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
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