Part 7 (2/2)
A good-sized piece was soon cut off, about a foot in dia it into rough shape with the hatchet; then he operated upon itas s process with his fingers, rubbing away until he had obtained as transparent a lens as if it had beenbrilliantly 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 ined
The Doctor, however, counselled , and set the exalad day for us,” he said, ”and we have no fear of wanting food all the rest of our journey Still we o yet, and I think the sooner we start the better”
”We cannot be far off now,” said Altaain; ”we ht hours'there to”My lens does well enough at present; but it needs the sun, and there are plenty of days when he does not rees of the pole”
”Less than four degrees!” repeated Altah; ”yes, my shi+p 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 , the Doctor tried to get out of Altaht him so far north But the American made only evasive replies, and Clawbonny whispered in old Johnson's ear--
”Two ht,” said Johnson
”Hatteras never says a word to this Arateful I am here, fortunately”
”Mr Clawbonny,” said Johnson, ”now this Yankee has coain, 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 oere similar?”
”Who knows? These A fellows It is likely enough an Alishman”
”Then you think that Alta about it, but his shi+p is certainly on the road to the North Pole”
”But didn't Altaed there irresistibly?”
”He said so, but I fancied there was a peculiar s it! It would be a bad job, Mr Clawbonny, if any feeling of rivalry came between two ht involve the most serious consequences, Johnson”
”I hope Altamont will remember he owes his life to us?”
”But do we not owe ours to hirant, without us, he would not be alive at this moment, but without him and his shi+p, ould become of us?”
”Well, Mr Clawbonny, you are here to keep things straight anyhow, and that is a blessing”