Part 8 (1/2)
”I hope I e it, Johnson”
The journey proceeded without any fresh incident, but on the Saturday ion of quite an altered character Instead of the wide smooth plain of ice that had hitherto stretched before thes 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 beca the horizon with feverish anxiety--an anxiety shared by all his co 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 uished fro voice, ”The Porpoise”
CHAPTER VI
THE PORPOISE
It was the 24th of March, and Pale of the Old World, but in this desolate region what mournful silence prevailed! Nobranches here with their silvery blossole 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 sees put forth renewed energy, and Duk barked his loudest, till, before long, they arrived at the shi+p The Porpoise was co had been destroyed in the shi+pwreck, 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 glireat difficulty that they et 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 shi+p 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 hile we're about it, and for a tiood, 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,up our abode here, andan 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 shi+p out of them”
”I don't know that,” returned Clawbonny, ”tiht do wonders; but our first business is to build a house, and not a shi+p; one thing at a tiht too,” said Hatteras; ”so we'll go ashore again”
They returned to the sledge, to coation to Bell and Altamont; and about four in the afternoon the five men installed theed to make a tolerably level floor with planks and spars; the stiffened cushi+ons and hammocks were placed round the stove to thaw, and were soon fit for use Altaot on board without h of satisfaction escaped hih 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--P57]
It was late nextbefore Hatteras and his companions woke, for their minds were not burdened noith any solicitudes about theas 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 the at all events,” said the Doctor, rousing hi his ar to find his next bed and breakfast”
”Let us see what there is on board before we say hly equipped and provisioned for a long voyage, and, onan inventory of what stores remained, they found 6150 lbs of flour, fat, and raisins; 2000 lbs of salt beef and pork, 1500 lbs of pear, and the sa 96 lbs; 500 lbs of rice; several barrels of preserved fruits and vegetables; a quantity of liallons of ruunpowder, 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