began to
show signs of fatigue. Halts became more frequent, and yet every
hour was precious, for the provisions were rapidly coming to an end.

Hatteras hardly knew what to think as day after day went on without
apparent result, and he asked himself sometimes whether the Porpoise
had any actual existence except in Altamont's fevered brain, and
more than once the idea even came into his head that perhaps
national hatred might have induced the American to drag them along
with himself to certain death.

He told the Doctor his suppositions, who rejected them absolutely,
and laid them down to the score of the unhappy rivalry that had
arisen already between the two captains.

[Illustration: ]

On the 14th of March, after sixteen days' march the little party
found themselves only yet in the 82° latitude. Their strength was
exhausted, and they had a hundred miles more to go. To increase
their sufferings, rations had to be still further reduced. Each man
must be content with a fourth part to allow the dogs their full
quantity.

Unfortunately they could not rely at all on their guns, for only
seven charges of powder were left, and six balls. They had fired at
several hares and foxes on the road already, but unsuccessfully.

However, on the 15th, the Doctor was fortunate enough to surprise a
seal basking on the ice, and, after several shots, the animal was
captured and killed.

Johnson soon had it skinned and cut in pieces, but it was so lean
that it was worthless as food, unless its captors would drink the
oil like the Esquimaux.

The Doctor was bold enough to make the attempt, but failed in spite
of himself.

Next day several icebergs and hummocks were noticed on the horizon.
Was this a sign that land was near, or was it some ice-field that
had broken up? It was difficult to know what to surmise.

On arriving at the first of these hummocks, the travellers set to
work to make a cave in it where they could rest more comfortably
than in the tent, and after three hours' persevering toil, were
able to light their stove and lie down beside it to stretch their
weary limbs.


CHAPTER IV.



THE LAST CHARGE OF POWDER


Johnson was obliged to take the dogs inside the hut, for they would
have been soon frozen outside in such dry weather. Had it been
snowing they would have been safe enough, for the snow served as a
covering, and kept in the natural heat of the animals.

The old sailor, who made a first-rate dog-driver, tried his beasts
with the oily flesh of the seal; and found, to his joyful surprise,
that they ate it greedily. The Doctor said he was not astonished at
this, as in North America the horses were chiefly fed on fish; and
he thought that what would satisfy an herbivorous horse might surely
content an omnivorous dog.

The whole party were soon buried in deep sleep, for they were fairly
overcome with fatigue. Johnson awoke his companions early next
morning, and the march was resumed in haste. Their lives depended
now on their speed, for provisions would only hold out three days
longer.

The sky was magnificent; the atmosphere extremely clear, and the
temperature very low. The sun rose in the form of a long ellipse,
owing to refraction, which made his horizontal diameter appear twice
the length of his vertical.

[Illustration: ]

The Doctor, gun in hand, wandered away from the others, braving the
solitude and the cold in the hope of discovering game. He had only
sufficient powder left to load three times, and he had just three
balls. That was little enough should he encounter a bear, for it
often takes ten or twelve shots to have any effect on these enormous
animals.

But the brave Doctor would have been satisfied with humbler game. A
few hares or foxes would be a welcome addition to their scanty food;
but all that day, if even he chanced to see one, either he was too
far away, or he was deceived by refraction, and took a wrong aim. He
came back to his companions at night with crestfallen looks, having
wasted one ball and one charge of powder.

Next day the route appeared more difficult, and the weary men could
hardly drag themselves along. The dogs had devoured even the
entrails of the seal, and began to gnaw their traces.

A few foxes passed in the distance, and the Doctor lost another ball
in attempting to shoot them.

They were forced to come to a halt early in the evening, though the
road was illumined by a splendid Aurora Borealis; for they could not
put one foot before the other.

Their last meal, on the Sunday evening, was a very sad one--if no
providential help came, their doom was sealed.

Johnson set a few traps before going to sleep, though he had no
baits to put inside them. He was very disappointed to find them all
empty in the morning, and was returning gloomily to the hut, when he
perceived a bear of huge dimensions. The old sailor took it into his
head that Heaven had sent this beast specially for him to kill; and
without waking his comrades, he seized the Doctor's gun, and was
soon in pursuit of his prey. On reaching the right distance, he took
aim; but, just as his finger touched the trigger, he felt his arm
tremble. His thick gloves hampered him, and, flinging them hastily
off, he took up the gun with a firmer grasp. But what a cry of agony
escaped him! The skin of his fingers stuck to the gun as if it had
been

red-hot, and he was forced to let it drop. The sudden fall made it
go off, and the last ball was discharged in the air.

The Doctor ran out at the noise of the report, and understood all at
a glance. He saw the animal walking quietly off, and poor Johnson
forgetting his sufferings in his despair.

[Illustration: ]

"I am a regular milksop!" he exclaimed, "a cry-baby, that
can't stand the least pain! And at my age, too!"

"Come, Johnson; go in at once, or you will be frost-bitten. Look
at your hands--they are white already! Come, come this minute."

"I am not worth troubling about, Mr. Clawbonny," said the old
boatswain. "Never mind me!"

"But you must come in, you obstinate fellow. Come, now, I tell
you; it will be too late presently."

At last he succeeded in dragging the poor fellow into the tent,
where he made him plunge his hands into a

bowl of water, which the heat of the stove kept in a liquid state,
though still cold. Johnson's hands had hardy touched it before it
froze immediately.

"You see it was high time you came in; I should have been forced
to amputate soon," said the Doctor.

Thanks to his endeavours, all danger was over in about an hour, but
he was advised to keep his hands at a good distance from the stove
for some time still.

That morning they had no breakfast. Pemmican and salt beef were both
done. Not a crumb of biscuit remained. They were obliged to content
themselves with half a cup of hot coffee, and start off again.

They scarcely went three miles before they were compelled to give up
for the day. They had no supper but coffee, and the dogs were so
ravenous that they were almost devouring each other.

Johnson fancied he could see the bear following them in the
distance, but he made no remark to his companions. Sleep forsook the
unfortunate men, and their eyes grew wild and haggard.

Tuesday morning came, and it was thirty-four hours since they had
tasted a morsel of food. Yet these brave, stout-hearted men
continued their march, sustained by their superhuman energy of
purpose. They pushed the sledge themselves, for the dogs could no
longer draw it.

At the end of two hours, they sank exhausted. Hatteras urged them to
make a fresh attempt, but his entreaties and supplications were
powerless; they could not do impossibilities.

[Illustration: ]

"Well, at any rate," he said, "I won't die of cold if I must
of hunger." He set to work to hew out

a hut in an iceberg, aided by Johnson, and really they looked like
men digging their own tomb.

It was hard labour, but at length the task was accomplished. The
little house was ready, and the miserable men took up their abode in
it.

In the evening, while the others lay motionless, a sort of
hallucination came over Johnson, and he began raving about bears.

The Doctor roused himself from his torpor, and asked the old man
what he meant, and what bear he was talking about.

"The bear that is following us," replied Johnson.

"A bear following us?"

"Yes, for the last two days!"

"For the last two days! You have seen him?"

"Yes, about a mile to leeward."

"And you never told me, Johnson!"

"What was the good!"

"True enough," said the Doctor; "we have not a single bail to
send after him!"

"No, not even a bit of iron!"

The Doctor was silent for a minute, as if thinking. Then he said--

"Are you quite certain the animal is following us?"

"Yes, Mr. Clawbonny, he is reckoning on a good feed of human
flesh!"

"Johnson!" exclaimed the Doctor, grieved at the despairing mood
of his companion.

"He is sure enough of his meal!" continued the

"You have no ball!"

"I'll make one."

"You have no lead!"

"No, but I have mercury."

So saying, he took the thermometer, which stood at 50° above zero,
and went outside and laid it on a block of ice. Then he came in
again, and said, "Tomorrow! Go to sleep, and wait till the sun
rises."

With the first streak of dawn next day, the Doctor and Johnson
rushed out to look at the thermometer. All the mercury had frozen
into a compact cylindrical mass. The Doctor broke the tube and took
it out. Here was a hard piece of metal ready for use.

"It is wonderful, Mr. Clawbonny; you ought to be a proud man."

"Not at all, my friend, I am only gifted with a good memory, and I
have read a great deal."

"How did that help you?"

"Why, I just happened to recollect a fact related by Captain Ross
in his voyages. He states that they pierced a plank, an inch thick,
with a bullet made of mercury. Oil would even have suited my
purpose, for, he adds, that a ball of frozen almond oil splits
through a post without breaking in pieces."

"It is quite incredible!"

"But it is a fact, Johnson. Well, come now, this bit of metal may
save our lives. We'll leave it exposed to the air a little while,
and go and have a look for the bear."

Just then Hatteras made his appearance, and the

Doctor told him his project, and showed him the mercury.

The captain grasped his hand silently, and the three hunters went
off in quest of their game.

[Illustration: ]

The weather was very clear, and Hatteras, who was a little ahead of
the others, speedily discovered the bear about three hundred yards
distant, sitting on his hind quarters sniffing the air, evidently
scenting the intruders on his domains.

"There he is!" he exclaimed.

"Hush!" cried the Doctor.

But the enormous quadruped, even when he perceived his antagonists,
never stirred, and displayed neither fear nor anger. It would not be
easy to get near him, however, and Hatteras said--

"Friends, this is no idle sport, our very existence is at stake;
we must act prudently."

"Yes," replied the Doctor, "for we have but the one shot to
depend upon. We must not miss, for if Away they went, while the old
boatswain slipped behind a hummock, which completely hid him from
the bear, who continued still in the same place and in the same
position.


CHAPTER V.



THE SEAL AND THE BEAR.


"You know, Doctor," said Hatteras, as they returned to the hut,
"the polar bears subsist almost entirely on seals. They'll lie
in wait for them beside the crevasses for whole days, ready to
strangle them the moment their heads appear above the surface. It is
not likely, then, that a bear will be frightened of a seal."

"I think I see what you are after, but it is dangerous."

"Yes, but there is more chance of success than in trying any other
plan, so I mean to risk it. I am going to dress myself in the
seal's skin, and creep along the ice. Come, don't let us lose
time. Load the gun and give it me."

The Doctor could not say anything, for he would have done the same
himself, so he followed Hatteras silently to the sledge, taking with
him a couple of hatchets for his own and Johnson's use.

Hatteras soon made his toilette, and slipped into the skin, which
was big enough to cover him almost entirely.

"Now, then, give me the gun," he said, "and you be off to
Johnson. I must try and steal a march on my adversary."

"Courage, Hatteras!" said the Doctor, handing him the weapon,
which he had carefully loaded meanwhile.

"Never fear! but be sure you don't show yourselves till I
fire."

The Doctor soon joined the old boatswain behind the hummock, and
told him what they had been doing. The bear was still there, but
moving restlessly about, as if he felt the approach of danger.

In a quarter of an hour or so the seal made his appearance on the
ice. He had gone a good way round, so as to come on the bear by
surprise, and every movement was so perfect an imitation of a seal,
that even the Doctor would have been deceived if he had not known it
was Hatteras.

"It is capital!" said Johnson, in a low voice. The bear had
instantly caught sight of the supposed seal, for he gathered himself
up, preparing to make a spring as the animal came nearer, apparently
seeking to return to his native element, and unaware of the
enemy's proximity. Bruin went to work with extreme prudence,
though his eyes glared with greedy desire to clutch the coveted
prey, for he had probably been fasting a month, if not two. He
allowed his victim to get within ten paces of him, and then sprang
forward with a tremendous bound, but stopped short, stupefied and
frightened, within three steps of Hatteras, who started up that
moment, and, throwing off his disguise, knelt on one knee, and aimed
straight at the bear's heart. He fired, and the huge monster
rolled back on the ice.

[Illustration: ]

"Forward! Forward!" shouted the Doctor, hurrying towards
Hatteras, for the bear had reared on his hind legs, and was striking
the air with one paw and tearing up the snow to stanch his wound
with the other.

Hatteras never moved, but waited, knife in hand. He had aimed well,
and fired with a sure and steady aim. Before either of his
companions came up he had plunged the knife in the animal's
throat, and made an end of him, for he fell down at once to rise no
more.

"Hurrah! Bravo!" shouted Johnson and the Doctor, but Hatteras
was as cool and unexcited as possible, and stood with folded arms
gazing at his prostrate foe.

"It is my turn now," said Johnson. "It is a good thing the
bear is killed, but if we leave him out here much longer, he will
get as hard as a stone, and we shall be able to do nothing with
him."

He began forthwith to strip the skin off, and a fine business it
was, for the enormous quadruped was almost as large as an ox. It
measured nearly nine feet long, and four round, and the great tusks
in his jaws were three inches long.

On cutting the carcase open, Johnson found nothing but water in the
stomach. The beast had evidently had no food for a long time, yet it
was very fat, and weighed fifteen hundred pounds. The hunters were
so famished that they had hardly patience to carry home the flesh to
be cooked, and it needed all the Doctor's persuasion to prevent
them eating it raw.

On entering the hut, each man with a load on his back, Clawbonny was
struck with the coldness that pervaded the atmosphere. On going up
to the stove he found the fire black out. The exciting business of
the morning had made Johnson neglect his accustomed duty of
replenishing the stove.

The Doctor tried to blow the embers into a flame, but finding he
could not even get a red spark, he went out to the sledge to fetch
tinder, and get the steel from Johnson.

The old sailor put his hand into his pocket, but was surprised to
find the steel missing. He felt in the other pockets, but it was not
there. Then he went into the hut again, and shook the blanket he had
slept in all night, but his search was still unsuccessful.

He went back to his companions and said--

"Are you sure, Doctor, you haven't the steel?"

"Quite, Johnson."

"And you haven't it either, captain?"

"Not I!" replied Hatteras.

"It has always been in your keeping," said the Doctor.

"Well, I have not got it now!" exclaimed Johnson, turning pale.

"Not got the steel!" repeated the Doctor, shuddering
involuntarily at the bare idea of its loss, for it was all the means
they had of procuring a fire.

"Look again, Johnson," he said.

The boatswain hurried to the only remaining place he could think of,
the hummock where he had stood to watch the bear. But the missing
treasure was nowhere to be found, and the old sailor returned in
despair.

Hatteras looked at him, but no word of reproach escaped his lips. He
only said--

"This is a serious business, Doctor."

"It is, indeed!" said Clawbonny.

"We have not even an instrument, some glass that we might take the
lens out of, and use like a burning glass."

"No, and it is a great pity, for the sun's rays are quite strong
enough just now to light our tinder."

"Well," said Hatteras, "we must just appease our hunger with
the raw meat, and set off again as soon as we can, to try to
discover the ship."

"Yes!" replied Clawbonny, speaking to himself, absorbed in his
own reflections. "Yes, that might do at a pinch! Why not? We might
try."

"What are you dreaming about?" asked Hatteras.

"An idea has just occurred to me."

"An idea come into your head, Doctor," exclaimed Johnson;
"then we are saved!"

"Will it succeed? that's the question."

"What's your project?" said Hatteras.

"We want a lens; well, let us make one."

"How?" asked Johnson.

"With a piece of ice."

"What? Do you think that would do?"

"Why not? All that is needed is to collect the sun's rays into
one common focus, and ice will serve that purpose as well as the
finest crystal."

"Is it possible?" said Johnson.

"Yes, only I should like fresh water ice, it is harder and more
transparent than the other."

"There it is to your hand, if I am not much mistaken," said
Johnson, pointing to a hummock close by.

[Illustration: ]

"I fancy that is fresh water, from the dark look of it, and the
green tinge."

"You are right. Bring your hatchet, Johnson."

A good-sized piece was soon cut off, about a foot in diameter, and
the Doctor set to work. He began by chopping it into rough shape
with the hatchet; then he operated upon it more carefully with his
knife, making as smooth a surface as possible, and finished the
polishing process with his fingers, rubbing away until he had
obtained as transparent a lens as if it had been made of magnificent
crystal.

The sun was shining brilliantly enough for the Doctor's
experiment. The tinder was fetched, and held beneath the lens so as
to catch the rays in full power. In a few seconds it took fire, to
Johnson's rapturous delight.

He danced about like an idiot, almost beside himself with joy, and
shouted, "Hurrah! hurrah!" while Clawbonny hurried back into the
hut and rekindled the fire. The stove was soon roaring, and it was
not many minutes before the savoury odour of broiled bear-steaks
roused Bell from his torpor.

What a feast this meal was to the poor starving men may be imagined.
The Doctor, however, counselled moderation in eating, and set the
example himself.

"This is a glad day for us," he said, "and we have no fear of
wanting food all the rest of our journey. Still we must not forget
we have further to go yet, and I think the sooner we start the
better."

"We cannot be far off now," said Altamont, who could almost
articulate perfectly again; "we must be within forty-eight
hours' march of the Porpoise."

"I hope we'll find something there to make a fire with," said
the Doctor, smiling. "My lens does well enough at present; but it
needs the sun, and there are plenty of days when he does not make
his appearance here, within less than four degrees of the pole."

"Less than four degrees!" repeated Altamont, with a sigh;
"yes, my ship went further than any other has ever ventured."

"It is time we started," said Hatteras, abruptly.

"Yes," replied the Doctor, glancing uneasily at the two captains.

The dogs were speedily harnessed to the sledge, and the march
resumed. [Illustration: ]

As they went along, the Doctor tried to get out of Altamont the real
motive that had brought him so far north. But the American made only
evasive replies, and Clawbonny whispered in old Johnson's ear--

"Two men we've got that need looking after."

"You are right," said Johnson.

"Hatteras never says a word to this American, and I must say the
man has not shown himself very grateful. I am here, fortunately."

"Mr. Clawbonny," said Johnson, "now this Yankee has come back
to life again, I must confess I don't much like the expression of
his face."

"I am much mistaken if he does not suspect the projects of
Hatteras."

"Do you think his own were similar?"

"Who knows? These Americans, Johnson, are bold, daring fellows. It
is likely enough an American would try to do as much as an
Englishman."

"Then you think that Altamont--"

"I think nothing about it, but his ship is certainly on the road
to the North Pole."

"But didn't Altamont say that he had been caught among the ice,
and dragged there irresistibly?"

"He said so, but I fancied there was a peculiar smile on his lips
while he spoke."

"Hang it! It would be a bad job, Mr. Clawbonny, if any feeling of
rivalry came between two men of their stamp."

"Heaven forfend! for it might involve the most serious
consequences, Johnson."

"I hope Altamont will remember he owes his life to us?"

"But do we not owe ours to him now? I grant, without us, he would
not be alive at this moment, but without him and his ship, what
would become of us?"

"Well, Mr. Clawbonny, you are here to keep things straight anyhow,
and that is a blessing."

"I hope I may manage it, Johnson."

The journey proceeded without any fresh incident, but on the
Saturday morning the travellers found themselves in a region of
quite an altered character. Instead of the wide smooth plain of ice
that had hitherto stretched before them, overturned icebergs and
broken hummocks covered the horizon; while the frequent blocks of
fresh-water ice showed that some coast was near.

Next day, after a hearty breakfast off the bear's paws, the little
party continued their route; but the road became toilsome and
fatiguing. Altamont lay watching the horizon with feverish
anxiety--an anxiety shared by all his companions, for, according to
the last reckoning made by Hatteras, they were now exactly in
latitude 83° 35" and longitude 120° 15", and the question of
life or death would be decided before the day was over.

At last, about two o'clock in the afternoon, Altamont started up
with a shout that arrested the whole party, and pointing to a white
mass that no eye but his could have distinguished from the
surrounding icebergs, exclaimed in a loud, ringing voice, "The
Porpoise."


CHAPTER VI.



THE PORPOISE


It was the 24th of March, and Palm Sunday, a bright, joyous day in
many a town and village of the Old World, but in this desolate
region what mournful silence prevailed! No willow branches here with
their silvery blossom--not even a single withered leaf to be seen
--not a blade of grass!

Yet this was a glad day to the travellers, for it promised them
speedy deliverance from the death that had seemed so inevitable.

They hastened onward, the dogs put forth renewed energy, and Duk
barked his loudest, till, before long, they arrived at the ship. The
Porpoise was completely buried under the snow. All her masts and
rigging had been destroyed in the shipwreck, and she was lying on a
bed of rocks so entirely on her side that her hull was uppermost.

They had to knock away fifteen feet of ice before they could even
catch a glimpse of her, and it was not without great difficulty that
they managed to get on board, and made the welcome discovery that
the provision stores had not been visited by any four-footed
marauders. It was quite evident, however, that the ship was not
habitable.

"Never mind!" said Hatteras, "we must build a snow-house, and
make ourselves comfortable on land."

"Yes, but we need not hurry over it," said the Doctor; "let us
do it well while we're about it, and for a time we can make shift
on board; for we must build a good, substantial house, that will
protect us from the bears as well as the cold. I'll undertake to
be the architect, and you shall see what a first-rate job I'll
make of it."

"I don't doubt your talents, Mr. Clawbonny," replied Johnson;
"but, meantime, let us see about taking up our abode here, and
making an inventory of the stores we find. There does not seem a
boat visible of any description, and I fear these timbers are in too
bad a condition to build a new ship out of them."

"I don't know that," returned Clawbonny, "time and thought
do wonders; but our first business is to build a house, and not a
ship; one thing at a time, I propose."

"And quite right too," said Hatteras; "so we'll go ashore
again."

They returned to the sledge, to communicate the result of their
investigation to Bell and Altamont; and about four in the afternoon
the five men installed themselves as well as they could on the
wreck. Bell had managed to make a tolerably level floor with planks
and spars; the stiffened cushions and hammocks were placed round the
stove to thaw, and were soon fit for use. Altamont, with the
Doctor's assistance, got on board without much trouble, and a sigh
of satisfaction escaped him as if he felt himself once more at
home--a sigh which to Johnson's ear boded no good.

The rest of the day was given to repose, and they wound up with a
good supper off the remains of the bear, backed by a plentiful
supply of biscuit and hot tea.

[Illustration: The poor fellows felt like colonists safely arrived
at their destination--P.57]

It was late next morning before Hatteras and his companions woke,
for their minds were not burdened now with any solicitudes about the
morrow, and they might sleep as long as they pleased. The poor
fellows felt like colonists safely arrived at their destination, who
had forgotten all the sufferings of the voyage, and thought only of
the new life that lay before them.

"Well, it is something at all events," said the Doctor, rousing
himself and stretching his arms, "for a fellow not to need to ask
where he is going to find his next bed and breakfast."

"Let us see what there is on board before we say much," said
Johnson.

The Porpoise has been thoroughly equipped and provisioned for a long
voyage, and, on making an inventory of what stores remained, they
found 6150 lbs. of flour, fat, and raisins; 2000 lbs. of salt beef
and pork, 1500 lbs. of pemmican; 700 lbs. of sugar, and the same of
chocolate; a chest and a half of tea, weighing 96 lbs.; 500 lbs. of
rice; several barrels of preserved fruits and vegetables; a quantity
of lime-juice, with all sorts of medicines, and 300 gallons of rum
and brandy. There was also a large supply of gunpowder, ball, and
shot, and coal and wood in abundance.

Altogether, there was enough to last those five men for more than
two years, and all fear of death from starvation or cold was at an
end.

"Well, Hatteras, we're sure of enough to live on now," said
the Doctor, "and there is nothing to hinder us reaching the
Pole."

"The Pole!" echoed Hatteras.

"Yes, why not? Can't we push our way overland in the summer
months?"

"We might overland; but how could we cross water?"

"Perhaps we may be able to build a boat out of some of the
ship's planks."

"Out of an American ship!" exclaimed the captain, contemptuously.

Clawbonny was prudent enough to make no reply, and presently changed
the conversation by saying--

"Well, now we have seen what we have to depend upon, we must begin
our house and store-rooms. We have materials enough at hand; and,
Bell, I hope you are going to distinguish yourself," he added.

"I am ready, Mr. Clawbonny," replied Bell; "and, as for
material, there is enough for a town here with houses and streets."

"We don't require that; we'll content ourselves with imitating
the Hudson's Bay Company. They entrench themselves in fortresses
against the Indians and wild beasts. That's all we need--a house
one side and stores the other, with a wall and two bastions. I must
try to make a plan."

"Ah! Doctor, if you undertake it," said Johnson, "I am sure
you'll make a good thing of it."

"Well, the first part of the business is to go and choose the
ground. Will you come with us Hatteras?"

"I'll trust all that to you, Doctor," replied the captain.
"I'm going to look along the coast."

Altamont was too feeble yet to take part in any work, so he remained
on the ship, while the others commenced to explore the unknown
continent.

On examining the coast, they found that the Porpoise was in a sort
of bay bristling with dangerous rocks, and that to the west, far as
the eye could reach, the sea extended, entirely frozen now, though
if Belcher and Penny were to be believed, open during the summer
months. Towards the north, a promontory stretched out into the sea,
and about three miles away was an island of moderate size. The
roadstead thus formed would have afforded safe anchorage to ships,
but for the difficulty of entering it. A considerable distance
inland there was a solitary mountain, about 3000 feet high, by the
Doctor's reckoning; and half-way up the steep rocky cliffs that
rose from the shore, they noticed a circular plateau, open on three
sides to the bay and sheltered on the fourth by a precipitous wall,
120 feet high.

This seemed to the Doctor the very place for this house, from its
naturally fortified situation. By cutting steps in the ice, they
managed to climb up and examine it more closely.

[Illustration: ]

They were soon convinced they could not have a better foundation,
and resolved to commence operations forthwith, by removing the hard
snow more than ten feet deep, which covered the ground, as both
dwelling and storehouses must have a solid foundation.

This preparatory work occupied the whole of Monday, Tuesday, and
Wednesday. At last they came to hard granite close in grain, and
containing garnets and felspar crystals, which flew out with every
stroke of the pickaxe.

[Illustration: ]

The dimensions and plan of the snow-house were then settled by the
Doctor. It was to be divided into three rooms, as all they needed
was a bed-room, sitting-room and kitchen. The sitting-room was to be
in the middle, the kitchen to the left, and the bed-room to the
right.

For five days they toiled unremittingly. There was plenty of
material, and the walls required to be thick enough to resist summer
thaws. Already the house began to present an imposing appearance.
There were four windows in front, made of splendid sheets of ice, in
Esquimaux fashion, through which the light came softly in as if
through frosted glass.

Outside there was a long covered passage between the two windows of
the sitting-room. This was the entrance hall, and it was shut in by
a strong door taken from the cabin of the Porpoise. The Doctor was
highly delighted with his performance when all was finished, for
though it would have been difficult to say to what style of
architecture it belonged, it was strong, and that was the chief
thing.

The next business was to move in all the furniture of the Porpoise.
The beds were brought first and laid down round the large stove in
the sleeping room; then came chairs, tables, arm-chairs, cupboards,
and benches for the sitting-room, and finally the ship furnaces and
cooking utensils for the kitchen. Sails spread on the ground did
duty for carpets, and also served for inner doors.

[Illustration: ]

The walls of the house were over five feet thick, and the windows
resembled port-holes for cannon. Every part was as solid as
possible, and what more was wanted? Yet if the Doctor could have had
his way, he would have made all manner of ornamental additions, in
humble imitation of the Ice Palace built in St. Petersburgh in
January, 1740, of which he had read an account. He amused his
companions after work in the evening by describing its grandeur, the
cannons in front, and statues of exquisite beauty, and the wonderful
elephant that spouted water out of his trunk by day and flaming
naphtha by night--all cut out of ice. He also depicted the
interior, with tables, and toilette tables, mirrors, candelabra,
tapers, beds, mattresses, pillows, curtains, time-pieces, chairs,
playing-cards, wardrobes, completely fitted up--in fact, everything
in the way of furniture that could be mentioned, and the whole
entirely composed of ice.

It was on Easter Sunday, the 31st of March, when the travellers
installed themselves in their new abode and after holding divine
service in the sitting-room, they devoted the remainder of the day
to rest.

Next morning they set about building the storehouses and powder
magazine. This took a whole week longer, including the time spent in
unloading the vessel, which was a task of considerable difficulty,
as the temperature was so low, that they could not work for many
hours at a time. At length on the 8th of April, provisions, fuel,
and ammunition were all safe on terra firma, and deposited in their
respective places. A sort of kennel was constructed a little
distance from the house for the Greenland dogs, which the Doctor
dignified by the name of "Dog Palace." Duk shared his master's
quarters.

All that now remained to be done was to put a parapet right round
the plateau by way of fortification.

[Illustration: ]

By the 15th this was also completed, and the snow-house might bid
defiance to a whole tribe of Esquimaux, or any other hostile
invaders, if indeed any human beings whatever were to be found on
this unknown continent, for Hatteras, who had minutely examined the
bay and the surrounding coast, had not been able to discover the
least vestiges of the huts that are generally met with on shores
frequented by Greenland tribes. The shipwrecked sailors of the
Porpoise and Forward seemed to be the first whose feet had ever trod
this lone region.


CHAPTER VII.



AN IMPORTANT DISCUSSION.


While all these preparations for winter were going on Altamont was
fast regaining strength. His vigorous constitution triumphed, and he
was even able to lend a helping hand in the unlading of the ship. He
was a true type of the American, a shrewd, intelligent man, full of
energy and resolution, enterprising, bold, and ready for anything.
He was a native of New York, he informed his companions, and had
been a sailor from his boyhood.

The Porpoise had been equipped and sent out by a company of wealthy
merchants belonging to the States, at the head of which was the
famous Grinnell.

There were many points of resemblance between Altamont and Hatteras,
but no affinities. Indeed, any similarity that there was between
them, tended rather to create discord than to make the men friends.
With a greater show of frankness, he was in reality far more deep
and crafty than Hatteras. He was more free and easy, but not so
true-hearted, and somehow his apparent openness did not inspire such
confidence as the Englishman's gloomy reserve.

[Illustration: ]

The Doctor was in constant dread of a collision between the rival
captains, and yet one must command inevitably, and which should it
be! Hatteras had the men, but Altamont had the ship, and it was hard
to say whose was the better right.

It required all the Doctor's tact to keep things smooth, for the
simplest conversation threatened to lead to strife.

At last, in spite of all his endeavours, an outbreak occurred on the
occasion of a grand banquet by way of "house-warming," when the
new habitation was completed.

This banquet was Dr Clawbonny's idea. He was head-cook, and
distinguished himself by the concoction of a wonderful pudding,
which would positively have done no dishonour to the cuisine of the
Lord Chancellor of England.

Bell most opportunely chanced to shoot a white hare and several
ptarmigans, which made an agreeable variety from the pemmican and
salt meat.

Clawbonny was master of the ceremonies, and brought in his pudding,
adorning himself with the insignia of his office--a big apron, and
a knife dangling at his belt.

As Altamont did not conform to the teetotal régime of his English
companions, gin and brandy were set on the table after dinner, and
the others, by the Doctor's orders, joined him in a glass for
once, that the festive occasion might be duly honoured. When the
different toasts were being drunk, one was given to the United
States, to which Hatteras made no response.

This important business over, the Doctor introduced an interesting
subject of conversation by saying--

"My friends, it is not enough to have come thus far in spite of so
many difficulties; we have something more yet to do. I propose we
should bestow a name on this continent, where we have found friendly
shelter and rest, and not only on the continent, but on the several
bays, peaks, and promontories that we meet with. This has been
invariably done by navigators and is a most necessary proceeding."

"Quite right," said Johnson, "when once a place is named, it
takes away the feeling of being castaways on an unknown shore."

"Yes," added Bell, "and we might be going on some expedition
and obliged to separate, or go out hunting, and it would make it
much easier to find one another if each locality had a definite
name."

[Illustration: ]

"Very well; then," said the Doctor, "since we are all agreed,
let us go steadily to work."

Hatteras had taken no part in the conversation as yet, but seeing
all eyes fixed on him, he rose at last, and said--

"If no one objects, I think the most suitable name we can give our
house is that of its skilful architect, the best man among us. Let
us call it 'Doctor's House.'"

"Just the thing!" said Bell.

"First rate!" exclaimed Johnson, "'Doctor's House!'"

"We cannot do better," chimed in Altamont. "Hurrah for Doctor
Clawbonny."

Three hearty cheers were given, in which Duk joined lustily, barking
his loudest.

"It is agreed then," said Hatteras, "that this house is to be
called 'Doctor's House.'"

The Doctor, almost overcome by his feelings, modestly protested
against the honour; but he was obliged to yield to the wishes of his
friends, and the new habitation was formally named "Doctor's
House."

"Now, then," said the Doctor, "let us go onto name the most
important of our discoveries."

"There is that immense sea which surrounds us, unfurrowed as yet
by a single ship."

"A single ship!" repeated Altamont. "I think you have
forgotten the Porpoise, and yet she certainly did not get here
overland,"

"Well, it would not be difficult to believe she had," replied
Hatteras, "to see on what she lies at present."

"True, enough, Hatteras," said Altamont, in a piqued tone;
"but, after all, is not that better than being blown to atoms like
the Forward?"

Hatteras was about to make some sharp retort, but Clawbonny
interposed.

"It is not a question of ships, my friends," he said, "but of
a fresh sea."

"It is no new sea," returned Altamont; "it is in every Polar
chart, and has a name already. It is called the Arctic Ocean, and I
think it would be very inconvenient to alter its designation. Should
we find out by and by, that, instead of being an ocean it is only a
strait or gulf, it will be time enough to alter it then."

"So be it," said Hatteras.

"Very well, that is an understood thing, then," said the Doctor,
almost regretting that he had started a discussion so pregnant with
national rivalries.

"Let us proceed with the continent where we find ourselves at
present," resumed Hatteras. "I am not aware that any name
whatever has been affixed to it, even in the most recent charts."

He looked at Altamont as he spoke, who met his gaze steadily, and
said--

"Possibly you may be mistaken again, Hatteras."

"Mistaken! What! This unknown continent, this virgin soil----"

"Has already a name," replied Altamont, coolly.

Hatteras was silent, but his lip quivered.

"And what name has it, then?" asked the Doctor, rather
astonished at Altamont's affirmation.

"My dear Clawbonny," replied the American, "it is the custom,
not to say the right, of every navigator to christen the soil on
which he is the first to set foot. It appears to me, therefore, that
it is my privilege and duty on this occasion to exercise my
prerogative, and--"

"But, sir," interrupted Johnson, rather nettled at his sang
froid.

"It would be a difficult matter to prove that the Porpoise did not
come here, even supposing she reached this coast by land,"
continued Altamont, without noticing Johnson's protest. "The
fact is indisputable," he added looking at Hatteras.

[Illustration: "I dispute the claim," said the Englishman,
restraining himself by a powerful effort.--P.72]

"I dispute the claim," said the Englishman, restraining himself
by a powerful effort. "To name a country, you must first discover
it, I suppose, and that you certainly did not do. Besides, but for
us, where would you have been, sir, at this moment, pray? Lying
twenty feet deep under the snow."

"And without me, sir," retorted Altamont, hotly, "without me
and my ship, where would you all be at this moment? Dead, from cold
and hunger."

"Come, come, friends," said the Doctor, "don't get to words,
all that can be easily settled. Listen to me."

"Mr. Hatteras," said Altamont, "is welcome to name whatever
territories he may discover, should he succeed in discovering any;
but this continent belongs to me. I should not even consent to its
having two names like Grinnell's Land, which is also called Prince
Albert's Land, because it was discovered almost simultaneously by
an Englishman and an American. This is quite another matter; my
right of priority is incontestable. No ship before mine ever touched
this shore, no foot before mine ever trod this soil. I have given it
a name, and that name it shall keep."

"And what is that name?" inquired the Doctor.

"New America," replied Altamont.

Hatteras trembled with suppressed passion, but by a violent effort
restrained himself.

"Can you prove to me," said Altamont, "that an Englishman has
set foot here before an American?"

Johnson and Bell said nothing, though quite as much offended as the
captain by Altamont's imperious tone. They felt that reply was
impossible.

For a few minutes there was an awkward silence, which the Doctor
broke by saying--

"My friends, the highest human law is justice. It includes all
others. Let us be just, then, and don't let any bad feeling get in
among us. The priority of Altamont seems to me indisputable. We will
take our revenge by and by, and England will get her full share in
our future discoveries. Let the name New America stand for the
continent itself, but I suppose Altamont has not yet disposed of all
the bays, and capes, and headlands it contains, and I imagine there
will be nothing to prevent us calling this bay Victoria Bay?"

"Nothing whatever, provided that yonder cape is called Cape
Washington," replied Altamont.

"You might choose a name, sir," exclaimed Hatteras, almost
beside himself with passion, "that is less offensive to an
Englishman."

"But not one which sounds so sweet to an American," retorted
Altamont, proudly.

"Come, come," said the Doctor, "no discussion on that subject.
An American has a perfect right to be proud of his great countryman!
Let us honour genius wherever it is met with; and since Altamont has
made his choice, let us take our turn next; let the captain----"

"Doctor!" interrupted Hatteras, "I have no wish that my name
should figure anywhere on this continent, seeing that it belongs to
America."

"Is this your unalterable determination?" asked Clawbonny.

"It is."

The Doctor did not insist further.

"Very well, we'll have it to ourselves then," he continued,
turning to Johnson and Bell. "We'll leave our traces behind us.
I propose that the island we see out there, about three miles away
from the shore, should be called Isle Johnson, in honour of our
boatswain,''

"Oh, Mr. Clawbonny," began Johnson, in no little confusion.

"And that mountain that we discovered in the west we will call
Bell Mount, if our carpenter is willing."

"It is doing me too much honour," replied Bell.

"It is simple justice," returned the Doctor.

"Nothing could be better," said Altamont.

"Now then, all we have to do is to christen our fort," said the
Doctor, "about that there will be no discussion, I hope, for it is
neither to our gracious sovereign Queen Victoria, nor to Washington,
that we owe our safety and shelter here, but to God, who brought
about our meeting, and by so doing saved us all. Let our little fort
be called Fort Providence."

"Your remarks are just," said Altamont; "no name could be more
suitable."

"Fort Providence," added Johnson, "sounds well too. In our
future excursions, then, we shall go by Cape Washington to Victoria
Bay, and from thence to Fort Providence, where we shall find food
and rest at Doctor's House!"

"The business is settled then so far," resumed the Doctor. "As
our discoveries multiply we shall have other names to give; but I
trust, friends, we shall have no disputes about them, for placed as
we are, we need all the help and love we can give each other. Let us
be strong by being united. Who knows what dangers yet we may have to
brave, and what sufferings to endure before we see our native land
once more. Let us be one in heart though five in number, and let us
lay aside all feelings of rivalry. Such feelings are bad enough at
all times, but among us they would be doubly wrong. You understand
me, Altamont, and you, Hatteras?"

Neither of the captains replied, but the Doctor took no notice of
their silence, and went on to speak of other things. Sundry
expeditions were planned to forage for fresh food. It would soon be
spring, and hares and partridges, foxes and bears would re-appear.
So it was determined that part of every day should be spent in
hunting and exploring this unknown continent of New America.

[Illustration: Clambering up the steep, rocky wall, against which
the Doctor's House leaned, he succeeded, though with considerable
difficulty, in reaching the top.--P.77]


CHAPTER VIII.



AN EXCURSION TO THE NORTH OF VICTORIA BAY


Next morning Clawbonny was out by dawn of day. Clambering up the
steep, rocky wall, against which the Doctor's House leaned, he
succeeded, though with considerable difficulty, in reaching the top,
which he found terminated abruptly in a sort of truncated cone. From
this elevation there was an extensive view over a vast tract of
country, which was all disordered and convulsed as if it had
undergone some volcanic commotion. Sea and land, as far as it was
possible to distinguish one from the other, were covered with a
sheet of ice.

A new project struck the Doctor's mind, which was soon matured and
ripe for execution. He lost no time in going back to the snow house,
and consulting over it with his companions.

"I have got an idea," he said; "I think of constructing a
lighthouse on the top of that cone above our heads."

"A lighthouse!" they all exclaimed.

"Yes, a lighthouse. It would be a double advantage. It would be a
beacon to guide us in distant excursions, and also serve to illumine
our plateau in the long dreary winter months."

"There is no doubt," replied Altamont, "of its utility; but
how would you contrive to make it?"

"With one of the lanterns out of the Porpoise."

"All right; but how will you feed your lamp? With seal oil?"

"No, seal oil would not give nearly sufficient light. It would
scarcely be visible through the fog."

"Are you going to try to make gas out of our coal then?"

"No, not that either, for gas would not be strong enough; and,
worse still, it would waste our combustibles."

"Well," replied Altamont; "I'm at a loss to see how you--"

"Oh, I'm prepared for everything after the mercury bullet, and
the ice lens, and Fort Providence. I believe Mr. Clawbonny can do
anything," exclaimed Johnson.

"Come, Clawbonny, tell us what your light is to be, then," said
Altamont.

"That's soon told," replied Clawbonny. "I mean to have an
electric light."

"An electric light?"

"Yes, why not? Haven't you a galvanic battery on board your
ship?"

"Yes."

"Well, there will be no difficulty then in producing an electric
light, and that will cost nothing, and be far brighter."

"First-rate?" said Johnson; "let us set to work at once."

"By all means. There is plenty of material. In an hour we can
raise a pillar of ice ten feet high, and that is quite enough.

Away went the Doctor, followed by his companions, and the column was
soon erected and crowned with a ship lantern. The conducting wires
were properly adjusted within it, and the pile with which they
communicated fixed up in the sitting-room, where the warmth of the
stove would protect it from the action of the frost.

As soon as it grew dark the experiment was made, and proved a
complete success. An intense brilliant light streamed from the
lantern and illumined the entire plateau and the plains beneath.

Johnson could not help clapping his hands, half beside himself with
delight.

"Well, I declare, Mr. Clawbonny," he exclaimed, "you're our
sun now."

"One must be a little of everything, you know," was
Clawbonny's modest reply.

It was too cold. however, even to stand admiring more than a minute,
and the whole party were glad enough to get indoors again, and tuck
themselves up in their warm blankets.

A regular course of life commenced now, though uncertain weather and
frequent changes of temperature made it sometimes impracticable to
venture outside the hut at all, and it was not till the Saturday
after the installation, that a day came that was favourable enough
for a hunting excursion; when Bell, and Altamont, and the Doctor
determined to take advantage of it, and try to replenish their stock
of provisions.

They started very early in the morning, each armed with a
double-barrelled gun and plenty of powder and shot, a hatchet, and a
snow knife.

[Illustration: ]

The weather was cloudy, but Clawbonny put the galvanic battery in
action before he left, and the bright rays of the electric light did
duty for the glorious orb of day, and in truth was no bad
substitute, for the light was equal to three thousand candles, or
three hundred gas burners.

It was intensely cold, but dry, and there was little or no wind. The
hunters set off in the direction of Cape Washington, and the hard
snow so favoured their march, that in three hours they had gone
fifteen miles, Duk jumping and barking beside them all the way. They
kept as close to the coast as possible, but found no trace of human
habitation and indeed scarcely a sign of animal life. A few snow
birds, however, darting to and fro announced the approach of spring
and the return of the animal creation. The sea was still entirely
frozen over, but it was evident from the open breathing holes in the
ice, that the seals had been quite recently on the surface. In one
part the holes were so numerous, that the Doctor said to his
companions that he had no doubt that when summer came, they would be
seen there in hundreds, and would be easily captured, for on
unfrequented shores they were not so difficult of approach. But once
frighten them and they all vanish as if by enchantment, and never
return to the spot again. "Inexperienced hunters," he said,
"have often lost a whole shoal by attacking them, en masse, with
noisy shouts instead of singly and silently."

"Is it for the oil or skin that they are mostly hunted?"

"Europeans hunt them for the skin, but the Esquimaux eat them.
They live on seals, and nothing is so delicious to them as a piece
of the flesh, dipped in the blood and oil. After all, cooking has a
good deal to do with it, and I'll bet you something I could dress
you cutlets you would not turn up your nose at, unless for their
black appearance."

"We'll set you to work on it," said Bell, "and I'll eat as
much as you like to please you."

"My good Bell, you mean to say to please yourself, but your
voracity would never equal the Green-landers', for they devour
from ten to fifteen pounds of meat a day."

"Fifteen pounds!" said Bell. "What stomachs!"

"Arctic stomachs," replied the Doctor, "are prodigious; they
can expand at will, and, I may add, contract at will; so that they
can endure starvation quite as well as abundance. When an Esquimaux
sits down to dinner he is quite thin, and by the time he has
finished, he is so corpulent you would hardly recognize him. But
then we must remember that one meal sometimes has to last a whole
day."

"This voracity must be peculiar to the inhabitants of cold
countries," said Altamont.

"I think it is," replied the Doctor. "In the Arctic regions
people must eat enormously: it is not only one of the conditions of
strength, but of existence. The Hudson's Bay Company always
reckoned on this account 8 lbs. of meat to each man a day, or 12
lbs. of fish, or 2 lbs. of pemmican."

"Invigorating regimen, certainly!" said Bell.

"Not so much as you imagine, my friend. An Indian who guzzles like
that can't do a whit better day's work than an Englishman, who
has his pound of beef and pint of beer."

"Things are best as they are, then, Mr. Clawbonny."

"No doubt of it; and yet an Esquimaux meal may well astonish us.
In Sir John Ross's narrative, he states his surprise at the
appetites of his guides. He tells us that two of them--just two
mind--devoured a quarter of a buffalo in one morning. They cut the
meat in long narrow strips, and the mode of eating was either for
the one to bite off as much as his mouth could hold, and then pass
it on to the other, or to leave the long ribbons of meat dangling
from the mouth and devour them gradually like boa-constrictors,
lying at full length on the ground."

[Illustration: ]

"Faugh!" exclaimed Bell, "what disgusting brutes!"

"Every man has his own fashion of dining," remarked the
philosophical American.

"Happily," said the Doctor.

"Well, if eating is such an imperative necessity in these
latitudes, it quite accounts for all the journals of Arctic
travellers being so full of eating and drinking."

"You are right," returned the Doctor. "I have been struck by
the same fact; but I think it arises not only from the necessity of
full diet, but from the extreme difficulty sometimes in procuring
it. The thought of food is always uppermost in the mind, and
naturally finds mention in the narrative."

"And yet," said Altamont, "if my memory serves me right, in
the coldest parts of Norway the peasants do not seem to need such
substantial fare. Milk diet is their staple food, with eggs, and
bread made of the bark of the birch-tree; a little salmon
occasionally, but never meat; and still they are fine hardy
fellows."

"It is an affair of organization out of my power to explain,"
replied Clawbonny; "but I have no doubt that if these same
Norwegians were transplanted to Greenland, they would learn to eat
like the Esquimaux by the second or third generation. Even if we
ourselves were to remain in this blessed country long, we should be
as bad as the Esquimaux, even if we escaped becoming regular
gluttons."

"I declare, Mr. Clawbonny, you make me feel hungry with talking so
much about eating," exclaimed Bell.

"Not I!" said Altamont. "It rather sickens me, and makes me
loathe the sight of a seal. But, stop, I do believe we are going to
have the chance of a dinner off one, for I am much mistaken if
that's not something alive lying on those lumps of ice yonder!"

"It is a walrus!" exclaimed the Doctor. "Be quiet, and let us
get up to him."

Clawbonny was right, it was a walrus of huge dimensions, disporting
himself not more than two hundred yards away. The hunters separated,
going in different directions, so as to surround the animal and cut
off all retreat. They crept along cautiously behind the hummocks,
and managed to get within a few paces of him unperceived, when they
fired simultaneously.

[Illustration: ]

The walrus rolled over, but speedily got up again, and tried to make
his escape, but Altamont fell upon him with his hatchet, and cut off
his dorsal fins. He made a desperate resistance, but was overpowered
by his enemies, and soon lay dead, reddening the ice-field with his
blood.

It was a fine animal, measuring more than fifteen feet in length,
and would have been worth a good deal for the oil; but the hunters
contented themselves with cutting off the most savoury parts, and
left the rest to the ravens, which had just begun to make their
appearance.

Night was drawing on, and it was time to think of returning to Fort
Providence. The moon had not yet risen, but the sky was serene and
cloudless, and already glittering with stars--magnificent stars.

"Come," said the Doctor, "let us be off, for it is getting
late. Our hunting has not been very successful; but still, if a man
has found something for his supper, he need not grumble. Let us go
the shortest road, however, and get quickly home without losing our
way. The stars will guide us."

They resolved to try a more direct route back by going further
inland, and avoiding the windings of the coast; but, after some
hours' walking, they found themselves no nearer Doctor's House,
and it was evident that they must have lost their way. The question
was raised whether to construct a hut and rest till morning, or
proceed; but Clawbonny insisted on going on, as Hatteras and Johnson
would be so uneasy.

"Duk will guide us," he said; "he won't go wrong. His
instinct can dispense with star and compass. Just let us keep close
behind him."

They did well to trust to Duk, for very speedily a faint light
appeared in the horizon almost like a star glimmering through the
mist, which hung low above the ground.

"There's our lighthouse!" exclaimed the Doctor.

"Do you think it is, Mr. Clawbonny?" said Bell.

[Illustration: Soon they were walking in a bright luminous track,
leaving their long shadows behind them on the spotless snow. --P.87]

"I'm certain of it! Come on faster." The light became stronger
the nearer they approached, and soon they were walking in a bright
luminous track, leaving their long shadows behind them on the
spotless snow.

Quickening their steps, they hastened forward, and in another half
hour they were climbing the ascent to Fort Providence.


CHAPTER IX.



COLD AND HEAT.


Hatteras and Johnson had been getting somewhat uneasy at the
prolonged absence of their companions, and were delighted to see
them back safe and sound. The hunters were no less glad to find
themselves once more in a warm shelter, for the temperature had
fallen considerably as night drew on, and the thermometer outside
was 73° below zero.

The poor hunters were half frozen, and so worn out that they could
hardly drag their limbs along; but the stoves were roaring and
crackling cheerily, and the big kitchen fire waiting to cook such
game as might be brought in. Clawbonny donned his official apron
again, and soon had his seal cutlets dressed and smoking on the
table. By nine o'clock the whole party were enjoying a good
supper, and Bell couldn't help exclaiming--

"Well, even at the risk of being taken for an Esquimaux, I must
confess eating is the most important business if one has to winter
in these regions. A good meal isn't to be sneezed at."

They all had their mouths crammed too full to speak, but the Doctor
signified his agreement with Bell's views by an approving nod.

The cutlets were pronounced first-rate, and it seemed as if they
were, for they were all eaten, to the very last morsel.

For dessert they had coffee, which the Doctor brewed himself in a
French coffee-pot over spirits-of-wine. He never allowed anybody but
himself to concoct this precious beverage; for he made a point of
serving it boiling hot, always declaring it was not fit to drink
unless it burnt his tongue. This evening he took it so scalding that
Altamont exclaimed--

[Illustration: ]

"You'll skin your throat!"

"Not a bit of it," was the Doctor's reply.

"Then your palate must be copper-sheathed," said Johnson.

"Not at all, friends. I advise you to copy my example. Many
persons, and I am one, can drink coffee at a temperature of 131°."

"131°?" said Altamont; "why, that is hotter than the hand
could bear!"

"Of course it is, Altamont, for the hand could not bear more than
122°, but the palate and tongue are less sensitive."

"You surprise me."

"Well, I will convince you it is fact," returned Clawbonny, and
taking up a thermometer, he plunged it into the steaming coffee. He
waited till the mercury rose as high as 131° and then withdrew it,
and swallowed the liquid with evident gusto.

Bell tried to follow his example, but burnt his mouth severely.

"You are not used to it," said the Doctor, coolly.

"Can you tell us, Clawbonny," asked Altamont, "what is the
highest temperature that the human body can bear."

"Yes, several curious experiments have been made in that respect.
I remember reading of some servant girls, in the town of
Rochefoucauld, in France, who could stay ten minutes in a baker's
large oven when the temperature was 300°, while potatoes and meat
were cooking all round them."

"What girls!" exclaimed Altamont.

"Well, there is another case, where eight of our own countrymen--
Fordyce, Banks, Solander, Blagdin, Home, Nooth, Lord Seaforth, and
Captain Phillips--went into one as hot as 200°, where eggs and
beef were frizzling."

"And they were Englishmen!" said Bell, with a touch of national
pride.

"Oh, the Americans could have done better than that," said
Altamont.

"They would have roasted," returned the Doctor, laughing. "At
all events they have never tried it, so I shall stand up for my
countrymen. There is one more instance I recollect, and really it is
so incredible, that it would be impossible to believe it, if it were
not attested by unimpeachable evidence. The Duke of Ragusa and

[Illustration: ]

Dr. Jung, a Frenchman and an Austrian, saw a Turk plunge into a bath
at 170°."

"But that is not so astonishing as those servant girls, or our own
countrymen," said Johnson.

"I beg your pardon," replied Clawbonny; "there is a great
difference between plunging into hot air and hot water. Hot air
produces perspiration, which protects the skin, but boiling water
scalds. The maximum heat of baths is 107°, so that this Turk must
have been an extraordinary fellow to endure such temperature."

"What is the mean temperature, Mr. Clawbonny, of animated
beings?" asked Johnson.

"That varies with the species," replied the Doctor. "Birds
have the highest, especially the duck and the hen. The mammalia come
next, and human beings. The temperature of Englishmen averages
101°."

"I am sure Mr. Altamont is going to claim a higher rate for his
countrymen," said Johnson, smiling.

"Well, sure enough, we've some precious hot ones among us, but
as I never have put a thermometer down their throats to ascertain, I
can't give you statistics."

"There is no sensible difference," said the Doctor, "between
men of different races when they are placed under the same
conditions, whatever their food may be. I may almost say their
temperature would be the same at the Equator as the Pole."

"Then the heat of our bodies is the same here as in England,"
replied Altamont.

"Just about it. The other species of mammalia are generally hotter
than human beings. The horse, the hare, the elephant, the porpoise,
and the tiger are nearly the same; but the cat, the squirrel, the
rat, the panther, the sheep, the ox, the dog, the monkey, and the
goat, are as high as 103°; and the pig is 104°."

"Rather humiliating to us," put in Altamont.

"Then come the amphibia and the fish," resumed the Doctor,
"whose temperature varies with that of the water. The serpent has a
temperature of 86°, the frog 70°, and the shark several degrees
less. Insects appear to have the temperature of air and water."

[Illustration: ]

"All this is very well," interrupted Hatteras, who had hitherto
taken no part in the conversation, "and we are obliged to the
Doctor for his scientific information; but we are really talking as
if we were going to brave the heat of the torrid zone. I think it
would be far more seasonable to speak of cold, if the Doctor could
tell us what is the lowest temperature on record."

"I can enlighten you on that too," replied the Doctor. "There
are a great number of memorable winters, which appear to have come
at intervals of about forty-one years. In 1364, the Rhone was frozen
over as far as Arles; in 1408, the Danube was frozen throughout its
entire extent, and the wolves crossed the Cattigut on firm ground;
in 1509, the Adriatic and the Mediterranean were frozen at Venice
and Marseilles, and the Baltic on the 10th of April; in 1608, all
the cattle died in England from the cold; in 1789, the Thames was
frozen as far as Gravesend; and the frightful winter of 1813 will
long be remembered in France. The earliest and longest ever known in
the present century was in 1829. So much for Europe."

"But here, within the Polar circle, what is the lowest degree?"
asked Altamont.

"My word!" said the Doctor. "I think we have experienced the
lowest ourselves, for one day the thermometer was 72° below zero,
and, if my memory serves me right, the lowest temperature mentioned
hitherto by Arctic voyagers has been 61° at Melville Island, 65°
at Port Felix, and 70° at Fort Reliance."

"Yes," said Hatteras, "it was the unusual severity of the
winter that barred our progress, for it came on just at the worst
time possible."

"You were stopped, you say?" asked Altamont, looking fixedly at
the captain.

"Yes, in our voyage west," the Doctor hastened to reply.

"Then the maximum and minimum temperatures," said Altamont,
resuming the conversation, "are about 200° apart. So you see, my
friends, we may make ourselves easy."

"But if the sun were suddenly extinguished," suggested Johnson,
"would not the earth's temperature be far lower?"

"There is no fear of such a catastrophe; but, even should it
happen, the temperature would be scarcely any different."

[Illustration: ]

"That's curious."

"It is; but Fourrier, a learned Frenchman, has proved the fact
incontestably. If it were not the case, the difference between day
and night would be far greater, as also the degree of cold at the
Poles. But now I think, friends, we should be the better of a few
hours' sleep. Who has charge of the stove?"

"It is my turn to-night," said Bell.

"Well, pray keep up a good fire, for it is a perishing night."

"Trust me for that," said Bell. "But do look out, the sky is
all in a blaze."

"Ay! it is a magnificent aurora," replied the Doctor, going up
to the window. "How beautiful! I never tire gazing at it."

No more he ever did, though his companions had become so used to
such displays that they hardly noticed them now. He soon followed
the example of the others, however, and lay down on his bed beside
the fire, leaving Bell to mount guard.


CHAPTER X.



WINTER PLEASURES


It is a dreary affair to live at the Pole, for there is no going out
for many long months, and nothing to break the weary monotony.

The day after the hunting excursion was dark and snowy, and
Clawbonny could find no occupation except polishing up the ice walls
of the hut as they became damp with the heat inside, and emptying
out the snow which drifted into the long passage leading to the
inner door. The "Snow-House" stood out well, defying storm and
tempest, and the snow only seemed to increase the thickness of the
walls.

The storehouses, too, did not give way the least; but though they
were only a few yards off, it was found necessary to lay in enough
provisions for the day, as very often the weather made it almost
impossible to venture that short distance.

The unloading of the Porpoise turned out to have been a wise
precaution, for she was slowly but surely being crashed to pieces by
the silent, irresistible pressure around her. Still the Doctor was
always hoping enough planks might be sufficiently sound to construct
a small vessel to convey them back to England, but the right time to
build had not come.

[Illustration: ]

[Illustration: ]

The five men were consequently compelled to spend the greater part
of the day in complete idleness. Hatteras lolled on his bed absorbed
in thought. Altamont smoked or dozed, and the Doctor took care not
to disturb either of them, for he was in perpetual fear of a quarrel
between them.

At meal times he always led the conversation away from irritating
topics and sought, as far as possible, to instruct and interest all
parties. Whenever he was not engaged with the preparation of his
notes, he gave them dissertations on history, geography, or
meteorology, handling his subject in an easy, though philosophical
manner, drawing lessons from the most trivial incidents. His
inexhaustible memory was never at a loss for fact or illustration
when his good humour and geniality made him the life and soul of the
little company. He was implicitly trusted by all, even by Hatteras,
who cherished a deep affection for him.

Yet no man felt the compulsory confinement more painfully than
Clawbonny. He longed ardently for the breaking up of the frost to
resume his excursions though he dreaded the rivalry that might ensue
between the two captains.

Yet things must come to a crisis soon or late, and meantime he
resolved to use his best endeavors to bring both parties to a better
mind, but to reconcile an American and an Englishman was no easy
task. He and Johnson had many a talk on the subject, for the old
sailor's views quite coincided with his own as to the difficult
complications which awaited them in the future.

However, the bad weather continued, and leaving Fort Providence,
even for an hour, was out of the question. Day and night they were
pent up in these glittering ice-walls, and time hung heavily on
their hands, at least on all but the Doctor's, and he always
managed to find some occupation for himself.

[Illustration: ]

"I declare," said Altamont, one evening; "life like this is
not worth having. We might as well be some of those reptiles that
sleep all the winter. But I suppose there is no help for it."

"I am afraid not," said the Doctor; "unfortunately we are too
few in number to get up any amusement."

"Then you think if there were more of us, we should find more to
do?"

"Of course: when whole ships' crews have wintered here, they
have managed to while away the time famously."

"Well, I must say I should like to know how. It would need a vast
amount of ingenuity to extract anything amusing out of our
circumstances. I suppose they did not play at charades?"

"No, but they introduced the press and the theatre."

"What? They had a newspaper?" exclaimed the American.

"They acted a comedy?" said Bell.

"That they did," said the Doctor. "When Parry wintered at
Melville Island, he started both amusements among his men, and they
met with great success."

"Well, I must confess, I should like to have been there,"
returned Johnson; "for it must have been rather curious work."

"Curious and amusing too, my good Johnson. Lieutenant Beechey was
the theatre manager, and Captain Sabina chief editor of the
newspaper called 'The Winter Chronicle, or the Gazette of Northern
Georgia.'"

"Good titles," said Altamont.

"The newspaper appeared daily from the 1st of November, 1819, to
the 20th of March, 1820. It reported the different excursions, and
hunting parties, and accidents, and adventures, and published
amusing stories. No doubt the articles were not up to the
'Spectator' or the 'Daily Telegraph,' but the readers were
neither critical nor blasé, and found great pleasure in their
perusal."

[Illustration: ]

"My word!" said Altamont. "I should like to read some of the
articles."

"Would you? Well, you shall judge for yourself."

"What! can you repeat them from memory?"

"No; but you had Parry's Voyages on board the Porpoise, and I
can read you his own narrative if you like."

This proposition was so eagerly welcomed that the Doctor fetched the
book forthwith, and soon found the passage in question.

"Here is a letter," he said, "addressed to the editor."

"'Your proposition to establish a journal has been received by
us with the greatest satisfaction. I am convinced that, under your
direction, it will be a great source of amusement, and go a long way
to lighten our hundred days of darkness.

"'The interest I take in the matter myself has led me to study
the effect of your announcement on my comrades, and I can testify,
to use reporter's language, that the thing has produced an immense
sensation.

"'The day after your prospectus appeared, there was an unusual
and unprecedented demand for ink among us, and our green tablecloth
was deluged with snippings and parings of quill-pens, to the injury
of one of our servants, who got a piece driven right under his nail.
I know for a fact that Sergeant Martin had no less than nine
pen-knives to sharpen.

"'It was quite a novel sight to see all the writing-desks
brought out, which had not made their appearance for a couple of
months, and judging by the reams of paper visible, more than one
visit must have been made to the depths of the hold.

"'I must not forget to tell you, that I believe attempts will
be made to slip into your box sundry articles which are not
altogether original, as they have been published already. I can
declare that, no later than last night, I saw an author bending over
his desk, holding a volume of the "Spectator" open with one
hand, and thawing the frozen ink in his pen at the lamp with the
other. I need not warn you to be on your guard against such tricks,
for it would never do for us to have articles in our "Winter
Chronicle" which our great-grandfathers read over their
breakfast-tables a century ago.'"

"Well, well," said Altamont, "there is a good deal of clever
humour in that writer. He must have been a sharp fellow."

"You're right. Here is an amusing catalogue of Arctic
tribulations:--

"'To go out in the morning for a walk, and the moment you put
your foot outside the ship, find yourself immersed in the cook's
water-hole.

"'To go out hunting, and fall in with a splendid reindeer, take
aim, and find your gun has gone off with a flash in the pan, owing
to damp powder.

"'To set out on a march with a good supply of soft new bread in
your pocket, and discover, when you want to eat, that it has frozen
so hard that you would break your teeth if you attempted to bite it
through.

"'To rush from the table when it is reported that a wolf is in
sight, and on coming back to find the cat has eaten your dinner.

"'To be returning quietly home from a walk, absorbed in
profitable meditation, and suddenly find yourself in the embrace of
a bear.'

"We might supplement this list ourselves," said the Doctor,
"to almost any amount, for there is a sort of pleasure in
enumerating troubles when one has got the better of them."

"I declare," said Altamont, "this 'Winter Journal' is an
amusing affair. I wish we could subscribe to it."

"Suppose we start one," said Johnson.

"For us five!" exclaimed Clawbonny; "we might do for editors,
but there would not be readers enough."

"No, nor spectators enough, if we tried to get up a comedy,"
added Altamont.

"Tell us some more about Captain Parry's theatre," said
Johnson; "did they play new pieces?"

"Certainly. At first two volumes on board the 'Hecla' were
gone through, but as there was a performance once a fortnight, this
repertoire was soon exhausted. Then they had to improvise fresh
plays; Parry himself composed one which had immense success. It was
called 'The North-West Passage, or the End of the Voyage.'"

"A famous title," said Altamont; "but I must confess, if I had
chosen such a subject, I should have been at a loss for the
dénouement."

"You are right," said Bell; "who can say what the end will
be?"

"What does that matter?" replied Mr. Clawbonny. "Why should we
trouble about the last act, while the first ones are going on well.
Leave all that to Providence, friends; let us each play our own
rôle as perfectly as we can, and since the dénouement belongs to
the Great Author of all things, we will trust his skill. He will
manage our affairs for us, never fear."

"Well, we'd better go and dream about it," said Johnson,
"for it's getting late, and it is time we went to bed," said
Johnson.

"You're in a great hurry, old fellow," replied the Doctor.

"Why would you sit up, Mr. Clawbonny? I am so comfortable in my
bed, and then I always have such good dreams. I dream invariably of
hot countries, so that I might almost say, half my life is spent in
the tropics, and half at the North Pole."

"You're a happy man, Johnson," said Altamont, "to be blessed
with such a fortunate organization."

"Indeed I am," replied Johnson.

"Well, come, after that it would be positive cruelty to keep our
good friend pining here," said the Doctor, "his tropical sun
awaits him, so let's all go to bed."


CHAPTER XI



TRACES OF BEARS


On the 26th of April during the night there was a sudden change in
the weather. The thermometer fell several degrees, and the inmates
of Doctor's House could hardly keep themselves warm even in their
beds. Altamont had charge of the stove, and he found it needed
careful replenishing to preserve the temperature at 50° above zero.

This increase of cold betokened the cessation of the stormy weather,
and the Doctor hailed it gladly as the harbinger of his favourite
hunting and exploring expeditions.

He rose early next morning, and climbed up to the top of the cone.
The wind had shifted north, the air was clear, and the snow firm and
smooth to the tread.

Before long the five companions had left Doctor's House, and were
busily engaged in clearing the heavy masses of snow off the roof and
sides, for the house was no longer distinguishable from the plateau,
as the snow had drifted to a depth of full fifteen feet. It took two
hours to remove the frozen snow, and restore the architectural form
of the dwelling. At length the granite foundations appeared, and the
storehouses and powder magazines were once more accessible.

[Illustration: ]

But as, in so uncertain a climate, a storm might cut off their
supplies any day, they wisely resolved to provide for any such
emergency by carrying over a good stock of provisions to the
kitchen; and then Clawbonny, Altamont, and Bell started off with
their guns in search of game, for the want of fresh food began to be
urgently felt.

The three companions went across the east side of the cone, right
down into the centre of the far-stretching, snow-covered plain
beneath, but they did not need to go far, for numerous traces of
animals appeared on all sides within a circle of two miles round
Fort Providence.

After gazing attentively at these traces for some minutes, the
hunters looked at each other silently, and then the Doctor
exclaimed:--

"Well, these are plain enough, I think!"

"Ay, only too plain," added Bell, "bears have been here!"

"First rate game!" said Altamont. "There's only one fault
about it."

"And what is that?" asked Bell.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean this--there are distinct traces of five bears, and five
bears are rather too much for five men."

"Are you sure there are five?" said Clawbonny.

"Look and see for yourself. Here is one footprint, and there is
another quite different. These claws are far wider apart than those;
and see here, again, that paw belongs to a much smaller bear. I tell
you, if you look carefully, you will see the marks of all five
different bears distinctly."

"You're right," said Bell, after a close inspection.

"If that's the case, then," said the Doctor, "we must take
care what we're about, and not be foolhardy, for these animals are
starving after the severe winter, and they might be extremely
dangerous to encounter and, since we are sure of their
number----"

"And of their intentions, too," put in Altamont.

"You think they have discovered our presence here?"

"No doubt of it, unless we have got into a bear-pass, but then,
why should these footprints be in a circle round our fort? Look,
these animals have come from the south-east, and stopped at this
place, and commenced to reconnoitre the coast."

[Illustration: ]

"You're right," said the Doctor, "and, what's more, it is
certain that they have been here last night."

"And other nights before that," replied Altamont.

"I don't think so," rejoined Clawbonny. "It is more likely
that they waited till the cessation of the tempest, and were on
their way down to the bay, intending to catch seals, when they
scented us."

"Well, we can easily find out if they come tonight," said
Altamont.

"How?"

"By effacing all the marks in a given place, and if to-morrow, we
find fresh ones, it will be evident that Fort Providence is the goal
for which the bears are bound."

[Illustration: ]

"Very good, at any rate we shall know, then, what we have to
expect."

The three hunters set to work, and scraped the snow over till all
the footprints were obliterated for a considerable distance.

"It is singular, though," said Bell, "that bears could scent
us all that way off; we have not been burning anything fat which
might have attracted them."

"Oh!" replied the Doctor, "bears are endowed with a
wonderfully keen sense of smell, and a piercing sight; and, more
than that, they are extremely intelligent, almost more so than any
other animal. They have smelt something unusual; and, besides, who
can tell whether they have not even found their way as far as our
plateau during the tempest?"

"But then, why did they stop here last night?" asked Altamont.

"Well, that's a question I can't answer, but there is no doubt
they will continue narrowing their circles, till they reach Fort
Providence."

"We shall soon see," said Altamont.

"And, meantime, we had best go on," added the Doctor, "and
keep a sharp look out."

But not a sign of anything living was visible, and after a time they
returned to the snow-house.

Hatteras and Johnson were informed how matters stood, and it was
resolved to maintain a vigilant watch. Night came, but nothing
disturbed its calm splendour--nothing was heard to indicate
approaching danger.

Next morning at early dawn, Hatteras and his companions, well armed,
went out to reconnoitre the state of the snow. They found the same
identical footmarks, but somewhat nearer. Evidently the enemy was
bent on the siege of Fort Providence.

"But where can the bears be?" said Bell.

"Behind the icebergs watching us," replied the Doctor.
"Don't let us expose ourselves imprudently."

"What about going hunting, then?" asked Altamont.

"We must put it off for a day or two, I think, and rub out the
marks again, and see if they are renewed to-morrow."

The Doctor's advice was followed, and they entrenched themselves
for the present in the fort. The lighthouse was taken down, as it
was not of actual use meantime, and might help to attract the bears.
Each took it in turn to keep watch on the upper plateau.

The day passed without a sign of the enemy's existence, and next
morning, when they hurried eagerly out to examine the snow, judge
their astonishment to find it wholly untouched!

"Capital!" exclaimed Altamont. "The bears are put off the
scent; they have no perseverance, and have grown tired waiting for
us. They are off, and a good riddance. Now let us start for a
day's hunting."

"Softly, softly," said the Doctor; "I'm not so sure they
have gone. I think we had better wait one day more. It is evident
the bears have not been here last night, at least on this side; but
still--"

"Well, let us go right round the plateau, and see how things
stand," said the impatient Altamont.

"All right," said Clawbonny. "Come along."

Away they went, but it was impossible to scrutinize carefully a
track of two miles, and no trace of the enemy was discoverable.

"Now, then, can't we go hunting?" said Altamont.

"Wait till to-morrow," urged the Doctor again.

His friend was very unwilling to delay, but yielded the point at
last, and returned to the fort.

[Illustration: ]

As on the preceding night, each man took his hour's watch on the
upper plateau. When it came to Altamont's turn, and he had gone
out to relieve Bell, Hatteras called his old companions round him.
The Doctor left his desk and Johnson his cooking, and hastened to
their captain's side, supposing he wanted to talk over their
perilous situation; but Hatteras never gave it a thought.

"My friends," he said, "let us take advantage of the
American's absence to speak of business. There are things which
cannot concern him, and with which I do not choose him to meddle."

Johnson and Clawbonny looked at each other, wondering what the
captain was driving at.

"I wish," he continued, "to talk with you about our plans for
the future."

"All right! talk away while we are alone," said the Doctor.

"In a month, or six weeks at the outside, the time for making
distant excursions will come again. Have you thought of what we had
better undertake in summer?"

"Have you, captain?" asked Johnson.

"Have I? I may say that not an hour of my life passes without
revolving in my mind my one cherished purpose. I suppose not a man
among you intends to retrace his steps?"

No one replied, and Hatteras went on to say--

"For my own part, even if I must go alone, I will push on to the
North Pole. Never were men so near it before, for we are not more
than 360 miles distant at most, and I will not lose such an
opportunity without making every attempt to reach it, even though it
be an impossibility. What are your views, Doctor?"

"Your own, Hatteras."

"And yours, Johnson?"

"Like the Doctor's."

"And yours, Bell?"

"Captain," replied the carpenter, "it is true we have neither
wives nor children waiting us in England, but, after all, it is
one's country--one's native land! Have you no thoughts of
returning home?"

"We can return after we have discovered the Pole quite as well as
before, and even better. Our difficulties will not increase, for as
we near the Pole we get away from the point of greatest cold. We
have fuel and provisions enough. There is nothing to stop us, and we
should be culpable, in my opinion, if we allowed ourselves to
abandon the project."

"Very well, captain, I'll go along with you."

"That's right; I never doubted you," said Hatteras. "We
shall succeed, and England will have all the glory."

"But there is an American among us!" said Johnson.

Hatteras could not repress an impatient exclamation.

"I know it!" he said, in a stern voice.

"We cannot leave him behind," added the Doctor.

"No, we can't," repeated Hatteras, almost mechanically.

"And he will be sure to go too."

"Yes, he will go too; but who will command?"

"You, captain."

"And if you all obey my orders, will the Yankee refuse?"

"I shouldn't think so; but suppose he should, what can be
done?"

"He and I must fight it out, then."

The three Englishmen looked at Hatteras, but said nothing. Then the
Doctor asked how they were to go.

"By the coast, as far as possible," was the reply.

"But what if we find open water, as is likely enough?"

"Well, we'll go across it."

"But we have no boat."

Hatteras did not answer, and looked embarrassed.

"Perhaps," suggested Bell, "we might make a ship out of some
of the planks of the Porpoise."

"Never!" exclaimed Hatteras, vehemently.

"Never!" said Johnson.

The Doctor shook his head. He understood the feeling of the captain.

"Never!" reiterated Hatteras. "A boat made out of an American
ship would be an American!"

"But, captain----" began Johnson.

The Doctor made a sign to the old boatswain not to press the subject
further, and resolved in his own mind to reserve the question for
discussion at a more opportune moment. He managed to turn the
conversation to other matters, till it abruptly terminated by the
entrance of Altamont.

This ended the day, and the night passed quietly without the least
disturbance. The bears had evidently disappeared.


CHAPTER XII



IMPRISONED IN DOCTOR'S HOUSE


The first business next day was to arrange for a hunt. It was
settled that Altamont, Bell, and Hatteras should form the party,
while Clawbonny should go and explore as far as Isle Johnson, and
make some hydrographic notes and Johnson should remain behind to
keep house.

The three hunters soon completed their preparations. They armed
themselves each with a double barrelled revolver and a rifle, and
took plenty of powder and shot. Each man also carried in his belt
his indispensable snow knife and hatchet, and a small supply of
pemmican in case night should surprise them before their return.

Thus equipped, they could go far, and might count on a good supply
of game.

At eight o'clock they started, accompanied by Duk, who frisked and
gambolled with delight. They went up the hill to the east, across
the cone, and down into the plain below.

The Doctor next took his departure, after agreeing with Johnson on a
signal of alarm in case of danger.

The old boatswain was left alone, but he had plenty to do. He began
by unfastening the Greenland dogs, and letting them out for a run
after their long, wearisome confinement. Then he attended to divers
housekeeping matters. He had to replenish the stock of combustibles
and provisions, to arrange the store-houses, to mend several broken
utensils, to repair the rents in coverlets, and get new shoes ready
for summer excursions. There was no lack of work, and the old
sailor's nimble clever fingers could do anything.

[Illustration: ]

While his hands were busy, his mind was occupied with the
conversation of the preceding evening. He thought with regret over
the captain's obstinacy, and yet he felt that there was something
grand and even heroic in his determination that neither an American
nor an American ship should first touch the Pole.

The hunters had been gone about an hour when Johnson suddenly heard
the report of a gun.

"Capital!" he exclaimed. "They have found something, and
pretty quickly too, for me to hear their guns so distinctly. The
atmosphere must be very clear."

A second and a third shot followed.

"Bravo!" again exclaimed the boatswain; "they must have fallen
in luck's way!"

[Illustration: Hatteras could only manage to keep off his pursuers
by flinging down one article after another--P.120]

But when three more shots came in rapid succession, the old man
turned pale, and a horrible thought crossed his mind, which made him
rush out and climb hastily to the top of the cone. He shuddered at
the sight which met his eyes. The three hunters, followed by Duk,
were tearing home at full speed, followed by the five huge bears!
Their six balls had evidently taken no effect, and the terrible
monsters were close on their heels. Hatteras, who brought up the
rear, could only manage to keep off his pursuers by flinging down
one article after another--first his cap, then his hatchet, and,
finally, his gun. He knew that the inquisitive bears would stop and
examine every object, sniffing all round it, and this gave him a
little time, otherwise he could not have escaped, for these animals
outstrip the fleetest horse, and one monster was so near that
Hatteras had to brandish his knife vigorously, to ward off a
tremendous blow of his paw.

At last, though panting and out of breath, the three men reached
Johnson safely, and slid down the rock with him into the snow-house.
The bears stopped short on the upper plateau, and Hatteras and his
companions lost no time in barring and barricading them out.

"Here we are at last!" exclaimed Hatteras; "we can defend
ourselves better now. It is five against five."

"Four!" said Johnson in a frightened voice.

"How?"

"The Doctor!" replied Johnson, pointing to the empty
sitting-room.

"Well, he is in Isle Johnson."

"A bad job for him," said Bell.

"But we can't leave him to his fate, in this fashion," said
Altamont.

"No, let's be off to find him at once," replied Hatteras.

[Illustration: ]

He opened the door, but soon shut it, narrowly escaping a bear's
hug.

"They are there!" he exclaimed.

"All?" asked Bell.

"The whole pack."

Altamont rushed to the windows, and began to fill up the deep
embrasure with blocks of ice, which he broke off the walls of the
house.

His companions followed his example silently. Not a sound was heard
but the low, deep growl of Duk.

To tell the simple truth, however, it was not their own danger that
occupied their thoughts, but their absent friend, the Doctor's. It
was for him they trembled, not for themselves. Poor Clawbonny, so
good and devoted as he had been to every member of the little
colony! This was the first time they had been separated from him.
Extreme peril, and most likely a frightful death awaited him, for he
might return unsuspectingly to Fort Providence, and find himself in
the power of these ferocious animals.

[Illustration: ]

"And yet," said Johnson, "unless I am much mistaken, he must
be on guard. Your repeated shots cannot but have warned him. He must
surely be aware that something unusual has happened."

"But suppose he was too far away to hear them," replied
Altamont, "or has not understood the cause of them? It is ten
chances to one but he'll come quickly back, never imagining the
danger. The bears are screened from sight by the crag completely."

"We must get rid of them before he comes," said Hatteras.

"But how?" asked Bell.

[Illustration: ]

It was difficult to reply to this, for a sortie was out of the
question. They had taken care to barricade the entrance passage, but
the bears could easily find a way in if they chose. So it was
thought advisable to keep a close watch on their movements outside,
by listening attentively in each room, so as to be able to resist
all attempts at invasion. They could hear them distinctly prowling
about, growling and scraping the walls with their enormous paws.

However, some action must be taken speedily, for time was passing.
Altamont resolved to try a port-hole through which he might fire on
his assailants. He had soon scooped out a hole in the wall, but his
gun was hardly pushed through, when it was seized with irresistible
force, and wrested from his grasp before he could even fire.

"Confound it!" he exclaimed, "we're no match for them."

And he hastened to stop up the breach as fast as possible.

This state of things had lasted upwards of an hour, and there seemed
no prospect of a termination. The question of a sortie began now to
be seriously discussed. There was little chance of success, as the
bears could not be attacked separately, but Hatteras and his
companions had grown so impatient, and it must be confessed were
also so much ashamed of being kept in prison by beasts, that they
would even have dared the risk if the captain had not suddenly
thought of a new mode of defence.

He took Johnson's furnace-poker, and thrust it into the stove
while he made an opening in the snow wall, or rather a partial
opening, for he left a thin sheet of ice on the outer side. As soon
as the poker was red hot, he said to his comrades who stood eagerly
watching him, wondering what he was going to do--

"This red-hot bar will keep off the bears when they try to get
hold of it, and we shall be able easily to fire across it without
letting them snatch away our guns."

"A good idea," said Bell, posting himself beside Altamont.

Hatteras withdrew the poker, and instantly plunged it in the wall.
The melting snow made a loud hissing noise, and two bears ran and
made a snatch at the glowing bar; but they fell back with a terrible
howl, and at the same moment four shots resounded, one after the
other.

"Hit!" exclaimed Altamont.

"Hit!" echoed Bell.

"Let us repeat the dose," said Hatteras, carefully stopping up
the opening meantime.

The poker was again thrust into the fire, and in a few minutes was
ready for Hatteras to recommence operations.

Altamont and Bell reloaded their guns, and took their places; but
this time the poker would not pass through.

"Confound the beasts!" exclaimed the impetuous American.

"What's the matter?" asked Johnson.

"What's the matter? Why, those plaguey animals are piling up
block after block, intending to bury us alive!"

"Impossible!"

"Look for yourself; the poker can't get through. I declare it is
getting absurd now."

It was worse than absurd, it was alarming. Things grew worse. It was
evident that the bears meant to stifle their prey, for the sagacious
animals were heaping up huge masses, which would make escape
impossible.

"It is too bad," said old Johnson, with a mortified look. "One
might put up with men, but bears!"

[Illustration: ]

Two hours elapsed without bringing any relief to the prisoners; to
go out was impossible, and the thick walls excluded all sound.
Altamont walked impatiently up and down full of exasperation and
excitement at finding himself worsted for once. Hatteras could think
of nothing but the Doctor, and of the serious peril which threatened
him.

[Illustration: ]

"Oh, if Mr. Clawbonny were only here!" said Johnson.

"What could he do?" asked Altamont.

"Oh, he'd manage to get us out somehow."

"How, pray?" said the American, crossly.

"If I knew that I should not need him. However, I know what his
advice just now would be."

"What?"

"To take some food; that can't hurt us. What do you say, Mr.
Altamont?"

"Oh, let's eat, by all means, if that will please you, though
we're in a ridiculous, not to say humiliating, plight."

"I'll bet you we'll find a way out after dinner."

No one replied, but they seated themselves round the table.

[Illustration: ]

Johnson, trained in Clawbonny's school, tried to be brave and
unconcerned about the danger, but he could scarcely manage it. His
jokes stuck in his throat. Moreover, the whole party began to feel
uncomfortable. The atmosphere was getting dense, for every opening
was hermetically sealed. The stoves would hardly draw, and it was
evident would soon go out altogether for want of oxygen.

Hatteras was the first to see their fresh danger, and he made no
attempt to hide it from his companions.

"If that is the case," said Altamont, "we must get out at all
risks."

"Yes," replied Hatteras; "but let us wait till night. We will
make a hole in the roof, and let in a provision of air, and then one
of us can fire out of it on the bears."

"It is the only thing we can do, I suppose," said Altamont.

So it was agreed; but waiting was hard work, and Altamont could not
refrain from giving vent to his impatience by thundering
maledictions on the bears, and abusing the ill fate which had placed
them in such an awkward and humbling predicament. "It was beasts
versus men," he said, "and certainly the men cut a pretty
figure."


CHAPTER XIII.



THE MINE.


Night drew on, and the lamp in the sitting-room already began to
burn dim for want of oxygen.

At eight o'clock the final arrangements were completed, and all
that remained to do was to make an opening in the roof.

They had been working away at this for some minutes, and Bell was
showing himself quite an adept in the business, when Johnson, who
had been keeping watch in the sleeping room, came hurriedly in to
his companions, pulling such a long face, that the captain asked
immediately what was the matter?

"Nothing exactly," said the old sailor, "and yet--"

"Come, out with it!" exclaimed Altamont.

"Hush! don't you hear a peculiar noise?"

"Where?"

"Here, on this side, on the wall of the room."

Bell stopped working, and listened attentively like the rest.
Johnson was right; a noise there certainly was on the side wall, as
if some one were cutting the ice.

"Don't you hear it?" repeated Johnson.

"Hear it? Yes, plain enough," replied Altamont.

"Is it the bears?" asked Bell.

"Most assuredly."

"Well; they have changed their tactics," said old Johnson,
"and given up the idea of suffocating us."

"Or may be they suppose we are suffocated by now," suggested the
American, getting furious at his invisible enemies.

"They are going to attack us," said Bell.

"Well, what of it?" returned Hatteras.

"We shall have a hand-to-hand struggle, that's all."

"And so much the better," added Altamont; "that's far more
to my taste; I have had enough of invisible foes--let me see my
antagonist, and then I can fight him."

"Ay," said Johnson; "but not with guns. They would be useless
here."

"With knife and hatchet then," returned the American.

The noise increased, and it was evident that the point of attack was
the angle of the wall formed by its junction with the cliff.

"They are hardly six feet off now," said the boatswain.

"Right, Johnson!" replied Altamont; "but we have time enough
to be ready for them."

And seizing a hatchet, he placed himself in fighting attitude,
planting his right foot firmly forward and throwing himself back.

Hatteras and the others followed his example, and Johnson took care
to load a gun in case of necessity.

Every minute the sound came nearer, till at last only a thin coating
separated them from their assailants.

Presently this gave way with a loud crack, and a huge dark mass
rolled over into the room.

Altamont had already swung his hatchet to strike, when he was
arrested by a well-known voice, exclaiming--

"For Heaven's sake, stop!"

"The Doctor! the Doctor!" cried Johnson.

And the Doctor it actually was who had tumbled in among them in such
undignified fashion.

"How do ye do, good friends?" he said, picking himself smartly
up.

His companions stood stupefied for a moment, but joy soon loosened
their tongues, and each rushed eagerly forward to welcome his old
comrade with a loving embrace. Hatteras was for once fairly overcome
with emotion, and positively hugged him like a child.

"And is it really you, Mr. Clawbonny?" said Johnson.

"Myself and nobody else, my old fellow. I assure you I have been
far more uneasy about you than you could have been about me."

"But how did you know we had been attacked by a troop of bears?"
asked Altamont. "What we were most afraid of was that you would
come quickly back to Fort Providence, never dreaming of danger."

"Oh, I saw it all. Your repeated shots gave me the alarm. When you
commenced firing I was beside the wreck of the Porpoise, but I
climbed up a hummock, and discovered five bears close on your heels.
Oh, how anxious I was for you! But when I saw you disappear down the
cliff, while the bears stood hesitating on the edge, as if uncertain
what to do, I felt sure that you had managed to get safely inside
the house and barricade it. I crept cautiously nearer, sometimes
going on all-fours, sometimes slipping between great blocks of ice,
till I came at last quite close to our fort, and then I found the
bears working away like beavers. They were prowling about the snow,
and dragging enormous blocks of ice towards the house, piling them
up like a wall, evidently intending to bury you alive. It is a lucky
thing they did not take it into their heads to dash down the blocks
from the summit of the cone, for you must have been crushed
inevitably."

"But what danger you were in, Mr. Clawbonny," said Bell. "Any
moment they might have turned round and attacked you."

"They never thought of it even. Johnson's Greenland dogs came in
sight several times, but they did not take the trouble to go after
them. No, they imagined themselves sure of a more savoury supper!"

"Thanks for the compliment!" said Altamont, laughing.

"Oh, there is nothing to be proud of. When I saw what the bears
were up to, I determined to get back to you by some means or other.
I waited till night, but as soon as it got dark I glided noiselessly
along towards the powder-magazine. I had my reasons for choosing
that point from which to work my way hither, and I speedily
commenced operations with my snow-knife. A famous tool it is. For
three mortal hours I have been hacking and heaving away, but here I
am at last tired enough and starving, but still safe here."

"To share our fate!" said Altamont.

"No, to save you all; but, for any sake, give me a biscuit and a
bit of meat, for I feel sinking for want of food."

A substantial meal was soon before him, but the vivacious little man
could talk all the while he was eating, and was quite ready to
answer any questions.

"Did you say to save us?" asked Bell.

"Most assuredly!" was the reply.

"Well, certainly, if you found your way in, we can find our way
out by the same road."

"A likely story, and leave the field clear for the whole pack to
come in and find out our stores. Pretty havoc they would make!"

"No, we must stay here," said Hatteras.

"Of course we must," replied Clawbonny, "but we'll get rid
of the bears for all that."

"I told you so," said Johnson, rubbing his hands. "I knew
nothing was hopeless if Mr. Clawbonny was here; he has always some
expedient in his wise head."

"My poor head is very empty, I fear, but by dint of rummaging
perhaps I----"

"Doctor," interrupted Altamont, "I suppose there is no fear of
the bears getting in by the passage you have made?"

"No, I took care to stop up the opening thoroughly, and now we can
reach the powder-magazine without letting them see us."

"All right; and now will you let us have your plan of getting rid
of these comical assailants?"

[Illustration: ]

"My plan is quite simple, and part of the work is done already."

"What do you mean?"

"You shall see. But I am forgetting that I brought a companion
with me."

"What do you say?" said Johnson.

"I have a companion to introduce to you," replied the Doctor,
going out again into the passage, and bringing back a dead fox,
newly killed.

"I shot it this morning," he continued, "and never did fox
come more opportunely."

"What on earth do you mean?" asked Altamont.

"I mean to blow up the bears en masse with 100 lbs of powder."

"But where is the powder?" exclaimed his friend.

"In the magazine. This passage will lead to it. I made it
purposely."

"And where is the mine to be?" inquired Altamont.

"At the furthest point from the house and stores."

"And how will you manage to entice the bears there, all to one
spot?"

"I'll undertake that business; but we have talked enough, let us
set to work. We have a hundred feet more to add to our passage
to-night, and that is no easy matter, but as there are five of us,
we can take turns at it. Bell will begin, and we will lie down and
sleep meantime."

"Well, really," said Johnson, "the more I think of it, the
more feasible seems the Doctor's plan."

"It is a sure one, anyway," said Clawbonny.

"So sure that I can feel the bear's fur already on my shoulder.
Well, come, let's begin then."

Away he went into the gloomy passage, followed by Bell, and in a few
moments they had reached the powder-magazine, and stood among the
well-arranged barrels. The Doctor pointed out to his companion the
exact spot where he began excavating, and then left him to his task,
at which he laboured diligently for about an hour, when Altamont
came to relieve him. All the snow he had dug out was taken to the
kitchen and melted, to prevent its taking up room.

The captain succeeded Altamont, and was followed by Johnson. In ten
hours--that is to say, about eight in the morning--the gallery was
entirely open.

[Illustration: ]

With the first streak of day, the Doctor was up to reconnoitre the
position of the enemy. The patient animals were still occupying
their old position, prowling up and down and growling. The house had
already almost disappeared beneath the piled-up blocks of ice, but
even while he gazed a council of war seemed being held, which
evidently resulted in the determination to alter the plan of action,
for suddenly all the five bears began vigorously to pull down these
same heaped-up blocks.

"What are they about?" asked Hatteras, who was standing beside
him.

"Well, they look to me to be bent on demolishing their own work,
and getting right down to us as fast as possible; but wait a bit, my
gentlemen, we'll demolish you first. However, we have not a minute
to lose."

Hastening away to the mine, he had the chamber where the powder was
to be lodged enlarged the whole breadth and height of the sloping
rock against which the wall leaned, till the upper part was about a
foot thick, and had to be propped up to prevent its falling in. A
strong stake was fixed firmly on the granite foundation, on the top
of which the dead fox was fastened. A rope was attached to the lower
part of the stake, sufficiently long to reach the powder stores.

"This is the bait," he said, pointing to the dead fox, "and
here is the mine," he added, rolling in a keg of powder containing
about 100 lbs.

"But, Doctor," said Hatteras, "won't that blow us up too, as
well as the bears?"

"No, we shall be too far from the scene of explosion. Besides, our
house is solid, and we can soon repair the walls even if they should
get a bit shaken."

"And how do you propose to manage?" asked Altamont.

"See! By hauling in this rope we lower the post which props up the
roof, and make it give way, and bring up the dead fox to light, and
I think you will agree with me that the bears are so famished with
their long fasting, that they won't lose much time in rushing
towards their unexpected meal. Well, just at that very moment, I
shall set fire to the mine, and blow up both the guests and the
meal."

"Capital! Capital!" shouted Johnson, who had been listening with
intense interest.

[Illustration: ]

Hatteras said nothing, for he had such absolute confidence in his
friend that he wanted no further explanation. But Altamont must know
the why and wherefore of everything.

"But Doctor," he said, "can you reckon on your match so
exactly that you can be quite sure it will fire the mine at the
right moment?"

"I don't need to reckon at all; that's a difficulty easily got
over."

"Then you have a match a hundred feet long?"

"No."

"You are simply going to lay a train of powder."

"No, that might miss fire."

"Well, there is no way then but for one of us to devote his life
to the others, and go and light the powder himself."

"I'm ready," said Johnson, eagerly, "ready and willing."

"Quite useless my brave fellow," replied the Doctor, holding out
his hand. "All our lives are precious, and they will be all
spared, thank God!"

"Well, I give it up!" said the American. "I'll make no more
guesses."

"I should like to know what is the good of learning physics,"
said the Doctor, smiling, "if they can't help a man at a pinch
like this. Haven't we an electric battery, and long enough lines
attached to it to serve our purpose? We can fire our mine whenever
we please in an instant, and without the slightest danger."

"Hurrah!" exclaimed Johnson.

"Hurrah!" echoed the others, without heeding whether the enemy
heard them or not.

The Doctor's idea was immediately carried out, and the connecting
lines uncoiled and laid down from the house to the chamber of the
mine, one end of each remaining attached to the electric pile, and
the other inserted into the keg of powder.

By nine o'clock everything was ready. It was high time, for the
bears were furiously engaged in the work of demolition. Johnson was
stationed in the powder-magazine, in charge of the cord which held
the bait.

"Now," said Clawbonny to his companions, "load your guns, in
case our assailants are not killed. Stand beside Johnson, and the
moment the explosion is over rush out."

[Illustration: ]

"All right," said Altamont.

"And now we have done all we can to help ourselves. So may Heaven
help us!"

Hatteras, Altamont, and Bell repaired to the powder-magazine, while
the Doctor remained alone beside the pile.

Soon he heard Johnson's voice in the distance calling out
"Ready."

"All right," was the reply.

Johnson pulled his rope vigorously, and then rushed to the loop-hole
to see the effect. The thin shell of ice had given way, and the body
of the fox lay among the ruins. The bears were somewhat scared at
first, but the next minute had eagerly rushed to seize the booty.

"Fire!" called out Johnson, and at once the electric spark was
sent along the lines right into the keg of powder. A formidable
explosion ensued; the house was shaken as if by an earthquake, and
the walls cracked asunder. Hatteras, Altamont, and Bell hurried out
with the guns, but they might spare their shot, for four of the
bears lay dead, and the fifth, half roasted, though alive, was
scampering away in terror as fast as his legs could carry him.

"Hurrah! Three cheers for Clawbonny," they shouted and
overwhelmed the Doctor with plaudits and thanks.


CHAPTER XIV.



AN ARCTIC SPRING.


The prisoners were free, and their joy found vent in the noisiest
demonstrations. They employed the rest of the day in repairing the
house, which had suffered greatly by the explosion. They cleared
away the blocks piled up by the animals, and filled up the rents in
the walls, working with might and main, enlivened by the many songs
of old Johnson.

Next morning there was a singular rise in the temperature, the
thermometer going up to 15° above zero.

This comparative heat lasted several days. In sheltered spots the
glass rose as high as 31°, and symptoms of a thaw appeared.

The ice began to crack here and there, and jets of salt water were
thrown up, like fountains in an English park. A few days later, the
rain fell in torrents.

Thick vapour rose from the snow, giving promise of the speedy
disappearance of these immense masses. The sun's pale disc became
deeper in colour, and remained longer above the horizon. The night
was scarcely longer than three hours.

[Illustration: ]

Other tokens of spring's approach were manifest of equal
significance, the birds were returning in flocks, and the air
resounded with their deafening cries. Hares were seen on the shores
of the bay, and mice in such abundance that their burrows completely
honeycombed the ground.

[Illustration: ]

The Doctor drew the attention of his companions to the fact, that
almost all these animals were beginning to lose their white winter
dress, and would soon put on summer attire, while nature was already
providing mosses, and poppies, and saxifragas, and short grass for
their sustenance. A new world lay beneath that melting snow.

But with these inoffensive animals came back their natural enemies.
Foxes and wolves arrived in search of their prey, and dismal howls
broke the silence of the short night.

Arctic wolves closely resemble dogs, and their barking would deceive
the most practised ears; even the canine race themselves have been
deceived by it. Indeed, it seems as if the wily animals employed
this ruse to attract the dogs, and make them their prey. Several
navigators have mentioned the fact, and the Doctor's own
experience confirmed it. Johnson took care not to let his
Greenlanders loose; of Duk there was little fear; nothing could take
him in.

For about a fortnight hunting was the principal occupation. There
was an abundant supply of fresh meat to be had. They shot
partridges, ptarmigans, and snow ortolans, which are delicious
eating. The hunters never went far from Fort Providence, for game
was so plentiful that it seemed waiting their guns, and the whole
bay presented an animated appearance.

The thaw, meanwhile, was making rapid progress. The thermometer
stood steadily at 32° above zero, and the water ran down the
mountain sides in cataracts, and dashed in torrents through the
ravines.

The Doctor lost no time in clearing about an acre of ground, in
which he sowed the seeds of anti-scorbutic plants. He just had the
pleasure of seeing tiny little green leaves begin to sprout, when
the cold returned in full force.

In a single night, the thermometer lost nearly 40°; it went down to
8° below zero. Everything was frozen--birds, quadrupeds, amphibia
disappeared as if by magic; seal-holes reclosed, and the ice once
more became hard as granite.

The change was most striking; it occurred on the 18th of May, during
the night. The Doctor was rather disappointed at having all his work
to do again, but Hatteras bore the grievance most unphilosophically,
as it interfered with all his plans of speedy departure.

[Illustration: ]

"Do you think we shall have a long spell of this weather, Mr.
Clawbonny?" asked Johnson.

"No, my friend, I don't; it is a last blow from the cold. You
see these are his dominions, and he won't be driven out without
making some resistance."

"He can defend himself pretty well," said Bell, rubbing his face.

"Yes; but I ought to have waited, and not have wasted my seed like
an ignoramus; and all the more as I could, if necessary, have made
them sprout by the kitchen stoves."

"But do you mean to say," asked Altamont, "that you might have
anticipated the sudden change?"

"Of course, and without being a wizard. I ought to have put my
seed under the protection of Saint Paucratius and the other two
saints, whose fête days fall this month."

"Absurd! Pray tell me what they have to do with it? What influence
can they possibly have on the temperature?"

"An immense one, if we are to believe horticulturists, who call
them the patron saints of the frost."

"And for what reason?"

"Because generally there is a periodical frost in the month of
May, and it is coldest from the 11th to the 13th. That is the
fact."

"And how is it explained?"

"In two ways. Some say that a larger number of asteroids come
between the earth and the sun at this time of year, and others that
the mere melting of the snow necessarily absorbs a large amount of
heat, and accounts for the low temperature. Both theories are
plausible enough, but the fact remains whichever we accept, and I
ought to have remembered it."

The Doctor was right, for the cold lasted till the end of the month,
and put an end to all their hunting expeditions. The old monotonous
life in-doors recommenced, and was unmarked by any incident except a
serious illness which suddenly attacked Bell. This was violent
quinsy, but, under the Doctor's skilful treatment, it was soon
cured. Ice was the only remedy he employed, administered in small
pieces, and in twenty-four hours Bell was himself again.

[Illustration: ]

During this compulsory leisure, Clawbonny determined to have a talk
with the captain on an important subject--the building of a sloop
out of the planks of the Porpoise.

The Doctor hardly knew how to begin, as Hatteras had declared so
vehemently that he would never consent to use a morsel of American
wood; yet it was high time he were brought to reason, as June was at
hand, the only season for distant expeditions, and they could not
start without a ship.

He thought over it a long while, and at last drew the captain aside,
and said in the kindest, gentlest way--

"Hatteras, do you believe I'm your friend?"

"Most certainly I do," replied the captain, earnestly; "my
best, indeed my only friend."

"And if I give you a piece of advice without your asking, will you
consider my motive is perfectly disinterested?"

"Yes, for I know you have never been actuated by self-interest.
But what are you driving at?"

"Wait, Hatteras, I have one thing more to ask. Do you look on me
as a true-hearted Englishman like yourself, anxious for his
country's glory?"

Hatteras looked surprised, but simply said--

"I do."

"You desire to reach the North Pole," the Doctor went on; "and
I understand and share your ambition, but to achieve your object you
must employ the right means."

"Well, and have I not sacrificed everything for it?"

"No, Hatteras, you have not sacrificed your personal antipathies.
Even at this very moment I know you are in the mood to refuse the
indispensable conditions of reaching the pole."

"Ah! it is the boat you want to talk about, and that man----"

"Hatteras, let us discuss the question calmly, and examine the
case on all sides. The coast on which we find ourselves at present
may terminate abruptly; we have no proof that it stretches right
away to the pole; indeed, if your present information prove correct,
we ought to come to an open sea during the summer months. Well,
supposing we reach this Arctic Ocean and find it free from ice and
easy to navigate, what shall we do if we have no ship?"

Hatteras made no reply.

"Tell me, now, would you like to find yourself only a few miles
from the pole and not be able to get to it?"

Hatteras still said nothing, but buried his head in his hands.

"Besides," continued the Doctor, "look at the question in its
moral aspect. Here is an Englishman who sacrifices his fortune, and
even his life, to win fresh glory for his country, but because the
boat which bears him across an unknown ocean, or touches the new
shore, happens to be made of the planks of an American vessel--a
cast-away wreck of no use to anyone--will that lessen the honour of
the discovery? If you yourself had found the hull of some wrecked
vessel lying deserted on the shore, would you have hesitated to make
use of it; and must not a sloop built by four Englishmen and manned
by four Englishmen be English from keel to gunwale?"

Hatteras was still silent.

"No," continued Clawbonny; "the real truth is, it is not the
sloop you care about: it is the man."

"Yes, Doctor, yes," replied the captain. "It is this American
I detest; I hate him with a thorough English hatred. Fate has thrown
him in my path."

"To save you!"

"To ruin me. He seems to defy me, and speaks as if he were lord
and master. He thinks he has my destiny in his hands, and knows all
my projects. Didn't we see the man in his true colours when we
were giving names to the different coasts? Has he ever avowed his
object in coming so far north? You will never get out of my head
that this man is not the leader of some expedition sent out by the
American government."

"Well, Hatteras, suppose it is so, does it follow that this
expedition is to search for the North Pole? May it not be to find
the North-West Passage? But anyway, Altamont is in complete
ignorance of our object, for neither Johnson, nor Bell, nor myself,
have ever breathed a word to him about it, and I am sure you have
not."

"Well, let him always remain so."

"He must be told in the end, for we can't leave him here
alone."

"Why not? Can't he stay here in Fort Providence?"

"He would never consent to that, Hatteras; and, moreover, to leave
a man in that way, and not know whether we might find him safe when
we came back, would be worse than imprudent: it would be inhuman.
Altamont will come with us; he must come. But we need not disclose
our projects; let us tell him nothing, but simply build a sloop for
the ostensible purpose of making a survey of the coast."

Hatteras could not bring himself to consent, but said--

"And suppose the man won't allow his ship to be cut up?"

"In that case, you must take the law in your own hands, and build
a vessel in spite of him."

"I wish to goodness he would refuse, then!"

"He must be asked before he can refuse. I'll undertake the
asking," said Clawbonny.

He kept his word, for that very same night, at supper, he managed to
turn the conversation towards the subject of making excursions
during summer for hydrographical purposes.

"You will join us, I suppose, Altamont," he said.

"Of course," replied the American. "We must know how far New
America extends."

Hatteras looked fixedly at his rival, but said nothing.

"And for that purpose," continued Altamont, "we had better
build a little ship out of the remains of the Porpoise. It is the
best possible use we can make of her."

"You hear, Bell," said the Doctor, eagerly. "We'll all set
to work to-morrow morning."

[Illustration: The carpenter began his task immediately.--P.154]


CHAPTER XV.



THE NORTH-WEST PASSAGE.


Next morning, Altamont Bell and the Doctor repaired to the Porpoise.
There was no lack of wood, for, shattered as the old
"three-master" had been by the icebergs, she could still supply
the principal parts of a new ship, and the carpenter began his task
immediately.

In the end of May, the temperature again rose, and spring returned
for good and all. Rain fell copiously, and before long the melting
snow was running down every little slope in falls and cascades.

Hatteras could not contain his delight at these signs of a general
thaw among the ice-fields, for an open sea would bring him liberty.
At last he might hope to ascertain for himself whether his
predecessors were correct in their assertions about a polar basin.

This was a frequent topic of thought and conversation with him, and
one evening when he was going over all the old familiar arguments in
support of his theory, Altamont took up the subject, and declared
his opinion that the polar basin extended west as well as east. But
it was impossible for the American and Englishman, to talk long
about anything without coming to words, so intensely national were
both. Dr. Kane was the first bone of contention on this occasion,
for the jealous Englishman was unwilling to grant his rival the
glory of being a discoverer, alleging his belief that though the
brave adventurer had gone far north, it was by mere chance he had
made a discovery.

[Illustration: ]

"Chance!" interrupted Altamont, hotly. "Do you mean to assert
that it is not to Kane's energy and science that we owe his great
discovery?"

"I mean to say that Dr. Kane's name is not worth mentioning in a
country made illustrious by such names as Parry, and Franklin, and
Ross, and Belcher, and Penny; in a country where the seas opened the
North-West Passage to an Englishman--McClure!"

"McClure!" exclaimed the American. "Well, if ever chance
favoured anyone it was that McClure. Do you pretend to deny it?"

"I do," said Hatteras, becoming quite excited. "It was his
courage and perseverance in remaining four whole winters among the
ice."

"I believe that, don't I?" said Altamont, sneeringly. "He
was caught among the bergs and could not get away; but didn't he
after all abandon his ship, the Investigator, and try to get back
home? Besides, putting the man aside, what is the value of his
discovery? I maintain that the North-West Passage is still
undiscovered, for not a single ship to this day has ever sailed from
Behring's Straits to Baffin's Bay!"

The fact was indisputable, but Hatteras started to his feet, and
said--

"I will not permit the honour of an English captain to be attacked
in my presence any longer!"

"You will not permit!" echoed Altamont, also springing erect.
"But these are facts, and it is out of your power to destroy
them!"

"Sir!" shouted Hatteras, pale with rage.

"My friends!" interposed the Doctor; "pray be calm. This is a
scientific point we are discussing."

But Hatteras was deaf to reason now, and said angrily--

"I'll tell you the facts, sir."

"And I'll tell you," retorted the irate American.

"Gentlemen," said Clawbonny, in a firm tone; "allow me to
speak, for I know the facts of the case as well as and perhaps
better than you, and I can state them impartially."

[Illustration: ]

"Yes, yes!" cried Bell and Johnson, who had been anxiously
watching the strife.

"Well, go on," said Altamont, finding himself in the minority,
while Hatteras simply made a sign of acquiescence, and resumed his
seat.

The Doctor brought a chart and spread it out on the table, that his
auditors might follow his narration intelligibly, and be able to
judge the merits of McClure for themselves.

"It was in 1848," he said, "that two vessels, the Herald and
the Plover, were sent out in search of Franklin, but their efforts
proving ineffectual, two others were despatched to assist them--
the Investigator, in command of McClure, and the Enterprise, in
command of Captain Collison. The Investigator arrived first in
Behring's Straits, and without waiting for her consort, set out
with the declared purpose to find Franklin or the North-West
Passage. The gallant young officer hoped to push north as far as
Melville Sound, but just at the extremity of the Strait, he was
stopped by an insurmountable barrier of ice, and forced to winter
there. During the long, dreary months, however, he and his officers
undertook a journey over the ice-field, to make sure of its
communicating with Melville Sound."

"Yes, but he did not get through," said Altamont.

"Stop a bit," replied Clawbonny; "as soon as a thaw set in,
McClure renewed his attempt to bring his ship into Melville Sound,
and had succeeded in getting within twenty miles, when contrary
winds set in, and dragged her south with irresistible violence. This
decided the captain to alter his course. He determined to go in a
westerly direction; but after a fearful struggle with icebergs, he
stuck fast in the first of the series of straits

[Illustration: ]

which end in Baffin's Bay, and was obliged to winter in Mercy Bay.
His provisions would only hold out eighteen months longer, but he
would not give up. He set out on a sledge, and reached Melville
Island, hoping to fall in with some ship or other, but all he found
in Winter Harbour was a cairn, which contained a document, stating
that Captain Austin's lieutenant, McClintock, had been there the
preceding year. McClure replaced this document by another, which
stated his intention of returning to England by the North-West
Passage he had discovered, by Lancaster Sound and Baffin's Bay,
and that in the event of his not being heard of, he might be looked
for north or west of Melville Island. Then he went back to Mercy Bay
with undaunted courage, to pass a third winter. By the beginning of
March his stock of provisions was so reduced in consequence of the
utter scarcity of game through the severity of the season, that
McClure resolved to send half his men to England, either by
Baffin's Bay or by McKenzie River and Hudson's Bay. The other
half would manage to work the vessel to Europe. He kept all his best
sailors, and selected for departure only those to whom a fourth
winter would have been fatal. Everything was arranged for their
leaving, and the day fixed, when McClure, who was out walking with
Lieutenant Craswell, observed a man running towards them, flinging
up his arms and gesticulating frantically, and on getting nearer
recognized him as Lieutenant Prim, officer on board the Herald, one
of the ships he had parted with in Behring's Straits two years
before.

Captain Kellett, the Commander, had reached Winter Harbour, and
finding McClure's document in the cairn, had dispatched his
lieutenant in search of him. McClure accompanied him back, and
arranged with the captain to send him his batch of invalids.
Lieutenant Craswell took charge of these and conveyed them safely to
Winter Harbour. Leaving them there he went across the ice four
hundred and seventy miles, and arrived at Isle Beechy, where, a few
days afterwards, he took passage with twelve men on board the
Phoenix, and reached London safely on the 7th of October, 1853,
having traversed the whole extent between Behring's Straits and
Cape Farewell."

"Well, if arriving on one side and leaving at the other is not
going through, I don't know what is!" said Hatteras.

"Yes, but he went four hundred and seventy miles over
ice-fields," objected Altamont.

"What of that?"

"Everything; that is the gist of the whole argument. It was not
the Investigator that went through."

"No," replied Clawbonny, "for, at the close of the fourth
winter, McClure was obliged to leave her among the ice."

"Well, in maritime expeditions the vessel has to get through, and
not the man; and if ever the Northwest Passage is practicable, it
will be for ships and not sledges. If a ship cannot go, a sloop
must."

"A sloop!" exclaimed Hatteras, discovering a hidden meaning in
the words.

"Altamont," said the Doctor, "your distinction is simply
puerile, and in that respect we all consider that you are in the
wrong."

"You may easily do that," returned the American. "It is four
against one, but that will not prevent me from holding my own
opinion."

"Keep it and welcome, but keep it to yourself, if you please, for
the future," exclaimed Hatteras.

"And pray what right have you to speak to me like this, sir?"
shouted Altamont, in a fury.

"My right as captain," returned Hatteras, equally angry.

"Am I to submit to your orders, then?"

"Most assuredly, and woe to you if----"

[Illustration: The Doctor did not allow him to proceed, for he
really feared the two antagonists might come to blows.--P.162]

The Doctor did not allow him to proceed, for he really feared the
two antagonists might come to blows. Bell and Johnson seconded his
endeavours to make peace, and, after a few conciliatory words,
Altamont turned on his heel, and walked carelessly away, whistling
"Yankee Doodle." Hatteras went outside, and paced up and down
with rapid strides. In about an hour he came back, and retired to
bed without saying another word.


CHAPTER XVI.



ARCTIC ARCADIA


On the 29th of May, for the first time, the sun never set. His
glowing disc just touched the boundary line of the horizon, and rose
again immediately. The period was now entered when the day lasts
twenty-four hours.

Next morning there was a magnificent halo; the monarch of day
appeared surrounded by a luminous circle, radiant with all the
prismatic colours. This phenomenon never lost its charm, for the
Doctor, however frequently it occurred, and he always noted
carefully down all particulars respecting it.

Before long the feathered tribes began to return, filling the air
with their discordant cries. Flocks of bustards and Canadian geese
from Florida or Arkansas came flying north with marvellous rapidity,
bringing spring beneath their wings. The Doctor shot several, and
among them one or two cranes and a solitary stork.

The snow was now fast melting, and the ice-fields were covered with
"slush." All round the bay large pools had formed, between which
the soil appeared as if some product of spring.

The Doctor recommenced his sowing, for he had plenty of seed; but he
was surprised to find sorrel growing already between the half-dried
stones, and even pale sickly heaths, trying to show their delicate
pink blossoms.

At last it began to be really hot weather. On the 15th of June, the
thermometer stood at 57° above zero. The Doctor scarcely believed
his eyes, but it was a positive fact, and it was soon confirmed by
the changed appearance of the country.

[Illustration: ]

An excursion was made to Isle Johnson, but it turned out to be a
barren little islet of no importance whatever, though it gave the
old boatswain infinite pleasure to know that those sea girt rocks
bore his name.

There was some danger of both house and stores melting, but happily
this high temperature proved exceptional, the thermometer seldom
averaging much above freezing point.

By the middle of June, the sloop had made good progress, and already
presented a shapely appearance. As Bell and Johnson took the work of
construction entirely on themselves, the others went hunting, and
succeeded in killing several deer, in spite of its being difficult
game to approach. Altamont adopted the Indian practice of crawling
on all fours, and adjusting his gun and arms so as to simulate horns
and deceive the timid animal, till he could get near enough to take
good aim.

[Illustration: ]

Their principal object of pursuit, however, was the musk-ox, which
Parry had met with in such numbers in Melville Island; but not a
solitary specimen was to be seen anywhere about Victoria Bay, and a
distant excursion was, therefore, resolved upon, which would serve
the double purpose of hunting and surveying the eastern coast.

[Illustration: ]

The three hunters, accompanied by Duk, set out on Monday, the 17th
of June, at six in the morning, each man armed with a
double-barrelled gun, a hatchet and snow-knife, and provisions for
several days.

It was a fine bright morning, and by ten o'clock they had gone
twelve miles; but not a living thing had crossed their path, and the
hunt threatened to turn out a mere excursion.

However, they went on in hope, after a good breakfast and
half-an-hour's rest.

The ground was getting gradually lower, and presented a peculiar
appearance from the snow, which lay here and there in ridges
unmelted. At a distance it looked like the sea when a strong wind is
lashing up the waves, and cresting them with a white foam.

[Illustration: ]

Before long they reached a sort of glen, at the bottom of which was
a winding river. It was almost completely thawed, and already the
banks were clothed with a species of vegetation, as if the sun had
done his best to fertilise the soil.

"I tell you what," said the Doctor, "a few enterprising
colonists might make a fine settlement here. With a little industry
and perseverance wonders might be done in this country. Ah! if I am
not much mistaken, it has some four-footed inhabitants already.
Those frisky little fellows know the best spots to choose."

"Hares! I declare. That's jolly!" said Altamont, loading his
gun.

[Illustration: ]

"Stop!" cried the Doctor; "stop, you furious hunter. Let the
poor little things alone; they are not thinking of running away.
Look, they are actually coming to us, I do believe!"

He was right, for presently three or four young hares, gambolling
away among the fresh moss and tiny heaths, came running about their
legs so fearlessly and trustfully, that even Altamont was disarmed.
They

[Illustration: It was a strange and touching spectacle to see the
pretty creatures--they flew on Clawbonny's shoulders,
etc.--P.169]

rubbed against the Doctor's knees, and let him stroke them till
the kind-hearted man could not help saying to Altamont--

"Why give shot to those who come for caresses? The death of these
little beasts could do us no good."

"You say what's true, Clawbonny. Let them live!" replied
Hatteras.

[Illustration: ]

"And these ptarmigans too, I suppose, and these long-legged
plovers," added Altamont, as a whole covey of birds flew down
among the hunters, never suspecting their danger. Duk could not tell
what to make of it, and stood stupefied.

It was a strange and touching spectacle to see the pretty creatures;
they flew on Clawbonny's shoulders, and lay down at his feet as if
inviting friendly caresses, and doing their utmost to welcome the
strangers. The whole glen echoed with their joyous cries as they
darted to and fro from all parts. The good Doctor seemed some mighty
enchanter.

The hunters had continued their course along the banks of the river,
when a sudden bend in the valley revealed a herd of deer, eight or
ten in number, peacefully browsing on some lichens that lay
half-buried in the snow. They were charming creatures, so graceful
and gentle, male and female, both adorned with noble antlers,
wide-spreading and deeply-notched. Their skin had already lost its
winter whiteness, and began to assume the brown tint of summer.
Strange to say, they appeared not a whit more afraid than the birds
or hares.

The three men were now right in the centre of the herd, but not one
made the least movement to run away. This time the worthy Doctor had
far more difficulty in restraining Altamont's impatience, for the
mere sight of such magnificent animals roused his hunting instincts,
and he became quite excited; while Hatteras, on the contrary, seemed
really touched to see the splendid creatures rubbing their heads so
affectionately and trustfully against the good Clawbonny, the friend
of every living thing.

"But, I say," exclaimed Altamont, "didn't we come out
expressly to hunt?"

"To hunt the musk-ox, and nothing else," replied Clawbonny.
"Besides, we shouldn't know what to do with this game, even if
we killed it; we have provisions enough. Let us for once enjoy the
sight of men and animals in perfect amity."

"It proves no human beings have been here before," said Hatteras.

"True, and that proves something more, these animals are not of
American origin."

"How do you make that out?" said Altamont.

"Why, if they had been born in North America they would have known
how to treat that mammiferous biped called man, and would have fled
at the first glimpse of us. No, they are from the north, most likely
from the untrodden wilds of Asia, so Altamont, you have no right to
claim them as fellow-countrymen."

[Illustration: ]

"Oh! a hunter doesn't examine his game so closely as all that.
Everything is grist that comes to his mill."

"All right. Calm yourself, my brave Nimrod! For my own part, I
would rather never fire another shot than make one of these
beautiful creatures afraid of me. See, even Duk fraternizes with
them. Believe me, it is well to be kind where we can. Kindness is
power."

"Well, well, so be it," said Altamont, not at all understanding
such scruples. "But I should like to see what you would do if you
had no weapon but kindness among a pack of bears or wolves! You
wouldn't make much of it."

"I make no pretensions to charm wild beasts. I don't believe
much in Orpheus and his enchantments. Besides, bears and wolves
would not come to us like these hares, and partridges, and deer."

"Why not? They have never seen human beings either."

"No but they are savage by nature," said Clawbonny, "and
ferocity, like wickedness, engenders suspicion. This is true of men
as well as animals."

They spent the whole day in the glen, which the Doctor christened
"Arctic Arcadia," and when evening came they lay down to rest in
the hollow of a rock, which seemed as if expressly prepared for
their accommodation.


CHAPTER XVII.



ALTAMONT'S REVENGE.


Next morning, as the fine weather still continued, the hunters
determined to have another search for the musk ox. It was only fair
to give Altamont a chance, with the distinct understanding that he
should have the right of firing, however fascinating the game they
might meet. Besides, the flesh of the musk ox, though a little too
highly impregnated with the smell, is savoury food, and the hunters
would gladly carry back a few pounds of it to Fort Providence.

During the first part of the day, nothing occurred worth mentioning,
but they noticed a considerable change in the aspect of the country,
and appearances seemed to indicate that they were approaching a
hilly region. This New America was evidently either a continent or
an island of considerable extent.

Duk was running far ahead of his party when he stopped suddenly
short, and began sniffing the ground as if he had caught scent of
game. Next minute he rushed forward again with extreme rapidity, and
was speedily out of sight. But loud distinct barking convinced the
hunters that the faithful fellow had at last discovered the desired
object.

They hurried onwards, and after an hour and a half's quick
walking, found him standing in front of two formidable looking
animals, and barking furiously. The Doctor recognized them at once
as belonging to the musk ox, or Ovibos genus, as naturalists call
it, by the very wide horns touching each other at their base, by the
absence of muzzle, by the narrow square chanfrin resembling that of
a sheep, and by the very short tail. Their hair was long and thickly
matted, and mixed with fine brown, silky wool.

[Illustration: ]

These singular-looking quadrupeds were not the least afraid of Duk,
though extremely surprised; but at the first glimpse of the hunters
they took flight, and it was no easy task to go after them, for half
an hour's swift running brought them no nearer, and made the whole
party so out of breath, that they were forced to come to a halt.

"Confound the beasts!" said Altamont.

"Yes, Altamont, I'll make them over to you," replied
Clawbonny; "they are true Americans, and they don't appear to
have a very favourable idea of their fellow countrymen."

[Illustration: ]

"That proves our hunting prowess," rejoined Altamont.

Meantime the oxen finding themselves no longer pursued, had stopped
short. Further pursuit was evidently useless. If they were to be
captured at all they must be surrounded, and the plateau which they
first happened to have reached, was very favourable for the purpose.
Leaving Duk to worry them, they went down by the neighbouring
ravines; and got to the one end of the plateau, where Altamont and
the Doctor hid themselves behind projecting rocks, while Hatteras
went on to the other end, intending to startle the animals by his
sudden appearance, and drive them back towards his companions.

"I suppose you have no objection this time to bestow a few bullets
on these gentry?" said Altamont.

"Oh, no, it is 'a fair field now and no favour,'" returned
Clawbonny.

The oxen had begun to shake themselves impatiently at Duk, trying to
kick him off, when Hatteras started up right in front of them,
shouting and chasing them back. This was the signal for Altamont and
the Doctor to rush forward and fire, but at the sight of two
assailants, the terrified animals wheeled round and attacked
Hatteras. He met their onset with a firm, steady foot, and fired
straight at their heads. But both his balls were powerless, and only
served still further to madden the enraged beasts. They rushed upon
the unfortunate man like furies, and threw him on the ground in an
instant.

"He is a dead man!" exclaimed the Doctor, in despairing accents.

A tremendous struggle was going on in Altamont's breast at the
sight of his prostrate foe, and though his first impulse was to
hasten to his help, he stopped short, battling with himself and his
prejudices. But his hesitation scarcely lasted half a second, his
better self conquered, and exclaiming,

"No, it would be cowardly!" he rushed forward with Clawbonny.

Hatteras full well understood how his rival felt, but would rather
have died than have begged his intervention. However, he had hardly
time to think about it, before Altamont was at his side.

He could not have held out much longer, for it was impossible to
ward off the blows of horns and hoofs of two such powerful
antagonists, and in a few minutes more he must have been torn to
pieces. But suddenly two shots resounded, and Hatteras felt the
balls graze his head.

[Ilustration: Dealt him such a tremendous blow on the head with his
hatchet, that the skull was completely split open.--P.177]

"Courage!" shouted Altamont, flinging away his discharged
weapon, and throwing himself right in front of the raging animals.
One of them, shot to the heart, fell dead as he reached the spot,
while the other dashed madly on Hatteras, and was about to gore the
unfortunate captain with his horns, when Altamont plunged his snow
knife far into the beast's wide open jaws with one hand, with the
other dealt him such a tremendous blow on the head with his hatchet,
that the skull was completely split open.

It was done so quickly that it seemed like a flash of lightning, and
all was over. The second ox lay dead, and Clawbonny shouted
"Hurrah! hurrah!" Hatteras was saved.

He owed his life to the man he hated the most. What a storm of
conflicting passions this must have roused in his soul! But where
was the emotion he could not master?

However, his action was prompt, whatever his feeling might be.
Without a moment's hesitancy, he went up to his rival, and said in
a grave voice--

"Altamont, you have saved my life!"

"You saved mine," replied the American.

There was a moment's silence, and then Altamont added--

"We're quits, Hatteras."

"No, Altamont," said the captain; "when the Doctor dragged you
out of your icy tomb, I did not know who you were; but you saved me
at the peril of your own life, knowing quite well who I was."

"Why, you are a fellow-creature at any rate, and whatever faults
an American may have, he is no coward."

"No, indeed," said the Doctor. "He is a man, every inch as
much as yourself, Hatteras."

"And like me, he shall have part in the glory that awaits us."

"The glory of reaching the North Pole?" asked Altamont.

"Yes," replied Hatteras, proudly.

"I guessed right, then," said Altamont.

"And you have actually dared to conceive such a project? Oh! it is
grand; I tell you it is sublime even to think of it?"

"But tell me," said Hatteras in a hurried manner; "you were
not bound for the Pole then yourself?"

Altamont hesitated.

"Come, speak out, man," urged the Doctor.

"Well, to tell the truth, I was not, and the truth is better than
self-love. No, I had no such grand purpose in view. I was trying to
clear the North-West Passage, and that was all."

"Altamont," said Hatteras, holding out his hand; "be our
companion to glory, come with us and find the North Pole."

The two men clasped hands in a warm, hearty grasp, and the bond of
friendship between them was sealed.

When they turned to look for the Doctor they found him in tears.

"Ah! friends," he said, wiping his eyes; "you have made me so
happy, it is almost more than I can bear' You have sacrificed this
miserable nationality for the sake of the common cause. You have
said, 'What does it matter if only the Pole is discovered, whether
it is by an Englishman or an American?' Why should we brag of
being American or English, when we can boast that we are men?"

The good little man was beside himself with joy He hugged the
reconciled enemies to his bosom, and cemented their friendship by
his own affection to both.

At last he grew calm after at least a twentieth embrace, and said--

"It is time I went to work now. Since I am no hunter, I must use
my talents in another direction"

And he began to cut up the oxen so skilfully, that he seemed like a
surgeon making a delicate autopsy.

His two companions looked on smiling. In a few minutes the adroit
operator had cut off more than a hundred pounds of flesh. This he
divided into three parts. Each man took one, and they retraced their
steps to Fort Providence.

At ten o'clock they arrived at Doctor's House, where Johnson and
Bell had a good supper prepared for them.

But before sitting down to enjoy it, the Doctor exclaimed in a
jubilant tone, and pointing to his two companions--

"My dear old Johnson, I took out an American and an Englishman
with me, didn't I?"

"Yes, Mr. Clawbonny."

"Well, I bring back two brothers."

This was joyous news to the sailors, and they shook hands warmly
with Altamont; while the Doctor recounted all that had passed, and
how the American captain had saved the English captain's life.
That night no five happier men could have been found than those that
lay sleeping in the little snow house.


CHAPTER XVIII.



FINAL PREPARATIONS


Next day the weather changed, the cold returned. Snow, and rain, and
tempest came in quick succession for several days.

Bell had completed the sloop, and done his work well, for the little
vessel was admirably adapted for the purpose contemplated, being
high at the sides and partly decked so as to be able to stand a
heavy sea, and yet light enough to be drawn on the sledge without
overburdening the dogs.

At last a change of the greatest importance took place. The ice
began to tremble in the centre of the bay, and the highest masses
became loosened at their base ready to form icebergs, and drift away
before the first gale; but Hatteras would not wait for the
ice-fields to break up before he started. Since the journey must be
made on land, he did not care whether the sea was open or not; and
the day of departure was fixed for the 25th of June--Johnson and
Bell undertaking the necessary repairs of the sledge.

On the 20th, finding there was space enough between the broken ice
to allow the sloop to get through, it was determined to take her a
trial trip to Cape Washington.

[Illustration: ]

The sea was not quite open but it would have been impossible to go
across on foot.

This short sail of six hours sufficiently tested the powers of the
sloop, and proved her excellent qualities. In coming back they
witnessed a curious sight; it was the chase of a seal by a gigantic
bear. Mr. Bruin was too busily engaged to notice the vessel, or he
would have pursued; he was intently watching beside a seal hole with
the patience of a true hunter, or rather angler, for he was
certainly fishing just then. He watched in absolute silence, without
stirring or giving the least sign of life.

[Illustration: ]

But all of a sudden there was a slight disturbance on the surface of
the water in the hole, which announced the coming up of the
amphibious animal to breathe. Instantly the bear lay flat on his
belly with his two paws stretched round the opening.

[Illustration: The poor seal struggled desperately, but could not
free himself from the iron grasp of his enemy.--P.184]

Next minute up came the seal, but his head no sooner appeared above
the water than the bear's paws closed about him like a vice, and
dragged him right out. The poor seal struggled desperately, but
could not free himself from the iron grasp of his enemy, who hugged
him closer and closer till suffocation was complete. Then he carried
him off to his den as if the weight were nothing, leaping lightly
from pack to pack till he gained terra firma safely.

[Illustration: ]

On the 22nd of June, Hatteras began to load the sledge. They put in
200 lbs. of salt meat, three cases of vegetables and preserved meat,
besides lime-juice, and flour, and medicines. They also took 200
lbs. of powder and a stock of fire-arms. Including the sloop and the
Halkett-boat, there was about 1500 lbs. weight, a heavy

[Illustration: ]

load for four dogs, and all the more as they would have to drag it
every day, instead of only four days successively, like the dogs
employed by the Esquimaux, who always keep a relay for their
sledges. However, the distance to the Pole was not 150 miles at the
outside, and they did not intend to go more than twelve miles a day,
as they could do it comfortably in a month. Even if land failed
them, they could always fall back on the sloop, and finish the
journey without fatigue to men or dogs.

[Illustration: ]

All the party were in excellent health, though they had lost flesh a
little; but, by attending to the Doctor's wise counsels, they had
weathered the winter without being attacked by any of the maladies
incident to the climate.

Now, they were almost at their journey's end, and not one doubted
of success, for a common bond of sympathy bound fast the five men,
and made them strong to persevere.

On Sunday, the 23rd, all was ready, and it was resolved to devote
the entire day to rest.

The dwellers on Fort Providence could not see the last day dawn
without some emotion. It cost them a pang to leave the snow-hut
which had served them in such good stead, and this hospitable shore
where they had passed the winter. Take it altogether, they had spent
very happy hours there, and the Doctor made a touching reference to
the subject as they sat round the table at the evening meal, and did
not forget to thank God for his manifest protection.

[Illustration: ]

They retired early to rest, for they needed to be up betimes. So
passed the last night in Fort Providence.


CHAPTER XIX.



MARCH TO THE NORTH


Next day at early dawn, Hatteras gave the signal for departure. The
well-fed and well-rested dogs were harnessed to the sledge. They had
been having a good time of it all the winter, and might be expected
to do good service during the summer.

It was six in the morning when the expedition started. After
following the windings of the bay and going past Cape Washington,
they struck into the direct route for the north, and by seven
o'clock had lost sight of the lighthouse and Fort Providence.

During the first two days they made twenty miles in twelve hours,
devoting the remainder of the time to rest and meals. The tent was
quite sufficient protection during sleep.

The temperature began to rise. In many places the snow melted
entirely away, and great patches of water appeared; here and there
complete ponds, which a little stretch of imagination might easily
convert into lakes. The travellers were often up to their knees, but
they only laughed over it; and, indeed, the Doctor was rather glad
of such unexpected baths.

"But for all that," he said, "the water has no business to wet
us here. It is an element which has no right to this country, except
in a solid or vaporous state. Ice or vapour is all very well, but
water--never!"

[Illustration: ]

Hunting was not forgotten during the march, for fresh meat was a
necessity. Altamont and Bell kept their guns loaded, and shot
ptarmigans, guillemots, geese, and a few young hares; but, by
degrees, birds and animals had been changing from trustfulness to
fear, and had become so shy and difficult to approach, that very
often, but for Duk, the hunters would have wasted their powder.

Hatteras advised them not to go more than a mile away, as there was
not a day, nor even an hour, to lose, for three months of fine
weather was the utmost they

[Illustration: ]

could count upon. Besides, the sledge was often coming to difficult
places, when each man was needed to lend a helping hand.

On the third day they came to a lake, several acres in extent, and
still entirely frozen over. The sun's rays had little access to
it, owing to its situation, and the ice was so strong that it must
have dated from some remote winter. It was strong enough to bear
both the travellers and their sledge, and was covered with dry snow.

[Illustration: ]

From this point the country became gradually lower, from which the
Doctor concluded that it did not extend to the Pole, but that most
probably this New America was an island.

Up to this time the expedition had been attended with no fatigue.
The travellers had only suffered from the intense glare of the sun
on the snow, which threatened them with snow-blindness. At another
time of the year they might have avoided this by walking during the
night, but at present there was no night at all. Happily the snow
was beginning to melt, and the brilliancy would diminish as the
process of dissolution advanced.

[Illustration: ]

On the 28th of June the thermometer rose to 45°, and the rain fell
in torrents. Hatteras and his companions, however, marched stoically
on, and even hailed the downpour with delight, knowing that it would
hasten the disappearance of the snow.

As they went along, the Doctor often picked up stones, both round
ones and flat pebbles, as if worn away by the tide. He thought from
this they must be near the Polar Basin, and yet far as the eye could
reach was one interminable plain.

There was not a trace of houses, or huts, or cairns visible. It was
evident that the Greenlanders had not pushed their way so far north,
and yet the famished tribes would have found their account in
coming, for the country abounded in game. Bears were frequently
seen, and numerous herds of musk-oxen and deer.

[Illustration: Bell killed a fox and Altamont a musk-ox.--P.192]

On the 29th, Bell killed a fox and Altamont a musk-ox. These
supplies of fresh food were very acceptable, and even the Doctor
surveyed, with considerable satisfaction, the haunches of meat they
managed to procure from time to time.

"Don't let us stint ourselves," he used to say on these
occasions; "food is no unimportant matter in expeditions like
ours."

"Especially," said Johnson, "when a meal depends on a lucky
shot."

"You're right, Johnson; a man does not think so much about
dinner when he knows the soup-pot is simmering by the
kitchen-fire."

On the 30th, they came to a district which seemed

[Illustration: ]

to have been upturned by some volcanic convulsion, so covered was it
with cones and sharp lofty peaks.

A strong breeze from the south-east was blowing, which soon
increased to a hurricane, sweeping over the rocks covered with snow
and the huge masses, of ice, which took the forms of icebergs and
hummocks, though on dry land.

The tempest was followed by damp, warm weather, which caused a
regular thaw.

On all sides nothing could be heard but the noise of cracking ice
and falling avalanches.

The travellers had to be very careful in avoiding hills, and even in
speaking aloud, for the slightest agitation in the air might have
caused a catastrophe. Indeed, the suddenness is the peculiar feature
in Arctic

[Illustration: ]

avalanches, distinguishing them from those of Switzerland and
Norway. Often the dislodgment of a block of ice is instantaneous,
and not even a cannon-ball or thunderbolt could be more rapid in its
descent. The loosening, the fall, and the crash happen almost
simultaneously.

Happily, however, no accident befel any of the party, and three days
afterwards they came to smooth, level ground again.

[Illustration: ]

But here a new phenomenon met their gaze--a phenomenon which was
long a subject of patient inquiry among the learned of both
hemispheres. They came to a long chain of low hills which seemed to
extend for miles, and were all covered on the eastern side with
bright red snow.

It is easy to imagine the surprise and half-terrified exclamations
of the little company at the sight of this long red curtain; but the
Doctor hastened to reassure them, or rather to instruct them, as to
the nature of this peculiar snow. He told them that this same red
substance had been found in Switzerland, in the heart of the Alps,
and that the colour proceeded solely from the presence of certain
corpuscles, about the nature of which for a long time chemists could
not agree. They could not decide whether these corpuscles were of
animal or vegetable origin, but at last it was settled that they
belonged to the family of fungi, being a sort of microscopic
champignon of the species Uredo.

Turning the snow over with his iron-tipped staff, the Doctor found
that the colouring matter measured nine feet deep. He pointed this
out to his companions, that they might have some idea of the
enormous number of these tiny mushrooms in a layer extending so many
miles.

This phenomenon was none the less strange for being explained, for
red is a colour seldom seen in nature over any considerable area.
The reflection of the sun's rays upon it produced the most
peculiar effect, lighting up men, and animals, and rocks with a
fiery glow, as if proceeding from some flame within. When the snow
melted it looked like blood, as the red particles do not decompose.
It seemed to the travellers as if rivulets of blood were running
among their feet.

[Illustration: ]

The Doctor filled several bottles with this precious substance to
examine at leisure, as he had only had a glimpse of the Crimson
Cliffs in Baffin's Bay.

[Illustration: ]

This Field of Blood, as he called it, took three hours to get over,
and then the country resumed its usual aspect.

[Illustration: At Bell's suggestion torches were
contrived.--P.199]


CHAPTER XX.



FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW.


On the fourth of July there was such an exceedingly dense fog, that
it was very difficult to keep the straight course for the north. No
misadventure, however, befel the party during the darkness, except
the loss of Bell's snow-shoes. At Bell's suggestion, which fired
the Doctor's inventive genius, torches were contrived, made of tow
steeped in spirits-of-wine and fastened on the end of a stick, and
these served somewhat to help them on, though they made but small
progress; for, on the sixth, after the fog had cleared off, the
Doctor took their bearings, and found that they had only been
marching at the rate of eight miles a day.

Determined to make up for lost time, they rose next morning very
early and started off, Bell and Altamont as usual going ahead of the
rest and acting as scouts. Johnson and the others kept beside the
sledge, and were soon nearly two miles behind the guides; but the
weather was so dry and clear that all their movements could be
distinctly observed.

"What now?" said Clawbonny, as he saw them make a sudden halt,
and stoop down as if examining the ground.

"I was just wondering what they are about, myself," replied old
Johnson.

"Perhaps they have come on the tracks of animals," suggested
Hatteras.

"No," said Clawbonny, "it can't be that."

[Illustration: ]

"Why not?"

"Because Duk would bark."

"Well, it is quite evident they are examining some sort of
marks."

"Let's get on, then," said Hatteras; and, urging forward the
dogs, they rejoined their companions in about twenty minutes, and
shared their surprise at finding unmistakable fresh footprints of
human beings in the snow, as plain as if only made the preceding day.

"They are Esquimaux footprints," said Hatteras.

"Do you think so?" asked Altamont.

"There is no doubt of it."

"But what do you make of this, then?" returned Altamont,
pointing to another footmark repeated in

[Illustration: ]

several places. "Do you believe for a minute that was made by an
Esquimaux?"

It was incontestably the print of a European boot--nails, sole, and
heel clearly stamped in the snow. There was no room for doubt, and
Hatteras exclaimed in amazement--

"Europeans here!"

"Evidently," said Johnson.

"And yet it is so improbable that we must take a second look
before pronouncing an opinion," said Clawbonny.

But the longer he looked, the more apparent became the fact.
Hatteras was chagrined beyond measure. A European here, so near the
Pole!

The footprints extended for about a quarter of a mile, and then
diverged to the west. Should the travellers follow them further?

"No," said Hatteras, "let us go on."

He was interrupted by an exclamation from the Doctor, who had just
picked up an object that gave still more convincing proof of
European origin. It was part of a pocket spy-glass!

"Well, if we still had any doubts about the footmarks, this
settles the case at once, at any rate," said Clawbonny.

"Forward!" exclaimed Hatteras so energetically, that
instinctively each one obeyed, and the march was resumed forthwith.

The day wore away, but no further sign of the presence of suspected
rivals was discovered, and they prepared to encamp for the night.

The tent was pitched in a ravine for shelter, as the sky was dark
and threatening, and a violent north wind was blowing.

"I'm afraid we'll have a bad night," said Johnson.

"A pretty noisy one, I expect," replied the Doctor, "but not
cold. We had better take every precaution, and fasten down our tent
with good big stones."

"You are right, Mr. Clawbonny. If the hurricane swept away our
tent, I don't know where we should find it again."

[Illustration: ]

The tent held fast, but sleep was impossible, for the tempest was
let loose and raged with tremendous violence.

"It seems to me," said the Doctor, during a brief lull in the
deafening roar," as if I could hear the sound of collisions
between icebergs and ice-fields. If we were near the sea, I could
really believe there was a general break-up in the ice."

"I can't explain the noises any other way," said Johnson.

"Can we have reached the coast, I wonder?" asked Hatteras.

"It is not impossible," replied Clawbonny. "Listen! Do you
hear that crash? That is certainly the sound of icebergs falling. We
cannot be very far from the ocean."

"Well, if it turn out to be so, I shall push right on over the
ice-fields."

"Oh, they'll be all broken up after such a storm as this. We
shall see what to-morrow, brings; but all I can say is, if any poor
fellows are wandering about in a night like this, I pity them.

The storm lasted for ten hours, and the weary travellers anxiously
watched for the morning. About daybreak its fury seemed to have
spent itself, and Hatteras, accompanied by Bell and Altamont,
ventured to leave the tent. They climbed a hill about three hundred
feet high, which commanded a wide view. But what a metamorphosed
region met their gaze! All the ice had completely vanished, the
storm had chased away the winter, and stripped the soil everywhere
of its snow covering.

[Illustration: Three hours afterwards they arrived at the coast, and
shouted simultaneously, "The sea! the sea!"--P.206]

But Hatteras scarcely bestowed a glance on surrounding objects; his
eager gaze was bent on the northern horizon, which appeared shrouded
in black mist.

"That may very likely be caused by the ocean," suggested
Clawbonny.

"You are right. The sea must be there," was the reply.

"That tint is what we call the blink of open water," said
Johnson.

"Come on, then, to the sledge at once, and let us get to this
unknown ocean," exclaimed Hatteras.

Their few preparations were soon made, and the march resumed. Three
hours afterwards they arrived at the coast, and shouted
simultaneously, "The sea! the sea!"

"Ay, and open sea!" added Hatteras.

And so it was. The storm had opened wide the Polar Basin, and the
loosened packs were drifting in all directions. The icebergs had
weighed anchor, and were sailing out into the open sea.

This new ocean stretched far away out of sight, and not a single
island or continent was visible.

On the east and west the coast formed two capes or headlands, which
sloped gently down to the sea. In the centre, a projecting rock
formed a small natural bay, sheltered on three sides, into which a
wide river fell, bearing in its bosom the melted snows of winter.

After a careful survey of the coast, Hatteras determined to launch
the sloop that very day, and to unpack the sledge, and get
everything on board. The tent was soon put up, and a comfortable
repast prepared. This important business despatched, work commenced;
and all hands were so expeditious and willing, that by five

[Illustration: ]

o'clock nothing more remained to be done. The sloop lay rocking
gracefully in the little bay, and all the cargo was on board except
the tent, and what was required for the night's encampment.

The sight of the sloop suggested to Clawbonny the propriety of
giving Altamont's name to the little bay. His proposition to that
effect met with unanimous approval, and the port was forthwith
dignified by the title of Altamont Harbour.

According to the Doctor's calculations the travellers were now
only 9° distant from the Pole. They had gone over two hundred miles
from Victoria Bay to Altamont Harbour, and were in latitude 87°
5' and longitude 118° 35'.


CHAPTER XXI.



THE OPEN SEA.


Next morning by eight o'clock all the remaining effects were on
board, and the preparations for departure completed. But before
starting the Doctor thought he would like to take a last look at the
country and see if any further traces of the presence of strangers
could be discovered, for the mysterious footmarks they had met with
were never out of his thoughts. He climbed to the top of a height
which commanded a view of the whole southern horizon, and took out
his pocket telescope. But what was his astonishment, to find he
could see nothing through it, not even neighbouring objects. He
rubbed his eyes and looked again, but with no better result. Then he
began to examine the telescope, the object glass was gone!

The object glass! This explained the whole mystery, foot-prints and
all; and with a shout of surprise he hurried down the hill to impart
his discovery to the wondering companions, who came running towards
him, startled by his loud exclamation, and full of anxiety at his
precipitate descent.

"Well, what is the matter now?" said Johnson.

The Doctor could hardly speak, he was so out of breath. At last he
managed to gasp out--

"The tracks, footmarks, strangers."

"What?" said Hatteras, "strangers here?"

"No, no, the object glass; the object glass out of my telescope."

[Illustration: ]

And he held out his spy-glass for them to look at.

"Ah! I see," said Altamont; "it is wanting."

"Yes."

"But then the footmarks?"

"They were ours, friends, just ours," exclaimed the Doctor.
"We had lost ourselves in the fog, and been wandering in a
circle."

"But the boot-marks," objected Hatteras.

"Bell's. He walked about a whole day after he had lost his snow
shoes."

"So I did," said Bell.

The mistake was so evident, that they all laughed heartily, except
Hatteras, though no one was more glad than he at the discovery.

A quarter of an hour afterwards the little sloop sailed out of
Altamont Harbour, and commenced her voyage of discovery. The wind
was favourable, but there was little of it, and the weather was
positively warm.

The sloop was none the worse for the sledge journey. She was in
first-rate trim, and easily managed. Johnson steered, the Doctor,
Bell, and the American leaned back against the cargo, and Hatteras
stood at the prow, his fixed, eager gaze bent steadily on that
mysterious point towards which he felt drawn with irresistible
power, like the magnetic needle to the Pole. He wished to be the
first to descry any shore that might come in sight, and he had every
right to the honour.

The water of this Polar Sea presented some peculiar features worth
mentioning. In colour it was a faint ultramarine blue, and possessed
such wonderful transparency that one seemed to gaze down into
fathomless depths. These depths were lighted up, no doubt, by some
electrical phenomenon, and so many varieties of living creatures
were visible that the vessel seemed to be sailing over a vast
aquarium.

Innumerable flocks of birds were flying over the surface of this
marvellous ocean, darkening the sky like thick heavy storm-clouds.
Water-fowl of every description were among them, from the albatross
to the penguin, and all of gigantic proportions. Their cries were
absolutely deafening, and some of them had such

[Illustration: ]

immense, wide-spreading wings, that they covered the sloop
completely as they flew over. The Doctor thought himself a good
naturalist, but he found his science greatly at fault, for many a
species here was wholly unknown to any ornithological society.

[Illustration: And the Doctor leaning over the side of the vessel,
could see the whales and the dolphins, and all the rest of the
monsters of the deep.--P.214]

The good little man was equally nonplussed when he looked at the
water, for he saw the most wonderful medusæ, some so large that
they looked like little islands floating about among Brobdignagian
sea-weeds. And below the surface, what a spectacle met the eye!
Myriads of fish of every species; young manati at play with each
other; narwhals with their one strong weapon of defence, like the
horn of a unicorn, chasing the timid seals; whales of every tribe,
spouting out columns of water and mucilage, and filling the air with
a peculiar whizzing noise; dolphins, seals, and walruses; sea-dogs
and sea-horses, sea-bears and sea-elephants, quietly browsing on
submarine pastures; and the Doctor could gaze at them all as easily
and clearly as if they were in glass tanks in the Zoological Gardens.

There was a strange supernatural purity about the atmosphere. It
seemed charged to overflowing with oxygen, and had a marvellous
power of exhilaration, producing an almost intoxicating effect on
the brain.

Towards evening, Hatteras and his companions lost sight of the
coast. Night came on, though the sun remained just above the
horizon; but it had the same influence on animated nature as in
temperate zones. Birds, fish, and all the cetacea disappeared and
perfect silence prevailed.

Since the departure from Altamont Harbour, the sloop had made one
degree further north. The next day brought no signs of land; there
was not even a speck on the horizon. The wind was still favourable,
and the sea pretty calm. The birds and fishes returned as numerously
as on the preceding day, and the Doctor leaning over the side of the
vessel, could see the whales and the dolphins, and all the rest of
the monsters of the deep, gradually coming up from the clear depths
below. On the surface, far as the eye could reach, nothing was
visible except a solitary iceberg here and there, and a few
scattered floes.

Indeed, but little ice was met with anywhere. The sloop was ten
degrees above the point of greatest cold, and consequently in the
same temperature as Baffin's Bay and Disko. It was therefore not
astonishing that the sea should be open in these summer months.

This is a fact of great practical value, for if ever the whalers can
penetrate north as far as the Polar basin, they may be sure of an
immediate cargo, as this part of the ocean seems the general
reservoir of whales and seals, and every marine species.

The day wore on, but still nothing appeared on the horizon. Hatteras
never left the prow of the ship, but stood, glass in hand, eagerly
gazing into the distance with anxious, questioning eyes, and seeking
to discover, in the colour of the water, the shape of the waves, and
the breath of the wind, indications of approaching land.


CHAPTER XXII.



GETTING NEAR THE POLE.


Hour after hour passed away, and still Hatteras persevered in his
weary watch, though his hopes appeared doomed to disappointment.

At length, about six in the evening, a dim, hazy, shapeless sort of
mist seemed to rise far away between sea and sky. It was not a
cloud, for it was constantly vanishing, and then reappearing next
minute.

Hatteras was the first to notice this peculiar phenomenon; but after
an hour's scrutiny through his telescope, he could make nothing of
it.

All at once, however, some sure indication met his eye, and
stretching out his arm to the horizon, he shouted, in a clear
ringing voice---

"Land! land!"

His words produced an electrical effect on his companions, and every
man rushed to his side.

"I see it, I see it," said Clawbonny.

"Yes, yes, so do I!" exclaimed Johnson.

"It is a cloud," said Altamont.

"Land! land!" repeated Hatteras, in tones of absolute conviction.

Even while he spoke the appearance vanished, and when it returned
again the Doctor fancied he caught a gleam of light about the smoke
for an instant.

[Illustration: "It is a volcano!" he exclaimed.--P.217]

"It is a volcano!" he exclaimed.

"A volcano?" repeated Altamont.

"Undoubtedly."

[Illustration: ]

"In so high a latitude?"

"Why not? Is not Iceland a volcanic island--indeed, almost made
of volcanoes, one might say?"

"Well, has not our famous countryman, James Ross, affirmed the
existence of two active volcanoes, the Erebus and the Terror, on the
Southern Continent, in longitude 170° and latitude 78°? Why, then,
should not volcanoes be found near the North Pole?"

"It is possible, certainly," replied Altamont.

"Ah, now I see it distinctly," exclaimed the Doctor." It is a
volcano!"

"Let us make right for it then," said Hatteras.

[Illustration: ]

It was impossible longer to doubt the proximity of the coast. In
twenty-four hours, probably, the bold navigators might hope to set
foot on its untrodden soil. But strange as it was, now that they
were so near the goal of their voyage, no one showed the joy which
might have been expected. Each man sat silent, absorbed in his own
thoughts, wondering what sort of place this Pole must be. The birds
seemed to shun it, for though it was evening, they were all flying
towards the south with outspread wings. Was it, then, so
inhospitable, that not so much as a sea-gull or a ptarmigan could
find a shelter? The fish, too, even the large cetacea, were
hastening away through the transparent waters. What

[Illustration: ]

could cause this feeling either of repulsion or terror?

At last sleep overcame the tired men, and one after another dropped
off, leaving Hatteras to keep watch.

He took the helm, and tried his best not to close his eyes, for he
grudged losing precious time; but the slow motion of the vessel
rocked him into a state of such irresistible somnolence that, in
spite of himself, he was soon, like his companions, locked fast in
deep slumber. He began to dream, and imagination brought back all
the scenes of his past life. He dreamt of his ship, the Forward, and
of the traitors that had burnt it. Again he felt all the agonies of
disappointment and failure, and forgot his actual situation. Then
the scene changed, and he saw himself at the Pole unfurling the
Union Jack!

While memory and fancy were thus busied, an enormous cloud of an
olive tinge had begun to darken sea and sky. A hurricane was at
hand. The first blast of the tempest roused the captain and his
companions, and they were on their feet in an instant, ready to meet
it. The sea had risen tremendously, and the ship was tossing
violently up and down on the billows. Hatteras took the helm again,
and kept a firm hold of it, while Johnson and Bell baled out the
water which was constantly dashing over the ship.

It was a difficult matter to preserve the right course, for the
thick fog made it impossible to see more than a few yards off.

This sudden tempest might well seem to such excited men, a stern
prohibition against further approach to the Pole; but it needed but
a glance at their resolute faces to know that they would neither
yield to winds nor waves, but go right on to the end.

[Illustration: ]

For a whole day the struggle lasted, death threatening them each
moment; but about six in the evening, just as the fury of the waves
seemed at its highest pitch, there came a sudden calm. The wind was
stilled as if miraculously, and the sea became smooth as glass.

Then came a most extraordinary inexplicable phenomenon.

The fog, without dispersing, became strangely luminous, and the
sloop sailed along in a zone of electric light. Mast, sail, and
rigging appeared pencilled in black against the phosphorescent sky
with wondrous distinctness. The men were bathed in light, and their
faces shone with a fiery glow.

"The volcano!" exclaimed Hatteras.

"Is it possible?" said Bell.

"No, no!" replied Clawbonny. "We should be suffocated with its
flames so near."

"Perhaps it is the reflection," suggested Altamont.

"Not that much even, for then we must be near land, and in that
case we should hear the noise of the eruption."

"What is it, then?" asked the captain.

"It is a cosmical phenomenon," replied the Doctor, "seldom met
hitherto. If we go on, we shall soon get out of our luminous sphere
and be back in the darkness and tempest again."

"Well, let's go on, come what may," said Hatteras.

The Doctor was right. Gradually the fog began to lose its light, and
then its transparency, and the howling wind was heard not far off. A
few minutes more, and the little vessel was caught in a violent
squall, and swept back into the cyclone.

But the hurricane had fortunately turned a point towards the south,
and left the vessel free to run before the wind straight towards the
Pole. There was imminent danger of her sinking, for she sped along
at frenzied speed, and any sudden collision with rock or iceberg
must have inevitably dashed her to pieces.

But not a man on board counselled prudence. They were intoxicated
with the danger, and no speed could be quick enough to satisfy their
longing impatience to reach the unknown.

At last they began evidently to near the coast. Strange symptoms
were manifest in the air; the fog suddenly rent like a curtain torn
by the wind; and for an instant, like a flash of lightning, an
immense column of flame was seen on the horizon.

"The volcano! the volcano!" was the simultaneous exclamation.

But the words had hardly passed their lips before the fantastic
vision had vanished. The wind suddenly changed to south-east, and
drove the ship back again from the land.

"Confound it!" said Hatteras; "we weren't three miles from
the coast."

However, resistance was impossible. All that could be done was to
keep tacking; but every few minutes the little sloop would be thrown
on her side, though she righted herself again immediately obedient
to the helm.

As Hatteras stood with dishevelled hair, grasping the helm as if
welded to his hand, he seemed the animating soul of the ship.

All at once, a fearful sight met his gaze.

Scarcely twenty yards in front was a great block of ice coming right
towards them, mounting and falling on the stormy billows, ready to
overturn at any moment and crush them in its descent.

But this was not the only danger that threatened the bold
navigators. The iceberg was packed with white bears, huddling close
together, and evidently beside themselves with terror.

The iceberg made frightful lurches, sometimes inclining at such a
sharp angle that the animals rolled pell-mell over each other and
set up a loud growling, which mingled with the roar of the elements
and made a terrible concert.

For a quarter of an hour, which seemed a whole century, the sloop
sailed on in this formidable company, sometimes a few yards distant
and sometimes near enough to touch. The Greenland dogs trembled for
fear, but Duk was quite imperturbable. At last the iceberg lost
ground, and got driven by the wind further and further away till it
disappeared in the fog, only at intervals betraying its presence by
the ominous growls of its equipage.

[Illustration: Mast and sail were torn off, and went flying away
through the darkness like some large white bird.--P.224]

The storm now burst forth with redoubled fury. The little barque was
lifted bodily out of the water, and whirled round and round with the
most frightful rapidity. Mast and sail were torn off, and went
flying away through the darkness like some large white bird. A
whirlpool began to form among the waves, drawing down the ship
gradually by its irresistible suction.

[Illustration: ]

Deeper and deeper she sank, whizzing round at such tremendous speed
that to the poor fellows on board, the water seemed motionless. All
five men stood erect, gazing at each other in speechless terror. But
suddenly the ship rose perpendicularly, her prow went above the edge
of the vortex, and getting out of the centre of attraction by her
own velocity, she escaped at a tangent from the circumference, and
was thrown far beyond, swift as a ball from a cannon's mouth.

Altamont, the Doctor, Johnson, and Bell were pitched flat on the
planks. When they got up, Hatteras had disappeared!

It was two o'clock in the morning.


CHAPTER XXIII.



THE ENGLISH FLAG


For a few seconds they seemed stupefied, and then a cry of
"Hatteras!" broke from every lip.

On all sides, nothing was visible but the tempestuous ocean. Duk
barked desperately, and Bell could hardly keep him from leaping into
the waves.

"Take the helm, Altamont," said the Doctor, "and let us try
our utmost to find our poor captain."

Johnson and Bell seized the oars, and rowed about for more than an
hour; but their search was vain--Hatteras was lost!

Lost! and so near the Pole, just as he had caught sight of the goal!

The Doctor called, and shouted, and fired signals, and Duk made
piteous lamentations; but there was no response. Clawbonny could
bear up no longer; he buried his head in his hands, and fairly wept
aloud.

At such a distance from the coast, it was impossible Hatteras could
reach it alive, without an oar or even so much as a spar to help
him; if ever he touched the haven of his desire, it would be as a
swollen, mutilated corpse!

Longer search was useless, and nothing remained but to resume the
route north. The tempest was dying out, and about five in the
morning on the 11th of July, the wind fell, and the sea gradually
became calm. The sky recovered its polar clearness, and less than
three miles away the land appeared in all its grandeur.

The new continent was only an island, or rather a volcano, fixed
like a lighthouse on the North Pole of the world.

[Illustration: Two men in a boat observing a volcano in the
distance.]

The mountain was in full activity, pouring out a mass of burning
stones and glowing rock. At every fresh eruption there was a
convulsive heaving within, as if some mighty giant were respiring,
and the masses ejected were thrown up high into the air amidst jets
of bright flame, streams of lava rolling down the sides in impetuous
torrents. In one part, serpents of fire seemed writhing and
wriggling amongst smoking rocks, and in

[Illustration: ]

another the glowing liquid fell in cascades, in the midst of purple
vapour, into a river of fire below, formed of a thousand igneous
streams, which emptied itself into the sea, the waters hissing and
seething like a boiling cauldron.

Apparently there was only one crater to the volcano, out of which
the columns of fire issued, streaked with forked lightning.
Electricity seemed to have something to do with this magnificent
panorama.

Above the panting flames waved an immense plume-shaped cloud of
smoke, red at its base and black at its summit. It rose with
incomparable majesty, and unrolled in thick volumes.

The sky was ash-colour to a great height, and it was evident that
the darkness that had prevailed while the tempest lasted, which had
seemed quite inexplicable to the Doctor, was owing to the columns of
cinders overspreading the sun like a thick curtain. He remembered a
similar phenomenon which occurred in the Barbadoes, where the whole
island was plunged in profound obscurity by the mass of cinders
ejected from the crater of Isle St. Vincent.

This enormous ignivomous rock in the middle of the sea was six
thousand feet high, just about the altitude of Hecla.

It seemed to rise gradually out of the water as the boat got nearer.
There was no trace of vegetation, indeed there was no shore; the
rock ran straight down to the sea.

"Can we land?" said the Doctor.

"The wind is carrying us right to it," said Altamont. "But I
don't see an inch of land to set our foot upon."

"It seems so at this distance," said Johnson; "but we shall be
sure to find some place to run in our boat at, and that is all we
want."

"Let us go on, then," said Clawbonny, dejectedly.

He had no heart now for anything. The North Pole was indeed before
his eyes, but not the man who had discovered it.

As they got nearer the island, which was not more than eight or ten
miles in circumference, the navigators noticed a tiny fiord, just
large enough to harbour their boat, and made towards it immediately.
They feared their captain's dead body would meet their eyes on the
coast, and yet it seemed difficult for a corpse to lie on it, for
there was no shore, and the sea broke on steep rocks, which were
covered with cinders above watermark.

At last the little sloop glided gently into the narrow opening
between two sandbanks just visible above the water, where she would
be safe from the violence of the breakers; but before she could be
moored, Duk began howling and barking again in the most piteous
manner, as if calling on the cruel sea and stony rocks to yield up
his lost master. The Doctor tried to calm him by caresses, but in
vain. The faithful beast, as if he would represent the captain,
sprang on shore with a tremendous bound, sending a cloud of cinders
after him.

"Duk! Duk!" called Clawbonny.

But Duk had already disappeared.

[Illustration: ]

After the sloop was made fast, they all got out and went after him.
Altamont was just going to climb to the top of a pile of stones,
when the Doctor exclaimed, "Listen!"

Duk was barking vehemently some distance off, but his bark seemed
full of grief rather than fury.

"Has he come on the track of some animal, do you think?" asked
Johnson.

"No, no!" said Clawbonny, shuddering. "His bark is too
sorrowful; it is the dog's tear. He has found the body of
Hatteras."

They all four rushed forward, in spite of the blinding cinder-dust,
and came to the far-end of a fiord, where they discovered the dog
barking round a corpse wrapped in the British flag!

"Hatteras! Hatteras!" cried the Doctor, throwing himself on the
body of his friend. But next minute he started up with an
indescribable cry, and shouted, "Alive! alive!"

"Yes!" said a feeble voice; "yes, alive at the North Pole, on
Queen's Island."

"Hurrah for England!" shouted all with one accord.

"And for America!" added Clawbonny, holding out one hand to
Hatteras and the other to Altamont.

Duk was not behind with his hurrah, which was worth quite as much as
the others.

For a few minutes the joy of recovery of their captain filled all
their hearts, and the poor fellows could not restrain their tears.

The Doctor found, on examination, that he was not seriously hurt.
The wind threw him on the coast where landing was perilous work,
but, after being driven back more than once into the sea, the hardy
sailor had managed to scramble on to a rock, and gradually to hoist
himself above the waves.

Then he must have become insensible, for he remembered nothing more
except rolling himself in his flag. He only awoke to consciousness
with the loud barking and caresses of his faithful Duk.

After a little, Hatteras was able to stand up supported by the
Doctor, and tried to get back to the sloop.

He kept exclaiming, "The Pole! the North Pole!"

"You are happy now?" said his friend.

"Yes, happy! And are not you? Isn't it joy to find yourself
here! The ground we tread is round the Pole! The air we breathe is
the air that blows round the Pole! The sea we have crossed is the
sea which washes the Pole! Oh! the North Pole! the North Pole!"

He had become quite delirious with excitement, and fever burned in
his veins. His eyes shone with unnatural brilliancy, and his brain
seemed on fire. Perfect rest was what he most needed, for the Doctor
found it impossible to quiet him.

A place of encampment must therefore be fixed upon immediately.

[Illustration: Altamont speedily discovered a grotto composed of
rocks.--P.234]

Altamont speedily discovered a grotto composed of rocks, which had
so fallen as to form a sort of cave. Johnson and Bell carried in
provisions, and gave the dogs their liberty.

About eleven o'clock, breakfast, or rather dinner, was ready,
consisting of pemmican, salt meat, and smoking-hot tea and coffee.

But Hatteras would do nothing till the exact position of the island
was ascertained; so the Doctor and Altamont set to work with their
instruments, and found that the exact latitude of the grotto was
89° 59' 15". The longitude was of little importance, for all
the meridians blended a few hundred feet higher.

The 90° of lat. was then only about three quarters of a mile off,
or just about the summit of the volcano.

When the result was communicated to Hatteras, he desired that a
formal document might be drawn up to attest the fact, and two copies
made, one of which should be deposited on a cairn on the island.

Clawbonny was the scribe, and indited the following document, a copy
of which is now among the archives of the Royal Geographical Society
of London:--

"On this 11th day of July, 1861, in North latitude 89° 59'
15" was discovered Queen's Island at the North Pole, by Captain
Hatteras, Commander of the brig Forward of Liverpool, who signs
this, as also all his companions.

"Whoever may find this document is requested to forward it to the
Admiralty.

"(Signed) JOHN HATTERAS, Commander

of the Forward

"DR. CLAWBONNY

"ALTAMONT, Commander of the Porpoise

"JOHNSON, Boatswain

"BELL, Carpenter."

"And now, friends, come to table," said the Doctor, merrily.

Coming to table was just squatting on the ground.

"But who," said Clawbonny, "would not give all the tables and
dining-rooms in the world to dine at 89" 59' and 15" N.
lat.?"

It was an exciting occasion this first meal at the Pole! What
neither ancients nor moderns, neither Europeans, nor Americans, nor
Asiatics had been able to accomplish was now achieved, and all past
sufferings and perils were forgotten in the glow of success.

"But, after all," said Johnson, after toasts to Hatteras and the
North Pole had been enthusiastically drunk, "what is there so very
special about the North Pole? Will you tell me, Mr. Clawbonny?"

"Just this, my good Johnson. It is the only point of the globe
that is motionless; all the other points are revolving with extreme
rapidity."

"But I don't see that we are any more motionless here than at
Liverpool."

"Because in both cases you are a party concerned, both in the
motion and the rest; but the fact is certain."

Clawbonny then went on to describe the diurnal and annual motions of
the earth--the one round its own axis, the extremities of which are
the poles, which is accomplished in twenty-four hours, and the other
round the sun, which takes a whole year.

Bell and Johnson listened half incredulously, and

[Illustration: ]

couldn't see why the earth could not have been allowed to keep
still, till Altamont informed them that they would then have had
neither day nor night, nor spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

"Ay, and worse still," said Clawbonny, "if the motion chanced
to be interrupted, we should fall right into the sun in sixty-four
and a half days."

"What! take sixty-four and a half days, to fall?" exclaimed
Johnson.

"Yes, we are ninety-five millions of miles off. But when I say the
Pole is motionless, it is not strictly true; it is only so in
comparison with the rest of the globe, for it has a certain movement
of its own, and completes a circle in about twenty-six thousand
years. This comes from the precession of the equinoxes."

A long and learned talk was started on this subject between Altamont
and the Doctor, simplified, however, as much as possible for the
benefit of Bell and Johnson.

Hatteras took no part in it, and even when they went on to speculate
about the earth's centre, and discussed several of the theories
that had been advanced respecting it, he seemed not to hear; it was
evident his thoughts were far away.

Among other opinions put forth was one in our own days, which
greatly excited Altamont's surprise. It was held that there was an
immense opening at the poles which led into the heart of the earth,
and that it was out of the opening that the light of the Aurora
Borealis streamed. This was gravely stated, and Captain Synness, a
countryman of our own, actually proposed that Sir Humphrey Davy,
Humboldt, and Arago should undertake an expedition through it, but
they refused."

"And quite right too," said Altamont.

"So say I; but you see, my friends, what absurdities imagination
has conjured up about these regions, and how, sooner or later, the
simple reality comes to light."


CHAPTER XXIV.



MOUNT HATTERAS.


After this conversation they all made themselves as comfortable as
they could, and lay down to sleep.

All, except Hatteras; and why could this extraordinary man not sleep
like the others?

Was not the purpose of his life attained now? Had he not realized
his most daring project? Why could he not rest? Indeed, might not
one have supposed that, after the strain his nervous system had
undergone, he would long for rest?

But no, he grew more and more excited, and it was not the thought of
returning that so affected him. Was he bent on going farther still?
Had his passion for travel no limits? Was the world too small for
him now he had circumnavigated it.

Whatever might be the cause, he could not sleep; yet this first
night at the Pole was clear and calm. The isle was absolutely
uninhabited--not a bird was to be seen in this burning atmosphere,
not an animal on these scoriae-covered rocks, not a fish in these
seething waters. Next morning, when Altamont, and the others awoke,
Hatteras was gone. Feeling uneasy at his absence, they hurried out
of the grotto in search of him.

[Illustration: There he was standing on a rock, gazing fixedly at
the top of the mountain.--P.242]

There he was standing on a rock, gazing fixedly at the top of the
mountain. His instruments were in his hand, and he was evidently
calculating the exact longitude and latitude.

The Doctor went towards him and spoke, but it was long before he
could rouse him from his absorbing contemplations. At last the
captain seemed to understand, and Clawbonny said, while he examined
him with a keen scrutinizing glance--

"Let us go round the island. Here we are, all ready for our last
excursion."

"The last!" repeated Hatteras, as if in a dream. "Yes!, the
last truly, but," he added, with more animation, "the most
wonderful."

He pressed both hands on his brow as he spoke, as if to calm the
inward tumult.

Just then Altamont and the others came up, and their appearance
seemed to dispel the hallucinations under which he was labouring.

"My friends," he said, in a voice full of emotion, "thanks for
your courage, thanks for your perseverance, thanks for your
superhuman efforts, through which we are permitted to set our feet
on this soil."

"Captain," said Johnson, "we have only obeyed orders to you
alone belongs the honour."

"No, no!" exclaimed Hatteras, with a violent outburst of
emotion, "to all of you as much as to me! To Altamont as much as
any of us, as much as the Doctor himself! Oh, let my heart break in
your hands, it cannot contain its joy and gratitude any longer."

He grasped the hands of his brave companions as he spoke, and paced
up and down as if he had lost all self-control.

"We have only done our duty as Englishmen," said Bell.

"And as friends," added Clawbonny.

"Yes, but all did not do it," replied Hatteras "some gave way.
However, we must pardon them--pardon both the traitors and those
who were led away by them. Poor fellows! I forgive them. You hear
me, Doctor?"

"Yes," replied Clawbonny, beginning to be seriously uneasy at
his friend's excitement.

"I have no wish, therefore," continued the captain, "that they
should lose the little fortune they came so far to seek. No, the
original agreement is to remain unaltered, and they shall be
rich--if they ever see England again."

It would have been difficult not to have been touched by the
pathetic tone of voice in which Hatteras said this.

"But, captain," interrupted Johnson, trying to joke, "one
would think you were making your will!"

"Perhaps I am," said Hatteras, gravely.

"And yet you have a long bright career of glory before you!"

"Who knows?" was the reply.

No one answered, and the Doctor did not dare to guess his meaning;
but Hatteras soon made them understand it, for presently he said, in
a hurried, agitated manner, as if he could scarcely command
himself--

"Friends, listen to me. We have done much already, but much yet
remains to be done."

His companions heard him with profound astonishment.

"Yes," he resumed, "we are close to the Pole, but we are not
on it."

"How do you make that out," said Altamont.

"Yes," replied Hatteras, with vehemence, "I said an Englishman
should plant his foot on the Pole of the world! I said it, and an
Englishman shall."

"What!" cried Clawbonny.

"We are still 45" from the unknown point," resumed Hatteras,
with increasing animation, "and to that point I shall go."

"But it is on the summit of the volcano," said the Doctor.

"I shall go."

"It is an inaccessible cone!"

"I shall go."

"But it is a yawning fiery crater!"

"I shall go."

The tone of absolute determination in which Hatteras pronounced
these words it is impossible to describe.

His friends were stupefied, and gazed in terror at the blazing
mountain.

At last the Doctor recovered himself, and began to urge and entreat
Hatteras to renounce his project. He tried every means his heart
dictated, from humble supplications to friendly threats; but he
could gain nothing--a sort of frenzy had come over the captain, an
absolute monomania about the Pole.

Nothing but violent measures would keep him back from destruction,
but the Doctor was unwilling to employ these unless driven to
extremity.

He trusted, moreover, that physical impossibilities, insuperable
obstacles would bar his further progress, and meantime finding all
protestations were useless, he simply said--

"Very well, since you are bent on it, we'll go too."

"Yes," replied Hatteras, "half-way up the mountain, but not a
step beyond. You know you have to carry back to England the
duplicate of the document in the cairn----"

"Yes; but----"

"It is settled," said Hatteras, in an imperious tone; "and
since the prayers of a friend will not suffice, the captain
commands."

The Doctor did not insist longer, and a few minutes after the little
band set out, accompanied by Duk.

It was about eight o'clock when they commenced their difficult
ascent; the sky was splendid, and the thermometer stood at 52°.

Hatteras and his dog went first, closely followed by the others.

"I am afraid," said Johnson to the Doctor.

"No, no, there's nothing to be afraid of; we are here."

This singular little island appeared to be of recent formation, and
was evidently the product of successive volcanic eruptions. The
rocks were all lying loose on the top of each other, and it was a
marvel how they preserved their equilibrium. Strictly speaking, the
mountain was only a heap of stones thrown down from a height, and
the mass of rocks which composed the island had evidently come out
of the bowels of the earth.

The earth, indeed, may be compared to a vast cauldron of spherical
form, in which, under the influence of a central fire, immense
quantities of vapours are generated, which would explode the globe
but for the safety-valves outside.

These safety-valves are volcanoes, when one closes another opens;
and at the Poles where the crust of the earth is thinner, owing to
its being flattened, it is not surprising that a volcano should be
suddenly formed by the upheaving of some part of the ocean-bed.

The Doctor, while following Hatteras, was closely following all the
peculiarities of the island, and he was further confirmed in his
opinion as to its recent formation by the absence of water. Had it
existed for centuries, the thermal springs would have flowed from
its bosom.

As they got higher, the ascent became more and more difficult, for
the flanks of the mountain were almost perpendicular, and it
required the utmost care to keep them from falling. Clouds of
scoriæ and ashes would whirl round them repeatedly, threatening
them with asphyxia, or torrents of lava would bar their passage. In
parts where these torrents ran horizontally, the outside had become
hardened; while underneath was the boiling lava, and every step the
travellers took had first to be tested with the iron-tipped staff to
avoid being suddenly plunged into the scalding liquid.

At intervals large fragments of red-hot rock were thrown up from the
crater, and burst in the air like bomb-shells, scattering the debris
to enormous distances in all directions.

Hatteras, however, climbed up the steepest ascents with surprising
agility, disdaining the help of his staff.

He arrived before long at a circular rock, a sort of plateau about
ten feet wide. A river of boiling lava surrounded it, except in one
part, where it forked away to a higher rock, leaving a narrow
passage, through which Hatteras fearlessly passed.

Here he stopped, and his companions managed to rejoin him. He seemed
to be measuring with his eye the distance he had yet to get over.
Horizontally, he was not more than two hundred yards from the top of
the crater, but vertically he had nearly three times that distance
to traverse.

The ascent had occupied three hours already. Hatteras showed no
signs of fatigue, while the others were almost spent.

The summit of the volcano appeared inaccessible, and the Doctor
determined at any price to prevent Hatteras from attempting to
proceed. He tried gentle means first, but the captain's excitement
was fast becoming delirium. During their ascent, symptoms of
insanity had become more and more marked, and no one could be
surprised who knew anything of his previous history.

"Hatteras," said the Doctor, "it is enough! we cannot go
further!"

"Stop, then," he replied, in a strangely altered voice; "I am
going higher."

"No, it is useless; you are at the Pole already."

"No, no! higher, higher!"

"My friend, do you know who is speaking to you? It is I, Doctor
Clawbonny."

"Higher, higher!" repeated the madman.

"Very well, we shall not allow it--that is all."

He had hardly uttered the words before Hatteras, by a superhuman
effort, sprang over the boiling lava, and was beyond the reach of
his companions.

A cry of horror burst from every lip, for they thought the poor
captain must have perished in that fiery gulf; but there he was safe
on the other side, accompanied by his faithful Duk, who would not
leave him.

He speedily disappeared behind a curtain of smoke, and they heard
his voice growing fainter in the distance, shouting--

"To the north! to the north! to the top of Mount Hatteras!
Remember Mount Hatteras!"

All pursuit of him was out of the question; it was impossible to
leap across the fiery torrent, and equally impossible to get round
it. Altamont, indeed, was mad enough to make an attempt, and would
certainly have lost his life if the others had not held him back by
main force.

"Hatteras! Hatteras!" shouted the Doctor, but no response was
heard save the faint bark of Duk.

At intervals, however, a glimpse of him could be caught through the
clouds of smoke and showers of ashes. Sometimes his head, sometimes
his arm appeared; then he was out of sight again, and a few minutes
later was seen higher up clinging to the rocks. His size constantly
decreased with the fantastic rapidity of objects rising upwards in
the air. In half-an-hour he was only half his size.

The air was full of the deep rumbling noise of the volcano, and the
mountain shook and trembled. From time to time a loud fail was heard
behind, and the travellers would see some enormous rock rebounding
from the heights to engulph itself in the polar basin below.

[Illustration: Hatteras did not even turn once to look back, but
marched straight on, carrying his country's flag attached to his
staff.--P.249]

Hatteras did not even turn once to look back, but marched straight
on, carrying his country's flag attached to his staff. His
terrified friends watched every movement, and saw him gradually
decrease to microscopic dimensions, while Duk looked no larger than
a big rat.

Then came a moment of intense anxiety, for the wind beat down on
them an immense sheet of flame, and they could see nothing but the
red glare. A cry of agony escaped the Doctor; but an instant
afterwards Hatteras reappeared, waving his flag.

For a whole hour this fearful spectacle went on--an hour of battle
with unsteady loose rocks and quagmires of ashes, where the
foolhardy climber sank up to his waist. Sometimes they saw him hoist
himself up by leaning knees and loins against the rocks in narrow,
intricate winding paths, and sometimes he would be hanging on by
both hands to some sharp crag, swinging to and fro like a withered
tuft.

[Illustration: ]

At last he reached the summit of the mountain, the mouth of the
crater. Here the Doctor hoped the infatuated man would stop, at any
rate, and would, perhaps, recover his senses, and expose himself to
no more danger than the descent involved.

Once more he shouted--

"Hatteras! Hatteras!"

There was such a pathos of entreaty in his tone that Altamont felt
moved to his inmost soul.

"I'll save him yet!" he exclaimed; and before Clawbonny could
hinder him, he had cleared with a bound the torrent of fire, and was
out of sight among the rocks.

Meantime, Hatteras had mounted a rock which overhung the crater, and
stood waving his flag amidst showers of stones which rained down on
him. Duk was by his side; but the poor beast was growing dizzy in
such close proximity to the abyss.

Hatteras balanced his staff in one hand, and with the other sought
to find the precise mathematical point where all the meridians of
the globe meet, the point on which it was his sublime purpose to
plant his foot.

All at once the rock gave way, and he disappeared. A cry of horror
broke from his companions, and rang to the top of the mountain.
Clawbonny thought his friend had perished, and lay buried for ever
in the depths of the volcano. A second--only a second, though it
seemed an age--elapsed, and there was Altamont and the dog holding
the ill-fated Hatteras! Man and dog had caught him at the very
moment when he disappeared in the abyss.

Hatteras was saved! Saved in spite of himself; and half-an-hour
later be lay unconscious in the arms of his despairing companions.

When he came to himself, the Doctor looked at him in speechless
anguish, for there was no glance of recognition in his eye. It was
the eye of a blind man, who gazes without seeing.

"Good heavens!" exclaimed Johnson; "he is blind!"

"No," replied Clawbonny, "no! My poor friends, we have only
saved the body of Hatteras; his soul is left behind on the top of
the volcano. His reason is gone!"

"Insane!" exclaimed Johnson and Altamont, in consternation.

"Insane!" replied the Doctor, and the big tears ran down his
cheeks.


CHAPTER XXV.



RETURN SOUTH.


Three hours after this sad dénouement of the adventures of Captain
Hatteras, the whole party were back once more in the grotto.

Clawbonny was asked his opinion as to what was best to be done.

"Well, friends," he said, "we cannot stay longer in this
island; the sea is open, and we have enough provisions. We ought to
start at once, and get back without the least delay to Fort
Providence, where we must winter."

"That is my opinion, too," said Altamont. "The wind is
favourable, so to-morrow we will get to sea."

The day passed in profound dejection. The insanity of the captain
was a bad omen and when they began to talk over the return voyage,
their hearts failed them for fear. They missed the intrepid spirit
of their leader.

However, like brave men, they prepared to battle anew with the
elements and with themselves, if ever they felt inclined to give way.

[Illustration: ]

Next morning they made all ready to sail, and brought the tent and
all its belongings on board.

But before leaving these rocks, never to return, the Doctor carrying
out the intentions of Hatteras, had a cairn erected on the very spot
where the poor fellow had jumped ashore. It was made of great blocks
placed one on the top of the other, so as to be a landmark perfectly
visible while the eruptions of the volcano left it undisturbed. On
one of the side stones, Bell chiselled the simple inscription--

JOHN HATTERAS.

The duplicate of the document attesting the discovery of the North
Pole was enclosed in a tinned iron cylinder, and deposited in the
cairn, to remain as a silent witness among those desert rocks.

This done, the four men and the captain, a poor body without a soul,
set out on the return voyage, accompanied by the faithful Duk, who
had become sad and downcast. A new sail was manufactured out of the
tent, and about ten o'clock, the little sloop sailed out before
the wind.

She made a quick passage, finding abundance of open water. It was
certainly easier to get away from the Pole than to get to it.

But Hatteras knew nothing that was passing around him. He lay full
length in the boat, perfectly silent, with lifeless eye and folded
arms, and Duk lying at his feet. Clawbonny frequently addressed him,
but could elicit no reply.

On the 15th they sighted Altamont Harbour, but as the sea was open
all along the coast, they determined to go round to Victoria Bay by
water, instead of crossing New America in the sledge.

The voyage was easy and rapid. In a week they accomplished what had
taken a fortnight in the sledge, and on the 23rd they cast anchor in
Victoria Bay.

As soon as the sloop was made fast, they all hastened to Fort
Providence. But what a scene of devastation met their eyes!
Doctor's House, stores, powder-magazine, fortifications, all had
melted away, and the provisions had been ransacked by devouring
animals.

The navigators had almost come to the end of their supplies, and had
been reckoning on replenishing their stores at Fort Providence. The
impossibility of wintering there now was evident, and they decided
to get to Baffin's Bay by the shortest route.

"We have no alternative," said Clawbonny; "Baffin's Bay is
not more than six hundred miles distant. We can sail as long as
there is water enough under our sloop, and get to Jones' Sound,
and then on to the Danish settlements."

"Yes," said Altamont; "let us collect what food remains, and
be off at once."

After a thorough search, a few cases of pemmican were found
scattered here and there, and two barrels of preserved meat,
altogether enough for six weeks, and a good supply of powder. It was
soon collected and brought on board, and the remainder of the day
was employed in caulking the sloop and putting her in good trim.

Next morning they put out once more to sea. The voyage presented no
great difficulties, the drift-ice being easily avoided; but still
the Doctor thought it advisable, in case of possible delays, to
limit the rations to one-half. This was no great hardship, as there
was not much work for anyone to do, and all were in perfect health.

Besides, they found a little shooting, and brought down ducks, and
geese, and guillemots, or sea turtledoves. Water they were able to
supply themselves with in abundance, from the fresh-water icebergs
they constantly fell in with as they kept near the coast, not daring
to venture out to the open sea in so frail a barque.

At that time of the year, the thermometer was already constantly
below freezing point. The frequent rains changed to snow, and the
weather became gloomy. Each day the sun dipped lower below the
horizon, and on the 30th, for a few minutes, he was out of sight
altogether.

However, the little sloop sailed steadily on without stopping an
instant. They knew what fatigues and obstacles a land journey
involved, if they should be forced to adopt it, and no time was to
be lost, for soon the open water would harden to firm ground;
already the young ice had begun to form. In these high latitudes
there is neither spring nor autumn; winter follows close on the
heels of summer.

On the 31st the first stars glimmered overhead, and from that time
forwards there was continual fog, which considerably impeded
navigation.

The Doctor became very uneasy at these multiplied indications of
approaching winter. He knew the difficulties Sir John Ross had to
contend with after he left his ship to try and reach Baffin's Bay,
and how, after all, he was compelled to return and pass a fourth
winter on board. It was bad enough with shelter and food and fuel,
but if any such calamity befell the survivors of the Forward, if
they were obliged to stop or return, they were lost.

[Illustration: ]

The Doctor said nothing of his anxieties to his companions, but only
urged them to get as far east as possible.

At last, after thirty days' tolerably quick sailing, and after
battling for forty-eight hours against the increasing drift ice, and
risking the frail sloop a hundred times, the navigators saw
themselves blocked in on all sides. Further progress was impossible,
for the sea was frozen in every direction, and the thermometer was
only 15° above zero.

Altamont made a reckoning with scrupulous precision, and found they
were in 77°15' latitude, and 85° 2' longitude.

"This is our exact position then," said the Doctor. "We are in
South Lincoln, just at Cape Eden, and are entering Jones' Sound.
With a little more good luck, we should have found open water right
to Baffin's Bay. But we must not grumble. If my poor Hatteras had
found as navigable a sea at first, he would have soon reached the
Pole. His men would not have deserted him, and his brain would not
have given way under the pressure of terrible trial."

"I suppose, then," said Altamont, "our only course is to leave
the sloop, and get by sledge to the east coast of Lincoln."

"Yes; but I think we should go through Jones' Sound, and get to
South Devon instead of crossing Lincoln."

"Why?"

"Because the nearer we get to Lancaster Sound, the more chance we
have of meeting whalers."

"You are right; but I question whether the ice is firm enough to
make it practicable."

"We'll try," replied Clawbonny.

The little vessel was unloaded, and the sledge put together again.
All the parts were in good condition, so the next day the dogs were
harnessed, and they started off along the coast to reach the
ice-field; but Altamont's opinion proved right. They could not get
through Jones' Sound, and were obliged to follow the coast to
Lincoln.

At last, on the 24th, they set foot on North Devon.

"Now," said Clawbonny, "we have only to cross this, and get to
Cape Warender at the entrance to Lancaster Sound."

But the weather became frightful, and very cold. The snow-storms and
tempests returned with winter violence, and the travellers felt too
weak to contend with them. Their stock of provisions was almost
exhausted, and rations had to be reduced now to a third, that the
dogs might have food enough to keep them in working condition.

The nature of the ground added greatly to the fatigue. North Devon
is extremely wild and rugged, and the path across the Trauter
mountains is through difficult gorges. The whole party--men, and
dogs, and sledge alike--were frequently forced to stop, for they
could not struggle on against the fury of the elements. More than
once despair crept over the brave little band, hardy as they were,
and used to Polar sufferings. Though scarcely aware of it
themselves, they were completely worn out, physically and mentally.

It was not till the 30th of August that they emerged from these wild
mountains into a plain, which seemed to have been upturned and
convulsed by volcanic action at some distant period.

Here it was absolutely necessary to take a few days' rest, for the
travellers could not drag one foot after the other, and two of the
dogs had died from exhaustion. None of the party felt equal to put
up the tent, so they took shelter behind an iceberg.

Provisions were now so reduced, that, notwithstanding their scanty
rations, there was only enough left for one week. Starvation stared
the poor fellows in the face.

[Illustration: "Dead, frozen----"--P.262]

Altamont, who had displayed great unselfishness and devotion to the
others, roused his sinking energies, and determined to go out and
find food for his comrades.

He took his gun, called Duk, and went off almost unnoticed by the
rest.

He had been absent about an hour, and only once during that time had
they heard the report of his gun; and now he was coming back
empty-handed, but running as if terrified.

"What is the matter?" asked the Doctor.

"Down there, under the snow!" said Altamont, speaking as if
scared, and pointing in a particular direction.

"What?"

"A whole party of men!"

"Alive?"

"Dead--frozen--and even--"

He did not finish the sentence, but a look of unspeakable horror
came over his face.

The Doctor and the others were so roused by this incident, that they
managed to get up and drag themselves after Altamont towards the
place he indicated.

They soon arrived, at a narrow part at the bottom of a ravine, and
what a spectacle met their gaze! Dead bodies, already stiff, lay
half-buried in a winding-sheet of snow. A leg visible here, an arm
there, and yonder shrunken hands and rigid faces, stamped with the
expression of rage and despair.

The Doctor stooped down to look at them more closely, but instantly
started back pale and agitated, while Duk barked ominously.

"Horrible, horrible!" he said.

"What is it?" asked Johnson.

"Don't you recognize them?"

"What do you mean?"

"Look and see!"

It was evident this ravine had been but recently the scene of a
fearful straggle with cold, and despair, and starvation, for by
certain horrible remains it was manifest that the poor wretches had
been feeding on human flesh, perhaps while still warm and
palpitating; and among them the Doctor recognized Shandon, Pen, and
the ill-fated crew of the Forward! Their strength had failed;
provisions had come to an end; their boat had been broken, perhaps
by an avalanche or engulphed in some abyss, and they could not take
advantage of the open sea; or perhaps they had lost their way in
wandering over these unknown continents. Moreover, men who set out
under the excitement of a revolt were not likely to remain long
united. The leader of a rebellion has but a doubtful power, and no
doubt Shandon's authority had been soon cast off.

Be that as it might, it was evident the crew had come through
agonies of suffering and despair before this last terrible
catastrophe, but the secret of their miseries is buried with them
beneath the polar snows.

"Come away! come away!" said the Doctor, dragging his companions
from the scene. Horror gave them momentary strength, and they
resumed their march without stopping a minute longer.


CHAPTER XXVI.



CONCLUSION.


It would be useless to enumerate all the misfortunes which befell
the survivors of the expedition. Even the men themselves were never
able to give any detailed narrative of the events which occurred
during the week subsequent to the horrible discovery related in the
last chapter. However, on the 9th of September, by superhuman
exertions, they arrived at last at Cape Horsburg, the extreme point
of North Devon.

They were absolutely starving. For forty-eight hours they had tasted
nothing, and their last meal had been off the flesh of their last
Esquimaux dog. Bell could go no further, and Johnson felt himself
dying.

They were on the shore of Baffin's Bay, now half-frozen over; that
is to say, on the road to Europe, and three miles off the waves were
dashing noiselessly on the sharp edges of the ice-field.

Here they must wait their chance of a whaler appearing; and for how
long?

But Heaven pitied the poor fellows, for the very next day Altamont
distinctly perceived a sail on the horizon. Every one knows the
torturing suspense that follows such an appearance, and the
agonizing dread lest it should prove a false hope. The vessel seems
alternately to approach and recede, and too often just at the very
moment when the poor castaways think they are saved, the sail begins
to disappear, and is soon out of sight.

[Illustration: Two hours later, after unheard-of exertions, the
survivors of the Forward were picked up by the Hans
Christian.--P.266]

The Doctor and his companions went through all these experiences.
They had succeeded in reaching the western boundary of the ice-field
by carrying and pushing each other along, and they watched the ship
gradually fade away from view without observing them, in spite of
their loud cries for help.

Just then a happy inspiration came to the Doctor. His fertile
genius, which had served him many a time in such good stead,
supplied him with one last idea!

A floe driven by the current struck against the icefield, and
Clawbonny exclaimed, pointing to it--

"This floe!"

His companions could not understand what he meant.

"Let us embark on it! let us embark on it!"

"Oh! Mr. Clawbonny, Mr. Clawbonny," said Johnson, pressing his
hand.

Bell, assisted by Altamont, hurried to the sledge, and brought back
one of the poles, which he stuck fast on the ice like a mast, and
fastened it with ropes. The tent was torn up to furnish a sail, and
as soon as the frail raft was ready the poor fellows jumped upon it,
and sailed out to the open sea.

Two hours later, after unheard-of exertions, the survivors of the
Forward were picked up by the Hans Christian, a Danish whaler, on
her way to Davis' Straits. They were more like spectres than human
beings, and the sight of their sufferings was enough. It told its
own tale; but the captain received them with such hearty sympathy,
and lavished on them such care and kindness, that he succeeded in
keeping them alive.

Ten days afterwards, Clawbonny, Johnson, Bell, Altamont, and Captain
Hatteras landed at Korsam, in Zealand, an island belonging to
Denmark. They took the steamer to Kiel, and from there proceeded by
Altona and Hamburg to London, where they arrived on the 13th of the
same month, scarcely recovered after their long sufferings.

The first care of Clawbonny was to request the Royal Geographical
Society to receive a communication from him. He was accordingly
admitted to the next

[Illustration: --P.267]

séance, and one can imagine the astonishment of the learned
assembly and the enthusiastic applause produced by the reading of
Hatteras' document.

The English have a passion for geographical discovery, from the lord
to the cockney, from the merchant down to the dock labourer, and the
news of this grand discovery speedily flashed along the telegraph
wires, throughout the length and breadth of the kingdom. Hatteras
was lauded as a martyr by all the newspapers, and every Englishman
felt proud of him.

The Doctor and his companions had the honour of being presented to
the Queen by the Lord Chancellor, and they were feted and
"lionized" in all quarters.

The Government confirmed the names of "Queen's Island,"
"Mount Hatteras," and "Altamont Harbour."

Altamont would not part from his companions in misery and glory, but
followed them to Liverpool, where they were joyously welcomed back,
after being so long supposed dead and buried beneath the eternal
snows.

But Dr. Clawbonny would never allow that any honour was due to
himself. He claimed all the merit of the discovery for his
unfortunate captain, and in the narrative of his voyage, published
the next year under the auspices of the Royal Geographical Society,
he places John Hatteras on a level with the most illustrious
navigators, and makes him the compeer of all the brave, daring men
who have sacrificed themselves for the progress of science.

The insanity of this poor victim of a sublime passion was of a mild
type, and he lived quietly at Sten Cottage, a private asylum near
Liverpool, where the Doctor himself had placed him. He never spoke,
and understood nothing that was said to him; reason and speech had
fled together. The only tie that connected him with the outside
world was his friendship for Duk, who was allowed to remain with him.

For a considerable time the captain had been in the habit of walking
in the garden for hours, accompanied by his faithful dog, who
watched him with sad, wistful eyes, but his promenade was always in
one direction in a particular part of the garden. When he got to the
end of this path, he would stop and begin to walk backwards. If
anyone stopped him he would point with his finger towards a certain
part of the sky, but let anyone attempt to turn him round, and he
became angry, while Duk, as if sharing his master's sentiments,
would bark furiously.

The Doctor, who often visited his afflicted friend, noticed this
strange proceeding one day, and soon understood the reason of it. He
saw how it was that he paced so constantly in a given direction, as
if under the influence of some magnetic force.

This was the secret: John Hatteras invariably walked towards the
North.

The End.


End of the Voyage Extraordinaire





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