TheGiantOf

theNorth

ByR.M.Ballantyne

TheGiantoftheNorth

ChapterOneIntroducesourHeroandhisKindred

TheGiantwasanEskimooftheArcticregions.AtthebeginningofhiscareerhewasknownamonghiskindredbythenameofSkreekinbroot,orthehowler,becausehehowledoftener andmore furiously than any infant that had everbeenborn inArctic land.Hispropername,however,wasChingatok, thoughhisfamiliarsstillventuredoccasionallytostylehimSkreekinbroot.Nowitmustnotbesupposedthatourgiantwasoneofthoseridiculousmythsof thenursery,withmonstrousheadsand savagehearts,who liveonhumanflesh, and finally receive their deserts at the hands of famous giant-killingJacks.No!Chingatokwasarealmanofmoderatesizenotmorethansevenfeettwo in his sealskin bootswith a lithe, handsome figure, immense chest andshoulders,agentledisposition,andafine,thoughflattishcountenance,whichwassometimesgravewiththought,atothertimesripplingwithfun.We mention the howling characteristic of his babyhood because it was, inearly life, the only indication of the grand spirit that dwelt within himthesolitary evidenceof the tremendousenergywithwhichhewasendowed.Atfirsthewasnobiggerthananordinaryinfant.Hewas,perhaps,alittlefatter,butnotlarger,andtherewasnotanoilymanorwomanofthetribetowhichhebelongedwhowouldhavenoticed anythingpeculiar abouthim if hehad

onlykeptmoderatelyquiet;butthishewouldnotorcouldnotdo.Hismouthwashissafety-valve.Hisspiritseemedtohavebeenbornbigatonce.Itwasfar too large for his infant body, and could only find relief from the littleplumpdwellinginwhichitwasatfirstenshrinedbyrushingoutatthemouth.The shrieks of pigs were trifles to the yelling of that Eskimo child’simpatience. The caterwauling of cats was as nothing to the growls of hisdisgust.TheangryvoiceofthePolarbearwasamerechirpcomparedwiththefurioushowlingofhisdisappointment,andthebarkingofamadwalruswasmusictotheroaringofhiswrath.Everyone,excepthismother,wishedhimdeadandburiedinthecentreofaniceberg or at the bottom of the Polar Sea.Hismothersquat, solid, pleasant-faced,andmildaloneputupwithhiswayswiththatlong-sufferingendurancewhich is characteristic of mothers. Nothing could disturb the serenity ofToolooha.Whentheyounggiant,(thatwastobe),roared,shefondledhim;ifthatwasineffectual,shegavehimawalrustuskoraseal’sflippertoplaywith;ifthatdidnotsuffice,shehandedhimalumpofblubbertosuck;ifthatfailed,aswassometimesthecase,shegambolledwithhimonthefloorofhersnow-hut, and rubbed his oily visage lovingly over her not less oleaginouscountenance.Needweenlargeonthispoint?Havenotallmothersactedthus,orsimilarly,inalltimesandclimes?Frompoletopoleamother’ssoulIstender,strong,andtrue;WhetherthelovedbegoodorbadWhite,yellow,black,orblue.ButToolooha’slovewaswiseaswellasstrong.Ifallelsefailed,shewaswontto apply corporal punishment, and whacked her baby with her tail. Be notshocked, reader.We refer to the tail of her coat, whichwas so long that ittrailed on the ground, and had a flap at the endwhich produced surprisingresultswhenproperlyapplied.Butthehowlingconditionoflifedidnotlastlong.At the age of five years little Chingatok began to grow unusually fast, andwhenhereachedtheageofseven,thetribetooknoteofhimasamorethanpromisingyouth.Thenthegrandspirit,whichhadhithertosoughttoventitselfinyellsandmurderousassaultsonitsdotingmother,spentitsenergiesinmorenobleaction.Allthelittleboysofhissize,althoughmucholderthanhimself,began to look up to him as a champion. None went so boldly into mimicwarfarewith thewalrus and the bear asChingatok.Noone couldmake toy

sledges out of inferior and scantymaterials so well as he. If any little onewantedasuccourerindistress,Skreekinbrootwastheladtowhomhe,orshe,turned. If abroken toyhad tobemended,Chingatokcoulddo itbetter thananyotherboy.Andsoitwentonuntilhebecameamanandagiant.When he was merely a big boythat is, bigger than the largest man of histribehewentoutwiththeotherbravestohuntandfish,andsignalisedhimselfbytherecklessmannerinwhichhewouldattackthepolarbearsingle-handed;but when he reached his full height and breadth he gave up reckless acts,restrained his tendency to display his great strength, and became unusuallymodestandthoughtful,evenpensive,foranEskimo.The superiority of Chingatok’s mind, as well as his body, soon becamemanifest.Even among savages, intellectual power commands respect.Whencoupledwithphysicalforceitelicitsreverence.Theyounggiantsoonbecameanoracleandaleadingmaninhistribe.Thosewhohadwishedhimdead,andinthecentreofanicebergoratthebottomofthePolarSea,cametowishthattherewereonlyafewmoremenlikehim.Ofcoursehehadoneor twoenemies.Whohasnot?Therewerea fewwhoenviedhimhisphysicalpowers.Thereweresomewhoenviedhimhismoralinfluence. None envied him his intellectual superiority, for they did notunderstand it. Therewas onewho not only envied but hated him.ThiswasEemerk, amean-spirited, narrow-minded fellow,whocouldnotbear toplaywhatisstyledsecondfiddle.Eemerkwasbigenoughoversixfeetbuthewantedtobebigger.Hewasstoutenough,butwantedtobestouter.Hewasinfluentialtoo,butwantedtoreignsupreme.This,ofcourse,wasnotpossiblewhilethereexistedataller,stouter,and cleverer man than himself. Even if Eemerk had been the equal ofChingatokinalltheserespects,therewouldstillhaveremainedonedifferenceofcharacterwhichwouldhaverenderedequalityimpossible.Itwasthis:ouryounggiantwasunselfishandmodest.Eemerkwasselfishandvain-glorious. When the latter killed a seal he always kept the tit-bits forhimself. Chingatok gave them to hismother, or to any one elsewho had amindtohavethem.Andsoinregardtoeverything.Chingatokwas not a native of the region inwhichwe introduce him to thereader.Heandthetribe,orratherpartofthetribe,towhichhebelonged,hadtravelled from the far north; so far north that nobodyknew thenameof theland from which they had come. Even Chingatok himself did not know it.Beingunacquaintedwithgeography,heknewnomoreabouthispositiononthefaceofthisglobethanafield-mouseorasparrow.

Buttheyounggianthadheardastrangerumour,whileinhisfar-offcountry,which had caused his strong intellect to ponder, and his huge heart to beathigh.Tribeswhodweltfartothesouthofhisnorthernhomehadtoldhimthatothertribes,stillfurthersouth,haddeclaredthatthepeoplewhodwelttothesouthofthemhadmetwitharaceofmenwhocametothemovertheseaonfloating islands; that these islands had something like trees growing out ofthem,andwingswhichmovedabout,which foldedandexpandedsomewhatlikethewingsofthesea-gull;thatthesemen’sfaceswerewhiterthanEskimofaces; that theywore skinsofamuchmorecuriouskind thansealskins, andthat theywere amazingly cleverwith their hands, talked a language that noone could understand, and did many wonderful things that nobody couldcomprehend.Alonging,wistfulexpressionusedtostealoverChingatok’sfaceashegazedat the southernhorizonwhile listening to these strange rumours, and a veryslightsmileofincredulityhadglimmeredonhisvisage,whenitwastoldhimthat one of the floating islands of theseKablunets, orwhitemen, had beenseenwithaburningmountaininthemiddleofit,whichvomitedforthsmokeand fire, and sometimes uttered a furious hissing or shrieking sound, notunlikehisownvoicewhenhewasaSkreekinbroot.The giant said little about these and other subjects, but thought deeply.Hismind,aswehavesaid,wasfaraheadofhistimeandcondition.Letuslistentosomeofthedisjointedthoughtsthatperplexedthisman.“Whomademe?”heaskedinalowtone,whenfloatingaloneonedayinhiskayak,orskincanoe,“whencecameI?whithergoI?WhatisthisgreatseaonwhichIfloat?that landonwhichI tread?Nosledge,nospear,nokayak,nosnow-hutmakesitself!WhomadeallthatwhichIbehold?”Chingatok lookedaroundhim,butnoaudibleanswercamefromNature.Helookedup,buttheglorioussunonlydazzledhiseyes.“TheremustbeOne,”hecontinuedinalowertone,“whomadeallthings;butwhomadeHim?Noone?It is impossible!TheMakermusthaveeverbeen.Everbeen!”Herepeatedthisonceortwicewithalookofperplexedgravity.The northern savage had grasped the grand mystery, and, like all truephilosophers savage or civilised who have gone before him, relapsed intosilence.Atlastheresolvedto travelsouth,untilheshouldarriveat thecoastswherethesestrangesightsbeforedescribedweresaidtohavebeenseen.Havingmadeuphismind,Chingatokbeganhisarrangementswithoutdelay;

persuaded a few families of his tribe to accompany him, and reached thenorth-western shores ofGreenland after a long and trying journey bywaterandice.Herehespentthewinter.Whenspringcame,hecontinuedhisjourneysouth,and at last began to look out, with sanguine expectation, for the floatingislands with wings, and the larger island with the burning mountain on it,aboutwhichhehadheard.Ofcourse,onhiswaysouth,ourgiantfellinwithsomemembersofthetribesthroughwhomthe rumours thatpuzzledhimhadbeen transmitted to the farnorth;and,asheadvanced, these rumours tookamoredefinite,alsoamorecorrect, form. In time he came to understand that the floating islands weregigantickayaks,orcanoes,withmastsand sails, insteadof treesandwings.Theburningmountain,however, remainedanunmodifiedmystery,whichhewas still inclined to disbelieve.But thesemore correct views did not in theleastabateChingatok’seagerdesiretobehold,withhisowneyes,thestrangemenfromtheunknownsouth.Eemerk formed one of the partywho had volunteered to joinChingatok onthisjourney.NotthatEemerkwasinfluencedbylarge-mindedviewsorathirstforknowledge,buthecouldnotbearthethoughtthathisrivalshouldhaveallthehonourofgoingforthonalongjourneyofexplorationtothemysterioussouth, a journeywhichwas sure to be full of adventure, and the successfulaccomplishmentofwhichwouldunquestionably raisehimverymuch in theestimationofhistribe.Eemerk had volunteered to go, not as second in command, but as anindependentmemberofthepartyasortoffree-lance.Chingatokdidnotquiterelish having Eemerk for a companion, but, being a good-humoured, easy-going fellow,hemadenoobjection tohisgoing.Eemerk tookhiswifewithhim.Chingatoktookhismotherandlittlesister;alsoayoungwomannamedTekkona, who was his wife’s sister. These were the only females of theexploringparty.Chingatokhadlefthiswifebehindhim,becauseshewasnotrobust at that time; besides, she was very smallas is usually the case withgiants’wivesandhewasremarkablyfondofher,andfearedtoexposehertoseverefatigueanddanger.Thecompletedpartyofexplorersnumberedtwentysouls,withtheirrespectivebodies,someofwhichlatterwerelarge,somesmall,butallstrongandhealthy.Four of the men were friends of Eemerk, whom he had induced to joinbecauseheknewthemtobekindredspiritswhowouldsupporthim.“I go to the ice-cliff to look upon the sea,” said Chingatok one morning,

drawinghimselfuptohisfullheight,andunconsciouslybrushingsomeofthelamp-blackofftheroofofhishutwiththehoodofhissealskincoat.At this point itmay bewell to explain, once for all, that our giant did notspeakEnglish,andas it ishighly improbable that thereaderunderstands theEskimotongue,wewilltranslateasliterallyaspossiblemerelyremarkingthatChingatok’slanguage,likehismind,wasofasuperiorcast.“Whygoesmysontotheice-cliff?”askedTooloohainaslightlyreproachfultone.“Arenotthefloesnearer?Canhenotlookonthegreatsaltlakefromthehummocks? The sun has been hot a long time now. The ice-cliffs aredangerous.Theiredgessplitoffeveryday. Ifmysongoesoften to them,hewillonedaycometumblingdownuponthefloesandbecrushedflat,andmenwillcarryhimtohismother’sfeetlikeamassofshapelessblubber.”It is interesting to note how strong a resemblance there is in sentiment andmodes of thought between different members of the human family. Thisuntutoredsavage,thisPolargiant,replied,intheEskimotongue,wordswhichmay be freely translated“Never fear, mother, I know how to take care ofmyself.”Had he been an Englishman, he could not have expressed himself morenaturally.Hesmiledashelookeddownathisstoutandgenialmother,whileshestoopedanddrewforthachoicemorselofwalrus flesh fromoneofherboots.Eskimoladieswearenormoussealskinbootsthewholelengthoftheirlegs. The tops of these boots are made extremely wide, for the purpose ofstowing away blubber, or babies, or other odd articles thatmight encumbertheirhands.Chingatok seemed the personification of savage dignity as he stood there,leaningonashortwalrusspear.Evidentlyhis littlemotherdotedonhim.SodidOblooria,aprettylittlegirlofaboutsixteen,whowashisonlysister,andthe counterpart of hermother, hairy coat and tail included, only a few sizessmaller.But Chingatok’s dignity was marred somewhat when he went down on hishandsandknees,inordertocrawlthroughthelowsnow-tunnelwhichwastheonlymodeofegressfromthesnow-hut.Emerging at the outer end of the tunnel, he stood up, drew the hood of hissealskincoatoverhishead,shoulderedhisspear,andwentoffwithhugeandrapidstridesoverthefrozenbillowsoftheArcticSea.Springwasfaradvancedatthetimeofwhichwewrite,andthesunshonenotonlywithdazzlingbrilliancy,butwithintensepoweronthefieldsoficewhich

stillheldtheoceanintheircoldunyieldingembrace.Thepreviouswinterhadbeen unusually severe, and the ice showed little or no sign of breaking up,except at a great distance from land, where the heaving of the waves hadcracked it up into large fields. Thesewere gradually parting from themainbody,anddriftingawaywithsurface-currents tosouthernwaters, there tobeliquefiedandre-unitedtotheirparentsea.The particular part of the Greenland coast to which the giant went in hisramble is marked by tremendous cliffs descending perpendicularly into thewater.These, at onepart, are dividedby a valley tilledwith a great glacier,which flows from themountainsof the interiorwith a steepdeclivity to thesea,intowhichit thrustsits tongue,orextremeend.Thismightyriveroficecompletely fills the valley from side to side, beingmore than twomiles inwidth andmanyhundred feet thick. It seems as solid andmotionless as therocks that hem it in, nevertheless themarkings on the surface resemble thecurrentsandeddiesofastreamwhichhasbeensuddenlyfrozenintheactofflowing,andifyouweretowatchitnarrowly,daybyday,andweekbyweek,youwouldperceive,bythechangedpositionofobjectsonitssurface,thatitdoesactuallyadvanceorflowtowardsthesea.Afurtherproofofthisadvanceis, that although the tongue is constantly shedding off large icebergs, it isnever much decreased in extent, being pushed out continuously by the icewhichisbehind.Infact,itisthispushingprocesswhichcausestheendofthetonguetosheditsbergs,because,whenthepointisthrustintodeepwaterandfloats,themotionoftheseacracksthefloatingmassofffromthatpailwhichisstillaground,andletsitdriftaway.Nowitwastotheseice-cliffsthatthesomewhatrecklessgiantbetookhimself.Althoughnotwellacquaintedwith thatregion,orfullyalive to theextentofthe danger incurred, his knowledgewas sufficient to render him cautious intheselectionofthepositionwhichshouldformhisoutlook.Andamagnificentsightindeedpresenteditselfwhenhetookhisstandamongtheglitteringpinnacles.Farastheeyecouldreach,thesealaystretchedinthesunshine, calmas amill-pond, and sparklingwith ice-jewelsof every shapeandsize.AnArctichaze,dryandsunny,seemedtofloatoveralllikegoldengauze.Notonlywas thesunencircledbyabeautifulhalo,butalsoby thoselovely lightsof theArctic regionsknownasparhelia,ormock-suns.Fourofthese made no mean display in emulation of their great original. On thehorizon,refractioncausedtheice-floesandbergstopresentendlessvarietyoffantasticforms,andintheimmediateforegroundatthegiant’sfeettremendousprecipices of ice went sheer down into the deep water, while, away to theright,whereabaystillretaineditswintergraspofanice-field,couldbeseen,likewhitebee-hives,thetemporarysnow-hutsofthesewanderingEskimos.

Wellmighttheeye,aswellasthehead,oftheso-calledsavageriseupwardswhileheponderedthegreatmysteryoftheMakerofall!Ashestoodonthegiddy ledge, rapt in contemplation, an event occurred which was fitted todeepen the solemnity of his thoughts. Not twenty yards from the point onwhichhestood,agreatice-cliffthesizeofanaveragehousesnappedoffwitharendingcrash,andwentthunderingdownintothedeep,whichseemedtoboilandheavewithsentientemotionasitreceivedthemass,andswalloweditinaturmoilindescribable.Chingatoksprangfromhispostandsoughtasaferbutnotlessloftyoutlook,whilethenew-bornberg,risingfromthesea,swayedmajesticallytoandfroinitsnew-foundcradle.“It isnotunderstandable,”mutteredthegiantashetookuphisnewpositionandgazedwithfeelingsofaweuponthegrandscene.“Iwonder if thepale-facedmeninthefloatingislandsthinkmuchaboutthesethings.Perhapstheydwell ina landwhich is stillmorewonderful than this, andhunt thewalrusandtheseal likeus.It issaidtheycomefornothingelsebut toseeour landandfindoutwhatisinit.WhyshouldInotgotoseetheirland?Mykayakislarge, thoughithasnowings.The landmaybefaroff,butamInotstrong?Theyarepale-faced;perhapsthereasonisthattheyarestarved.Thatmustbeso, else they would not leave their home. I might bring some of the poorcreaturestothishappylandofours,wherethereisalwaysplentytoeat.Theymight sendmessengers for their relations to come and dwellwith us. Iwillspeaktomotheraboutthat;sheiswise!”Likeadutifulson,thegiantturnedonhisheel,descendedthecliffs,andwentstraighthometoconsultwithhismother.

ChapterTwo.UnexpectedMeetings,Alarms,andConfidences.

“Mother,Ihavebeenthinking,”saidChingatok,ashecreptintohishutandsatdownonaraisedbenchofmoss.“Thatisnotnews,myson;youthinkmuch.Youarenotlikeothermen.Theythinklittleandeatmuch.”Thestoutlittlewomanlookedupthroughthesmokeofhercooking-lampandsmiled,butherbigsonwastoomuchabsorbedinhisthoughtstoobserveherpleasantry,soshecontinuedthecookingofawalruschopinsilence.“The Kablunets are not to be seen, mother,” resumed Chingatok. “I havelookedforthemeverydayforalongtime,andbegintoweary.Mythoughtis

nowtolaunchmykayakwhenwecometoopenwater,loaditwithmeat,takefourspearsandmorelinesthanastronghunterneedsforawholeseason;thenpaddleawaysouthtodiscoverthelandoftheKablunets.Theymustbepoor;theymaybestarving.Iwillguidethemtoourhome,andshowthemthislandofplenty.”Hepausedabruptly,andlookedathismotherwithsolemnanxiety,forhewaswellawarethathehadgivenherfoodforprofoundreflection.We feel tempted here to repeat our remark about the strong resemblancebetweendifferentmembersofthehumanfamily,butrefrain.ThisuntutoredwomanoftheArcticlandsmetherson’spropositionwiththewell-knownreplyofmanycivilisedpersons.“Ofwhatusewoulditbe,myson?Nogoodcancomeofsearchingoutthesepoor lands. You cannot benefit the miserable Kablunets. Perhaps they aresavage and fierce; and you are sure to meet with dangers by the way.Worseyoumaydie!”“Mother,”returnedChingatok,“whenthewhitebearstandsupwithhisclawsabove my head and his mouth a-gape, does my hand tremble or my spearfail?”“No,myson.”“Thenwhydoyouspeaktomeofdangeranddeath?”Tooloohawasnotgiftedwithargumentativepowers.Sherelapsedintosilenceandlamp-smoke.Buthersonwasnottobesoeasilydissuaded.Headoptedalineofreasoningwhichneverfailed.“Mother,”hesaid,sadly,“itmaybethatyouareright,andIamoftoofearfulaspirittoventurefarawayfromyoubymyself;Iwillremainhereifyouthinkmeacoward.”“Don’tsayso,Chingatok.YouknowwhatIthink.Go,ifyoumustgo,butwhowillhuntforyourpooroldmotherwhenyouaregone?”Thiswasanappealwhich theastute littlewomanknew tobeverypowerfulwithherson.Sheburiedherheadinthesmokeagain,andleftthequestiontosimmer.Chingatok was tender-hearted. He said nothing, but, as usual, he thought

much,ashegazedinacontemplativemannerathisoilyparent,andthereisnosayingtowhatlengthsofself-sacrificehewouldhavegoneifhehadnotbeenaroused,andhisthoughtsscatteredtothewinds,byayellsotremendousthatitmightwellhavepetrifiedhimonthespot.Butitdidnothingofthekind.Itonly caused him to drop on his knees, dart through the tunnel like an eel,springintotheopenairlikeanelectrifiedrabbitfromitsburrow,andstandupwithalookofblazinginterrogationonhishugecountenance.ThecryhadbeenutteredbyhisbosomfriendandformerplaymateOolichuk,whocamerunningtowardshimwithfranticgesticulations.“The Kablunets!” he gasped, “the white-faces have come!on a floatingisland!alive!smoking!itisalltrue!”“Where?”demandedourgiant,whosefaceblazedupatonce.“There!” cried Oolichuk, pointing seaward towards the ice-hummocks withbothhands,andglaringupathisfriend.WithoutanotherwordChingatokranoffinthedirectionpointedout,followedhotlybyhisfriend.Oolichukwasalargeandpowerfulman,but,hislegswereremarkablyshort.His pace, comparedwith that ofChingatok,was as that of a sparrow to anostrich.Neverthelesshekeptup,forhewasagileandvigorous.“Haveyouseenthemhaveyouspoken?”askedthegiant,abruptly.“Yes,allthetribewasthere.”“Noonekilled?”“No,butterriblyfrightened;theymademerunhometofetchyou.”Chingatokincreasedhisspeed.SodidOolichuk.While they run, let us leap a little ahead of them, reader, and seewhat hadcausedalltheexcitement.Thewholepartyhadgoneoffthatmorning,withtheexceptionofChingatokandhismother,tospearsealsinaneighbouringbay,wheretheseanimalshadbeendiscoveredingreatnumbers.Dogsandsledgeshadbeentaken,becauseasuccessfulhuntwasexpected,andtheicewassufficientlyfirm.The baywas very large.At its distant southern extremity there rose a greatpromontorywhichjuttedfaroutintothesea.Whilethemenwerebusytheremaking preparations to begin the hunt, Oblooria, Chingatok’s little sister,

amusedherselfbymountingahummockoficeaboutthirtyfeethigh.Whenthere,shechancedtolooktowardsthepromontory.Instantlysheopenedhereyesandmouthandutteredasquealthatbroughtherfriendsrunningtoherside.Oolichuk was the first to reach her. He had no need to ask questions.Oblooria’s gaze directed his, and there, coming round the promontory, hebeheld an object which had never before filled hiswondering eyes. It was,apparently,amonstrouscreaturewithadarkbodyandtoweringwings,andablackthinginitsmiddle,fromwhichwerevomitedvolumesofsmoke.“Kablunets!whitemen!”heyelled.“Kablunets!huk!huk!”echoedthewholetribe,astheyscrambleduptheice-hilloneafteranother.Andtheywereright.Avesselofthepale-faceshadpenetratedthesenorthernsolitudes, and was advancing swiftly before a light breeze under sail andsteam.Despitethepreparationtheirmindshadreceived,andthefact that theywereoutinsearchoftheseverypeople,thissuddenappearanceofthemfilledmostof theEskimoswith alarmsomeof themwith absolute terror, insomuch thattheterm“pale-face”becamemostappropriatetothemselves.“Whatshallwedo?”exclaimedAkeetolik,oneofthemen.“Fly!”criedIvitchuk,anotherofthemen,whosenaturalcouragewasnothigh.“No; let us stay andbehold!” saidOolichuk,with a lookof contempt at histimidcomrade.“Yes,stayandsee,”saidEemerksternly.“But they will kill us,” faltered the young woman, whomwe have alreadymentionedbythenameofTekkona.“Nono onewould kill you,” said Eemerk gallantly; “theywould only carryyouoffandkeepyou.”Whiletheyconversedwitheager,anxiouslooks,thesteamyachtforsuchshewasadvanced rapidly, threadingherwayamong the ice-fields and floeswithgraceful rapidity and ease, to the unutterable amazement of the natives.Although her sails were spread to catch the light breeze, her chief motivepoweratthetimewasascrew-propeller.

“Yes, it must be alive,” said Oolichuk to Akeetolik, with a look of solemnawe.“Thewhitemendonotpaddle.Theycouldnotliftpaddlesbigenoughtomovesuchagreatoomiak,”(seeNote1),“andthewindisnotstrong;itcouldnotblowthemsofast.See,theoomiakhasatailandwagsit!”“Oh! do let us run away!” whispered the trembling Oblooria, as she tookshelterbehindTekkona.“No,no,”saidthelatter,whowasbraveaswellaspretty,“weneednotfear.Ourmenwilltakecareofus.”“Iwish that Chingatokwas here!”whimpered poor little Oblooria, nestlingclosertoTekkonaandgraspinghertail,“hefearsnothingandnobody.”“Ay,”assentedTekkonawithapeculiar smile,“and isbraveenough to fighteverythingandeverybody.”“Does Oblooria think that no one can fight but the giant?” whisperedOolichuk,whostoodnearesttothelittlemaid.Hedrewaknifemadeofbonefromhisboot,whereitusuallylayconcealed,and flourished it,with a broadgrin.The girl laughed, blushed slightly, and,lookingdown,toyedwiththesleeveofTekkona’sfurcoat.Meanwhile the yacht drew near to the floe on which our Eskimos weregrouped.Theicewascrackedrightacross,leavingalaneofopenwaterabouttenfeetwidebetweenitsinneredgeandtheshoreice.TheEskimosstoodonthelandsideofthiscrack,ahundredyardsorsofromit.Onnearingthefloethestrangevesselcheckedherspeed.“Itmovesitswings!”exclaimedEemerk.“Andturnsitssidetous,”saidAkeetolik.“Andwagsitstailnomore,”criedOolichuk.“Oh!do,doletusrunaway,”gaspedOblooria.“No,no,wewillnotrun,”saidTekkona.Atthatmomentawhitecloudburstfromthesideoftheyacht.“Hi!hee!huk!”shoutedthewholetribeinamazement.Acrashfollowedwhichnotonlyrattled like thunderamong thesurroundingcliffs,butwentlikeelectricfiretothecentralmarrowofeachEskimo.Withaunitedyellofterror,theyleapedthreefeetintotheairmoreorlessturnedabout,

andfled.Tekkona,whowasactiveasayoungdeer,herselftookthelead;andOblooria, whose limbs trembled so that she could hardly run, held on toOolichuk, who gallantly dragged her along. The terror was increased by aprolongedscreech from thesteam-whistle. Itwasawild scramble in suddenpanic. The Eskimos reached their sledges, harnessed their teams, left theirspears on the ice, cracked theirwhips,which caused thedogs to join in theyellingchorus,andmadeforthelandatafuriousgallop.Buttheirfearbegantoevaporateinafewminutes,andOolichukwasthefirsttocheckhispace.“Ho!stop,”hecried.Eemerk looked back, saw that they were not pursued, and pulled up. Theothersfollowedsuit,andsoonthefugitiveswereseenby thoseonboard theyacht grouped together and gazing intently at them from the top of anotherice-hummock.Theeffectofthecannon-shotonboardtheyachtitselfwassomewhatstartling.Thegunhadbeenloadedontheothersideofthepromontoryforthepurposeof being fired if Eskimoswere not visible on the coast beyond, in order toattract them from the interior, if they should chance to be there. When,however, the natives were discovered on the ice, the gun was, of course,unnecessary,andhadbeen forgotten. It thereforeburstupon thecrewwithashock of surprise, and caused the Captain, who was in the cabin at themoment,toshootupfromthehatchwaylikeaJack-in-the-box.“Whodidthat?”hedemanded,lookingroundsternly.Thecrew,whohadbeengazingintentlyatthenatives,didnotknow.“Ireallycannottell,sir,”saidthechiefmate,touchinghiscap.Twostrappingyouthsoneaboutsixteen,theothereighteenleanedoverthesideand paid no regard to the question; but it was obvious, from the heavingmotion of their shoulders, that they were not so much absorbed incontemplationastheypretendedtobe.“Come,Leo,Alf,youknowsomethingaboutthis.”TheCaptainwas a large powerfulmanof about forty,with bushy iron-greycurls, a huge beard, and an aquiline nose. The two youths turned to him atonce, and Leo, the eldest, said respectfully, “We did not see it done, uncle,butbutwethink”“Well,whatdoyouthink?”

Atthatmomentadelicate-looking,slenderlad,abouttwelveyearsofage,withfair curly hair, and flashing blue eyes, stepped out from behind the funnel,whichhadhithertoconcealedhim,andsaidboldly,thoughblushingly“Ididit,father.”“Ha!justlikeyou;whydidyoudoit?eh!”“Icanhardly tell, father,”said theboy,endeavouring tochokea laugh,“butthe Eskimos looked so funny, and II had a box of matches in my pocket,andandIthoughtashotwouldmakethemlooksoverymuchfunnier,andandIwasright!”“Well,Benjamin,youmaygobelow,andremaintheretillfurtherorders.”WhenCaptainVanecalledhis son“Benjamin,”hewas seriouslydispleased.AtothertimeshecalledhimBenjy.“Yes,father,”replied theboy,withaverybadgrace,anddownhewent inastateofrebelliousdespair,forhewaswildlyanxioustowitnessall thatwenton.Hisdespairwas abated,however,when, in the courseof a fewminutes, theyachtswungroundsoastopresenthersterntotheshore,andremainedinthatposition,enablinghimtoobserveproceedingsfromthecabinwindowsalmostaswellasifhehadbeenondeck.Hewasnotawarethathisfather,knowinghisson’snature,andwishingtotemperdisciplinewithmercy,hadplacedthevesselinthatpositionforhisspecialbenefit!The difficulty now was, how to attract the natives, and inspire them withconfidenceinthegoodintentionsoftheirvisitors.Inanycasethiswouldhavebeen a difficultmatter, but the firing of that unlucky gun had increased thedifficulty tenfold.When, however,CaptainVane saw the natives cease theirmadflight,andturntogazeatthevessel,hishopesrevived,andhesetaboutaseriesofingeniouseffortstoattainhisend.First of all, he sent a boat in charge of his two nephews, Leonard andAlphonse Vandervell, to set up a small table on the ice, on which weretemptingly arranged various presents, consisting of knives, beads, looking-glasses, and articles of clothing. Having done this, they retired, like waryanglers,towatchforabite.Butthefishwouldnotrise,thoughtheyobservedthe proceedings with profound attention from the distant hummock. Afterwaitingacoupleofhours,thenavigatorsremovedthetableandleftanEskimodoginitsplace,withastringofbluebeadstiedrounditsneck.Butthisbait

alsofailed.“Try something emblematic, uncle,” suggested Leonard, the elder of thebrothersbeforementioned.“AndgetBenjytomanufactureit,”saidAlphonse.As Benjy was possessed of the most fertile imagination on board, he wasreleased from punishment and brought on deck. The result of his effort ofgeniuswas the creation of a hugewhite calico flag, onwhichwere paintedroughlythefigureofasailorandanEskimosittingonaniceberg,withakettleofsoupbetweenthem.Ononesidewereapairofhandsclaspedtogether;ontheotherasprigofheath,theonlyshrubthatcouldbeseenontheshore.“Splendid!”exclaimedLeoandAlfinthesamebreath,astheyheldtheflaguptoview.“You’ll become a Royal Academician if you cultivate your talents, Benjy,”saidtheCaptain,whowasproud,aswellasfond,ofthishisonlychild.The boy said nothing, but a pleased expression and a twinkle in his eyesprovedthathewassusceptibletoflattery,thoughnotcarriedoffhislegsbyit.Thebannerwiththestrangedevicewasfixedtoapolewhichwaserectedonanice-hummockbetweentheshipandtheshore,andabagcontainingpresentswashungatthefootofit.StilltheseEskimofishwouldnotbite,thoughthey“rose”attheflag.Oolichuk’s curiosity had become so intense that he could not resist it. Headvancedalone,verywarily,andlookedatit,butdidnotdaretotouchit.Soonhewas joined by Eemerk and the others. Seeing this, CaptainVane sent tomeet them an interpreter whom he had procured at one of the Greenlandsettlementsinpassing.Justasthisman,whosenamewasAnders,steppedintotheboatalongside,itoccurredtotheEskimosthattheirleadershouldbesentfor.Oolichukundertooktofetchhim;heranbacktothesledges,harnessedasmallteam,andsetofflikethewind.ThusitcametopassthatChingatokandhismotherwerestartledbyayell,asbeforementioned.Meanwhile Anders was put on the ice, and advanced alone and unarmedtowards thecanal,orchasm,whichseparated theparties.Hecarrieda smallwhite flag and a bag containing presents. Innocent-looking and defencelessthough he was, however, the Eskimos approached him with hesitating andslow steps, regarding every motion of the interpreter with suspicion, andfrequently stooping to thrust their hands into their boots, in which they all

carriedknives.At last,whenwithinhearing,Anders shoutedapeacefulmessage, and therewas much hallooing and gesticulation among the natives, but nothingcomprehensiblecameofit.AfteratimeAndersthoughtherecognisedwordsofadialectwithwhichhewasacquainted,and tohissatisfactionfound thattheyunderstoodhim.“Kakeite!kakeite!comeon,comeon,”hecried,holdingupthepresent.“Nakrie! nakrie!no, no, go awayyouwant tokill us,” answered thedoubtfulnatives.ThereuponAndersprotested thatnothingwas further fromhis thoughts, thathewas aman and a friend, and had amother like themselves, and that hewantedtopleasethem.AtthisEemerkapproachedtotheedgeofthecanal,and,drawingaknifefromhisboot,said,“Goaway!Icankillyou.”Nothing daunted,Anders said hewas not afraid, and taking a goodEnglishknifefromhisbagthrewitacrossthecanal.Eemerk picked it up, and was so pleased that he exclaimed, “Heigh-yaw!heigh-yaw!” joyously, and pulled his nose several times. Anders,understandingthistobeasignoffriendship,immediatelypulledhisownnose,smiled,andthrewseveraltrinketsandarticlesofclothingtotheothernatives,whohadbythattimedrawntogetherinagroup,andwerechatteringingreatsurpriseatthethingspresented.Ivitchukwasperhapsthemostexcitedamongthem.Hechancedtogetholdofaroundhox,inthelidofwhichwasamirror.Onbeholdinghimselflookingathimself,hemadesuchanawfulfacethathedropttheglassandsprangbackward,trippinguppoorOblooriaintheact,andtumblingoverher.This was greeted with a shout of laughter, and Anders, now believing thatfriendlyrelationshadbeenestablished,wenttotheboatforaplanktobridgethechasm.AsLeoandAlfassistedhimtocarrytheplank,thenativesagainbecamegraveandanxious.“Stop!” shouted Eemerk, “youwant to kill us.What great creature is that?Doesitcomefromthemoonorthesun?Doesiteatfireandsmoke?”“No,itisonlyadeadthing.Itisawoodenhouse.”“You lie!” cried the polite Eemerk, “it shakes its wings. It vomits fire andsmoke.Ithasatail,andwagsit.”

Whilespeakingheslowlyretreated,fortheplankwasbeingplacedinposition,andtheothernativeswereshowingsymptomsofanintentiontofly.Justthenashoutwasheardlandwards.Turningroundtheysawadog-sledgeflying over the ice towards them,withOolichuk flourishing the long-lashedwhip,andthehugeformoftheirleaderbesidehim.Inafewsecondstheydashedup,andChingatoksprangupontheice.Withoutamoment’shesitationhestrodetowardstheplankandcrossedit.WalkinguptoAndershepulledhisownnose.Theinterpreterwasnotslowtoreturnthesalutation,ashelookedupatthegiantwithsurprise,notunmingledwithawe.Inaddition,hegraspedhishugehand,squeezed,andshookit.Chingatok smiled blandly, and returned the squeeze so as to cause theinterpretertowince.Then,perceivingatoncethathehadgotpossessionofakeytotheaffectionsofthestrangers,heofferedtoshakehandswithLeonardandhisbrother,stoopingwithregalurbanitytothemashedidso.Bythistimethe Captain and first mate, with Benjy and several of the crew, wereapproaching.Insteadofexhibitingfear,Chingatokadvancedtomeetthem,andshookhands all round.HegazedatCaptainVanewith a lookof admirationwhichwasnotat firstquiteaccountable,untilhe laidhishandgentlyon theCaptain’smagnificentbeard,andstrokedit.TheCaptain laughed, andagaingrasped thehandof theEskimo.Theybothsqueezed, but neither could make the other wince, for Captain Vane wasremarkablypowerful,thoughcomparativelyshortoflimb.“Well,youareagoodfellowineveryway,”exclaimedtheCaptain.“Heigh,yah!”returnedChingatok,whonodoubtmeanttobecomplimentary,though we confess our inability to translate. It was obvious that twosympatheticsoulshadmet.“Comeacross,”shoutedChingatok, turningabruptlytohiscompanions,whohadbeengazingathisproceedingsinopen-mouthedwonder.Thewholetribeatonceobeyedtheorder,andinafewminutestheywereintheseventhheavenofdelightandgood-will,receivinggiftsandhandshakings,each pulling his own nose frequently by way of expressing satisfaction orfriendship, and otherwise exchanging complimentswith the no less amiableandgratifiedcrewofthesteamyachtWhitebear.

ChapterThree.ShowshowtheEskimoswereEntertainedbytheWhiteMen.

TheWhitebearsteamyacht,ownedandcommandedbyCaptainJacobVane,hadsailedfromEngland,andwasboundfortheNorthPole.“I’llfinditI’mboundtofindit,”wastheCaptain’susualmodeofexpressinghimselftohisintimatesonthesubject,“ifthere’saNorthPoleintheworldatall, andmynephewsLeo andAlfwill helpme.Leo’s a doctor, almost, andAlf’sascientificJack-of-all-trades,sowecan’tfail.I’lltakemyboyBenjyforthebenefitofhishealth,andseeifwedon’tbringhomeachipo’thePolebigenoughtosetupbesideCleopatra’sNeedleontheThamesembankment.”There was tremendous energy in Captain Vane, and indomitable resolution;butenergyandresolutioncannotachieveallthings.Thereareotherfactorsinthelifeofmanwhichhelptomouldhisdestiny.Short and sad and terribleay, we might even say tremendouswas theWhitebear’swildcareer.Up to the time of her meeting with the Eskimos, all had gone well. FairweatherandfavouringwindshadblownheracrosstheAtlantic.Sunshineandsuccess had received her, as it were, in the Arctic regions. The sea wasunusuallyfreeofice.Upernavik,thelastoftheGreenlandsettlementstouchedat,wasreachedearlyintheseason,andthenativeinterpreterAnderssecured.Thedreaded“middlepassage,”neartheheadofBaffin’sBay,wasmadeintheremarkablyshortspaceoffiftyhours,and,passingCapeYorkintotheNorthWater, they entered Smith’s Sound without having received more than apassingbumpanArctickissasitwerefromthePolarice.In Smith’s Sound fortune still favoured them. These resolute intendingdiscoverersof theNorthPolepassed insuccession thevarious“farthests”ofpreviousexplorers,andthestoutbrothersVandervell,withtheircousinBenjyVane,gazedeagerlyoverthebulwarksattheswiftly-passingheadlands,whilethe Captain pointed out the places of interest, and kept up a runningcommentaryonthebravedeedsandhighaspirationsofsuchwell-knownmenas Frobisher, Davis, Hudson, Ross, Parry, Franklin, Kane, McClure, Rae,McClintock,Hayes,Hall,Nares,Markham,andalltheotherheroesofArcticstory.It was an era in the career of those three youths that stood out bright andfreshnevertobeforgottenthisfirstburstoftherealitiesoftheArcticworldonmindswhich had been previouslywell informed by books. The climaxwasreachedonthedaywhentheEskimosofthefarnorthweremetwith.Butfromthattimeachangetookplaceintheirexperience.Fortuneseemedtofrownfromthatmemorableday.Wesay“seemed,”becauseknittedbrowsdo

notalwaysornecessarilyindicatewhatismeantbyafrown.After the first fears of theEskimos had been allayed, a party of themwereinvitedtogoonboardtheship.Theyacceptedtheinvitationandwent,headedbyChingatok.That noble savage required no persuasion. From the first he had shownhimself to be utterly devoid of fear. He felt that the grand craving of hisnaturea thirst for knowledgewas about to be gratified, and that would haveencouragedhimtoriskanything,evenifhehadbeenmuchlessofaherothanhewas.But if fear had no influence over our giant, the same cannot be said of hiscompanions. Oolichuk, indeed, was almost as bold, though he exhibited aconsiderableamountofcautioninhislooksandmovements;butEemerk,andone or two of his friends, betrayed their craven spirits in frequent startledlooksandchangingcolour.Ivitchukwasastrangecompoundofnervousnessandcourage,whileAkeetolikappeared tohave lost thepowerofexpressingevery feelingbutonethatofblankamazement. Indeed, surpriseatwhat theysaw on board the steam yacht was the predominant feeling amongst thesechildren of nature. Their eyebrows seemed to have gone up and fixedthemselvesinthemiddleoftheirforeheads,andtheireyesandmouthstohaveopenedwidepermanently.Noneof thewomenaccepted the invitation togoaboard except Tekkona, and Oblooria followed her, not because she wascourageous, but because she seemed to cling to the stronger nature as aprotectionfromundefinedandmysteriousdangers.“Tellthem,”saidCaptainVanetoAnders,theEskimointerpreter,“thatthesearethemachinesthatdrivetheshipalongwhenthereisnowind.”He pointed down the hatchway,where the complication of rods and cranksglistenedinthehold.“Huk!”exclaimedtheEskimos.TheysometimesexclaimedHi!ho!hoy!andhah!asthingswerepointedouttothem,butdidnotventureonlanguagemoreintelligibleatfirst.“Let’emhearthesteam-whistle,”suggestedthemate.Before the Captain could countermand the order, Benjy had touched thehandleandletoffashort,sharpskirl.Theeffectonthenativeswaspowerful.They leaped,with a simultaneous yell, at least a foot off the deck,with theexceptionofChingatok, thoughevenhewasvisibly startled,whileOblooriaseizedTekkonaroundthewaist,andburiedherfaceinherfriend’sjacket.

Abriefexplanationsoonrestoredthemtoequanimity,andtheywereabouttopassontosomeotherobjectofinterest,whenboththesteam-whistleandtheescape-valveweresuddenlyopenedtotheirfullextent,andthereissuedfromtheengineahissingyellsoprolongedanddeafening thateven theCaptain’sangryshoutwasnotheard.A yard at least was the leap into the air made by the weakest of theEskimosexceptourgiant,whoseemed,however,toshrinkintohimself,whilehegraspedhisknifeandlookedcautiouslyround,asiftoguardhimselffromany foe thatmight appear.Eemerk fairly turned and fled to the stern of theyacht,overwhichhewouldcertainlyhaveplungedhadhenotbeenforciblyrestrained by two stout seamen. The others, trembling violently, stood still,because they knew notwhat to do, and poorOblooria fell flat on the deck,catchingTekkonabythetail,andpullingherdownbesideher.“Youscoundrel!”exclaimedtheCaptain,whenthedinceased,“IIgodown,sir,to”“Oh! father,don’tbehardonme,”pleadedBenjy,withagleefullyhorrifiedlook,“Ireallycouldnotresistit.Thethetemptationwastoostrong!”“The temptation to give you a rope’s-ending is almost too strong for me,Benjamin,” returned the Captain sternly, but therewas a twinkle in his eyenotwithstanding,asheturnedtoexplaintoChingatokthathissonhad,bywayof jest, allowed part of the mighty Power imprisoned in the machinery toescape.TheEskimoreceivedtheexplanationwithdignifiedgravity,andafaintsmileplayedonhislipsasheglancedapprovinglyatBenjy,forhelovedajest,andwaskeenlyalivetoatouchofhumour.“Whatpowerisimprisonedinthemachinery?”askedourEskimothroughtheinterpreter.“Whatpower?” repeated theCaptainwith apuzzled look, “why, it’s boilingwatersteam.”Herehetriedtogiveaclearaccountofthenatureandpowerandapplicationofsteam,but,notbeinggiftedwithcapacityforlucidexplanation,and themindofAndersbeingunaccustomed to suchmatters, the resultwasthat the brain of Chingatok was filled with ideas that were fitted rather toamazethantoinstructhim.Aftermaking the tourof thevessel, thepartyagainpassed theenginehatch.Chingatoktouchedtheinterpreterquietly,andsaidinalow,gravetone,“TellBlackbeard,”(thushestyledtheCaptain),“toletthePoweryellagain!”

Anders glanced up in the giant’s grave countenancewith a look of amusedsurprise. He understood him, and whispered to the Captain, who smiledintelligently,and,turningtohisson,said“Doitagain,Benjy.Giveit’emstrong.”Neverbeforedidthatladobeyhisfatherwithsuchjoyousalacrity.Inanotherinstant the whistle shrieked, and the escape-valve hissed ten times morefuriously than before. Up went the Eskimothree feet or moreas if inconvulsions,andawaywentEemerktothestern,overwhichhedived,swamtothefloe,leapedonhissledge,crackedhiswhip,andmadeforhomeonthewingsofterror.Doubtlessanevilconsciencehelpedhiscowardice.MeanwhileChingatoklaughed,despitehisstrugglestobegrave.Thisrevealedthetricktosomeofhisquick-wittedandhumour-lovingcompanions,whoatonceburst intoloudlaughter.EvenOblooriadismissedherfearsandsmiled.In this restored condition they were taken down to the cabin and fedsumptuously.That night, as Chingatok sat beside his mother, busy with a seal’s rib, hegraduallyrevealedtoherthewondershehadseen.“Thewhitemenareverywise,mother.”“Soyouhavesaidfourtimes,myson.”“Butyoucannotunderstandit.”“Butmy son canmakemeunderstand,” saidToolooha, helping the amiablegianttoasecondrib.Chingatok gazed at his littlemotherwith a lookof solemnity that evidentlyperplexedher.Shebecamerestlessunderit,andwipedherforeheaduneasilywiththeflapat theendofher tail.Theyouthseemedabout tospeak,butheonlysighedandaddressedhimselftothesecondrib,overwhichhecontinuedtogazewhilehemasticated.“Mythoughtsarebig,mother,”hesaid,layingdownthebarebone.“Thatmaywellbe,forsoisyourhead,myson,”shereplied,gently.“Iknownothowtobegin,mother.”“Anotherribmayopenyourlips,perhaps,”suggestedtheoldwoman,softly.“True;givemeone,”saidChingatok.

The third rib seemed to have the desired effect, for, while busywith it, hebegantogivehisparentagraphicaccountoftheyachtanditscrew,anditwasreallyinterestingtonotehowcorrectlyhedescribedallthatheunderstoodofwhathehadseen.Butsomeofthethingshehadpartlyfailedtocomprehend,andaboutthesehewasvague.“AndtheyhaveaaPower,mother,shutupinahardthing,sothatitcan’tgetoutunlesstheyletit,anditdrivesthebigcanoethroughthewater.Itisverystrongterrible!”“Isitadevil?”askedToolooha.“No, it isnotalive. It isdead. It is that,”hepointedwithemphasis toapothangingoverthelampoutofwhichalittlesteamwasissuing,andlookedathis mother with awful solemnity. She returned the look with something ofincredulity.“Yes, mother, the Power is not a beast. It lives not, yet it drives the whiteman’scanoe,which isasbigasa little iceberg,and itwhistles; it shrieks; ityells!”A slightly sorrowful look rested for a moment on Toolooha’s benigncountenance.Itwasevidentthatshesuspectedhersoneitherofderangement,orhavingforsakenthepathsoftruth.Butitpassedlikeasummercloud.“Tellmemore,” she said, layingherhandaffectionatelyon thehugearmofChingatok,whohadfallenintoacontemplativemood,and,withhandsclaspedoveroneknee,satgazingupwards.Beforehecould reply theheartofTooloohawasmade toboundbyashriekmoreterriblethanshehadeverbeforeheardorimagined.Chingatok caught her by thewrist, held up a finger as if to impose silence,smiledbrightly,andlistened.Againtheshriekwasrepeatedwithprolongedpower.“Tellme,my son,” gaspedToolooha, “isOblooriaare the people safe?Whycameyoutomealone?”“Thelittlesisterandthepeoplearesafe.Icamealonetopreventyourbeingtakenbysurprise.DidInotsaythatitcouldshriekandyell?Thisisthewhiteman’sbigcanoe.”Droppingtheoldwoman’shandashespoke,Chingatokdartedintotheopen

airwiththeagilityofaPolarbear,andTooloohafollowedwiththespeedofanArctichare.

ChapterFour.ACatastropheandaBoldDecision.

TwodaysafterherarrivalatthetemporaryresidenceofthenorthernEskimos,thesteamyachtWhitebear,whileclosetotheshore,wasbesetbyice,sothatshe could neither advance nor retreat. Everywhere, as far as the eye couldreach, the sea was covered with hummocks and bergs and fields of ice, socloselypacked that therewasnotapieceofopenwater tobeseen,with theexceptionofonesmallbasinafewyardsaheadoftheleadorlaneofwaterinwhichthevesselhadbeenimprisoned.“Nochanceofescapingfromthis,Ifear,foralongtime,”saidAlfVandervelltohisbrother,astheystoodnearthewheel,lookingatthedesolateprospect.“Itseemsquitehopeless,”saidLeo,with,however,alookofconfidencethatillaccordedwithhiswords.“Idobelievewearefrozeninforthewinter,”saidBenjyVane,comingupatthemoment.“Therespeaksignorance,”saidtheCaptain,whoseheadappearedatthecabinhatchway. “If anyof youhadbeen in these regions before, youwould havelearnedthatnothingissouncertainastheactionofpackice.Atonetimeyoumaybehardandfast,sothatyoucouldn’tmoveaninch.Afewhoursafter,thesetof thecurrentsmay loosen thepack,andopenup lanesofwater throughwhichyoumayeasilymakeyourescape.Sometimesitopensupsoastoleavealmostaclearseainafewhours.”“But it ispretty tightpacked justnow, father, and lookswintry-like,doesn’tit?”saidBenjyinadespondingtone.“Looks!boy,ay,but thingsarenotwhat theyseemhereaway.Yousawfourmock-suns round the realoneyesterday,didn’tyou?and thedaybeforeyousawicebergsfloatingintheair,eh?”“True, father, but these appearancesweredeceptive,whereas this ice,whichlookssotightlypacked,isareality.”“Thatisso,lad,butitisnotsetfastforthewinter,thoughitlookslikeit.Well,doctor,”addedtheCaptain,turningtowardsatallcadaverousmanwhocameondeckjustthenwiththeairandtreadofaninvalid,“howgoesitwithyou?Better,Ihope?”

Heaskedthiswithkindlyinterestashelaidhisstronghandonthesickman’sshoulder;butthedoctorshookhisheadandsmiledsadly.“It is a greatmisfortune to an expedition,Captain,when the doctor himselffallssick,”hesaid,sittingdownontheskylightwithasigh.“Come,come,cheerup,doctor,”returnedtheCaptain,heartily,“don’tbecastdown;we’llall turndoctors for theoccasion,andnurseyouwell in spiteofyourself.”“I’llkeepupallheart,Captain,youmaydependon’t, as longas twoofmyboneswillsticktogether,butwell,tochangethesubject;whatareyougoingtodonow?”“Justallthatcanbedoneinthecircumstances,”repliedtheCaptain.“Yousee,wecannotadvanceovericeeitherwithsailorsteam,but there’sabasinjustaheadwhichseemsalittlemoresecurethanthatinwhichwelie.I’lltrytogetinto it.There isnothingbutaneckof icebetweenusand it,whichI thinkIcould cut by charging inunder full steam, and there seemsa faint gleamofsomething far ahead, which encourages me. Tell the steward to fetch myglasses,Benjy.”“Butterface!”shoutedtheboy.“Yis,massa.”“FetchtheCaptain’sglasses,please.”“Yis,massa.”Apairoflargebinocularswerebroughtupbyahugenegro,whosenamewaspre-eminentlyunsuggestiveofhisappearance.Afteralongsteadygazeatthehorizon,theCaptainshutuptheglasswithanair of determination, and ordered the engineer to get up full steam, and thecrewtobereadywiththeice-poles.TherewasalargebergattheextremityofthelakeletofopenwaterintowhichCaptainVanewishedtobreak.Itwasnecessarytokeepwelloutofthewayofthatberg.TheCaptaintrustedchieflytohisscrew,butgotouttheice-polesincasetheyshouldberequired.Whenallthemenwerestationed,theorderwasgiventogoaheadfullsteam.Thegallantlittleyachtchargedtheneckoficelikealivingcreature,hititfair,cut right through, and scattered the fragments right and left as she sailed

majesticallyintothelakeletbeyond.Theshockwassevere,butnoharmwasdone,everythingonboardhavingbeenmadeasstrongaspossible,andoftheverybestmaterial,foravoyageinice-ladenseas.An unforeseen event followed, however, which ended in a series of mostterriblecatastrophes.Theneckoficethroughwhichtheyhadbrokenhadactedasacheckonthepressureofthegreatbodyofthefloe,anditwasnosoonerremoved than the heavy mass began to close in with slow but irresistiblepower,compellingthelittlevesseltosteamcloseuptotheicebergsoclosethatsomeoftheupperpartsactuallyoverhungthedeck.Theywereslowlyforcedintothisdangerousposition.Withbreathlessanxietythe Captain and crew watched the apparently gentle, but really tremendousgrindingoftheiceagainstthevessel’sside.Eventheyoungestonboardcouldrealisethedanger.Noonemoved,fornothingwhatevercouldbedone.“Everythingdepends,underGod,ontheiceeasingoffbeforewearecrushed,”saidtheCaptain.Ashespoke,thetimbersoftheyachtseemedtogroanunderthepressure;thentherewasasuccessionofloudcracks,andthevesselwasthrustbodilyuptheslopingsidesoftheberg.Whileinthisposition,withthebowhighanddry,amass of ice was forced against the stern-post, and the screw-propeller wassnappedoffasifithadbeenmadeofglass.PoorCaptainVane’s heart sank as if he had receivedhis death-blow, for heknew that the yachtwas now, even in the event of escaping, reduced to anordinaryvesseldependentonitssails.Theshockseemedtohaveshakentheberg itself, for at that moment a crashing sound was heard overhead. Theterror-strickencrewlookedup,andforonemomentapinnacle likeachurchspire was seen to flash through the air right above them. It fell with anindescribableroarclosealongside,delugingthedeckswithwater.Therewasamomentarysighofrelief,which,however,waschasedawaybyasuccessionoffallingmasses,varyingfromapoundtoatoninweight,whichcamedownon the deck like cannon-shots, breaking the topmasts, and cutting to piecesmuchof therigging.Strangetosay,noneof themenwereseriouslyinjured,thoughmanyreceivedbruisesmoreorlesssevere.Duringthisbriefbutthrillingperiod,thebrothersVandervellandBenjyVanecrouchedclosetogetherbesidetheportbulwarks,partiallyscreenedfromthefallingicebythemizzenshrouds.TheCaptainstoodonthequarter-deck,quiteexposed,andapparentlyunconsciousofdanger,thepictureofdespair.“Itcan’tlastlong,”sighedpoorBenjy,lookingsolemnlyupatthevastmassofthebluish-whiteberg,whichhungabovethemasifreadytofall.

Presentlythepressureceased,thentheiceeasedoff,andinafewminutestheWhitebearslidbackintothesea,apitiablewreck!Nowhadcomethetimeforaction.“Outpoles,mylads,andshoveherofftheberg!”wasthesharporder.Everyonestrainedas if for lifeat the ice-poles,andslowlyforcedtheyachtawayfromthedreadedberg.Itmatterednotthattheywereforcinghertowardsarockyshore.Anyfatewouldbebetterthanbeingcrushedunderamountainofice.But the dangerwas not yet past. No sooner had they cleared the berg, andescapedfromthatformofdestruction,thantheicebeganagaintoclosein,andthistimethevesselwas“nipped”withsuchseverity,thatsomeofherprincipaltimbersgaveway.Finally,herbackwasbroken,andthebottomforcedin.“So,”exclaimedtheCaptain,withalookofprofoundgrief,“ourvoyageintheWhitebear,lads,hascometoanend.Allthatwecandonowistogettheboatsand provisions, and as much of the cargo as we can, safe on the ice. Andsharp’stheword,forwhenthefloeseaseoff,thepoorlittleyachtwillcertainlygotothebottom.”“No,massa,” said thenegro steward, steppingondeck at thatmoment, “wecan’tgotodebottom,causewe’sdarea-ready!”“Whatd’yemean,Butterface?”“Jus’whatmesay,”repliedthesteward,withalookofcalmresignation.“I’sbinb’low, an’ seedde rocks stickin’ troodebottom.Der’sonede sizeob ajolly-boat’s bow comed right troo my pantry, an’ knock all de crockery tosmash,an’debest teapot,he’ssoflathewouldn’tknowhisself inalookin’-glass.”It turnedout tobe asButterface said.Thepackhad actually thrust the littlevessel on a shoal, which extended out from the headland off which thecatastropheoccurred,andtherewasthereforenofearofhersinking.“Well,we’ve reason tobe thankful for that, at all events,” said theCaptain,with an attempt to look cheerful; “come, lads, let’s to work.Whatever ourfuturecourse is tobe,our firstbusiness is toget theboats andcargooutofdanger.”With tremendous energybecause action brought relief to their overstrainedfeelingsthecrewof the ill-fatedyachtset towork tohaul theboatsuponthegrounded ice.The tidewas falling, so that agreatpartof themostvaluable

partof thecargowasplaced insecuritybefore therising tide interrupted thework.Thiswasfortunate,for,whenthewaterreachedacertainpointtheicebegantomove, and the poor little vessel was so twisted about that they dared notventureonboardofher.Thatnightifwemaycall itnight inaregionwhere thesunneverquitewentdownthepartyencampedonthenorth-westerncoastofGreenland, in the leeofahugecliff justbeyondwhich the tongueofamightyglacierdipped intothe sea. For convenience the party divided into two,with a blazing fire foreach, round which the castaways circled, conversing in subdued, sad toneswhilesupperwasbeingprepared.It was a solemn occasion, and a scene of indescribable grandeur, with thealmost eternal glacier of Greenlandthe great Humboldt glaciershedding itsbergs into the dark blue sea, the waters of which had by that time beenpartially cleared to the northward. On the left was the weird pack and itsthousand grotesque forms,with thewreck in its iron grasp; on the right theperpendicular cliffs, and the bright sky over all, with the smoke of thecampfiresrisingintoitfromtheforeground.“Now, my friends,” said Captain Vane to the crew when assembled aftersupper,“Iamno longeryourcommander, formyvessel isawreck,butas Isupposeyoustillregardmeasyourleader,Iassembleyouhereforthepurposeofconsideringourposition,anddecidingonwhatisbesttobedone.”Here the Captain said, among other things, it was his opinion that theWhitebear was damaged beyond the possibility of repair, that their onlychanceofescapelayintheboats,andthatthedistancebetweentheplaceonwhichtheystoodandUpernavik,althoughgreat,wasnotbeyondthereachofresolutemen.“Beforegoing further,orexpressingadecidedopinion,”headded,“Iwouldhearwhattheofficershavetosayonthissubject.Letthefirstmatespeak.”“It’s my opinion,” said the mate, “that there’s only one thing to be done,namely,tostartforhomeassoonandasfastaswecan.Wehavegoodboats,plentyofprovisions,andareallstoutandhealthy,exceptingourdoctor,whomwewilltakegoodcareof,andexpecttodonoroughwork.”“Thanks,mate,”saidthedoctorwithalaugh,“Ithinkthat,atallevents,Ishallkeepwellenoughtophysicyouifyougetill.”“Areyouwilling to take chargeof theparty in the event ofmydeciding to

remainhere?”askedtheCaptainofthemate.“Certainly, sir,” he replied, with a look of slight surprise. “You know I amquiteabletodoso.Thesecondmate,too,isasableasIam.Forthatmatter,most of themen, I think,would find little difficulty in navigating a boat toUpernavik.”“That iswell,” returned theCaptain,“because Idonot intend to returnwithyou.”“Notreturn!”exclaimedthedoctor;“surelyyoudon’tmeantowinterhere.”“No,nothere,butfurthernorth,”repliedtheCaptain,withasmilewhichmostofthepartyreturned,fortheythoughthewasjesting.BenjyVane,however,didnot thinkso.Agleeful lookof triumphcausedhisface,asitwere,tosparkle,andhesaid,eagerly“We’llwinterattheNorthPole,father,eh?”Thiswasgreetedwithagenerallaugh.“But seriously,uncle,whatdoyoumean todo?”askedLeonardVandervell,who,withhisbrother,wasnotunhopefulthattheCaptainmeditatedsomethingdesperate.“Benjyisnotfaroffthemark.IintendtowinteratthePole,orasneartoitasIcanmanagetoget.”“MydearCaptainVane,”said thedoctor,withananxious look,“youcannotreallymeanwhatyousay.Youmustbejesting,ormad.”“Well,astomadness,”returnedtheCaptainwithapeculiarsmile,“yououghttoknowbest, for it’saperquisiteofyourcloth topronouncepeoplemadorsane,thoughsomeofyourselvesareasmadastheworstofus;butinregardtojesting,nothing,Iassureyou,isfurtherfrommymind.Listen!”Herosefromtheboxwhichhadformedhisseat,andlookedearnestlyroundonhismen.Ashestood there,erect, tall, square,powerful,with legs firmlyplanted,andapart,asiftoguardagainstalurchofhisship,withhisbronzedfaceflushed,andhisdarkeyeflashing,theyallunderstoodthattheirleader’smindwasmadeup,and thatwhathehad resolvedupon,hewouldcertainlyattempttocarryout.“Listen,” he repeated; “it was my purpose on leaving England, as you allknow,tosailnorthasfarastheicewouldletme;towinterwhereweshould

stickfast,andorganiseanover-ice,oroverlandjourneytothePolewithalltheappliancesofrecentscientificdiscovery,andalltheadvantagesofknowledgeacquiredbyformerexplorers.IthaspleasedGodtodestroymyship,butmylife andmyhopes are spared.So aremy stores and scientific instruments. Iintend, therefore, to carry out my original purpose. I believe that formerexplorers have erred in some points of their procedure. These errors I shallsteerclearof.Former travellershave ignoredsomefacts,anddespisedsomeappliances.ThesefactsIwillrecognise;theseappliancesIwillutilise.Withasteam yacht, you, my friends, who have shown so much enthusiasm andcourageup to thispoint,wouldhavebeenof theutmostservice tome.Asapartyinboats,oronfoot,youwouldonlyhampermymovements.Imeantoprosecutethisenterprisealmostalone.IshalljoinmyselftotheEskimos.”Hepausedatthispointasifinmeditation.Benjy,whoseeyesandmouthhadbeengraduallyopeningtotheirwidest,almostgaspedwithastonishmentasheglanced at his cousins, whose expressive countenances were somewhatsimilarlyaffected.“Ihavehad some long talks,” continued theCaptain, “with that bigEskimoChingatok, through our interpreter, and from what he says I believe mychances of success are considerable. I am all the more confirmed in thisresolutionbecauseof thereadinessandabilityofmyfirstmate toguideyououtoftheArcticregions,andyourwillingnesstotrusthim.Andershasagreedtogowithmeasinterpreter,andnow,allIwantisoneotherman,because”“Putmedown,father,”criedBenjy,inaburstofexcitement“I’myourman.”“Hush, lad,” said theCaptainwith a little smile, “of course I shall takeyouwithmeandalsoyourtwocousins,butIwantoneothermantocompletethepartybuthemustbeaheartilywillingman.Whowillvolunteer?”Therewassilenceforafewmoments.Itwasbrokenbythedoctor.“I for one won’t volunteer,” he said, “for I’m too much shaken by thistroublesomeillnesstothinkofsuchanexpedition.IfIwerewell itmightbeotherwise,butperhapssomeoftheotherswilloffer.”“Youcan’texpectmetodoso,”saidthemate,“forI’vegottoguideourpartyhome,asagreedon;besides,underanycircumstances,Iwouldnot joinyou,foritissimplemadness.You’llforgiveme,Captain.Imeannodisrespect,butIhavesailedmanyyearstotheseseas,andIknowfromexperiencethatwhatyouproposeisbeyondthepowerofmantoaccomplish.”“Experience!” repeated theCaptain,quickly. “Hasyour experience extendedfurthernorththanthispoint?”

“No, sir, Ihavenotbeen furthernorth than thisnobodyhas. It isbeyond theutmostlimityetreached,sofarasIknow.”“Well,then,youcannotspeakfromexperienceaboutwhatIpropose,”saidtheCaptain,turningaway.“Come,lads,Ihavenowishtoconstrainyou,Imerelygiveoneofyouthechance.”Stillnoonecameforward.Everymanof thecrewoftheWhitebearhadhadmoreorlesspersonalacquaintancewitharctictravelanddanger.TheywouldhavefollowedCaptainVaneanywhereintheyacht,butevidentlytheyhadnotasteforwhathewasabouttoundertake.Atlastonesteppedtothefront.ItwasButterface,thesteward.Thisintenselyblack negrowas a bulky, powerfulman,with amodest spirit and a strangedisbeliefinhisowncapacities,though,intruth,thesewereveryconsiderable.He came forward, stooping slightly, and rubbing his hands in a deprecatingmanner.“’Scuseme,massaCapting.P’r’apsitberypresumsheeousindisyerchilefortospeakaforehisbetters,butasnooderman’pearstowanttovolunteer,I’swillin’togoinan’win.ObcourseIain’tamanon’yanigger,butI’sawillin’nigger,an’kindoafewsmalltingscookdegrub,washupdecupsan’sarsers,pullaoar,cleanyerboots,fightdeEskimosifyouwantsmeto,an’ginrallytoscrimmagearounda’mostanything.Moreover,Ieatsnomoredanababby’sepwenI’shungryan’I’llfolleryou,massa,trootickandtintodeNortPole,ordeSoutPole,ordeEastPole,ordeWestPoleoranyoderpolewotsomediveralldesametoButterface,s’long’syou’lllet’imstickbyyou.”The crew could not help giving the negro a cheer as he finished this loyalspeech, and theCaptain, althoughhewould have preferred one of the othermen,gladlyacceptedhisservices.Afewdayslatertheboatswerereadyandprovisioned;adieusweresaid,hatsandhandkerchiefswaved, and soonafterCaptainVane andhis son and twonephews,withAndersandButterface,werelefttofighttheirbattlesalone,onthemarginofanunexplored,mysteriousPolarsea.

ChapterFive.LefttotheirFate.

Therearetimes,probably,inallconditionsoflife,whenmenfeelaspeciesofdesolate sadnesscreepingover their spirits,which they find ithard to shakeoff or subdue. Such a time arrived to ourArctic adventurers the night after

theyhadparted from thecrewof thewreckedWhitebear.Nearlyeverythingaround,andmuchwithin,themwascalculatedtofosterthatfeeling.Theywereseatedontherockypointontheextremityofwhichtheiryachthadbeendriven.Behindthemwerethedeepravines,broadvalleys,blackbeetlingcliffs, grand mountains, stupendous glaciers, and dreary desolation ofGreenland.Torightandleft,andinfrontofthem,laythechaoticice-packoftheArcticsea,withlanesandpoolsofwatervisiblehereandtherelikelinesandspotsofink.Icebergsinnumerableroseagainstthesky,whichatthetimewasentirelycoveredwithgreyandgloomyclouds.Gustsofwindsweptoverthefrozenwastenowandthen,asifasquallwhichhadrecentlypassed,weresighing at the thought of leaving anything undestroyed behind it.Whenweaddtothis,thatthewandererswerethinkingofthecomradeswhohadjustleftthemthe last link, as itwere,with the civilisedworld fromwhich theywereself-exiled,oftheunknowndangersanddifficultiesthatlaybeforethem,andoftheallbutforlornhopetheyhadundertaken,thereneedbelittlewonderthatforsometimetheyalllookedrathergrave,andweredisposedtosilence.Butlifeismadeupofopposites,lightandshade,hardandsoft,hotandcold,sweetandsour,forthepurpose,nodoubt,ofplacingmanbetweentwomoralbattledoressoastodrivetheweakanderringshuttlecockofhiswillrightandleft, and thus keep it in themiddle course of rectitude. No sooner had ouradventurers sunk to the profoundest depths of gloom, than the battledore ofbrighterinfluencesbegantoplayuponthem.Itdidnot,however,achievetheendatonce.“I’m in the lowest, bluest, dreariest, grumpiest, and most utterly miserablestate of mind I ever was in in all my life,” said poor little Benjy Vane,thrustinghishandsintohispockets,sittingdownonarock,andgazingroundon the waste wilderness, which had only just ceased howling, the verypersonificationofdespair.“So’sI,massa,”saidButterface,lookingupfromacompoundofwetcoalanddriftwoodwhichhehadbeenvainly trying tocoax intoa flame forcookingpurposes;“I’smost’orriblymiserable!”Therewasabeaminggrinonthenegro’svisagethatgavetheliedirecttohiswords.“That’s always thewaywith you,Benjy,” said theCaptain, “either bubblin’overwithjollityan’mischief,ordowninthedeepestblues.”“Blues! father,” cried the boy, “don’t talk of bluesit’s the blacks I’m in, theveryblackestofblacks.”

“Ha! jus’ like me,” muttered Butterface, sticking out his thick lips at theunwillingfire,andgivingablowthatanygrampusmighthaveenvied.Theresultwasthatacolumnofalmostsolidsmoke,whichhadbeenforsometimerisingthickerandthickerfromthecoals,burstintoabrightflame.Thiswasthefirstofthesweetinfluencesbeforereferredto.“Mindyourwool,Flatnose,”criedBenjy,asthenegrodrewquicklyback.Itmayberemarkedherethat themysteriousbondofsympathywhichunitedthe spirits of BenjyVane and the black steward found expression in kindlyrespectonthepartoftheman,andinvariouseccentriccoursesonthepartoftheboyamongothers,inahabitofpattinghimontheback,andgivinghimachoice selection of impromptu names, such as Black-mug, Yellow-eyes,Square-jaws,andthelike.“Whathaveyougotinthekettle?”askedLeoVandervell,whocameupwithsomedrydriftwoodatthemoment.“Bubble-um-squeak,”repliedthecook.“Whatsorto’squeakisthat?”askedLeo,ashebenthistallstrongframeoverthefiretoinvestigatethecontentsofthekettle.“Whatam it,massa?Why, it amabito’ saltpork,an’abito’datbearyoushootedtroodenoseyes’rday,an’ajunko’walrus,an’twopuffins,an’someinjincorn,aleetilpepper,an’aleetilsalt.”“Good,thatsoundswell,”saidLeo.“I’llgofetchyousomemoredriftwood,forit’lltakeadealofboiling,thatwill,tomakeiteatable.”The driftwood referred to was merely some pieces of the yacht which hadbeencastashorebythehurly-burlyoficeandwaterthathadoccurredduringthelasttide.Nootherspeciesofdriftwoodwastobefoundonthatcoast,fortheneighbouringregionwasutterlydestituteoftrees.“WherehasAlfgoneto?”askedtheCaptain,asLeowasmovingaway.“Oh,he’slookingforplantsandshells,asusual,”answeredLeo,withasmile.“Youknowhisheartissetuponthesethings.”“He’ll have to set his heart on helpingwi’ the cargo after supper,” said theCaptain,drawingasmallnotebookandpencilfromhispocket.Afewmoreof thesweetandreviving influencesof lifenowbegantocircleroundthewanderers.Amongthemwasthesavouryodourthatarosefromthe

potofbubble-um-squeak,alsotheimprovedappearanceofthesky.Itwasnight,almostmidnight,neverthelessthesunwasblazingintheheavens,andasthestorm-cloudshadrolledawaylikeadarkcurtain,hischeeringrayswereby that timegilding the icebergs, and rendering the land-cliffs ruddily.Thetravellershadenjoyedperpetualdaylightforseveralweeksalready,andatthathighlatitudetheycouldcountonmanymoretocome.Bythetimesupperwas ready, the depressing influences were gone, and the spirits of all hadrecoveredtheirwontedtone.Indeeditwasnottothediscreditofthepartythattheywere somuch cast down on that occasion, for the parting, perhaps forever,fromthefriendswithwhomtheyhadhithertovoyaged,hadmuchmoretodowiththeirsadnessthansurroundingcircumstancesorfuturetrials.“Whatplandoyouintendtofollowout,uncle?”askedAlphonseVandervell,astheysatatsupperthatnightroundthekettle.“That depends on many things, lad,” replied the Captain, laying down hisspoon,andleaninghisbackagainstaconvenientrock.“Iftheicemovesoff,Ishalladoptonecourse;ifitholdsfastIshalltryanother.Then,ifyouinsistongatheringandcarryingalongwithyousuchpocket-loadsofspecimens,plants,rocks,etcetera,asyou’vebroughtinthisevening,I’llhavetobuildasortofNoah’sark,oromnibusonsledge-runners,tocarrythem.”“AndsupposeIdon’tinsistoncarryingthesethings,whatthen?”“Well,”repliedtheCaptain,“inthatcaseIwouldwell,letmeseealittlemoreofthebubble,Benjy.”“Wouldn’tyourathersomeofthesqueak?”askedtheboy.“Both,lad,bothsomeofeverything.Well,asIwassayingandyou’vearighttoknowwhat’srunninginmyhead,seeingthatyouhavetohelpmecarryouttheplansI’llgiveyouaroughnotionof’em.”TheCaptainbecamemore serious ashe explainedhis plans. “TheEskimos,youknow,”hecontinued,“havegonebywhat Imaycall the shore ice, twodays’journeyinadvanceofthisspot,takingourdogsalongwiththem.Itwasmyintentiontohaveproceededtothesamepointinouryacht,andthere,ifthesea was open, to have taken on board that magnificent Eskimo giant,Chingatok,with his family, and steered awaydue north. In the event of thepackbeingimpassable,Ihadintendedtohavelaidtheyachtupinsomesafeharbour;huntedandfisheduntilwehadastockofdriedandsaltedprovisions,enough to last us two years, and then to have started northward in sledges,undertheguidanceofChingatok,withafewpickedmen,leavingtherestandthe yacht in charge of themate. Thewreck of theWhitebear has, however,

forcedmetomodifytheseplans.Ishallnowsecureasmuchofourcargoaswehavebeenabletosave,andleaveithereencache”“Whatsortofcashisthat,father?”askedBenjy.“Youarethebestlinguistamongus,Leo,tellhim,”saidtheCaptain,turningtohisnephew.“‘Encache’isFrenchfor‘inhiding,’”returnedLeo,withalaugh.“WhydoyouspeakFrench toEnglishmen, father?”saidBenjy inapathetictone,butwithapertlook.“’CausetheexpressionisacommononeonthissidetheAtlantic,lad,andyououghttoknowit.Now,don’tinterruptmeagain.Well,havingplacedthecargoinsecurity,”(“Encache,”mutteredBenjywithaglanceatButterface.)“IshallrigupthesledgesbroughtfromEngland,loadthemwithwhatwerequire,andfollowuptheEskimos.You’resure,Anders,thatyouunderstoodChingatok’sdescriptionoftheplace?”Theinterpreterdeclaredthathewasquitesure.“After that,” resumed theCaptain, “I’ll act according to the information thesaid Eskimos can give me. D’ye know, I have a strong suspicion that ourArctic giant Chingatok is a philosopher, if I may judge from one or twoquestionsheputandobservationshemadewhenwefirstmet.Hesayshehascomefromafinecountrywhichliesfarveryfartothenorthofthis;sofarthatIfeelquiteinterestedandhopefulaboutit.Iexpecttohavemoretalkwithhimsoonon the subject.A littlemoreo’ thebubble, lad; really,Butterface,yourpowersinthewayofcookeryarewonderful.”“ChingatokseemstomequitearemarkablefellowforanEskimo,”observedLeo,scrapingthebottomofthekettlewithhisspoon,andlookinginquiringlyintoit.“I,too,hadsometalkwithhimthroughAnderswhenwefirstmet,andfromwhathesaidIcan’thelpthinkingthathehascomefromtheremotenorthsolelyonavoyageofdiscoveryintowhatmustbetohimtheunknownregionsofthesouth.Evidentlyhehasaninquiringmind.”“Much like yourself,Leo, to judge from thewayyou peer into that kettle,”saidBenjy;“pleasedon’tscrapethebottomoutofit.There’snotmuchtintomenditwith,youknow,intheseregions.”“Brasswilldoquiteaswell,”retortedLeo,“andtherecanbenolackofthatwhileyouarehere.”“Comenow,Benjy,” saidAlf, “that insolent remark shouldputyouonyour

mettle.”“So it does, but I won’t open my lips, because I feel that I should speakironicallyifIweretoreply,”returnedtheboy,gazingdreamilyintothequietcountenance of the steward. “What are you thinking of, you lump ofcharcoal?”“Me,massa?metinkdere’pearstoberoomformorewittlesinsideobme;butasalldegrub’seatedup,p’r’aps itwouldbeaswell tobegoin’an’ tacklin’suffin’elsenow.”“You’reright,Butterface,”criedtheCaptain,rousinghimselffromareverie.“What say you, comrades? Shall we turn in an’ have a nap? It’s pastmidnight.”“I’mnotinclinedforsleep,”saidAlf,lookingupfromsomeofthebotanicalspecimenshehadcollected.“No more am I,” said Leo, lifting up his arms and stretching his stalwartframe,which,notwithstandinghisyouth,hadalreadydevelopedtoalmostthefullproportionsofapowerfulman.“I vote that we sit up all night,” said Benjy, “the sun does it, and whyshouldn’twe?”“Well,I’venoobjection,”rejoinedtheCaptain,“butwemustworkifwedon’tsleepso,comealong.”Setting the example, Captain Vane began to shoulder the bags and boxeswhich layscatteredaroundwith theenergyofanenthusiasticrailwayporter.Theothermembersofthepartywerenotawhitbehindhimindiligenceandenergy. Even Benjy, delicate-looking though he was, did the work of anaverageman,besidesenliveningtheproceedingswithsnatchesofsongandaflowofsmalltalkofahumorousandslightlyinsolentnature.

ChapterSix.FuturePlansDiscussedandDecided.

Away to the northward of the spot where theWhitebear had beenwreckedtherestretchedapointoflandfaroutintotheArcticOcean.Itwasaboutthirtymilesdistant,andloomedhugelybluffandgrandagainstthebrilliantsky,asifitweretheforefrontofthenorthernworld.Nocivilisedeyeshadeverbeheldthat landbefore.CaptainVaneknewthat,becauseit layin latitude83north,whichwasalittlebeyondthefurthestpointyetreachedbyArcticnavigators.HethereforenameditCapeNewhope.Benjythoughtthatitshouldhavebeen

namedButterface-beak,because the stewardhadbeen the first toobserve it,buthisfatherthoughtotherwise.About threemiles to the northward of this point of land the Eskimoswereencamped.Accordingtoarrangementwiththewhitementheyhadgonethere,as we have said, in charge of the dogs brought by Captain Vane fromUpernavik,astheseanimals,itwasthought,stoodmuchinneedofexercise.Here the natives had found and taken possession of a number of desertedEskimohuts.These rude buildings were the abodes to which the good people migratedwhen summer heat became so great as to render their snow-huts sloppilydisagreeable.InoneofthehutssatChingatok,hisarmsrestingonhisknees,hishugehandsclasped,andhisintelligenteyesfixeddreamilyonthelamp-flame,overwhichhisculinarymotherwasbendinginbusysincerity.Thereweremanypointsofcharacterinwhichthisremarkablemotherandsonresembledeachother.Bothwere earnestintensely soand each was enthusiastically eager about smallmatters as well as great. In short, they both possessed great thoughuncultivatedminds.Thehut theyoccupiedwas in somerespectsas remarkableas themselves. Itmeasuredaboutsixfeetinheightandtenindiameter.Thewallsweremadeofflattish stones, moss, and the bones of seals, whales, narwhals, and otherArcticcreatures.Thestoneswerelaidsothateachoverlappedtheonebelowit,averylittleinwards,andthusthewallsapproachedeachothergraduallyastheyrosefromthefoundation; the topbeingfinallyclosedbyslabsofslate-stone.Similarstonescoveredtheflooronehalfofwhichfloorwasraisedafootorsoabovetheother,andthisraisedhalfservedforaseatbydayaswellasacouchbynight.Onitwerespreadathicklayerofdriedmoss,andseveralseal,dog,andbearskins.Smallerelevationsinthecornersneartheentranceservedforseats.Thedoorwasacurtainofsealskin.Above itwasasmallwindow,glazed, so to speak, with strips of semi-transparent dried intestines sewedtogether.Toolooha’s cooking-lampwasmade of soapstone, formed like a clam-shell,andabouteightinchesindiameter;thefuelwasseal-oil,andthewickwasofmoss.Itsmokedconsiderably,butEskimosaresmoke-proof.Thepotaboveit,suspended from the roof,wasalsomadeof soapstone.Sealskinshungaboutthewallsdrying;oilymittens,socksandbootsweresuspendedaboutonpegsandracksofrib-bones.Lumpsofblubberhungandlayaboutmiscellaneously.Odours,notsavoury,werethereforeprevalentbutEskimosaresmell-proof.

“Mother,”saidthegiant,raisinghiseyesfromtheflametohisparent’ssmoke-encircled visage, “they are a most wonderful people, these Kablunets.BlackbeardisagreatmanagrandmanbutIthinkheis”Chingatok paused, shook his head, and touched his foreheadwith a look ofsignificanceworthyofawhiteman.“Why think you so, my son?” asked the old woman, sneezing, as a densercloudthanusualwentuphernose.“Becausehehascomeheretosearchfornothing.”“Nothing,myson?”“Yesatleastthatiswhathetriedtoexplaintome.Perhapstheinterpretercouldnot explain. He is not a smartman, that interpreter. He resembles awalruswithhisbrainscoopedout.Hespokemuch,butIcouldnotunderstand.”“Couldnotunderstand?”repeatedToolooha,withanincredulouslook,“letnotChingatok say so. Is there anything that passes the lips of man which hecannotunderstand?”“Truly,mother,Ioncethoughttherewasnot,”repliedthegiant,withamodestlook,“butIammistaken.TheKablunetsmakemestareandfeelfoolish.”“Butitisnotpossibletosearchfornothing,”urgedToolooha.“SoIsaid,”repliedherson,“butBlackbeardonlylaughedatme.”“Didhe?”cried themother,withamuch relievedexpression, “then letyourmindrest,myson,forBlackbeardmustbeafoolifhelaughedatyou.”“Blackbeardisnofool,”repliedChingatok.“Hashenotcometosearchfornewlandshere,asyouwenttosearchforthemthere?”askedToolooha,pointingalternatelynorthandsouth.“NoifIhaveunderstoodhim.Perhapsthebrainlesswalrustranslatedhiswordswrongly.”“Isthethinghesearchesforsomethingtoeat?”“Somethingtodrinkorwear?”“No,Itellyou.Itisnothing!Yethegivesitaname.HecallsitNortPole!”Perhaps it is needless to remind the reader that Chingatok and his mother

conversed in their native tongue, which we have rendered as literally aspossible, and that the last two words were his broken English for “NorthPole!”“NortPole!”repeatedTooloohaonceortwicecontemplatively.“Well,hemaysearchfornothingifhewill,butthathecannotfind.”“Nay, mother,” returned the giant with a soft smile, “if he will search fornothingheissuretofindit!”Chingatoksighed,forhismotherdidnotseethejoke.“Blackbeard,” he continued with a grave, puzzled manner, “said that thisworldonwhichwestandfloatsintheairlikeabird,andspinsround!”“ThenBlackbeardisa liar,”saidTooloohaquietly, thoughwithouta thoughtof being rude. She merely meant what she said, and said what she meant,beinganaturallycandidwoman.“Thatmaybeso,mother,butIthinknot.”“How can the world float without wings?” demanded the old womanindignantly.“Ifitspinnedshouldwenotfeelthespinning,andgrowgiddy?”“And Blackbeard says,” continued the giant, regardless of the questionspropounded,“that itspinsrounduponthisNortPole,whichhesays isnotareal thing, but onlynothing. I askedBlackbeardHowcan aworld spinuponnothing?”“Andwhatsaidhetothat?”demandedTooloohaquickly.“He only laughed. They all laughed when the brainless walrus put myquestion. There is one little boythe son I think of Blackbeardwho laughedmorethanalltherest.Helaydownontheicetolaugh,androlledaboutasifhehadthebowel-twist.”“ThatsonofBlackbeardmustbeafoolmorethanhisfather,”saidToolooha,castingalookofindignationatherinnocentkettle.“Perhaps;butheisnotlikehisfather,”returnedChingatokmeekly.“Therearetwo other chiefs among theKablunetswho seem tome finemen.They arevery young and wise. They have learned a little of our tongue from theBrainlessOne,andaskedmesomequestionsabout the rocks,and themoss,andtheflowers.Theyaretallandstrong.Oneofthemisverygraveandseemstothinkmuch,likemyself.HealsospokeofthisNothingthisNortPole.Theyareallmad,Ithink,aboutthatthingthatNothing!”

Theconversationwas interruptedat thispointby thesuddenentranceof thegiant’s little sister with the news that the Kablunets were observed comingroundthegreatcape,draggingasledge.“Isnotthebigoomiakwiththem?”askedherbrother,risingquickly.“No,we seenooomiaknowingsno fire,” answeredOblooria, “only sixmendraggingasledge.”Chingatokwentoutimmediately,andOblooriawasabouttofollowwhenhermotherrecalledher.“Comehere,littleone.Thereisabitofblubberforyoutosuck.Tellme,sawyouanysignofmadnessinthesewhitemenwhentheyweretalkingwithyourbrotheraboutthisthisNortPole.”“No,mother,no,”answeredOblooriathoughtfully,“Isawnotmadness.Theylaughedmuch, it is truebut notmore thanOolichuk laughs sometimes.YesIthink again! There was one who seems madthe small boy, whom brotherthinkstobethesonofBlackbeardBenjay,theycallhim.”“Hah!Ithoughtso,”exclaimedToolooha,evidentlypleasedatherpenetrationonthispoint.“Go,child,Icannotquitthelamp.Bringmenewsofwhattheysayanddo.”Oblooriaobeyedwithalacrity,boltingherstripofhalf-cookedblubberassheran;hermothermeanwhilegaveherundividedattention to thedutiesof thelamp.ThewhitemenandallthemembersoftheEskimobandwerestandingbythesledge engaged in earnest conversation when the little girl came forward.CaptainVanewasspeaking.“Yes,Chingatok,” he said, lookingup at the tall savage,who stood erect inframe but with bent head and his hands clasped before him, like a modestchief,whichintruthhewas.“Yes, ifyouwillguidemetoyourhomeinthenorthern lands, Iwillpayyouwellfor Ihavemuch ironandwoodand suchthings as I think you wish for and value, and you shall also have my bestthanks and gratitude. The latter may not indeed be worth much, but,nevertheless, you could not purchase it with all the wealth of the Polarregions.”Chingatok lookedwith penetrating gaze atAnderswhile he translated, and,considering the nature of the communication, the so-called Brainless Oneprovedhimselfabettermanthanthegiantgavehimcreditfor.

“DoesBlackbeard,”askedChingatok,afterafewseconds’thought,“expecttofindthisNothingthisNortPole,inmycountry?”“Well,IcannotexactlysaythatIdo,”repliedtheCaptain;“yousee,I’mnotquitesure,fromwhatyoutellme,whereyourcountryis.ItmaynotreachtothePole,butitisenoughformethatitliesinthatdirection,andthatyoutellme there is much open water there. Men of my nation have been in theseregionsbeforenow, and someof themhave said that thePolarSea isopen,othersthatitiscoveredalwayswithicesothickthatitnevermelts.Somehavesaiditisa‘seaofancientice’soroughthatnomancantraveloverit,andthatitisnotpossibletoreachtheNorthPole.Idon’tagreewiththat.IhadbeenledtoexpecttofallinwiththisseaofancienticebeforeIhadgotthusfar,butitisnottobefound.Theseaindeedispartlyblockedwithordinaryice,butthereisnothingtobeseenofthisvastcollectionofmightyblocks,someofthemthirtyfeethighthiswildchaosoficewhichsoeffectuallystoppedsomeofthosewhowentbeforeme.”This speechput suchbrainsas theBrainlessOnepossessed toa severe test,and,afterall,hefailedtoconveyitsfullmeaningtoChingatok,who,however,promptlyrepliedtosuchportionsasheunderstood.“WhatBlackbeardcallstheseaofoldicedoesexist,”hesaid;“Ihaveseenit.Nomancould travelon it,only thebirdscancross it.But ice isnot land. Itchangesplace.Itishereto-day;itisthereto-morrow.Nextdayitisgone.Wecannottellwhereitgoestoorwhenitwillcomeback.Theveryoldicecomesbackagainandagain.ItisslowtobecomelikeyourNortPolenothing.Butitmelts at last andmore comes in its placegrowing old slowly and vanishingslowly.Itisfullofwonderlikethestars;likethejumpingflames;likethesunandmoon,whichwecannotunderstand.”Chingatok paused and looked upwardswith a solemn expression.Hismindhadwandered into its favourite channels, and for themoment he forgot themain subject of conversation,while thewhitemen regarded himwith somesurprise,hiscomradeswithfeelingsofinterestnotunmingledwithawe.“But,”hecontinued,“Iknowwheretheseaofancientice-blocksisjustnow.Icamepastitinmykayak,andcanguideyoutoitbythesameway.”“That is just what I want, Chingatok,” said the Captainwith a joyful look,“onlyaidmeinthismatter,andIwillrewardyouwell.I’vealreadytoldyouthatmyshipiswrecked,andthatthecrew,exceptthoseyouseehere,haveleftme;butIhavesavedallthecargoandburieditinaplaceofsecuritywiththeexceptionof those thingswhich Ineed formyexpedition.Onehalfof these

things are on this sledge,the other half on a sledge left behind and readypacked near the wreck. Now, I want you to send men to fetch that sledgehere.”“That shall be done,” said Chingatok. “Thanks, thanks, my good fellow,”returned the Captain, “andwemust set about it at once, for the summer isadvancing,andyouknowaswellasIdothatthehotseasonisbutashortoneintheseregions.”“Amomentmoreshallnotbelost,”saidthegiant.He turned toOolichuk,who had been leaning on a short spear, and gazingopen-mouthed,eyed,andeared,duringtheforegoingconversation,andsaidafewwordstohimandtotheotherEskimosinalowtone.Oolichuk merely nodded his head, said “Yah!” or something similarlysignificant,shoulderedhisspearandwentoff inthedirectionoftheCapeofNewhope,followedbynearlyallthemenoftheparty.“Stay,notquitesofast,”criedCaptainVane.“Stop!”shoutedChingatok.Oolichukandhismenpaused.“One of us had better gowith them,” said the Captain, “to show the placewherethesledgehasbeenleft.”“Iwillgo,uncle,ifyou’llallowme,”saidLeoVandervell.“Oh!letmegotoo,father,”pleadedBenjy,“I’mnotabittired;do.”“Youmay both go.Take a riflewith you,Leo.There’s no sayingwhat youmaymeetontheway.”In half-an-hour the party under Oolichuk had reached the extremity of thecape,andCaptainVaneobservedthathisvolatilesonmountedtothetopofanice-blocktowaveafarewell.Helookedlikeablackspeck,oracrow,inthefar distance. Another moment, and the speck had disappeared among thehummocksoftheice-lockedsea.

ChapterSeven.DifficultiesEncounteredandFaced.

Theyhadnotquitedoubled theCapeofNewhope,andwereabout to roundthe point which concealed the spot that had been namedWreck Bay, when

theysuddenlyfoundthemselvesfacetofacewithaPolarbear!Bruinwasevidentlyoutforaneveningstroll,forheseemedtohavenothingparticulartodo.Surpriselitupalikethecountenancesofthemenandthevisageofthebear.Itwasanunexpectedmeetingonbothsides.Thedistancebetweenthemwasnotmore than thirty feet.Leowas theonlyoneof thepartywhocarrieda rifle.MorethanonceduringthevoyagehadLeoseenandshotabear.Thesightwasnotnewtohim,butneverbeforehadhecomesosuddenly,orsoveryclose,uponthiskingoftheArcticSeas.HechancedatthetimetobewalkingafewyardsinadvanceofthepartyincompanywithOolichukandBenjy.Thethreestopped,stared,andstoodasifpetrified.Foronemoment,thentheyutteredaunitedandhalfinvoluntaryroar.Rightroyallydidthatbearacceptthechallenge.Itrose,accordingtocustom,onitshindlegs,andimmediatelybeganthatslow,butdeadlywar-dancewithwhich the race is wont to preface an attack, while its upper lip curled inapparentderision,exposingitsterriblefangs.Leo recovered self-possession instantly.The rifle leaped to his shoulder, thecentreofthebear’sbreastwascovered,andthetriggerpulled.Onlya snap resulted.Leohad forgotten to load!Benjygaspedwithanxiety.Oolichuk,whohadheldhimselfbackwithasparklingsmileofexpectationattheprospectofseeingtheKablunetusehisthunder-weapon,lookedsurprisedanddisappointed,butwentintoactionpromptlywithhisspear,accompaniedbyAkeetolik.Leo’s rifle,beingabreech-loader,wasquickly re-charged,butastherestofthepartystoodleaningontheirspearswiththeevidentintentionofmerelywatching thecombat, theyouth resolved toholdhishand,despiteBenjy’searnestrecommendationtoputoneballbetweenthebear’seyes,andtheotherintohisstomach.Itwas but a brief though decisive battle. ThoseEskimoswerewell used tosuchwarfare.Running towards the animalwith levelled spears, the twomen separatedoncoming close, so thatBruinwas forced to a state of indecision as towhichenemyhewouldassailfirst.Akeetoliksettledthepointforhimbygivinghimaprickontherightside,thus,asitwere,drawingtheenemy’sfireonhimself.Thebearturnedtowardshimwithafiercegrowl,andinsodoing,exposedhisleftsidetoattack.Oolichukwasnotslowtoseizetheopportunity.Heleapedcloseup,anddrovehisspeardeepintotheanimal’sheartkillingitonthespot.

NextdaythepartyreturnedtotheEskimocampwiththesledge-loadofgoods,andthebearonthetop.WhilesteaksofthesamewerebeingpreparedbyToolooha,CaptainVaneandhisnewallieswerebusydiscussingthedetailsoftheadvance.“Iknowthatthedifficultieswillbegreat,”hesaid,inreplytoaremarkfromtheinterpreter,“butImeantofaceandovercomethem.”“Ah!”exclaimedAlf,whowasratherfondofpoetry:“Todareunknowndangersinanoblecause,DespiteanadverseNatureandhertiresomeLaws.”“Justso,Alf,myboy,stickatnothing;nevergivein;victoryordeath, that’smywayof expressing the samesentiment.But there’sone thing that Imustimpressoncemoreuponyouallnamely,thateachmanmustreducehiskittotheverylowestpointofsizeandweight.Noextrasallowed.”“What,notevenaboxofpapercollars?”askedBenjy.“Not one, my boy, but you may take a strait-waistcoat in your box if youchoose,foryou’llbesuretoneedit.”“Oh! father,” returned theboy, remonstratively, “youare severe.However, Iwilltakeone,ifyouagreetoleaveyourwoollencomforterbehind.Youwon’tneedthat,yousee,aslongasIamwithyou.”“Ofcourse,”saidAlf,“youwillallowustocarrysmalllibrarieswithus?”“Certainlynot,mylad,onlyonebookeach,andthatmustbeasmallone.”“The only book I possess is my Bible,” said Leo, “and that won’t take upmuchroom,forit’sanuncommonlysmallone.”“IfIonlyhadmyRobinsonCrusoehere,”criedBenjy,“I’dtakeit,forthere’senoughofadventureinthatbooktocarryamanoverhalftheworld.”“Ay,”saidAlf,“andenoughofmindtocarryhimovertheotherhalf.Formypart,ifwemustbecontentwithonebookeach,IshalltakeBuzzby’spoems.”“Oh!horrible!”criedBenjy, “why,he’snobetter thanamaudlin’,dawdlin’,drawlin’,caterwaulin’”“Come,Benjy,don’tbeinsolent;he’ssecondonlytoTennyson.Justlistento

thismorceaubyBuzzby.ItisanOdetoCourage“‘High!hot!hillariouscompoundof’”“Stop! stop! man, don’t begin when we’re in the middle of our plans,”interruptedBenjy,“letushearwhatbookButterfacemeanstotake.”“Inottakenobook,massa,onlytakemyflute.Musiciswot’sdematterwidme.Datisdetingwhathabcharmstosoovedesavagebeast.”“Iwouldn’tadviseyou try tosootheaPolarbearwith it,” saidLeo,“unlessyouhaveariflehandy.”“Yesand especially an unloaded one, which is very effective against Polarbears,” put in the Captain, with a sly look. “Ah, Leo, I could hardly havebelieveditofyouandyouthesportsmanofourparty,too;ourchiefhuntsman.Oh,fie!”“Come,uncle,don’tbetoohardonthatlittlemistake,”saidLeo,withaslightblush, forhewasreallyannoyedbytheunsportsmanlikeoversighthintedat;“but pray, may I ask,” he added, turning sharply on the Captain, “what isinsideofthesethreeenormousboxesofyourswhichtakeupsomuchspaceonthesledges?”“Youmayask,Leo,butyoumaynotexpectananswer.Thatismysecret,andImeantokeepitasasortofstimulustoyourspiritswhenthehardshipsoftheway begin to tell on you. Ask Chingatok, Anders,” continued the Captain,turning to the interpreter, “if he thinkswehave enoughprovisions collectedforthejourney.Iwishtostartimmediately.”“We have enough,” answeredChingatok,who had been sitting a silent, butdeeplyinterestedobserversotospeakoftheforegoingconversation.“Tellhim,then,toarrangewithhisparty,andbepreparedtosetoutbynoonto-morrow.”Thatnight,bythelightofthemidnightsun,theEskimossatroundtheirkettlesof bear-chops, andwent into the pros and cons of the proposed expedition.Somewereenthusiasticallyinfavourofcastingintheirlotwiththewhitemen,othersweredecidedlyagainstit,andafewwereundecided.AmongthelatterwasAkeetolik.“These ignorantmen,” said that bold savage, “are foolish anduseless.Theycannotkillbears.TheonenamedLo,(thuswasLeonard’snamereducedtoitslowest denomination), is big enough, and looksvery fine, butwhenhe seesbear he only stares,makes a little clickwith his thunder-weapon, and looks

stupid.”“Blackbeardexplainedthat,”saidOolichuk;“Lomadesomemistake.”“Thatmaybeso,”retortedAkeetolik,“butifyouandmehadnotbeenthere,thebearwouldnotmakeamistake.”“IwillnotgowiththeseKablunets,”saidEemerkwithafrown,“theyareonlysavages.Theyarenot taught.Nodoubt theyhadawonderfulboat,but theyhave not been able to keep their boat. They cannot kill bears; perhaps theycannot kill seals orwalruses, and they askus to help them to travelto showthem the way! They can do nothing. They must be led like children. Myadviceistokillthemall,sincetheyaresouseless,andtaketheirgoods.”ThisspeechwasreceivedwithmarksofdecidedapprovalbythoseofthepartywhowereinthehabitofsidingwithEemerk,buttherestweresilent.InafewmomentsChingatoksaid,inalow,quiet,butimpressivetone:“TheKablunetsare not foolish or ignorant. They are wisefar beyond the wisdom of theEskimos.ItisEemerkwhoislikeawalruswithoutbrains.Hethinksthathislittlemindisoutsideofeverything,andsohehasnoteyestoperceivethatheisignorantaswellasfoolish,andthatothermenarewise.”This was the severest rebuke that the good-natured Chingatok had yetadministered to Eemerk, but the latter, foolish though he was, had wisdomenoughnottoresentitopenly.Hesatinmoodysilence,withhiseyesfixedontheground.OfcourseOolichukwasdecidedlyinfavourofjoiningthewhitemen,andsowas Ivitchuk, who soon brought round his hesitating friend Akeetolik, andseveral of the others. Oblooria, being timid, would gladly have sided withEemerk,butshehatedtheman,and,besides,wouldinanycasehavecastinherlotwithhermotherandbrother,eveniffreetodootherwise.ThefairTekkona,whosecourageandfaithwerenaturallystrong,hadonlyoneidea,and thatwas to followcheerfullywhereverChingatok led;butshewasverymodest,andgavenoopinion.Shemerelyremarked:“TheKablunetsarehandsomemen,andseemgood.”AsforToolooha,shehadenough todo toattend to theseriousdutiesof thelamp,andalwaysleftthesettlementoflessimportantmatterstothemen.“Youandyours are free todowhatyouplease,” saidChingatok toEemerk,whenthediscussiondrewtoaclose.“Igowiththewhitemento-morrow.”“What saysOblooria?”whisperedOolichukwhen the rest of thepartywere

listeningtoEemerk’sreply.“Oblooria goes with her brother and mother,” answered that young lady,toyingcoquettishlywithhersealskintail.Oolichuk’sgood-humouredvisagebeamedwithsatisfaction,andhisflatnosecurledupasmuchasitwaspossibleforsuchafeaturetocurlwithcontempt,asheglancedatEemerkandsaid“I have heardmany tales fromAndersthe whiteman’smouthpiecesincewemet.Hetellsmethewhitemenareverybraveandfondofrunningintodangerfor nothing but fun. Those who do not like the fun of danger should joinEemerk.Thosewhoare fondof funanddanger shouldcomewithourgreatchiefChingatokhuk!Letusdivide.”Withoutmorepalaverthebanddivided,anditwasfoundthatonlyeightsidedwith Eemerk. All the rest cast in their lot with our giant, after which thisArcticHouseofCommonsadjourned,anditsmemberswenttorest.A few days after that, Captain Vane and his Eskimo allies, having left thecampwithEemerkandhis friends farbehind them,camesuddenlyone finemorning on a barrier which threatened effectually to arrest their furtherprogress northward. This was nothing less than that tremendous sea of“ancientice”whichhadbaffledpreviousnavigatorsandsledgingparties.“Chaos!absolutechaos!”exclaimedAlfVandervell,whowasfirsttorecoverfrom the shock of surprise, not to say consternation, with which the partybeheldthesceneonturningahighcape.“It looksbad,”saidCaptainVane,gravely,“but thingsoften lookworseatafirstglancethantheyreallyare.”“Ihopeitmaybesointhiscase,”saidLeo,inalowtone.“Good-byetotheNorthPole!”saidBenjy,withalookofdespondencysodeepthattherestofthepartylaughedinspiteofthemselves.The truthwas that poorBenjyhad sufferedmuchduring the sledge journeywhichtheyhadbegun,foralthoughherode, liketherestof them,ononeofthe Eskimo sledges, the ice over which they had travelled along shore hadbeensufficientlyruggedtonecessitateconstantgettingoffandon,aswellasmuchscramblingoverhummocksandbroken ice.Wehavealreadysaid thatBenjywasnotveryrobust,thoughcourageousandfullofspirit,sothathewaspronetoleapfromthedeepestdepthsofdespairtothehighestheightsofhopeatamoment’snoticeorviceversa.Nothavingbecomeinuredtoice-travel,he

wasnaturallymuchcastdownwhenthechaosabove-mentionedmethisgaze.“Strange,”saidtheCaptain,afteralongsilentlookatthebarrier,“strangethatwe should find it here. The experience of former travellers placed itconsiderablytothesouthandwestofthis.”“Butyouknow,”saidLeo,“Chingatoktoldusthattheoldicedriftsaboutjustasthemorerecentlyformeddoes.Whoknowsbutwemayfindtheendofitnot far off, andperhapsmay reachopenwater beyond,wherewe canmakeskincanoes,andlaunchforthonavoyageofdiscovery.”“Ivote thatweclimbthecliffsandtrytoseeover thetopof thishorridice-jumble,”saidBenjy.“Notabadsuggestion,lad.Letusdoso.Wewillencamphere,Anders.Letallthepeoplehaveagoodfeed,andtellChingatoktofollowus.Youwillcomealongwithhim.”A few hours later, and the Captain, Leo, Alf, Benjy, Chingatok, and theinterpreter stood on the extreme summit of the promontorywhich they hadnamedCapeChaos,andfromwhichtheyhadasplendidbird’s-eyeviewofthewholeregion.Itwasindeedatremendousandnever-to-be-forgottenscene.Asfarastheeyecouldreach,theoceanwascoveredwithiceheapedtogetherinsomeplacesinthewildestconfusion,andsofirmlywedgedinappearancethat it seemed as if it had lain there in a solid mass from the first day ofcreation.Elsewheretheicewasmorelevelandlesscompact.Inthemidstofthis rugged scene, hundreds of giant icebergs rose conspicuously above therest,toweringupwardsineveryshapeandofallsizes,fromwhichthebrightsun was flashed back in rich variety of form, from the sharp gleam thattrickled down an edge of ice to the refulgent blaze on a glassy facewhichalmostrivalledthesunhimselfinbrilliancy.Theseicebergs,extendingastheydid to thehorizon,where theymingledwith andwere lost in thepearl-greysky,gaveanimpressionofvastillimitableperspective.Althoughnosignofanopenseawasatfirstobserved,therewasnolackofwatertoenliventhescene,forhereandthere,andeverywhere,werepoolsandponds,andevenlakesofgoodlysize,whichhadbeenformedonthesurfacebythemeltingice.Inthesethepicturesquemasseswerefaithfullyreflected,andoverthemvastflocksofgulls, eider-ducks, puffins, and other wild-fowl of the north, disportedthemselvesingarrulousfelicity.Ontheedgeoftherockyprecipice,fromwhichtheyhadabird’s-eyeviewofthe scene, our discoverers stood silent for some time, absorbed in

contemplation,withfeelingsofmingledaweandwonder.Thenexclamationsofsurpriseandadmirationbrokeforth.“The wonderful works of God!” said the Captain, in a tone of profoundreverence.“Beautiful,beyondbelief!”murmuredAlf.“Butitseemsaneffectualchecktoouradvance,”saidthepracticalLeo,who,however,wasbynomeansinsensibletotheextremebeautyofthescene.“Not effectual, lad; not effectual,” returned the Captain, stretching out hishand and turning to the interpreter; “look, Anders, d’ye see nothing on thehorizonawaytothenor’ard?Isn’tthatabitofwater-skyoverthere?”“Ya,” replied the interpreter,gazing intently,“therebewatter-skyover there.Ya.Butnotpossobubbleforgothere.Icetoobigan’brokkinup.”“AskChingatokwhathethinks,”returnedtheCaptain.Chingatok’sopinionwas that thewater-sky indicated theopensea.Heknewthatseawellhadoftenpaddledoverit,andhisowncountrylayinit.“Buthoweverdidhecrossthatice?”askedtheCaptain;“whatsayshetothat,Anders?”“Ididnotcrossit,”answeredtheEskimo,throughAnders.“WhenIcameherewithmypartytheicewasnotthere;itwasfaroffyonder.”Hepointedtotheeastward.“Just so,” returned the Captain, with a satisfied nod, “that confirms myopinion.Yousee,boys,thatthecoastheretrendsofftotheEast’ardinaverydecidedmanner.Now,ifthatwasonlytheshoreofabay,andthelandagainranoff to thenor’ard, itwouldnotbepossible forsuchaseaof ice tohavecome from that direction. I therefore conclude that we are standing on themost northern cape of Greenland; that Greenland itself is a huge island,unconnectedwiththePolarlands;thatwearenowontheshoresofthegreatPolar basin, inwhich, somewhere not very far from the Pole itself, lies thehome of our friend Chingatokat least so I judge from what he has said.Moreover, I feel sure that the water-sky we see over there indicates thecommencement of that ‘open sea’ which, I hold, in common with manylearnedmen,liesaroundtheNorthPole,andwhichIamdeterminedtofloatuponbeforemanydaysgoby.”“We’dbetter spreadourwings then, father, andbeoff atonce,” saidBenjy;

“forit’squitecertainthatwe’llnevermanagetoscrambleoverthatice-jumblewithsledges.”“Nevertheless,Iwilltry,Benjy.”“Buthow,uncle?”askedLeo.“Ay,how?”repeatedAlf,“thatisthequestion.”“Come,come,Alf, letShakespearealone,”said thepertBenjy,“ifyoumustquote,confineyourselftoBuzzby.”“Nay,Benjy,benot so severe. Itwasbut a slip.Besides,our leaderhasnotforbiddenourcarryingawholelibraryinourheads,solongaswetakeonlyonebookinourpockets.But,uncle,youhavenotyettoldushowyouintendto cross that amazing barrier which Benjy has appropriately styled an ice-jumble.”“How, boy?” returned the Captain, who had been gazing eagerly in alldirectionswhiletheytalked,“itisimpossibleformetosayhow.AllthatIcanspeakofwithcertaintyastoourfuturemovementsis,thattheroadbywhichwehavecometothetopofthiscliffwill leadustothebottomagain,whereToolooha ispreparingforusanexcellentsupperofbear-steaksand tea.Onestepatatime,lads,ismymotto;whenthatistakenweshallseeclearlyhowandwheretotakethenext.”Asoundsleepwasthestepwhichthewholepartytookafterthatwhichledtothebear-steaks.ThenCaptainVanearose,orderedthedogstobeharnessedtothesledges,and,layinghiscourseduenorth,steeredstraightoutupontheseaofancientice.

ChapterEight.DifficultiesandDangersincrease,andtheCaptainexpoundshisViews.

The first part of the journeyover the rugged icewasnot sodifficult as hadbeenanticipated,becausetheyfoundanumberofopeningsnarrowlanes,asitwerewindingbetweenthemasses,mostofwhichwerewideenoughtopermitof thepassageof thesledges;andwhentheychanced tocomeonagap thatwastoonarrow,theyeasilywideneditwiththeirhatchetsandice-chisels.Therewas,however,somedangerconnectedwiththisprocess,forsomeofthemightyblocksoficeamongstwhichtheymovedwerepiledinsuchpositionsthatitonlyrequiredafewchoppingsattheirbasetobringthemdowninruinsontheirheads.Oneinstanceofthiskindsufficedtowarnthemeffectually.

CaptainVane’sdog-sledgewasleadingthewayatthetime.Leodroveit,forby that time theEskimoshad taughthimhowtouse theshort-handledwhipwiththelashfullfifteenfeetlong,andLeowasanaptpupilineveryathleticandmanlyexercise.BesidehimsattheCaptain,Alf,Benjy,andButterfacetheblackvisageofthelatterabsolutelyshiningwithdelightatthenoveltyofthesituation.Behind came the sledge ofChingatok,which, besides being ladenwithbear-rugs, sealskins, junksofmeat,andahostof indescribableEskimoimplements, carried himself and the precious persons of Toolooha andTekkona.Nextcamethesledgeofthelaughter-lovingOolichuk,withthetimidOblooria and another woman. Then followed the sledges of Ivitchuk andAkeetolik,ladenwiththerestoftheEskimowomenandgoods,andlastofallcameCaptainVane’stwoEnglish-madesledges,heavily-ladenwiththegoodsand provisions of the explorers. These latter sledges, although made inEngland,hadbeenconstructedon theprincipleof thenativesledge,namely,with the parts fastened bymeans of walrus-sinew lashings instead of nails,which last would have snapped like glass in the winter frosts of the Polarregions,besidesbeing incapableofstanding the twistingsandshocksof ice-travel.All the dogs being fresh, and the floor of the lanes not too rough, thestrangely-assortedparty trottedmerrily along, causing theechoesamong thegreatice-blocks,spires,andobelisks,toringtothemusicoftheirchatting,andthe cracks of their powerful whips. Suddenly, a shout at the front, and anabruptpull up,brought thewhole column to ahalt.TheCaptain’sdogshadbrokenintoagallop.OnturningsuddenlyroundaspurofaglacieraboutasbigasSaintPaul’sCathedral,theywentswishintoashallowpondwhichhadbeenformedontheice.Itwasnotdeep,buttherewassufficientwaterinittosendadelugeofsprayoverthetravellers.A burst of laughter greeted the incident as they sprang off the sledge, andwadedtothedryiceafewyardsahead.“Nodamagedone,”exclaimedtheCaptain,asheassistedthedogstohaulthesledgeoutofthewater.“Nodamage!”repeatedBenjy,witharuefullook,“why,I’msoakedfromtoptotoe!”“Yes,you’vegottheworstofit,”saidLeo,withalaugh;“thatcomesofbeingforward,Benjy.Youwouldinsistonsittinginfront.”“Well, it is some comfort,” retorted Benjy, squeezing the water from hisgarments, “thatAlf is aswet asmyself, for that gives us an opportunity ofsympathising with each other. Eh, Alf? Does Buzzby offer no consolatory

remarksforsuchanoccasionasthis?”“O yes,” replied Alf; “in his beautiful poem on Melancholy, sixth canto,Buzzbysays:“‘Whentrouble,likeacurtainspread,Obscuresthecloudedbrain,AndworriesonthewearyheadDescendlikesoakingrainLiftupth’umbrellaoftheheart,Stridemanfullyalong;Defydepression’sdrearydart,Andshoutingleefulsong.’”“Come,Alf, clapon to this tow-rope, an’ stopyournonsense,” saidCaptainVane,whowasnotinapoeticalframeofmindjustthen.“Datismos’boosifulpotry!”exclaimedButterface,withanimmensedisplayof eyes and teeth, as he lent a willing hand to haul out the sledge. “Mos’boosiful.Buthe’sraderastrongrem’dy,massa,don’youtink?Notberyeasytogitupagleefoo’shoutwhenone’sdownindemout’berybad,eh!”Alf’s reply was checked by the necessity for remounting the sledge andresumingthejourney.Thoseinrearavoidedthepondbygoingroundit.“Theweather’swarm,anyhow,andthat’sacomfort,”remarkedBenjy,ashesettleddowninhiswetgarments.“Wecan’tfreezeinsummer,youknow,and”Hestoppedabruptly, for it becameapparent just then that theopeningcloseahead of themwas too narrow for the sledge to pass. Itwas narrowedby abuttress,orprojection,of thecathedral-berg,which juttedupclose to avastobeliskoficeaboutfortyfeethigh,ifnothigher.“Nothingforit,boys,buttocutthrough,”saidtheCaptain,jumpingout,andseizinganaxe,as thesledgewas jammedbetweenthemasses.Thedogs laydowntorestandpantwhilethemenwereatwork.“It’s cut an’ come again in dem regins,” muttered the negro steward, alsoseizinganaxe,andattackingthebaseoftheobelisk.

Asuddencryofalarmfromthewholepartycausedhimtodesistandlookup.Heechoed thecryandsprangbackswiftly, for thehugemassof icehavingbeenjustonthebalance,oneslashatitsbasehaddestroyedtheequilibrium,anditwasleaningslowlyoverwithadeepgrindingsound.Amomentlaterthemotionwas swift, and it fell with a terrible crash, bursting into a thousandfragments, scattering lumpsandglitteringmorsels farandwide,andcausingthe whole ice-field to tremble. The concussion overturned several othermasses,whichhadbeeninthesamenicely-balancedcondition,somenearathand, others out of sight, though within earshot, and, for a moment, thetravellers felt as if the surrounding pack were disrupting everywhere andfalling intoutter ruin,but ina fewseconds the soundsceased,andagainallwasquiet.Fortunately,theobeliskwhichhadbeenoverturnedfelltowardsthenorthawayfromtheparty;butalthoughitthusnarrowlymissedcrushingthemallinoneicytomb,itblockeduptheirpathsocompletelythattheremainderofthatdayhadtobespentincuttingapassagethroughit.Needwesay that,after this, theywerecarefulhowtheyused theiraxesandice-chisels?Soon after the occurrence of this incident, the labyrinths among the icebecame more broken, tortuous, and bewildering. At last they ceasedaltogether,andthetravellerswerecompelledtotakeanalmoststraightcourserightovereverything,forblocks,masses,anddriftsonagiganticscalewereheavedupinsuchdireconfusion,thatnothinghavingthefaintestresemblancetoatrackorpassagecouldbefound.“It’s hard work, this,” remarked the Captain to Leo one evening, seatinghimselfonamassoficewhichhehadjustchoppedfromanobstruction,andwipingtheperspirationfromhisbrow.“Hard,indeed,”saidLeo,sittingdownbesidehim,“IfearitbeginstotelluponpoorBenjy.Youshouldreallyorderhimtorestmorethanhedoes,uncle.”AgrimsmileofsatisfactionplayedforaminuteontheCaptain’sruggedface,asheglancedathisson,who,ashortdistanceahead,washackingat theicewithapick-axe,incompanywithAlfandButterfaceandtheEskimomen.“It’ll do him good, lad,” replied the Captain. “Hard work is just what myBenjyneeds.He’snotverystout,tobesure,butthereisnothingwrongwithhisconstitution,andhe’sgotplentyofspirit.”This was indeed true. Benjy had too much spirit for his somewhat slenderframe,buthisfather,beingaherculeanman,didnotquiteperceivethatwhat

was good for himself might be too much for his son. Captain Vane was,however, the reverse of a harshman.He ponderedwhat Leo had said, andsoonafterwardswentuptohisson.“Benjy,mylad.”“Yes, father,” said the boy, dropping the head of his pick-axe on the ice,restinghishandsonthehaft,andlookingupwithaflushedcountenance.“Youshouldrestabitnowand then,Benjy.You’llknockyourselfup ifyoudon’t.”“Restabit,father!Why,I’vejusthadarest,andI’mnottiredthatis,notvery.Ain’t it fun, father? And the ice cuts up so easily, and flies about sosplendidlyseehere.”With flashingeyesour littlehero raisedhispickanddrove it into the iceatwhichhehadbeenworking,withallhisforce,sothatagreatrentwasmade,and amass the sizeof a dressing-table sprang from the sideof a berg, and,fallingdown,burst intoashowerofsparklinggems.Butthiswasnotall.ToBenjy’s intensedelight,amassofmany tons inweightwas loosenedby thefall of the smaller lump, and rolled down with a thunderous roar, causingButterface,whowas too near it, to jumpout of thewaywith an amount ofagilitythatthrewthewholepartyintofitsoflaughter.“Whatd’yethinko’that,father?”“I think it’s somewhat dangerous,” answered the Captain, recovering hisgravityandre-shoulderinghisaxe.“However,aslongasyouenjoythework,itcan’thurtyou,sogoahead,myboy;it’llbealongtimebeforeyoucutawaytoomucho’thePolarice!”Reaching a slightly open space beyond this point, the dogswere harnessed,and the party advanced for a mile or so, when they came to anotherobstructionworsethanthatwhichtheyhadpreviouslypassed.“There’sadealof ice-rubbish in these regions,” remarkedBenjy, eyeing thewildlyheapedmasseswithagraveface,andheavingadeepsigh.“Yes,MassaBenjy, bery toomuch altogidder,” saidButterface, echoing thesigh.“Come, we won’t cut through this,” cried Captain Vane in a cheery voice;“we’lltrytogooverit.Thereisaconsiderabledriftofoldsnowthatseemstoofferasortoftrack.WhatsaysChingatok?”

Theeasy-goingEskimosaidthatitwouldbeaswelltogooveritasthroughit,perhapsbetter!So,over it theywent, but they soonbegan towish theyhad tried anyotherplan, for the snow-track quickly came to an end, and then the difficulty ofpassingeventheemptysledgesfromoneicemasstoanotherwasverygreat,whiletheprocessofcarryingforwardthegoodsontheshouldersofthemenwas exceedingly laborious. The poor dogs, too, were constantly fallingbetween masses, and dragging each other down, so that they gave moretroubleatlastthantheywereworth.Inallthesetryingcircumstances,theEskimowomenwerealmostasusefulasthe men. Indeed they would have been quite as useful if they had been asstrong,andtheyborethefatiguesandtrialsofthejourneywiththeplacidgoodhumour,andapparent,ifnotreal,humilityoftheirrace.Atlast,oneafternoon,ourdiscovererscamesuddenlytotheedgeofthisgreatbarrierofancientice,andbeheld,fromanelevatedplateautowhichtheyhadclimbed,ascenewhichwascalculatedtorouseintheirbreastsfeelingsatonceofadmirationanddespair, for there, stretchingawaybelow themfor severalmiles, lay a sea of comparatively level ice, and beyond it a chain ofstupendousglaciers,whichpresentedanapparently impassablebarrierahugecontinuouswalloficethatseemedtoriseintotheverysky.Thischainborealltheevidencesofbeingveryoldicecomparedtowhichthatoftheso-called“ancientsea”wasabsolutelyjuvenile.Ontheice-plain,whichwas apparently illimitable to the right and left, were hundreds of pools ofwaterinwhichtheicebergs,thegoldenclouds,thesun,andtheblueskywerereflected, and on the surface of which myriads of Arctic wild-fowl weresportingabout,makingtheairvocalwiththeirplaintivecries,andrufflingtheglassysurfacesofthelakeswiththeirdippingwings.Theheadsofsealswerealsoobservedhereandthere.“Thesewill stop us at last,” saidAlf, pointing to the bergswith a profoundsigh.“No,theywon’t,”remarkedtheCaptainquietly.“Nothingwillstopus!”“That’strue,anyhow,uncle,”returnedAlf;“forifitbe,asChingatokthinks,thatweareinsearchofnothing,ofcoursewhenwefindnothing,nothingwillstopus!”“Why,Alf,”saidLeo,“Iwonderthatyou,whoareusuallyinanenthusiasticandpoeticalframeofmind,shouldbedepressedbydistantdifficulties,insteadofadmiringsuchasplendidsightofbirdsandbeastsenjoyingthemselves in

whatImaystyleanArcticheaven.YoushouldtakeexamplebyBenjy.”That youth did indeed afford a bright example of rapt enthusiasm just then,for,standingalittleapartbyhimself,hegazedatthescenewithflushedface,openmouth,andglitteringeyes,inspeechlessdelight.“AskChingatokifheeversawthisrangebefore,”saidtheCaptaintoAnders,onrecoveringfromhisfirstfeelingofsurprise.No,Chingatokhadneverseenit,except,indeed,thetopsofthebergsatsea,inthefardistancebuthehadoftenheardofitfromsomeofhiscountrymen,who,likehimself,werefondofexploring.Butthatseaoficewasnotthere,hesaid,whenhehadpassedonhisjourneysouthward.Ithaddriftedthere,sincethattime,fromthegreatsea.“Ah!thegreatseathathespeaksofisjustwhatwemustfindandcrossover,”mutteredtheCaptaintohimself.“Buthowarewetocrossoverit,uncle?”askedLeo.The Captain replied with one of his quiet glances. His followers had longbecomeaccustomedtothissilentmethodofdecliningtoreply,andforboretopressthesubject.“Comenow,boys,getreadytodescendtotheplain.We’llhavetodoitwithcaution.”Therewas,indeed,groundforcaution.Wehavesaidthattheyhadclimbedtoanelevatedplateauononeofthesmallbergswhichformedtheoutsidemarginof the rugged ice.The side of this bergwas a steep slope of hard snow, sosteepthattheythoughtitunwisetoattemptthedescentbywhatinSwitzerlandistermedglissading.“We’llhavetozig-zagdown,Ithink,”continuedtheCaptain,settlinghimselfon his sledge; but the Captain’s dogs thought otherwise. Under a suddenimpulse of reckless free-will, the whole team, giving vent to a howl ofmingledglee and fear, dasheddown the slope at full gallop.Of course theywereovertakeninafewsecondsbythesledge,whichnotonlyranintothem,but sent them sprawling on their backs right and left. Then it met a slightobstruction,anditselfupset,sendingCaptainVaneandhiscompanions,withits other contents, into the midst of the struggling dogs.With momentarilyincreasingspeedthisavalancheofmixeddeadandlivingmatterwentsliding,hurtling, swinging, shouting, struggling, and yelling to the bottom.Fortunately, there was no obstruction there, else had destruction beeninevitable. The slopemerged gradually into the level plain, over which the

avalanche swept for a considerable distance before the momentum of theirflightwasexpended.Whenatlengththeystopped,anddisentangledthemselvesfromtheknotintowhichthetraceshadtiedthem,itwasfoundthatnoonewasmateriallyhurt.Lookingupattheheightdownwhichtheyhadcome,theybeheldtheEskimosstandingatthetopwithoutstretchedarmsintheattitudeofmenwhoglareinspeechless horror.But these did not stand thus long.Descending by amorecircuitousroute,theysoonrejoinedtheCaptain’sparty,andthen,asthenightwasfaradvanced,theyencampedontheedgeoftheice-plain,onapart thatwasbathedinthebeamsoftheever-circlingsun.ThatnightatsupperCaptainVanewasunusuallythoughtfulandsilent.“You’renotlosingheart,areyou,uncle?”askedLeo,duringapause.“No,lad,certainlynot,”repliedtheCaptain,dreamily.“You’venotbeenbumpedverybadlyinthetumble,father,haveyou?”askedBenjywithananxiouslook.“Bumped?no;whatmakesyouthinkso?”“Becauseyou’regazingatToolooha’slampasifyousawaghostinit.”“Well,perhapsIdoseeaghostthere,”returnedtheCaptainwithanefforttorousehisattentiontothingsgoingonaroundhim.“Iseetheghostofthingstocome.IamlookingthroughToolooha’slampintofuturity.”“Andwhatdoesfuturitylooklike?”askedAlf.“Brightordark?”“Blackblack as me,” muttered Butterface, as he approached and laid freshviandsbeforetheparty.It ought to be told thatButterface had suffered rather severely in the recentglissadeonthesnow-slope,whichwillaccountforthegloomyviewhetookofthefutureatthattime.“Listen,”saidtheCaptain,withalookofsuddenearnestness;“asitishighlyprobable that a day or twomorewill decide the question of our success orfailure,Ithinkitrighttorevealtoyoumorefullymythoughts,myplans,andthe prospects that lie before us. You all know verywell that there ismuchdifference of opinion about the condition of the sea around theNorth Pole.Some think it must be cumbered with eternal ice, others that it iscomparativelyfreefromice,andthatitenjoysasomewhatmilderclimatethanthose parts of the Arctic regions with which we have hitherto been doing

battle. I hold entirelywith the latterviewwith thosewhobelieve in anopenPolar basin. Iwon’tweary youwith the grounds ofmy belief in detail, buthereareafewofmyreasons“It is an admitted fact that there is constant circulation of the water in theocean. That wise and painstaking philosopher, Maury, of the US navy, hasprovedtomymindthatthisgrandcirculationofthesea-waterroundtheworldisthecauseofalltheoceanicstreams,hotandcold,withwhichwehavebeensolongacquainted.“Thiscirculation isanecessityaswellasa fact.At theEquator thewater isextremely warm and salt, besides lime-laden, in consequence of excessiveevaporation.AtthePolesitisextremelycoldandfresh.Mixingisthereforeanecessity.Thehotsalt-watersoftheEquatorflowtothePolestogetfreshenedandcooled.Thoseof thePoles flow to theEquator toget salted, limed,andwarmed.Theydothiscontinuouslyintwograndcurrents,northandsouth,allroundtheworld.Butthelandcomesinasadisturbingelement;itdivertsthewaterintostreamsvariouslymodifiedinforceanddirection,andthestreamsalso change places variously, sometimes the hot currents travelling north asunder-currents with the cold currents above, sometimes the reverse. OnebranchofthecurrentcomesfromtheEquatorroundtheCapeofGoodHope,turns up thewest coast ofAfrica, and is deflected into theGulf ofMexico,roundwhich it sweeps, and then shoots across theAtlantic to England andNorway.ItisknownasourGulfStream.“Now,theequatorialwarmandsaltcurrententersBaffin’sBayasasubmarinecurrent, while the cold and comparatively freshwaters of the Polar regionsdescendasasurface-current,bearingthegreatice-fieldsoftheArcticseastothe southward. One thing that goes far to prove this, is the fact that theenormousicebergsthrownofffromthenorthernglaciershavebeenfrequentlyseen by navigators travelling northward, right against the current flowingsouth.Thesehugeice-mountains,floatingastheydowithsevenoreightpartsof their bulk beneath the surface, are carried thus forcibly up streamby theunder-current until their bases arewornoff by thewarmwaters below, thusallowingtheuppercurrenttogainthemastery,andhurrythemsouthagaintotheirfinaldissolutionintheAtlantic.“Now, lads,” continued theCaptain,with theairof amanwhopropoundsaself-evidentproposition;“is itnotclear that if thewarmwatersof the southflowintothePolarbasinasanundercurrent,theymustcomeupsomewhere,to take theplaceof thecoldwaters that are forever flowingaway from thePole to the Equator? Can anything be clearer than thatexcept the nose onBenjy’s face?Well then, that being so, the waters round the Pole must becomparativelywarmwaters,andalso,comparatively,freefromice,sothatif

wecouldonlymanagetocrossthisice-barrierandgetintothem,wemightsailrightawaytotheNorthPole.”“But, father,”saidBenjy,“sinceyouhave taken the liberty to triflewithmynose,Ifeelentitledtoremarkthatwecan’tsail inwaters,eitherhotorcold,withoutaship.”“That’s true, boy,” rejoined theCaptain. “However,” he added,with a half-humorous curl of his blackmoustache, “youknow I’mnot given to stick attrifles.Timewillshow.MeanwhileIamstronglyofopinionthatthisisthelastice-barrierweshallmeetwithonourwaytothePole.”“IstherenotsometraditionofamildclimateinthefurthestnorthamongtheEskimos?”askedAlf.“Ofcoursethereis.IthaslongbeenknownthattheGreenlandEskimoshaveatraditionofanislandinanicelesssea,lyingawayinthefarnorth,wherethereare many musk-oxen, and, from what I have been told by our friendChingatok,Iamdisposedtothinkthatheandhiskindredinhabitthisisland,orgroupof islands, in thePolar basinnot far, perhaps, from thePole itself.Hesays there are musk-oxen there. But there is another creature, and a muchbigger one than any Eskimo, bigger even than Chingatok, who bears histestimony to an open Polar sea, namely, the Greenland whale. It has beenascertained that the ‘right’ whale does not, and cannot, enter the tropicalregionsoftheOcean.Theyaretohimasaseaoffire,awallofadamant,sothatitisimpossibleforhimtoswimsouth,doubleCapeHorn,andproceedtotheNorthPacific;yet thevery samekindofwhale found inBaffin’sBay isfoundatBehringStraits.Now,thequestionis,howdidhegetthere?”“Wasborn there,nodoubt,”answeredBenjy,“andhadnooccasion tomakesuchalongvoyage!”“Ah!myboy,butwehavethestrongestevidencethathewasnotbornthere,foryoumustknowthatsomewhalershaveahabitofmarkingtheirharpoonswithdateandnameofship;andaswehavebeentoldbythatgoodandtruemanDrScoresby,therehavebeenseveralinstanceswherewhaleshavebeencaptured near Behring Straits with harpoons in them bearing the stamp ofships that were known to cruise on the Baffin’s Bay side of America.Moreover,inoneortwoinstancesaveryshorttimehadelapsedbetweenthedate of harpooning on theAtlantic and capturing on thePacific side.Thesefactsprove, at all events, a ‘North-westPassage’ forwhales, and, aswhalescannottravelfarundericewithoutbreathing,theyalsotendtoproveanopenPolarsea.“Another argument in favour of this basin is the migration of birds to the

northwardatcertainseasons.Birdsdonotmigratetofrozenregions,andsuchmigrationsnorthwardhavebeenobservedbythosewho,likeourselves,havereachedthehighestlatitudes.“CaptainNaresoftheAlert,inMay1876,whenonlyalittletothesouthwardof this, saw ptarmigan flying in pairs to the north-west, seeking for betterfeeding-grounds. Ducks and geese also passed northward early in June,indicating plainly the existence of suitable feeding-grounds in theundiscoveredandmysteriousNorth.“We have now passed beyond the point reached byCaptainNares.My lastobservationplacedus inparallel84degrees40minutes, thehighest thathasyetbeenreachedbycivilisedman.”“Thehighest,uncle?” interruptedLeo.“Yesthehighest.Scoresbyreached81degrees50minutesin1806,Parry82degrees45minutesin1827withsledges.That unfortunate and heroic American, Captain Hall, ran his vessel, thePolaris, in theshortest spaceof timeon record,up to latitude82degrees16minutes. Captain Nares reached a higher latitude than had previously beenattained by ships, and Captain Markham, of Captain Nares’ expedition,travelledoverthisvery‘seaofancientice’withsledgestolatitude83degrees20.4minutesabout400milesfromthePole,andthehighestyetreached,asIhavesaid.So,yousee,wehavebeatenthemall!Moreover,Istronglyinclineto the belief that the open Polar Sea lies just beyond that range of hugeicebergswhichweseebeforeus.”TheCaptainroseashespoke,andpointedtothegiganticchain,behindoneofwhichthesunwasjustabouttodip,causingitsjaggedpeakstoglowaswithintensefire.“But how are we ever to pass that barrier, uncle?” asked Alf, whowas bynaturetheleastsanguineofthepartyinregardtoovercomingdifficultiesofageographical nature, although by far the most enthusiastic in the effort toacquireknowledge.“Youshallsee,to-morrow,”answeredtheCaptain;“atpresentwemustturninandrest.See,theEskimoshavealreadysetustheexample.”

ChapterNine.TheCaptainmakesaStupendousEffort.Disappointmentsand

Discoveries.Nextmorningtheice-plainwascrossedataswinginggallop.Indeed,thedogsweresofreshandfriskyafteragoodrestandaheartymealthattheyranaway

morethanonce,anditbecameamatterofextremedifficultytocheckthem.Atlast thegreatchainwas reached,and thepartycame toanabrupthaltat thebase of one of the largest of the bergs. Captain Vane gazed up at it asNapoleontheFirstmaybesupposedtohavegazedattheAlpshehadresolvedtoscaleandcross.The resemblance to alpine scenery was not confined to mere formsuch astoweringpeaks andmightyprecipicesfor therewere lakelets andpondshereandthereupamongthecrystalheights,fromwhichrivuletstrickled,streamsbrawled,andcataractsthundered.Itwasevident,however,thattheoldgiantthatfrownedonthemwasvergingtowardsdissolution,forhewashoney-combedinalldirections.“Impossibletoscalethat,”saidAlf,withasolemnlook.EvenLeo’s sanguine temperamentwas dashed for amoment. “We dare notattempttocutthroughit,”hesaid,“formassesarefallingabouthereandthereinaverydangerousfashion.”Ashespoke,atallspirewasseentoslipfromitsposition,toppleover,andgocrashingdownintoadarkbluegulfoficebelowit.“Nochanceofsuccessnow,”saidBenjaminVane,gloomily.“Nonewotsomediver,”mutteredButterface,hisbroadblackvisageabsolutelyelongated by sympathetic despair. For, you must know, as far as his ownfeelingswereconcerned,sympathyalone influencedhim.Personally,hewassupremelyindifferentaboutreachingtheNorthPole.Infacthedidnotbelievein it at all, and made no scruple of saying so, when asked, but he seldomvolunteeredhisopinion,beinganextremelymodestandpoliteman.During these desponding remarks Captain Vane did not seem to be muchdepressed.“Anders,”hesaid,turningabruptlytotheinterpreter,“askChingatokwhathethinks.Canwepassthisbarrier,and,ifnot,whatwouldheadviseustodo?”ItwasobservedthattheotherEskimosdrewnearwithanxiouslookstoheartheopinionoftheirchief.Toolooha and Tekkona, however, seemed quite devoid of anxiety. Theyevidentlyhadperfectconfidenceinthegiant,andpoorlittleOblooriaglancedupinthefaceofherfriendasiftogatherconsolationfromherlooks.Chingatok,afterashortpause,said:

“The ice-mountains cannot be passed. Thewhitemen have notwings; theycannot fly. Theymust return to land, and travel formany days to the openwaternearthefar-offlandthere.”Hepointeddirecttothenorthward.Captain Vane made no reply. He merely turned and gave orders that thelashings of one of the large sledgeswhich conveyed the baggage should becastloose.Selectingaboxfromthis,heopenedit,andtooktherefromasmallinstrumentmadepartlyofbrass,partlyofglass,andpartlyofwood.“You have often wondered, Benjy,” he said, “what I meant to do with thiselectricalmachine.Youshallsoonsee.Helpmetoarrangeit,boy,anddoyou,Leo,uncoilpartofthiscopperwire.Here,Alf,carrythislittleboxtothefootoftheberg,andlayitinfrontofyonbluecavern.”“Which?Thatoneclosetothewaterfallor”“No, the big cavern, just under the most solid part of the bergthe one thatseems togrowbluerandblueruntil itbecomesquiteblack in itsheart.Andhaveacare,Alf.Theboxyoucarryisdangerous.Don’tletitfall.Layitdowngently,andcomebackatonce.Anders,”headded,turninground,“letallthepeoplegobackwithdogsandsledgesforaquarterofamile.”Therewassomethingsoperemptoryandabrupt in their leader’smanner thatnoonethoughtofaskinghimaquestion,thoughallwerefilledwithsurpriseandcuriosityastowhathemeanttodo.“Comehere,Leo,”hesaid,afterhisordershadbeenobeyed.“Holdthiscoil,andpayitoutasIwalktothebergwiththeendinmyhand.”Thecoilwasoneofextremelyfinecopperwire.LeoletitrunastheCaptainwalkedoff.Aminuteor two laterhewasseen toenter thedarkbluecavernanddisappear.“Mydeardadisreckless,”exclaimedBenjy,insomeanxiety,“whatiftheroofo’ that cave should fall in.Therearebitsof icedroppingabout everywhere.Whatcanhebegoingtodo?”Ashe spoke, theCaptain issued from thecave, andwalked smartly towardsthem.“Nowthen,it’sallright,”hesaid,“givemethecoil,Leo,andcomeback,allofyou.Fetchthemachine,Alf.”

Inafewminutesthewholepartyhadretiredaconsiderabledistancefromthehugeberg,theCaptainuncoilingthewireashewent.“Surelyyou’renotgoingtotrytoblowituppiecemeal?”saidLeo.“No,lad,I’mnotgoingtodothat,oranythingsoslow,”returnedtheCaptain,stoppingandarrangingtheinstrument.“Butiftheboxcontainsgunpowder,”persistedLeo,“there’snotenoughto”“Itcontainsdynamite,”saidtheCaptain,affixingthecoiltothemachine,andgivingitasharpturn.Ifavolcanohadsuddenlyopenedfireunder the iceberg theeffectcouldnothave been more tremendous. Thunder itself is not more deep than was thecrashwhichreverberatedamongtheice-cliffs.Smokeburstinahugevolumefrom the heart of the berg. Masses, fragments, domes, and pinnacles werehurled into the air, and fell back to mingle with the blue precipices thattumbled,slid,orplungedinhorribleconfusion.Onlyaportion,indeed,ofthemightymasshadbeenactuallydisrupted,buttheshocktothesurroundingicewassoshatteringthattheentirebergsubsided.“Stu-pendous!”exclaimedAlf,withalookofawe-strickenwonder.Benjy, after ventinghis feelings in a shriekof joyful surprise, seemed tobestruckdumb.AndersandButterfacestoodstill,speechless.AsfortheEskimos,they turned with one hideous yell, and fled from the spot likemaniacsexceptingChingatok,who, although startled, stood his ground in anattitudeexpressiveofsuperlativesurprise.“So,ithasnotdisappointedme,”remarkedtheCaptain,whenthehideousdinhad ceased, “dynamite is indeed a powerful agent when properly applied:immeasurablymoreeffectivethanpowder.”“But itseemstome,”saidLeo,beginningtorecoverhimself,“thatalthoughyou have brought the berg down you have not rendered it much morepassable.”“That’s true, lad,”answered theCaptainwitha somewhat ruefulexpression.“It does seem a lumpy sort of heap after all; but theremay be found somepracticablebitswhenweexamineitmoreclosely.Come,we’llgosee.”On closer inspection it was found that the ruined berg still presented anabsolutely insurmountable obstacle to the explorers, who, being finallycompelledtoadmitthatevendynamitehadfailed,lefttheplaceinsearchofanaturalopening.

Travellingalongthechainforaconsiderabletime,inthehopeofsucceeding,they came at last to a succession of comparatively level floes, whichconductedthemtotheextremenorthernendofthechain,andtheretheyfoundthatthefloescontinuedonwardsinanunbrokenplaintowhatappearedtobetheopensea.“That is a water-sky, for certain,” exclaimed Captain Vane, eagerly, on theeveningwhen thisdiscoverywasmade.“Theopenoceancannotnowbe faroff.”“There’saverydarkcloudthere,father,”saidBenjy,who,aswehavebeforesaid,possessedthekeenestsightoftheparty.“Acloud,boy!where?UmYes,Iseesomething”“Itisland,”saidChingatok,inalowvoice.“Land!”exclaimedtheCaptain,“areyousure?”“Yes,Iknowitwell.Ipasseditonmyjourneyhere.Weleftourcanoesandoomiaksthere,andtooktosledgesbecausethefloeswereunbroken.Buttheseice-mountains were not here at that time. They have come down since wepassedfromthegreatsea.”“There!” said the Captain, turning to Leo with a look of triumph, “he stillspeaksofthegreatsea!Ifthesebergscamefromit,wemusthavereachedit,lad.”“Butthelandpuzzlesme,”saidLeo.“CanitbepartofGreenland?”“Scarcely, for Greenland lies far to the east’ard, and the latest discoveriesmadeonthenorthofthatlandshowthatthecoastturnsstillmoredecidedlyeasttendingtotheconclusionthatGreenlandisanisland.Thisland,therefore,mustbeentirelynewlandanislandacontinentperhaps.”“Butitmaybeacape,father,”interposedBenjy.“Youknowthatcapeshaveaqueerwayof stickingout suddenly from land, just asmen’snoses stickoutfromtheirfaces.”“True,Benjy,true,butyoursimileisnotperfect,formen’snosesdon’talwaysstickoutfromtheirfaceswitnessthenoseofButterface,which,youknow,iswell aft of his lips and chin. However, this may be Greenland’s nosewhoknows?We shall go and find out ere long.Come, use yourwhip,Leo.Ho!Chingatok,tellyourhairykinsmentoclaponallsailandmakefortheland.”

“Holdon,uncle!”criedAlf,“IthinkIseeasplendidspecimenof”ThecrackofLeo’swhip,andtheyelpingoftheteam,drownedtherestofthesentence,andAlfwaswhirledawayfromhissplendidspecimen,(whateveritwas),forever!“Itisapieceofgreatgoodfortune,”saidtheCaptain,astheysweptalongoverthehardandlevelsnow,“thattheEskimoshaveleft theirboatsonthisland,fornowIshallhavetwostringstomybow.”“Whatistheotherstring?”askedLeo,asheadministeredafliptotheflankofalazydog.“Ah,thatremainstobeseen,lad,”repliedtheCaptain.“Why,whatatyrantyouare,uncle!”exclaimedAlf,whohadrecoveredfromhisdisappointmentaboutthesplendidspecimen.“Youwon’ttellusanything,almost.WhoeverbeforeheardofthemenofanexpeditiontotheNorthPolebeingkeptinignoranceofthemeansbywhichtheyweretogetthere?”TheCaptain’sreplywasonlyatwinkleoftheeye.“Fatherwantstofillyouwithbliss,Alf,”saidBenjy,“accordingtoyourownnotionsofthatsortofthing.”“Whatdoyoumean,Ben?”“Why,havewenotallheardyouoftenquotethewords:‘Whereignoranceisbliss,’tisfollytobewise.’”“Hear,hear!That’sit,Benjy,”saidtheCaptain,withanodandashortlaugh,whilehissonassumedthesatisfiedgravityoflookappropriatetoonewhohasmadeahit;“Iwon’tdecreasehisblissbyremovinghisignoranceyetawhile.”“Hain’tBuzzbygotnuffin’tosayonthat’erepint?”whisperedButterfacetoBenjy,whosatjustinfrontofhim.“Ah! tobe sure. I say,Alf,” said theboywithanearnest look, “hasn’tyourfavouriteauthorgotsomethingtosayabouttheblissofignorance?I’malmostsureIheardyoumutteringsomethinginyourdreamsonthatsubjecttheotherday.”“Ofcoursehehas.Hehasalongpoemonthatsubject.Hereisabitofit.”Alf,whosememorywasgood,immediatelyrecitedthefollowing:“Howsweetisignorance!Howsoothingtothemind,

Tosearchfortreasuresinthebrain,andnothingfind!Consider.Whenthememoryisrichlystored,Howaptthevictimofredundantknowledgetobebored!WhenNothingfillsthechambersoftheheartandbrain,Thennegativeenjoymentcomeswithpleasuresinhertrain!Descendingontheclodsofsenselikesummerrain.“Knowledge,’tissaid,givespower,andsoitoftendoes;Knowledgemakessorrow,too,aroundourpillowsbuzz.IndebtIam,withlittlecash;Iknowitandamsad.Ofcourse,ifIwereignorantofthishowglad!Alovingfriend,whomonceIknewinglowinghealth,Hasbrokendown,andalso,somehow,losthiswealth.Howsadtheknowledgemakesme!BetterfarInignorancetolive,thanhearofthingsthatjar,Andthinkofthingsthatarenot,notofthingsthatare.“‘Ifignoranceisbliss,’thepoetsaithwhy‘if?’Whydoubtafactsoclearlyproven,stubborn,stiff?Theheavygriefsandburdensoftheworldaround,Thehideoustyrannybywhichmankindisground,Theearthquake,tempest,rushofwar,andwailofwoe,AreallasthoughtheywerenotifIdonotknow!Wrappedinmyrobeofignorance,whatcanImiss?AmInotsavedfromallandmorethanallofthis?DoInotrevelinaregalrealmofbliss?”

“Bravo!Buzzby,”cried theCaptain,“but, I say,Alf,don’t it seem tosmackrathertoomuchofselfishness?”“Of course it does, uncle. I do not thinkBuzzby always sound in principle,and,likemanypoets,heissometimesconfusedinhislogic.”“You’re right, Benjy, the land is clear enough now,” remarked the Captain,whoseinterestinBuzzbywasnotprofound,andwhosefeelingstowardslogicbordered on the contemptuous, as is often the casewith half-educatedmen,and,strangetosay,sometimeswithhighly-educatedmen,aswellaswiththetotallyignorantsotrueisitthatextremesmeet!Inthecourseofacoupleofhoursthesledgesdrewneartotheisland,whichproved to be a large but comparatively low one, rising not more than ahundred feet in anypart. Itwasbarrenand ragged,withpatchesof reindeermoss growing in some parts, and dwarf willows in others.Myriads of sea-birdsmadeittheirhome,andthesereceivedtheinvaderswithclamorouscries,asiftheyknewthatwhitemenwereadangerousnovelty,andobjectedtotheinnovation.Despite their remonstrances, theparty landed, and theEskimoshurriedoverthe rocks to that part of the island where they had left their kayaks andwomen’sboatsinchargeofapartyofnativeswhowereresidentontheislandat the time they passed, and from whom they had borrowed the dogs andsledgeswithwhichtheyhadtravelledsouth.Meanwhilethewhitementooktorambling;Leotoshootwild-fowlforsupper,Alf to search for “specimens,” and Benjy to scramble among the rocks insearch of anything thatmight “turn up.”Butterface assisted the latter in hisexplorations.While the restwere thus engaged, theCaptain extemporised aflag-staffoutoftwospearslashedtogetherwithasmallblockatthetopforthepurpose of running up a flag, and formally taking possession of the islandwhentheyshouldre-assemble.Thisdone,hewroteabriefoutlineofhisrecentdoings,whichheinsertedinaginger-beerbottlebroughtforthatverypurpose.ThenheassistedAndersinmakingtheencampmentandpreparingsupper.Thetwowereyetinthemidstofthelatteroperationwhenashoutwasheardinthedistance.LookinginthedirectionwhenceitcametheysawChingatokstridingovertherockstowardsthemwithunusualhaste.HewasfollowedbytheotherEskimos,whocameforwardgesticulatingviolently.“Mycountrymenhavelefttheisland,”saidChingatokwhenhecameup.“Andtakenthekayakswiththem?”askedCaptainVaneanxiously.

“Everyone,”repliedthegiant.ThiswasdepressingnewstotheCaptain,whohadcountedmuchonmakinguseoftheEskimocanoesintheeventofhisownappliancesfailing.“Wherehavetheygone,thinkyou?”heasked.“TellBlackbeard,”repliedChingatok,turningtoAnders,“thatnooneknows.Sincetheywentawaythelanesofopenwaterhaveclosed,andtheiceissolideverywhere.”“Butwhere thekayakand theoomiakcannot float the sledgemaygo,” saidtheCaptain.“Thatistrue;tellthepalechiefheiswise,yetheknowsnotallthings.Lethimthink.Whenhecomestothegreatopenseawhatwillhedowithoutcanoes?”“Huk!” exclaimed Oolichuk, with that look and tone which intimated hisbeliefthatthepalechiefhadreceiveda“clincher.”The chattering of the other Eskimos ceased for a moment or two as theyawaitedeagerlytheCaptain’sanswer,buttheCaptaindisappointedthem.Hemerely said, “Well, we shall see. I may not know all things, Chingatok,neverthelessIknowadealmorethanyoucanguessat.Comenow,let’shavesupper,Anders;wecan’twaitforthewanderers.”Ashespoke,threeofthewandererscameintocamp,namelyLeo,Benjy,andButterface.“What’scomeofAlf?”askedtheCaptain.NeitherLeonorBenjyhad seenhimsince theyparted, aquarterof anhourafterstarting,andbothhadexpectedtofindhimincamp,butButterfacehadseenhim.“Sawd him runnin’,” said the sable steward, “runnin’ like a mad kangarooarter a smallish brute like amouse.Nebber sawdnuffin’ likeMassaAlf forrunnin’.”“Well,wecan’twaitforhim,”saidtheCaptain,“Iwanttotakepossessionoftheislandbeforesupper.Whatshallwecallit?”“DisappointmentIsle,”saidLeo,“seeingthattheEskimoshavefailedus.”“NoIwon’t be ungrateful,” returned theCaptain, “considering the successesalreadyachieved.”

“CallitContentIsle,then,”suggestedBenjy.“ButIamnotcontentwithpartialsuccess.Come,Butterface,haven’tyougotasuggestiontomake.”Thenegroshookhiswoollyhead.“No,”hesaid,“I’s’orriblestoopid.Nebbercould get nuffin’ to come out o’ my brainsep w’en it’s knocked out byaccident.You’shardtoplease,massa.S’poseyoumixdetwo,dis’pintmentan’content,an’call’imHalf-an’-halfIsland.”“Home is in sight now,” said Chingatok, who had taken no interest in theabovediscussion,as itwascarriedon inEnglish.“Afewdaysmoreandweshouldbethereifweonlyhadourkayaks.”“There’s thename,”exclaimedtheCaptaineagerlywhenthiswastranslated,“‘Home-in-sight,’thatwilldo.”Risingquickly,hebentaUnionJacktothehalyardsofhisprimitiveflag-staff,ranitup,andinthenameofQueenVictoriatookpossessionofHome-in-sightIsland.Afterhavinggiven threeheartyBritishcheers, inwhich theEskimostriedtojoin,withbutpartialsuccess,theyburiedtheginger-beerbottleunderaheapofstones,awoodencrosswasfixedonthetopofthecairn,andthenthepartysatdowntosupper,whiletheCaptainmadeacarefulnoteofthelatitudeandlongitude,whichhehadpreviouslyascertained.ThislatestadditiontoHerMajesty’sdominionswasputdownbyhiminlatitude85degrees32minutes,orabout288geographicalmilesfromtheNorthPole.

ChapterTen.ASketcherinImminentDanger.Difficultiesincrease,andareovercome

asusual.ThefirstnightonHome-in-sightIslandwasnotsoundisturbedasmighthavebeenexpected.Thenoisygullsdidindeedgotosleepattheirproperbed-time,which,bytheway,theymusthaveascertainedbyinstinct,forthesuncouldbenocertainguide,seeingthatheshoneallnightaswellasallday,anditwouldbetoomuchtoexpectthatgullshadsufficientpowersofobservationtonotethegreatluminary’sexactrelationtothehorizon.Polarbears,liketheEskimo,hadforsakenthespot.Allnature,indeed,animateandinanimate,favouredtheideaof reposewhen the explorers laydown to sleepon amossy couch thatwasquiteassoftasafeatherbed,andmuchmorespringy.Thecauseofdisturbancewas theprolongedabsenceofAlfVandervell.Thatenthusiastic naturalist’s failure to appear at supper was nothing uncommon.

Hisnon-appearancewhentheylaydowndidindeedcausesomesurprise,butlittleornoanxiety,and theyalldropped intoa soundsleepwhich lasted tillconsiderably beyond midnight. Then the Captain awoke with a feeling ofuneasiness,startedupononeelbow,yawned,andgazeddreamilyaround.Thesun,whichhadjustkissedhishandtothedisappointedhorizonandbeguntore-ascendthesky,blindedtheCaptainwithhisbeams,butdidnotpreventhimfromobservingthatAlf’splacewasstillvacant.“Veryodd,”hemuttered,“Alfdidn’tusetotow’at’s’isnameinthisway”TheCaptain’sheaddropped,hiselbowrelaxed,andhereturnedtothelandofNodforanotherhalf-hour.Againheawokewithastart,andsatupright.“This’ll never do,” he exclaimed, with a fierce yawn, “something must bewrong.Ho!Benjy!”“Umph!”repliedtheboy,who,thoughpersonallylight,wasaheavysleeper.“Rouseup,Ben,Alf’snotcomeback.Wheredidyouleavehim?”“Don’know,Burrerfacesaw’imlas’.”Benjydroppedoffwithasigh,butwasre-arousedbyaroughshakefromhisfather,wholayclosetohim.“Come,Ben,stirupButterface!WemustgolookforAlf.”ButterfacelayontheothersideofBenjy,who,onlyhalfalivetowhathewasdoing, raisedhishandand let it fall heavilyon thenegro’snose, bywayofstirringhimup.“Hallo!massaBenjamin!You’sdreamin’dreffulstrongdismornin’.”“Yerup,ol’ebony!”groanedtheboy.Inafewminutesthewholecampwasroused;sleepwasquicklybanishedbyanxiety about the missing one; guns and rifles were loaded, and a regularsearch-expeditionwashastilyorganised.Theystartedoffingroupsindifferentdirections,leavingtheEskimowomeninchargeofthecamp.TheCaptainheadedoneparty,Chingatokanother,andLeowithBenjyathird,whileafewofthenativeswentoffindependently,incouplesoralone.“IwassureAlfwouldgetintotrouble,”saidBenjy,ashetrottedbesideLeo,whostrodeoverthegroundinanxioushaste.“Thatwayhehasofgettingsoabsorbed in things that he forgets where he is, won’t make him a goodexplorer.”

“Notsosureofthat,Ben,”returnedLeo;“hecandiscoverthingsthatmenwhoarelessabsorbed,likeyou,mightfailtonote.Letusgoroundthishillockonseparatesides.Wemightpasshimifwewenttogether.Keepyoureyesopenasyougo.Hemayhavestumbledoveroneofthoselowprecipicesandbrokenaleg.Keepyourearscockedalso,andgiveashoutnowandthen.”We have said that the island was a low one, nevertheless it was extremelyrugged, with little ridges and hollows everywhere, like miniature hills andvalleys.ThroughoneoftheselatterBenjyhurried,glancingfromsidetosideas he went, like a red Indian on the war-pathwhich character, indeed, hethoughtof,andtriedtoimitate.Thelittlevaledidnot,however,asLeohadimagined,leadroundthehillock.Itdivergedgraduallytotheright,andascendedtowardsthehigherpartsoftheisland.Thepathwassoobstructedbyrocksandboulderswhichhadevidentlybeenatonetimeunderthepressureofice,thattheboycouldnotseefarinanydirection, except bymounting one of these. He had not gone far when, onturningthecornerofacliffwhichopenedupanothergorgetoview,hebeheldasightwhichcausedhimtoopenmouthandeyestotheirwidest.Forthere,seatedonaneminence,withhisbacktoalowprecipice,notmorethan threeor fourhundredyardsoff, sat themissingexplorer,withbookonknees and pencil in handsketching; and there, seated on the top of theprecipice,lookingovertheedgeattheartist,skulkedahugePolarbear,takingasitwere,asurreptitiouslessonindrawing!Thebear,probablysupposingAlfto be awandering seal, had doggedhim to that position just asBenjyVanediscoveredhim,andthen,findingtheprecipicetoohighforaleapperhaps,ordoubtingthecharacterofhisintendedvictim,hehadpausedinuncertaintyontheedge.The boy’s first impulsewas to utter a shout ofwarning, for he had no gunwherewith to shoot the brute, but fear lest that might precipitate an attackrestrainedhim.Benjy, however,wasquick-witted.He saw that the leapwasprobably toomuch even for a Polar bear, and that the nature of the groundwould necessitate a détour before it could get at the artist. These and otherthoughtspassedthroughhisbrain like the lightningflash,andhewasonthepoint of turning to run back and give the alarm to Leo, when a rattling ofstonesoccurredbehindhimjustbeyondthepointofrocksroundwhichhehadturned. In the tension of his excited nerves he felt as if he had suddenlybecomeredhot.Couldthisbeanotherbear?Ifso,whatwashetodo,whitherto fly? A moment more would settle the question, for the rattle of stonescontinued as the steps advanced. The boy felt the hair rising on his head.Roundcametheunknownmonsterintheformofaman!

“Ah,Benjy,I”ButtheappearanceofBenjy’scountenancecausedLeotostopabruptly,bothinwalkandtalk.Hehadfoundouthismistakeaboutsendingtheboyroundthehillock,and,turningback,hadfollowedhim.“Ah!lookthere,”saidBenjy,pointingatthetableauvivantonthehill-top.Leo’sreadyrifle leapedfromhisshoulder tohis leftpalm,andagrimsmileplayedonhislips,forlongserviceinavolunteercorpshadmadehimagoodjudgeofdistanceaswellasasureanddeadlyshot.“Stand back, Benjy, behind this boulder,” he whispered. “I’ll lean on it tomakemorecertain.”He was deliberately arranging the rifle while speaking, but never for oneinstant tookhiseyeoff thebear,which still stoodmotionless,withonepawraised,as ifpetrifiedwithamazementatwhat itsaw.AsforAlf,hewentonintentlywithhiswork, liftingand loweringhiseyescontinuously,putting inbolddasheshere,ortendertouchesthere;holdingoutthebookoccasionallyatarm’slengthtoregardhiswork,withheadfirstononeside,thenontheother,and,inshort,goingthroughallthosegracefulandfamiliarlittleevolutionsofartistic procedure which arouse one’s home feelings so powerfullyeverywhereevenintheArcticregions!Littledidtheartistknowwhowashisuninvitedpupilonthatsunnysummernight!With one knee resting on a rock, and his rifle on the boulder, Leo took asteady,somewhat lengthenedaim,andfired.Theresultwasstupendous!Notonlydid the shot reverberatewithcrashingechoesamongsurroundingcliffsandboulders, but adyinghowl from thebearburst over the island, like thethunderof a heavygun, andwentboomingover the frozen sea.NowonderthatthehorrifiedAlfleaptnearlyhisownheightintotheairandscatteredhisdrawing-materialsrightandleftlikechaff.Hethrewuphisarms,andwheeledfrantically round just in time to receive the murdered bear into his verybosom!Theyrolleddownasmall slope together,and then, fallingapart, layproneandapparentlydeadupontheground.Youmaybesure thatLeosoonhadhisbrother’sheadonhisknee,andwascallingtohiminanagonyoffear,quiteregardlessofthefactthatthebearlayathis elbow,givinga few terrifickicksas itshuge lifeoozedout throughabullet-hole in its heart, while Benjy, half weeping with sympathy, halflaughingwithglee,rantoaneighbouringpooltofetchwaterinhiscap.Alittleoftherefreshingliquiddashedonhisfaceandpoureddownhisthroat

soonrestoredAlf,whohadonlybeenstunnedbythefall.“Whatinducedyoutokeeponsketchingallnight?”askedLeo,afterthefirstexplanationswereover.“Allnight?”repeatedAlfinsurprise,“haveIbeenawayallnight?Whattimeisit?”“Threeo’clockinthemorningattheveryleast,”saidLeo.“Thesunisprettyhigh,asyoumighthaveseenifyouhadlookedatit.”“Butheneverlookedatit,”saidBenjy,whoseeyeswerenotyetquitedry,“heneverlooksatanything,orthinksofanything,whenhegoessketching.”“SurelyyoumustallowthatatleastIlookatandthinkofmywork,”saidAlf,risingfromthegroundandsittingdownontherockfromwhichhehadbeensorudelyroused;“butyouarehalfright,Benjy.Thesunwasatmyback,yousee, hid from me by the cliff over which the bear tumbled, and I had nothoughtsfortime,oreyesfornature,excepttheportionIwasbusywithbytheway,whereisit?”“What,yoursketch?”“Ay,andthecolours.Iwouldn’tlosetheseforasightofthePoleitself.Lookforthem,Ben,myboy,Istillfeelsomewhatgiddy.”Inafewminutesthesketchanddrawing-materialswerecollected,undamaged,andthethreereturnedtocamp,AlfleaningonLeo’sarm.Onthewaythithertheymet theCaptain’sparty,andafterwardsthebandledbyChingatok.Thelatterwasmightilyamusedbytheadventure,andcontinuedforaconsiderabletimeafterwardstoupheavehishugeshoulderswithsuppressedlaughter.Whenthewholepartywasre-assembledthehourwassolate,andtheyhadallbeen so thoroughly excited, that no one felt inclined to sleep again. It wasresolved, therefore, at once to commence the operations of a new day.Butterfacewas set to prepare coffee, and theEskimos began breakfastwithstripsofrawblubber,whilesteaksofLeo’sbearwerebeingcooked.Meanwhile Chingatok expressed a wish to see the drawing which had sonearlycosttheartisthislife.Alfwasdelightedtoexhibitandexplainit.Forsometimethegiantgazedatitinsilence.Thenherestedhisforeheadinhishugehandasifinmeditation.

Itwastrulyacleversketchofasurpassinglylovelyscene.Intheforegroundwas part of the islandwith its pearl-grey rocks, red-brown earth, and greenmosses,inthemidstofwhichlayacalmpool,liketheisland’seyelookingupto heaven and reflecting the bright indescribable blue of the midnight sky.Furtheronwasamassofcoldgreyrocks.Beyondlaythenorthernice-pack,whichextendedinchaoticconfusionawaytothedistanthorizon,butthechaoswassomewhatrelievedbythepresenceoflakeletswhichshonehereandthereoveritssurfacelikeshieldsofglitteringazureandburnishedgold.“Ask him what he thinks of it,” said Leo to Anders, a little surprised atChingatok’sprolongedsilence.“I cannot speak,” answered thegiant, “mymind isbursting andmyheart isfull.Withmy finger I have drawn faces on the snow. I have seenmen putwonderfulthingsonflatrockswithapieceofstone,butthis!thisismycountrymadelittle.ItlooksasifIcouldwalkinit,yetitisflat!”“Thegiantisrathercomplimentary,”laughedBenjy,whenthiswastranslated;“tomyeyeyoursketchislittlebetterthanadaub.”“Itisadaubthatcausesmemuchanxiety,”saidtheCaptain,whonowlookedatthedrawingforthefirsttime.“D’youmeantotellme,Alf,thatyou’vebeentruetonaturewhenyousketchedthatpack?”“AstrueasIcouldmakeit,uncle.”“I’llanswerfor its truth,”saidLeo,“andsowillBenjy, forwebothsawtheview from the top of the island, thoughwe paid little heed to it, being toomuch occupied with Alf and the bear at the time. The pack is even moreruggedthanhehasdrawnit,anditextendsquiteunbrokentothehorizon.”The Captain’s usually hopeful expression forsook him for a little as hecommentedonhisbadfortune.“Theseasonadvances,yousee,”hesaid,“andit’sneververylongatthebest.I had hopedwewere donewith this troublesome ‘sea of ancient ice,’ but itseems to turn up everywhere, and from past experience we know that thecrossingofitisslowwork,aswellashard.However,wemustn’tloseheart.‘Nebbersaydie,’asButterfaceisfondofremarking.”“Yis,Massa,nebbersaydie,butallerssay‘lib,todetopobyourbent.’Demsmy’pinionsw’endey’swanted.Also‘goa-hid.’Dat’sagrandsent’mentwasborned’mongdeYankees,an’Istoleditw’enIleftoleVirginny.”“What says Chingatok?” asked the Captain of the Eskimo, who was still

seatedwiththesketchonhiskneesinprofoundmeditation.“Blackbeard has trouble before him,” answered the uncompromising giant,without removinghis eyes from the paper. “There,” he said, pointing to thepack,“youhave threedays’hardwork.After that threedays’easyandswiftwork.Afterthatnomoregoon.Mustcomeback.”“Hespeaksinriddles,Anders.Whatdoeshemeanbythethreedaysofhardworkcomingtoanend?”“Imean,”saidChingatok,“thattheicewasloosewhenIcametothisisland.Itis now closed. Thewhitemenmust toil, toil, toilvery slow over the ice forthree days, then theywill come to smooth ice,where the dogsmay run forthreedays.Thentheywillcometoanotherisland,likethisone,onthefar-offsideofwhichthereisnoicenothingbutsea,sea,sea.Ourkayaksaregone,”continuedthegiant,sadly,“wemustcomebackandtravelmanydaysbeforewefindthingstomakenewones.”Whilehewasspeaking,CaptainVane’sfacebrightenedup.“Areyousureofwhatyousay,Chingatok?”“Chingatokissure,”repliedtheEskimoquietly.“Thenwe’llconquerourdifficultiesafterall.Come,boys,let’swastenomoretimeinidletalk,butharnessthedogs,andbeoffatonce.”Ofcoursethepartyhadtotravelroundtheisland,fortherewasneithericenorsnowonit.Whentheothersidewasreachedtherealdifficultiesofthejourneywere fully realised. During the whole of that day and the next they werealmostcontinuouslyengagedindraggingthesledgesovermassesofice,someofwhich rose to thirty feet above the general level. If the readerwill try toimagine a very small ant or beetle dragging its property over a newlymacadamisedroad,hewillhaveafaintconceptionofthenatureofthework.Tosomeextentthedogswereahindranceratherthanahelp,especiallywhenpassingoverbrokenfragments,fortheywerealwaystumblingintoholesandcracks,outofwhichtheyhadtobedragged,andweremuchgiventoventingtheir ill-humour on each other, sometimes going in for a free fight, in thecourseofwhichtheytiedtheirtracesintoindescribableknots,anddrovetheirEskimo masters furious. On such occasions the whipsboth lash andhandlewereappliedwithunsparingvigouruntilthecreatureswerecowed.Danger, also, as well as toil, was encountered during the journey. On theeveningoftheseconddaythesledgedrivenbyOolichukdivergedalittlefromthelineofmarchtowardswhatseemedaneasierpassageoverthehummocks.

Theyhad justgained the topofan ice-block,which,unknown to thedriver,overhung itsbase.When thedogs reached theedgeof themass, it suddenlygaveway.Downwent the teamwithaunitedhowlofdespair.Theirweightjerkedthesledgeforward,anothermassoftheicegaveway,andoverwentthewholeaffair.Inthefall thelashingsbroke,andOolichuk,withseveralofhiskindred, including poor little Oblooria, went down in a shower of skins,packages,bags,andEskimocookingutensils.Fortunately, theydroppedonaslopeof icewhichbroke their fall, and,as itwere,shuntedthemallsafely,thoughviolently,tothelowerlevelofthepack.Beyond a few scratches and bruises, no evil resulted from this accident tothesehardynativesofthenorth.That night they all encamped, as on the previous night, in themidst of thepack, spreading their skins and furs on the flattest ice they could find, andkeepingasfarfromoverhanginglumpsaspossible.“WhatdoesBlackbeardmeanbycominghere?”askedChingatokofAnders,astheylaysidebyside,gazingupattheblueskyawaitingsleep.“Wecannotswimoverthesea,andwehavenoboats.”“Idon’tknow,”answered the interpreter.“Ourchief isawonderfulman.Hedoesthingsthatseemtobeallwrong,buttheyturnoutmostlytobeallright.”“DoesheeverspeakofaGreatSpirit?”askedthegiantinasolemntone.“Nottome,”repliedtheother,“butIhearhimsometimesspeakingtohislittleboyabouthisGod.”“ThenhemustknowhisGod,”returnedChingatok.“Hasheseenhimspokentohim?”Anderswasagooddealsurprisedaswellaspuzzledbythequestionsputbyhisnewfriend.Hisextremelycommonplacemindhadneverbeenexercisedbysuch ideas. “I never askedhim about that,” he said, “andhe never toldme.Perhapshewilltellyouifyouaskhim.”Theinterpreterturnedonhissidewithasighandwenttosleep.Thegiantlayonhisbackgazinglongandsteadilywithawistfullookattheunbrokenvaultof sky,whosevast profundity seemed to thrust himmercilesslyback.Ashegazed,alittlecloud,lightasapuffofeider-down,andgoldenasthesunfromwhichitslustrecame,floatedintotherangeofhisvision.Hesmiled,forthethought that lightmaysuddenlyarisewhenall aroundseemsblankgavehisinquiringspiritrest,andhesoonjoinedtheslumberingbandwholayuponthe

icearoundhim.According to Chingatok’s prophecy, on the third day the fagged andwearydiscoverers surmounted their first difficulty, and came upon comparativelysmooth ice, the surface of which resembled hard-trodden snow, and wassufficientlyfreefromobstructinglumpstoadmitofrapidsledgetravelling.Itwaslatewhentheyreachedit,butastheycouldnowallsitonthesledgesandleave thehardwork to thedogs, the leaderresolved tocontinue theadvancewithoutresting.“It’s time enough to stop whenwe’re stopped,” he remarked to Leo, whilemakingpreparations to start. “Wewill sleepat the firstobstructionwemeetwith,ifit’sasufficientlytroublesomeone.Seethatthethingsarewelllashedonallthesledges,Alf.RememberthatIholdyouresponsibleforlostarticles.”“AndwhatamIresponsiblefor,father?”askedBenjywithapertlook.“Forkeepingoutofmischief,Ben.That’sthemostIcanexpectofyou.”“Youareonlyasortofnegativeblessingtous,yousee,Benjy,”saidAlf,ashestoopedtotightenarope.“It’snotsomuchwhatyoudo,aswhatyoudon’tdo,thatrejoicesus.”“I’m glad of that,” retorted the boy, arranging himself comfortably on hisfather’ssledge,“becauseIwon’tdoanythingatall forsomehours tocome,whichoughttofillyouallwithperfectfelicity.Awakeme,Leo,ifwechancetoupset.”“Nowthen,allready?”criedtheCaptain.“Offyougo,thenclaponallsail!”Crackwentthemightywhips,howlwentthedogs,andthesledgesweresoonskimmingovertheseaattherateoftenmilesanhour.Ofcoursetheydidnotkeepthatpaceupverylong.Itbecamenecessarytorestattimes,also,togivethedogsalittlefood.Whenthislatterprocesshadbeencompleted,theteamsbecamesolivelythattheytriedtorunaway.“Letthemrun,”saidtheCaptaintoLeo.“Andhelpthemon,”addedBenjy.Leotooktheadviceofboth,appliedthelash,andincreasedthespeedsomuchthat the sledge swung from side to side on the smooth places, sometimescatchingonalumpofice,andallbutthrowingoutitsoccupants.TheEskimosenteredintothespiritoftheirleaders.Theyalsopliedtheirlashes,and,beingmore dexterous than Leo, soon converted the journey into a race, inwhichChingatokhis giant arm flourishing an appropriately huge whipwas rapidly

comingtothefrontwhenatremendousshoutintherearcausedthemtopullup.Lookingback,Alf’ssledgewasseeninvertedandmixed,asitwere,withtheteam,whileAlfhimselfandhisEskimofriendsweresprawlingaroundonthe ice.No damagewas done to life or limb, but a sledge-runner had beenpartially broken, and could not be mended,so said Oolichukin less than anhour.“This,then,”saidtheCaptain,“isourfirstobstruction,soherewewillmakeourbedsforthenight.”

ChapterEleven.AnotherIslanddiscoveredTheEnglishmenandEskimosalikeare

AstonishedinmoreWaysthanone.

AsChingatokhadpredicted,on thesixthdayfromHome-in-sight Island thepartycametoanotherisland,wherethegreatpackabruptlyterminated.Itwasnotlarge,probablytenortwelvemilesinlength,fromtheEskimoaccount,buttheendsofitcouldnotbeseenfromthespotwheretheylanded.Atthatpointitwasonlytwomileswide,andontheoppositesideitsshoreswerelavedbyan open sea, which was quite free from ice, with the exception of a fewscatteredfloesandbergsaseawhosewavesfellinslowregularcadenceonapebblybeach,andwhosehorizonwasanunbrokenlinebarelydistinguishablefromthesky.Close to it a few black rocks showed above the water, around which greatnumbers of gulls, puffins, and other sea-birds disported themselves inclamorous joy; sometimes flying to the shore as if to have a look at thenewcomers,andthensheeringoffwithascreamitmightbealaughtotelltheircomradeswhattheyhadseen.“Here, then,at last, is theopenPolarSea,”saidCaptainVane,after thefirstlongsilentgazeof joyandadmiration.“Ihavenodoubtof itwhatever.Andnowweshallproceed,Ihopewithoutinterruption,tothePole!”“Ofcourseyoudonotintendthatweshouldswimthere,doyou,uncle?”saidLeo.“Ofcoursenot,myboy.Inthosebigcases,whichhavecostussomuchlabourtobringhere,Ihavethreelargeandstoutindia-rubberboats”“Ha!Iguessedasmuch,”exclaimedAlf.“Nodoubt,”returnedtheCaptain,“butyoudidnotguessall.”“Ihopenot,”saidLeo,“fortosaytruthIdon’tmuchrelishtheideaofrowing

overanunknownseaanunknowndistanceattherateofthreeorfourmilesanhour.Ihopeyouhaveapatentsteam-enginethatwilldriveusalongsomewhatfaster.”“No,lad,no,Ihavenosuchsteam-engineoranyothermiraculouscontrivancethatsetsthelawsofnatureatdefiance,andappearsonlyinnurserytales.Thisexpeditionhasbeenundertakenonnohaphazardorinsaneplan.ItwasallcutanddrybeforeweleftOldEngland,anditismuchsimplerthanyousuppose.”“What,then,istobeyourmotivepower,ifnotoarsorsailswhichlastwouldnotworkwell,Ifear,inanindia-rubberboat?”askedLeo.“Kites,”repliedtheCaptain.“Kites!”repeatedbothAlfandLeoinsurprise.“Not paper ones, surely,” said Benjy, in a tone of disappointment, notunmingledwithcontempt.“No,Ben,notpaperones,”saidtheCaptain,“butyoushallsee.Lettheboxesbe unlashed and carried into yonder cave. I’ll unpack them presently.Meanwhile,Anders,Iwantyoutointerpretforme.Go,tellChingatokIwishtohaveatalkwithhim.”Whilethebrotherswenttoobeytheirleader’sorder,andBenjytosuperintendthepitchingof thecamp,CaptainVanewalkedalong the shorewithAndersandthegiant.“Are you sure, Chingatok, that there is nomore ice in this sea?” asked theCaptain.“Nomoregreatpacks;onlyalittlehereandthere,andafewice-mountains,”answeredtheEskimo.“Andnomoreislands?”“Nomore islands till you come to the land where I and my people dwell.There aremore islandsbeyond thatwithpeopleon thempeoplewhoarenotfriendlytous.”“Howfaroff,now,isyourlandfromthisisland?”continuedtheCaptain,withagravenodtoLeo,whojoinedthematthemoment.“Aboutthreedayswithakayak.”TheCaptainponderedforafewminutes.

“Leo,”hesaid,“theobservationwhich I tookyesterdayenablesme toplacethisislandinlatitude86degrees40minutes.Ijudgethatakayakmaytravelattherateof threemilesanhour,which,makingallowanceforsleepandrests,givesthedistanceofthisislandfromChingatok’snativelandapproximatelyatabout100miles,sothatthehomeofthisgiantandhistribeisactuallyinthenearneighbourhoodofthePoleitself.Ifthisbeso,wemayconsiderthatoursuccess,wind,weather,etcetera,permitting,isabsolutelycertain.”The Captain spoke in the deep earnest tones of one under the influence ofpowerfulbutsuppressedenthusiasm.“Nowthen,Leo,”hecontinued,“wewillgoandtakeformalpossessionofthisnewdiscovery.Whatshallwecallit?GoodHopeistoofamiliarasacape.”“WhynotGreatHope?”askedLeo.“Good!Thatwilldowell.”So Captain Vane took possession of Great Hope Island; having fixed itsposition in latitude 86 degrees 40 minutes north, and longitude 60 degreeswest.After thatheproceededtoopenthecaseswhichhadsolongbeenobjectsofinteresttohisownparty,andobjectsofintensecuriositytotheEskimos,whocrowded round the entrance of the shallow cavern with eager looks, whiletheirleaderwenttoworkwithhammerandchiselonthecopperfastenings.“Wugh!Huk!hi!hosh!ho!”weresomethingliketheexclamationsutteredbytheEskimoswhenthelidofthefirstcaseflewupandrevealedonlyamassofbrownpaperwrappings.Itwasinterestingtoobservetheutterself-oblivionofthesechildrenofnature!Ofcoursetheeyesandmouthsofallopenedwiderandwiderwhiletheworkwent on.We can understand this, for it is characteristic of the simple in allnations,butitwasnotsoeasytounderstandwhyshouldersshouldslowlyriseandelbowsbeslightlybent,andthetenfingersgraduallyexpandlikeclaws.Anxietymight account for theway inwhich someof them softly liftedonefoot and then the other; but why did little Oblooria raise her left foot byimperceptibledegrees,andremainpoisedupontheotherasifshewereabird,exceptonthesuppositionthatshewasunconsciouslyimitatingTekkona,whowasdoingthesamething?It was interesting, also, to note the slight substratum of consciousness thatdisplayed itself in Oolichuk, who, while regarding the Captain in glaringexpectancy,puthisarm, inadvertentlyas itwere, roundOblooria’swaistalso

the complete absence of consciousness in the latter, who was so engrossedwiththeCaptain,thatshedidnotappeartofeelthetouchofOolichuk!Theselittlepeculiarities,however,althoughextremelyinteresting,werenotobservedby any of the actors on that occasionexcept, perhaps, byBenjy,who, beingsharp-witted,hadaknackofseeingroundacornerattimes!When the contents of the case were turned out, they proved to consist ofseveral coils of rope, and a large squarebundle.Theuncordingof the latterintensifiedtheexpectationoftheEskimotoboilingpoint,andwhenthebrownpaperwas removed, and a roll of somethingwith a strange, not to say bad,smellwasdisplayed,theyboiledoverinaseriesofexclamationstowhichtheformer “huks” and “hos” were mere child’s play. But when the roll wasunrolled,andassumedaflatshapenotunliketheskinofahugewalrus,theygaveashout.Then,whentheCaptain,openingasmallerpackage,displayedapairofbellowslikeaconcertina,theygaveagasp.Whenheappliedthesetoaholeintheflatobject,andcauseditslowlytoswell, theyutteredaroar,andwhen, finally, they saw the flat thing transformed into a goodly-sized boat,they absolutely squealedwith delight, and began to caper about in childlikejoy.Inthismanner, threecaseswereopened,andthreeboatsproduced.ThentheMagician,whowentabouthisworkinperfectsilence,withaknowingsmileonhislips,openedseverallongishboxes,whichLeohadguessedtobefilledwith fishing-rodsor spare rifles,butwhich, it turnedout, containedoars forthe india-rubber boats. After that, the Captain opened another large case,whichrousedthesurpriseofhiswhitefollowersasmuchasthatofthenatives.“It looks like one of mother’s silk dresses,” remarked Benjy, as the newwonderwasdraggedforth.“Toovoluminousforthat,”saidAlf.“Aballoon!”exclaimedLeo.“No,boys, it’sonlyakite,”said theCaptain,unfolding it.“Iconfess itdoesnotlookverylikeone,butitsappearancewillchangebyandby.”And its appearance did change remarkably as it was opened out and puttogether.Theconstructionof thiskitewaspeculiar. In thefirstplace, itwassquare inform, or, rather, diamond-shaped, and its size, when fully distended, waseighteenfeetbyfourteen.“Thesimplicityof it,yousee,”said theCaptain,asheput it together,“is its

greatrecommendation.”He ceased to speak for a fewmoments, while engagedwith a troublesomejoint,andBenjytookadvantageofthepausetoexpressahopethatsimplicitywasnotitsgreatestrecommendation,becausehehadneverheardofanyoneattemptingtoreachthePoleonthestrengthofsimplicity.Withoutnoticingthisremark,theCaptainwenton“You see itwouldbe troublesome to carrydistending sticksofgreat length,becausetheywouldbeintheway,andapttogetbroken.Eachstick,therefore,hasajointinthemiddlelikethatofafishing-rod.Therearefoursuchsticks,fastenedto,orradiatingfrom,astrongsteelcentralhinge,sothattheycanbefoldedtogether,oropenedoutintotheformofacross.Asmallbutverystrongcrossofbamboofitsonthemachine,behindthecentralhinge,andlocksitinadistendedposition,afterthesilkhasbeenplacedonit.Strongcordsrunroundtheouteredgesofthesilk,andthereareloopsatthecornerstoattachittothedistenders.Thus,yousee,thekitecanbeputup,orfoldedintoaportableformlikeanumbrella,thoughnotofcourseasquickly,noryetaseasily,owingtoitsgreatsize.”Whilehewasspeaking,theCaptainwasbusilyputtingtheseveralpartsofthekitetogether.As he concluded, he laid the machine on its face, locked it with the littlebamboo cross, and then held it up in triumph, to the delight of his whiteobservers,andtheblankastonishmentoftheEskimos.Wesayblank,because,unliketheboat,thenatureofwhichtheyunderstoodbeforeithadbeenquiteinflated, thismachinewasto themanabsolutemystery,andseemedtobeofnouseatall.Theiropinionofitwasnotimprovedwhenasuddenpuffofwindblewitflatontheground,causingtheCaptaintofallonthetopofit.“It’s a little awkward in handling,” he growled, unlocking the centre-cross.“Holdthepointsdown,lads,tillIdragitintotheumbrellaform.There;it’sallsafenow.Thetruthis,unmanageablenesswheninhandistheonlyfaultofmykite. Once in the air, it’s as tractable as a lamb; getting it up is the chiefdifficulty,butthatisnottoogreattobeovercome.”“Besides,youknow,nothing’sperfectinthisworld,father,”saidBenjy,withawinkatButterface,who,havingacute risible tendencies, exploded.SomeoftheEskimos,whose sympathieswere strong, joined in the laugh byway ofrelieftotheirfeelings.

When the Captain had wound a strap round the closed kite, to restrain itsvolatilenature,heopenedanotherlargecasewhichcontainedseveralreelsofstrong cord, somewhat resembling log-lines, but with this peculiarity, that,alongsideofeachthickcordthereranathinredlineoftwine,connectedwiththoughnotboundtotheotherbymeansoflittleloopsorringsoftwinefixedaboutsixfeetapartthroughoutitsentirelength.“Theseare thecords to fly thekites,”said theCaptain, takinguponeof thereels,whichwasaslargeasaman’shat.“YouseeIhavethreesetsofsilkinthat box, and six sets of reels and sticks, besides a few spare pieces of thelatter, so that we can afford to suffer a little damage. Now, the use of thispeculiar sort of double linewill be clearwhen in action, but Imay aswellexplainit.Theendofthisstoutlineistobemadefasttothebandwhichyousawonthekite,andtheendofthisthinredlinetothetopofitsuprightstick.You rememberwellenoughhow independentordinarykitesare.Youcannotcause them to descend except by hauling them in by main force, and youcannot moderate their pull. This kite of mine is capable of exerting a pullequal tosixhorses,withasufficientlystrongwind.So,yousee, itwouldbeimpossibleforadozenmentoholditwithoutsomecheckonitspower.Thischeckissuppliedbythethinredline,whichismadeofthestrongestsilk.Bypulling it gently you bend the head of the kite forward, so that it ceases topresentaflatsurfacetothewind,whichfliesoffitmoreorlessatthetail.Bypulling stillmore on the red line, the traction-power is still further reduced,and,withagoodpull,thekitecanbemadetopresentitsheadaltogethertothewind,andthustolieflatonit,when,ofcourse,itwilldescendslowlytotheground,wavingfromsidetoside,likeadroppedsheetofpaper.”“Areyougoingtotryit,father?”askedBenjyeagerly.TheCaptain looked up at the cloudswith a critical glance. “There’s hardlyenoughofwindto-day,boy.Neverthelesswewilltry.”Inaveryshorttimethekitewasagainextended,thecentrelocked,thethickcordfixedtoaloopintheband,andthethincordtotheheadofthemainstick.While this was being done, the corners were held down by Leo, Benjy,Anders,andButterface.“Howaboutatail,father?”askedBenjy,withsuddenanimation.“Ha!Iforgotthetail.I’vegotseveraltails.It’swellyouremindedme.”“Itisindeed,”respondedtheboy,“forIrememberwellthatwhenmykiteslosttheirtailstheyusedtowhirlwildlyaboutuntiltheydashedtheirheadsontheground.Thiskitewouldbelittlebetterthanamadelephantwithoutitstail!”

A short tail, made of the strongest cat-gut, was now fixed to the lowerextremityof thekite. Ithadabagat theend, tobeweightedwith stonesasrequired.“Now,then,Alf,doyoucarrythereelawayfiftyyardsorso,andpayoutthelineasyougo.MakeadozenoftheEskimosholdonwithyoutillIcomeandregulatethepull.Imustremainheretosetitoff.”Alfdidashewasordered.Whenhewasfarenoughout,theCaptainandLeoraised the aerial monster with caution, grasping it by the shoulders, whileBenjy held on to the tail. Their great care was to keep it flat, so that itpresentednothingbutitsthinheadtothewind,butthiswasadifficulty,foritkeptflutteringasifanxioustogetaway,catchingaslantofwindunderneathnowandthen,whichcausedbothLeoandtheCaptaintostagger.“Don’tholddownthetail,Benjy,”criedtheCaptain, lookinganxiouslyoverhisshoulder.Unfortunately Ben did not hear the “don’t.” Not only did he hold on withincreasedvigour,buthegavethetailanenergeticpulldownwards.Theresultwasthatthewindgotfairlyunderneath,andtheheadwasjerkedupward.Leo,fearingtotearthesilk,letgo,andtheCaptainwasthrownviolentlyoff.Benjyalonestoodtohisgunsortohistailwithloyalheroismforamoment,butwhenhe felt himself liftedoff thegrounda few inches, a feelingofhorror seizedhim.Heletgo,andcamedownwithawhack.Freeatlast,thehugekiteshotupwardslikearocket,andaterriblehowlfromtheEskimoshowedthatallwasnotrightattheirendoftheline.Thetruthwasthatnoneofthemwereimpressedwiththeimportanceofthedutyrequiredofthem.Thesuddenstrain jerked the lineoutof thehandsofsome,and threwotherstotheground,andAlf,whohadforgreatersecuritytakenaturnofthelineroundhisrightarm,wasdraggedforwardatfullracingspeed.Indeedhewasbeginningtotakethosetremendousboundscalled“giantstrides,”whichweresuretoterminateinhisbeingdraggedalongtheground.CaptainVanesawthedanger,andwasequaltotheoccasion.Therewaslittletimefor thoughtoraction.AnothermomentandAlfwouldbeoff thebeachintothesea.“Letgo!Alf;letgo!”criedLeo,inanagonyofalarm.“No,no!holdon!”shoutedtheCaptain.PoorAlfcouldnothelpholdingon.Theturnsofthelineroundhisarmheld

himfast.Anothermoment,andhewasabreastoftheCaptainwhosprangathimashepassedlikealeopardonhispreyandheldon.Butthepacewaslittlecheckedwiththisadditionalweight.ItwasbeyondtheCaptain’srunningpowers,andboth he andAlfwould have been thrownviolently to the groundhad it nothappened that they had reached the water, into which they plunged with atremendous splash. Theywere dragged through it, however, only for a fewseconds,forbythattimetheCaptainhadsucceededingettingholdoftheredlineandpullingitseparately.Theresultwasimmediateandsatisfactory.Theheadofthekitewasthrownforward,actingsomewhatasasaildoeswhenaship is throwninto thewind,and the twounfortunatescame toananchor infourfeetofwater.“Wemustnotletitintothewater,Alf,”gaspedtheCaptain,clearingthewaterfromhiseyes.“Howcanwepreventit?”splutteredAlf,shakingthewethairoffhisface.“Ease your fingers a bit. There; hold on.” As he spoke the Captain gave aslightpullontheregulatingline.Thekiteatoncecaughtthewindandsoared,givingthetwooperatorsanawfultug,whichnearlyoverturnedthemagain.“Too much,” growled the Captain. “You see it takes some experience toregulatetheexcitablethingproperly.There,now,haulawayfortheshore.”BythistimetheywerejoinedbyLeoandChingatok,whoranintothewaterandaidedthemindraggingtherefractorymachineashore.“That’savigorousbeginning,father,”remarkedBenjyastheycametoland.“Itis,myboy.Goandfetchmedryclotheswhilewehaulinthekiteandmakehersnug.”“Whendoyoumeantostart?”askedLeo,ashecoiledawaytheslackofthelineonthereel.“Thefirststeadyfairwindthatblowsfromthesouth,”answeredtheCaptain,“but we must have one or two experimental trials of the kites and boatstogether,beforewesetoutontherealvoyage.”“It’sacapitalidea,”returnedLeoenthusiastically.“There’sasortofneck-or-nothingdashaboutitthatquitesuitsme.But,uncle,whatoftheEskimos?Thethreeboatswon’tcarrythehalfofthem.”“Iknow that, lad, and shall get over thedifficultyby leaving someof them

behind. Chingatok says they are quite able to take care of themselves; caneasily regain theGreenlandshore, find their canoes,ormakenewones, andreturntotheirownlandiftheychoose.”“But,uncle,”saidAlf,whowasbynomeansasrecklessashisbrother,“don’tyouthinkit’sratherriskytogooffintoanunknownseainopenboats,fornooneknowshowlong,togonooneknowsexactlywhere?”“Why,Alf,” returned theCaptainwitha laugh,“ifyouwereas stupidaboutyourscientificpursuitsasyouareaboutgeographicalaffairs,youwouldnotbeworthyoursalt.Asea’sasea,isn’tit,whetherknownorunknown,andthelawsthataffectallseasareprettymuchalike.Ofcourseitisrisky.Soisgoingonaforlornhope.Soisshootingwithasetoffellowswhodon’tknowhowtomanage their guns. So is getting on a horse, for itmay kick you off or runaway. So is eating fish, for youmay choke yourself. Everything, almost, ismoreorlessrisky.Youmustrisksomethingifyou’ddiscovertheNorthPole,whichhasbaffledadventurers fromthedaysofAdamtillnow.Andyouarewronginsayingthatweshallgoofffornooneknowshowlong.Thedistancefrom this island to the Pole is pretty nearly 200miles. If our kites carry usalongattherateoftenmilesanhour,weshallcoverthedistancein20hours.Ifwehavecalmsorcontrarywindswemaytake20days.Ifstormscome,wehavenotmuchtofear,fortheweatheriswarm,so,too,isthewater.Then,ourboatsare lifeboatstheycannotsink.Astonotknowingwhereexactlywearegoing,why,man,we’regoingtotheNorthPole.Everybodyknowswherethatis,andwearegoingtothehomeofChingatok,whichcannotbeveryfarfromit.”“There,Alf,Ihopeyouaresufficientlyanswered,”saidLeo,asheundidthelocking-gearofthekite,whichbythattimelayproneonitsface,aspeacefulasalamb.The next three dayswere spent in flying the other kites, tying them on theboats, acquiring experience, andmaking preparations for the voyage. Itwasfoundthat,withamoderatebreeze,thekitestowedtheboatsattherateoftenmilesanhour,whichwasbeyondthemostsanguinehopesoftheCaptain.Ofcoursetheycouldnotbeattowindwardwiththem,buttheycouldsailwithaconsiderableslant,and theyprevented theboats,while thusadvancing, frommakingmuchleewaybymeansofdeepleeboards,suchasareusedevenatthepresentdaybyDutchships.“ButIcan’tunderstand,”saidBenjy,afterseveraltrialshadbeenmade,“whyyoushouldnothavefittedsailstotheboats,insteadofkites.”“Becauseasailonlyaquarterthesizeofakitewouldupsettheboat,”saidthe

Captain,“andonesmallenoughtosuititwouldbelittlebetterthanapairofoars.Thiskite system is like fittingagigantic sail to a lilliputianboat,d’yesee?”“Isee,father.ButIwishithadbeenaballoon.ItwouldhavebeengreaterfuntohavegonetothePoleinaballoon!”“Aballoonwill never go there, nor anywhere else,Benjy, exceptwhere thewindcarriesit,foraballooncannotbesteered.It’simpossibleinthenatureofthingsasmuchsoasthatdreamofthevisionary,perpetualmotion.”OnthefourthdayaftertheirarrivalatGreatHopeIslandthewindblewstrongandsteady from the south, and theexplorersprepared to start.TheEskimoshadbeentoldthattheyweretoremainbehindandshiftforthemselvesapieceofnewswhichdidnotseemtoaffectthematall,onewayorother.Thosewhowere selected to go with the explorers were perfectly willing to do so.Chingatok, of course, was particularly ready. So were his corpulent motherandTekkonaandOblooria;soalsowereOolichuk,Ivitchuk,andAkeetolik.It was a splendid sunny afternoon when the kites were finally flown andattached to the three boats which were commanded respectively by theCaptainLeo,andAlf.Thesethreesatatthebowofeachboatmanipulatingtheregulators, and keeping the kites fluttering, while the goods and provisionswere put on board. Then theEskimowomen and crews stepped in, and thesternropeswerecastloose.“Letgothecheck-strings!”shoutedtheCaptain.Thiswasdone.Thehugekitesbegan to strain at once, and the india-rubberboats went rushing out to sea, leaving the remainder of the Eskimo bandspeechlesson theshore.Theystoodtheremotionless,withopenmouthsandeyes, the very embodiment of unbelieving wonder, till the boats haddisappearedonthehorizon.

ChapterTwelve.TheOpenPolarBasinatlast!Alfwasheshimselfinit.

Who can imagine or describe the feelings of Captain Vane and his youngrelativesonfindingthemselvessweepingatsuchamagnificentrateover thegreatPolarbasin?thatmysterioussea,whichsomebelievetobeaseaofthick-ribbed ice,andotherssuppose tobenoseaatall,butdry landcoveredwitheternal snows. One theorist even goes the length of saying that the regionimmediately around the Pole is absolutely nothing at all!only empty spacecausedby thewhirlingof theearth,a spacewhichextends through itscentre

frompoletopole!Much amusement did the Captain derive from the contemplation of thesetheories as he crossed over the grand and boundless ocean, and chattedpleasantlywithhisson,orChingatok,orToolooha,whoformed thecrewofhislittleboat.Thepartyconsistedofthirteen,alltold.Theseweredistributedasfollows:IntheCaptain’sboatwerethethreejustmentioned.InLeo’sboatwereButterface,Oolichuk,andOblooria.Howitcametopassthat Oolichuk andOblooria were put into the same boat no one seemed toknow, or indeed to care, except Oolichuk himself, who, to judge from theexpressionofhisfatface,wasmuchpleased.AsforOblooria,hermildvisagealways betokened contentment or resignationsave when overshadowed bytimidity.InAlf’sboatwereAnders,Ivitchuk,Akeetolik,andTekkona.TheinterpreterhadbeengiventoAlfbecausehewasnotquitesomuscularorenergeticastheCaptainorhisbrother,whileAnderswaseminentlystrongandpractical.TheEskimowomencountedasmen,beingasexpertwithoarandpaddleasthey,andverynearlyasstrongasmostordinarymen.Whatadded to the romanceof the firstday’sexperiencewas the fact that,afew hours after they started, a dead calm settled down over the sea, whichsoonbecame like agreat sheetofundulatingglass, inwhich the rich,whiteclouds, the clear sky, and the boatswith their crews,were reflected as in amoving,oilymirror;yet,strangetosay,thekiteskeptsteady,andthepaceoften or twelvemiles an hour did not abate for a considerable time. This, ofcourse, was owing to the fact that there was a continuous current blowingnorthwardinthehigherregionsoftheatmosphere.Thesun,meantime,glowedoverhead with four mock-suns around him, nevertheless the heat was notoppressive,partlybecausethevoyagersweresittingatrest,andpartlybecausea slight current of cool air, the creation of their own progress, fanned theircheeks.Stillfurthertoaddtothecharm,flocksofsea-birdscirclingintheairor dipping in the water, a berg or two floating in the distance, a porpoiseshowing itsback finnowand then,a sealorawalruscomingup to stare insurpriseandgoingdown tomeditate,perhaps inwonder,withanoccasionalpuff froma lazywhale,all this tended topreventmonotony,andgave life tothelovelyscene.“Isitnotthemostgloriousandaltogetherastonishingstateofthingsyoueverheardordreamedof,father?”askedBenjy,breakingaprolongedsilence.

“Outo’sight,myboy,outo’sight,”repliedtheCaptain.“Neverheardnorsawnordreamedofanythinglikeitbefore.”“P’rapsitisadream!”saidBenjy,withaslightlydistressedlook.“Howareweevertoknowthatwe’renotdreaming?”Theboyfinishedhisquestionwithasharpcryandleapedup.“Steady,boy,steady!Haveacare,oryou’llupsettheboat,”saidtheCaptain.“Whatdidyoudothatfor,father?”“What,myboy?”“Pinchmesohard!Surelyyoudidn’tdoitonpurpose?”“Indeed I did,Ben,” replied theCaptainwith a laugh. “You askedhowyouwere toknowyouwerenotdreaming. Ifyouhadbeendreaming thatwouldhavewakenedyouwouldn’tit?”“I dare say it would, father,” returned the boy, resuming his seat, “but I’mconvincednow.Don’tdoitagain,please.IwishIknewwhatChingatokthinksof it.Try toaskhim, father. I’msureyou’vehadconsiderableexperience inhislingobythistime.”Benjyreferredhere,notonlytothenumerousconversationswhichhisfatherhadoflatecarriedonwiththegiantthroughtheinterpreter,buttothefactthat,havingbeenawhalerinyearspast,CaptainVanehadpreviouslypickedupasmattering of various Eskimo dialects. Up to that day he had conversedentirely through themedium ofAnders, but as that usefulmanwas now inAlf’sboat,theCaptainwaslefttohisownresources,andgotonmuchbetterthanhehadexpected.Chingatokturnedhiseyesfromthehorizononwhichtheyhadbeenfixed,andlookeddreamilyattheCaptainwhenaskedwhathewasthinkingabout.“Ihavebeenthinking,”saidhe,“ofhome,myhomeoverthere.”Heliftedhishuge right arm and pointed to the north. “And I have been thinking,” hecontinued,“thattheremustbeanotherhomeupthere.”Heraisedhishandandpointedtothesky.“Whydoyouthinkso?”askedtheCaptaininsomesurprise.“Because it issobeautiful,sowonderful,sofullof lightandpeace,”repliedthe Eskimo. “Sometimes the clouds, and the wind, and the rain, come andcover it;but theypassaway,and there it is, just thesame,alwayscalm,and

bright,andbeautiful.Couldsuchaplacehavebeenmadefornothing?Istherenooneupthere?noteventheMakerofit?andifthereis,doeshestaytherealone?Menandwomendie,butsurelythereissomethinginusthatdoesnotdie.Ifthereisnospiritinusthatlives,ofwhatusewasittomakeusatall?Ithinkweshallhaveahomeupthere.”Chingatokhadagainturnedhiseyestothehorizon,andspoketheconcludingwordsas ifhewere thinkingaloud.TheCaptain lookedathimearnestly forsometimeinsilence.“Youare right,Chingatok,”hesaidat length,orat leastattempted tosayasbesthecould“youareright.Myreligionteachesmethatwehavespirits;thatGodyourGodandminedwellsup there inwhatwecallheaven,and thatHispeopleshalldwellwithhimafterdeath.”“Hispeople!”repeatedtheEskimowithaperplexedlook.“Aresomemenhispeopleandsomenot?”“Undoubtedly,”repliedtheCaptain,“menwhoobeyachief’scommandsarehis menhis friends. Those who refuse to obey, and do every kind ofwickedness,arenothisfriends,buthisenemies.Godhasgivenusfree-wills,andwemayrejecthimwemaychoosetobehisenemies.”ItmustnotbesupposedthatCaptainVaneexpressedhimselfthusclearly,butthe above is the substance of what he attempted by many a strange andcomplicatedsentencetoconvey.Thathehadmadehismeaningtosomeextentplain,wasprovedbyChingatok’sreply.“ButIdonotknowGod’scommands;howthencanIobeythem?”“Youmaynotknow thembybook,” replied theCaptainpromptly; “foryouhave no books, but there is such a thing as the commands or law of Godwrittenintheheart,anditstrikesme,Chingatok,thatyoubothknowandobeymoreofyourMaker’slawsthanmanymenwhohaveHisword.”TothistheEskimomadenoanswer,forhedidnotrightlyunderstandit,andasthe Captain found extreme difficulty in expressing his meaning on suchquestions, he was quite willing to drop the conversation. Nevertheless hisrespectforChingatokwasimmenselyincreasedfromthatdayforward.HetriedtoexplainwhathadbeensaidtoBenjy,andasthatyouth’smindwasof an inquiring turnhe listenedwithgreat interest, but at lastwas forced toconfessthatitwastoodeepforhim.Thereafterhefellintoamoodofunusualsilence,andponderedthematterforalongtime.

Awakingfromhisreverieatlast,hesaid,abruptly,“How’sherhead,father?”“Duenorth,Benjy.”Hepulledout a pocket-compass about the size of anordinarywatch,whichinstrumentitwashishabittoguardwiththemostanxiouscare.“North!”repeatedtheboy,glancingattheinstrumentwithalookofsurprise,“why,we’resteeringalmostdueeast!”“Ah!Ben, thatcomesofyour judgingfromappearanceswithoutknowledge,not an uncommon state ofmind inman andboy, to say nothing ofwoman.Don’tyouknowwhatvariationofthecompassis?”“No,father.”“What!haveyoubeenso longatseawithmeandneverheardyetabout themagneticpole?”“Never aword, father. It seems tome that poles aremultiplying aswe getfurthernorth.”“Oh,Benjy,forshamefie!fie!”“MaybeifyouhadtoldmeaboutitImighthavehadlesstobeshamedof,andyoutoo,father.”“That’strue,Benjy.That’strue.You’reasharpboyforyourage.Butdon’tbedisrespectfultoyourfather,Ben;nogoodcanevercomeo’that.Whateveryouare,berespectfultoyouroldfather.Come,I’lltellyouaboutitnow.”It will have been observed by this time that little Benjamin Vane wassomewhat free in his converse with his father, but it must not therefore besupposedthathewasreallyinsolent.Allhisfreedomofspeechwasventedingoodhumour,andtheCaptainknewthat.Therewas,indeed,apowerfulbondnotonlyofaffectionbutofsympathybetweenthe littledelicateboyandthebig strongman. They thoroughly understood each other, and between thosewho understand each other theremay bemuch freedomwithout offence, aseverybodyknows.“Youmust understand,” began theCaptain, “that although the needle of themariner’scompassissaidtopointtothenorthwithitsheadandtothesouthwith its tail, it does not do so exactly, because the magnetic poles do notcoincide exactlywith the geographical poles. There are twomagnetic polesjustas thereare twogeographicalpoles,onein thesouthernhemisphere, theotherinthenorthern.D’yeunderstand!”

“Clearasdaylight,father.”“Well, Benjy, the famous Arctic discoverer, Sir James Ross, in 1832,discovered that the northern magnetic pole was situated in the island ofBoothiaFelix, in latitude70degrees5 secondsand longitude96degrees46secondsWest.Itwasdiscoveredbymeansofaninstrumentcalledthedippingneedle,which is just amagnetised needlemade for dipping perpendicularlyinsteadofgoing roundhorizontally like themariner’s compass.Agraduatedarcisfittedtoitsothattheamountofdipatanyplaceontheearth’ssurfacecanbeascertained.Atthemagneticequatorthereisnodipatall,becausetheneedlebeingequallydistantfromthenorthandsouthmagneticpoles,remainshorizontal.Asyoutravelnorththeneedledipsmoreandmoreuntilitreachestheregionofthenorthmagneticpolewhenitisalmostperpendicularpointingstraightdown.“Now,itisonlyonaveryfewplacesoftheearth’ssurfacethatthehorizontalneedle points to the true north and south, and its deviation from the earth’spoleinitsdeterminationtopointtothemagneticpoleiscalledthevariationofthecompass.Thisvariationisgreaterorlessofcourseatdifferentplaces,andmust be allowed for in estimating one’s exact course. In our presentexplorationswehavegotsofarbeyondthebeatentrackoftravelthatgreaterallowancethanusualhastobemade.Infactwehavegotconsiderablytothenorthofthemagneticpole.Atthesametimeweareagoodwaytotheeast’ardofit,sothatwhenIseethecompasswithitsletterNpointingtowhatIknowto be themagnetic north, I take our geographical position into account andsteer almost due east by compass, for the purpose of advancing due north.D’yesee?”“I’mnotsosurethatIdo,father.ItseemstomesomethingliketheIrishman’spigwhichyoupullonewaywhenyouwanthimtogoanother.However,I’lltakeyourwordforit.”“That’sright,myboy;whenamancan’tunderstand,hemustactonfaith,ifhecan,forthere’snoforcingourbeliefs,youknow.Anyhowhemustbecontentto follow till he does understand; always supposing that he can trust hisleader.”“I’moutofmydepthsaltogethernow,father.P’r’apswe’dbetterchangethesubject. What d’ye say to try a race with Leo? His boat seems to beoverhaulingus.”“No, no,Ben; no racing.Let us advance into the great unknownnorthwithsuitablesolemnity.”

“Weappeartosailratherbetterthanyoudo,uncle,”shoutedLeo,ashisboatdrewnear.“That’s because you’re not so heavily-laden,” replied the Captain, lookingback; “you haven’t got giants aboard, you see;moreover there’s one o’ youratherlight-headed.”“Hallo! uncle; evil communications, eh? You’d better change Benjy forOblooria.She’squitequiet,andneverjokes.Isay,mayIgoaheadofyou?”“No,lad,youmayn’t.Takeareefinyourregulator,anddropintoyourproperplace.”Obedient to orders, Leo pulled the regulator or check-string until the kite’spositionwasalteredsoastopresentlessresistancetothewind,anddroppedasternof theFaith,whichwas thenamegivenbyBenjy tohis father’sboat,theothertwobeingnamedrespectivelytheHopeandtheCharity.Theprosperousadvancedidnot,however,lastverylong.Towardseveningthethreekites suddenly,andwithoutanypreviouswarning,began todive, soar,flutter,andtumbleaboutinamannerthatwouldhavebeenhighlydivertingifit hadnot beendangerous.This nodoubtwas the effect of various counter-currentsofairintowhichtheyhadflown.Theorderwasatoncegiventohaulon the regulators and coil up the towing lines. Itwas promptly obeyed, butbeforeafewfathomshadbeencoiledin,thekitesagainbecameassteadyasbefore, with this change, however, that they travelled in a north-westerlydirection.Thevalueoftheleeboardsnowbecameapparent.Thesewerehingeddownthemiddlesoastofoldandbecomesmallenoughtostow in the bottomof each boatwhennot in use.Whenunfolded andhungovertheside,theypresentedasurfaceofresistancetothewatermuchgreaterthan that of an ordinary boat’s keel, so that very little leeway indeed wasmade. By means of the steering-oar Captain Vane kept his boat advancingstraight northward,while the kitewas puffing in a north-westerly direction.Thekitewas thuscompelledby theboat also to travelduenorth, thoughofcourseitdidsoinasidelongmanner.Thusfartheadvancecontinuedprosperously,thepacebeingbutlittlecheckedand the course unaltered, but when, an hour or two later, the wind againshifted so as to carry the kites further to the west, the pace became muchslower,andtheleeway,ordrifttoleeward,considerable.Ultimatelythewindblew straight to thewest, and the boats ceased to advance. “Thiswon’t do,uncle,” saidLeo,whowas close astern of the Faith, “I’mdrifting bodily to

leeward,andmakingnoheadwayatall.”“Downwiththetops,Imean,thekites,”shoutedtheCaptain.“PassthewordtoAlf.”Accordingly,thekiteswerereeledin,theregulatorsbeingsopulledandeasedoff that theywere kept just flutteringwithout tugging during the operation.When,however, theypassedoutof thewind-stratuminto theregionofcalmwhich still prevailed immediately above the sea, the kites descended in analarming manner, swaying to and fro with occasional wild swoops, whichrendereditnecessarytohaulinonthelinesandreelupwiththeutmostspeed.CaptainVanewasverysuccessful in this ratherdifficultoperation.Whilehehauledin the lineBenjyreeleditupwithexemplaryspeed,andthekitewasfinallymadetodescendontheboat likeacloud.Whensecuredthelocking-crosswasremoved, thedistending-rodswerefoldedinwards, therestraining,orwhatwemay term thewaist-bandwas applied, and thewhole affairwaschangedintoagiganticMrsGampumbrella.Beingplacedinthebowoftheboat, projecting over the water, it formed a not ungraceful though peculiarbowsprit,andwaswelloutoftheway.LeoandButterfacewereequallysuccessful,butpoorAlfwasnotsofortunate.ThetooeagerpursuitofknowledgewasthecauseofAlf’sfailureashasoftenbeenthecasewithothers!Hetookonhimself,aschiefofhisboat,thedifficultandresponsibletaskofhaulingintheline,whichinvolvedalsotheoccasionalandjudiciousmanipulationoftheregulatingcord,whenasuddenpuffofwindshould tend to send the kite soaring upwardswith six or eight horse-powerintothesky.ToIvitchukwasassignedtheeasytaskofgatheringinthe“slack”andholdingontoAlfifasuddenjerkshouldthreatentopullhimoverboard.Andersreeledup.JustasthekitewaspassingoutofthewindyregionaboveintothecalmregionbelowAlfbeheldfloatingnear theboatabeautiful,andtohimentirelynew,speciesofmarinecreatureofthejelly-fishkind.Withawilddesiretopossessit he leaned over the boat’s edge to the uttermost and stretched out his lefthand,whilewithhis right heheldon to thekite!Needwe say that thekiteassisted him?assisted him overboard altogether, and sent him with a heavyplungeintothesea!Ivitchukdroppedhislineandstretchedoutbotharmstowardsthespotwherethe “Kablunet” had gone down. Akeetolik roared. Anders howled, anddroppedhisreel.Lefttoitself,thekite,withcharacteristicindecision,madeanawful swoop towards the North Pole with its right shoulder. Changing itsmind, it thenmade a stupendous rushwith its left to the south-east. Losing

presence of mind it suddenly tossed up its tail, and, coming down headforemost,wentwithfatalfacilityintothedeepsea.WhenAlf rose andwas dragged panting into the boat, his first glancewasupwards,butnotinthankfulnessforhispreservation!“Gone!”hegroaned,risingtohisfeet.Butthekitewasnotgone.Thewordhadbarelylefthislipswhenitrosehalfitslengthoutofthewater,andthenfell,inmelancholyinaptitudeforfurthermischief,flatuponthesea.“Anything damaged?” asked the Captain, as he and Leo rowed their boatstowardstheCharity.“Nothing,”repliedAlfwithaguiltylook,“thestickandthingsseemtobeallright,butithasgotawfullywet.”“Nomatter,” said the Captain, laughing at Alf’s forlorn look, “the sunwillsoondryit.Solongasnothingisbrokenortorn,we’llgetonverywell.Butnow,boys,wemustgotoworkwithoars.Theremustbenoflaggingin thisdash for the Pole. It’s a neck-or-nothing business. Now, mark my orders.Althoughwe’vegotfouroarsapiece,wemustonlyworktwoatatime.Iknowthat young bloods like you are prone to go straining yourselves at first, an’thenbein’fitfornothingafterwards.Wemustkeepitupsteadily.Twoineachboatwillpullatatimeforonehour,whiletheothertworestorsleep,andsoon,shiftabout;tillanotherbreezespringsup.Don’tfoldituptight,Alf.Leaveitprettyslacktillitisdry,andthenputonitsbelt.”“Don’tyouthinkwemighthavesupperbeforetakingtotheoars?”suggestedLeo.“Isecondthatmotion,”criedBenjy.“AndIsupportit,”saidAlf.“Verygood,getouttheprog;an’we’lllayourselvesalongside,threeabreast,asNelsondidattheBattleo’theNile,”saidtheCaptain.Their food was simple but sufficient. Pemmicana solid greasy nutriciouscompoundwas the foundation.Hardbiscuit, chocolate, and sugar formed thesuperstructure.Indefaultoffire,thesearticlescouldbeeatencold,butwhiletheirsupplyofspiritsofwinelasted,apatentVesuvianofthemostcompleteand almost miraculous nature could provide a hot meal in ten minutes. Offreshwatertheyhadatwo-weeks’supplyincasks,butthiswaseconomisedbymeansofexcellentwaterprocuredfromapondinapassingbergfromwhich

alsoalumpofclearicehadbeenhewn,wrappedinablanket,andcarriedintotheCaptain’sboatasasupplyoffreshwaterinsolidform.Laying the oars across the boats to keep them together, they floated thuspleasantly on the glassy sea, bathed in midnight sunshine. And while theyfeastedincomfortinexpressibletothesurprise,nodoubt,ofsurroundinggullsandpuffinsBenjaminVaneonceagaingaveutterancetotheopinionthatitwasthemostglorious andaltogether astonishing stateof things that hehad everheardordreamedofsincetheworldbegan!

ChapterThirteen.AGaleandaNarrowEscape.

Thisisaworldofalternations.Weneednotturnasidetoprovethat.Thecalmwithwhich the voyage of our discoverers began lasted about four days andnights, during which period they advanced sometimes slowly under oars,sometimesmoreorlessrapidlyunderkitesifwemaysoexpressitaccordingtothestateofthewind.And,duringallthattimethedisciplineoftwoandtwoatwatch,oratsleep,ifnotatworkwasrigidlykeptup.Fornoneknewbetter thanCaptainVane thebenefitofdiscipline,andthedemoralisingeffectof itsabsence,especially intryingcircumstances.Itisbutjusttoaddthathehadnodifficultyinenforcinghislaws.Itisrightalsotostatethatthewomenwerenotrequiredtoconform,even although theywere accustomed to hard labour andwilling towork asmuch as required. In all three boats the bowwas set apart as the women’squarters, and when Toolooha, Oblooria or Tekkona showed symptoms of adesire to go to sleep(therewas no retiring for the night in these latitudes)ablanketstretchedontwooarscuttheirquartersofffromthoseofthemen,andmaintainedthedignityofthesex.But soon the serene aspect of nature changed. Grey clouds overspread thehitherto sunny sky.Gustsofwindcamesweepingover the sea from time totime, and signs of coming storm became so evident that the Captain gaveorderstomakeallsnugandpreparefordirtyweather.“Yousee,lads,”hesaid,whenthethreeboatswereabreast,andthekiteshadbeen furled, “we don’t know what may happen to us now. Nobody in theworld has had any experience of these latitudes. It may come on to blowtwenty-tonArmstrongsinsteadofgreatguns,forallweknowtothecontrary.The lightningmaybe sheetand forkmixed insteadof separate forany lightwe’vegotonthesubject,anditmayrainwhalesandwalrusesinsteadofcatsanddogs;soitbehovesustobeready.”

“That’strue,father,”saidBenjy,“butitmatterslittletome,forI’vemademywill.OnlyIforgottoleavethetopwiththebrokenpegandtherustypenknifetoRumtySwillpipe;soifyousurvivemeandgethomeonawhale’sbackorotherwiseyou’llknowwhattodo.”“Thisisnotatimeforjesting,Ben,”saidAlfratherseriously.“DidIsayitwas?”inquiredBen,withasurprisedlook.Alf deigned no reply, and Butterface laughed, while he and the others setaboutexecutingtheCaptain’sorders.Thearrangementsmadeintheseindia-rubberboatsforbadweatherwereverysimpleandcomplete.Aftertheladingineachhadbeensnuglyarranged,soasto present as flat a surface on the top as possible, a waterproof sheet wasdrawnoverall,anditsedgesmadefasttothesidesoftheboat,bymeansoftags and loops which were easily fastened and detached. As each sheetoverhungitsboat,anywaterthatmightfalluponitwasatoncerunoff.This,ofcourse,wasmerelyputon toprotect thecargoandanyonewhochose totake shelter under it. The boat being filledwith air required no such sheet,becauseiffilledtooverflowingitwouldstillhavefloated.Allroundthissheetranastrongcordforthecrew,whosatoutsideofitasonaraft,tolayholdofifthewavesshouldthreatentowashthemoff.Therewerealsovariousotherropes attached to it for the same purpose, and loops of rope served forrowlocks.When all had been arranged, those whose duty it was to rest leanedcomfortablyagainst the lumpscausedby inequalitiesof thecargo,while theotherstooktotheiroars.“It’scoming!”criedBenjy,abouthalf-an-hourafterallhadbeenprepared.Andunquestionablyitwascoming.Theboy’squickeyeshaddetectedalineonthesouthernhorizon,whichbecamegraduallybroaderanddarkerasitroseuntil it covered theheavens.At thesame time the indigo ripplecausedbyarushingmightywind crept steadily over the sea. As it neared the boats thewhitecrestsofbreakingwaveswereseengleamingsharplyinthemidstofthedarkblue.“Clapthewomenunderhatches,”shoutedtheCaptain,withmoregoodsensethanrefinement.Benjy,Butterface, andAnders at theword lifted a cornerof their respectivesheets.ObedientToolooha,Oblooria,andTekkonabenttheirmeekheadsanddisappeared:Thesheetswererefastened,andthemen,takingtheirplaces,held

on to thecordsor life-lines. Itwasananxiousmoment.Noonecouldguesshowtheboatswouldbehaveundertheapproachingtrial.“Oarsout,”criedtheCaptain,“wemustrunbeforeit.”Ahiss,whichhadbeengraduallyincreasingasthesqualldrewnear,brokeintoakindof roar,andwindandwaves rushedupon themas themenbent theirbackstotheoarswithalltheirmight.Itwassoonfoundthat theboatshadsolittleholdof thewater that thewindandoars combined carried them forward so fast as todecrease considerablythedangerofbeingwhelmedbyafallingwave.Thesewavesincreasedeverymomentinsize,andtheircrestsweresobrokenandcutoffbythegalethatthethree boats, instead of appearing as they had hitherto done the only solidobjectsinthescene,werealmostlosttosightinthechaosofblackwavesanddrivingfoam.Althoughtheytriedtheirbesttokeepclosetogethertheyfailed,andeachsoonbecameignorantofthepositionoftheothers.Thelastthattheysaw of Alf’s boat was in the hollow between two seas like a vanishingcormorant or a northern diver. Leo was visible some time longer. He waswieldingthesteering-oarinanattitudeofvigorouscaution,whilehisEskimoswerepullingasiffortheirlives.Anenormouswaverosebehindthem,curledovertheirheadsandappearedreadytooverwhelmthem,butthesturdyrowerssenttheboatforward,andthebrokencrestpassedunderthem.Thenextbillowwasstilllarger.TakenupthoughhewaswithhisownboattheCaptainfoundtimetoglanceatthemwithhorror.“They’regone!”hecried,asthetopofthebillowfell,andnothingwasseensavetheheadsof thefourmenlikedarkspotsonthefoam.Theboathadintruthbeenoverwhelmedandsunk,but,likeatruelifeboatitrosetothesurfacelikeacork the instant theweightofwaterwas removed, andhercrew,whohadheldontothelife-linesandoars,werestillsafe.“Welldone the littleHope!”cried theCaptain,whileBenjygavevent tohisfeelingsinacheer,whichwasevidentlyheardbyLeo,forhewasseentowavehishandinreply.NextmomentanotherwavehidtheHopefromview,anditwasseennomoreatthattime.“Ifeeleasiernow,Benjy,thankGod,afterthat.Alfisafairsteersman,andourboatsareevidentlyabletostandroughusage.”Benjymadenoreply.Hewasrubbingthewateroutofhiseyes,andanxiouslylookingthroughthethickairinthehopeofseeingLeo’sboatagain.Thepoorboywasgraveenoughnow.When themightandmajestyof theCreatoraremanifested in the stormand the raging sea, themerelyhumorous fancies ofmanareapttobeheldincheck.

TheCaptain’sboatwentrushingthuswildlyonwards,still,fortunately,intherightdirection;andforsomehours therewasnodecrease in theforceof thegale. Then, instead of abating, as might have been expected, it suddenlyincreasedtosuchanextentthatspeedydestructionappearedtobeinevitable.“Nosorto’craftcouldlivelonginthis,”mutteredtheCaptain,asiftohimselfrather than tohis son,whosatwitha firmexpressiononhis somewhatpalecountenance,lookingwistfullytowardsthenorthernhorizon.Perhapshewaswondering whether it was worth while to risk so much for such an end.Suddenlyheshadedhiseyeswithhishandandgazedintently.“Land!”heexclaimedinaloweagertone.“Whereaway,boy?Ay,sothereissomethingthere.Whatsayyou,Chingatok?Isitland?”The giant, who, during all this time, had calmly plied a pair of oars withstrengthequalalmost to thatof fourmen, lookedoverhis shoulderwithout,however,relaxinghisefforts.“No,”hesaid,turningroundagain,“itisanice-hill.”“Aberg!”exclaimedtheCaptain.“Wewillmakeforit.Tieyourhandkerchief,Benjy, to the end of an oar and hold it up. It will serve as a guide to ourcomrades.”InawonderfullyshortspaceoftimethebergwhichBenjyhadseenasamerespeckon thehorizon rose sharp, rugged, andwhite against theblack sky. Itwasaverylargeonesolargethatithadnovisiblemotion,butseemedasfirmasarock,whilethebillowsoftheArcticOceanbrokeinthunderonitsglassyshore.“We’llgetshelterbehindit,Ben,myboy,”saidtheCaptain,“holdtheoarwellup,anddon’tlettheragclaproundtheblade.Shakeitoutso.Godgrantthattheymayseeit.”“Amen,”ejaculatedBenjytotheprayerwithheartfeltintensity.Therewasdangeraswellassafetyinthenearvicinitytothisberg,formanyofits pinnacles seemed ready to fall, and therewas always thepossibility of amassbeingbrokenoffunderwater,whichmightdestroytheequilibriumofthewholeberg,andcauseittorevolvewithawfullydestructivepower.However,therewasonefavourablepointthebasewasbroad,andtheice-cliffsthatborderedtheseawerenothigh.

Ina fewmoreminutes thewesternendof thebergwaspassed. Its lastcapewas rounded, and the Faith was swept by the united efforts of Chingatok,Benjy, and Toolooha, (who would not remain under cover), into thecomparativelystillwateronthelee,ornorthernsideoftheberg.“Hurrah!”shoutedBenjyinatonethatwastooenergeticandpeculiartohavebeencalledforthbythemerefactofhisownescapefromdanger.Captain Vane looked in the direction indicated by the boy’s glisteningeyesglisteningwiththesalttearsofjoyaswellaswithsaltseasprayandtherebeheldtheothertwoboatscomingdancinginlikewildthingsonthecrestsoftheheavingwaves.Theyhadseenthesignalofthehandkerchief,understoodand followed it, and, in a fewminutesmore,were under the lee of the ice-cliffs,thankingGodandcongratulatingeachotherontheirdeliverance.A sheltered cove was soon found, far enough removed from cliffs andpinnaclestoinsuremoderatesafety.Intothistheyran,andtheretheyspentthenight, serenaded by the roaring gale, and lullabied by the crash of fallingspiresandthegroansofrendingice.

ChapterFourteen.RecordsaWonderfulApparitionbutaFuriousNight.

Whenthestormhadpassed,aprofoundcalmoncemoresettleddownonthefaceofnature,as if theelementshadbeenutterlyexhaustedby theconflict.Oncemore the seabecame likea sheetofundulatingglass, inwhichcloudsandsunandboatswerereflectedvividly,andonceagainourvoyagersfoundthemselves advancing towards the north, abreast of each other, and rowingsociablytogetherattherateofaboutfourmilesanhour.Whenadvancingunderoars theywent thus abreast soas to converse freely,butwhenproceedingunderkites theykept insinglefile,soas togivescopeforswerving,intheeventofsuddenchangeofwind,andtopreventtheriskoftheentanglementoflines.“Whatisthat?”exclaimedBenjy,pointingsuddenlytoanobjectaheadwhichappearedatregularintervalsonthesurfaceofthewater.“Awhale,Ithink,”saidLeo.“Awhaleusuallyspoutsoncomingup,doesn’tit?”saidAlf.ChingatokutteredanunpronounceableEskimowordwhichdidnotthrowlightonthesubject.

“Whatisit,Anders?”shoutedtheCaptain.“Whatyousay?”askedtheinterpreterfromAlf’sboat,whichwasontheothersideoftheHope.“Ifthesesquawkin’thingswouldholdtheirnoise,you’dhearbetter,”growledtheCaptainbeforerepeatingthequestion.Hisuncourteousremarkhadreferencetoacloudofgullswhichcircledroundandfollowedtheboatswithremonstrativecriesandastonishedlooks.“It’sbeast,”shoutedAnders,“notknowshisnameinIngliss.”“Humph!amanwithhalfaneyemightseeitis‘beast,’”retortedtheCaptaininanundertone.Ashespoke,the“beast”changeditscourseandboredownuponthem.AsitdrewneartheEnglishmenbecameexcited,forthesizeofthecreatureseemedbeyondanything theyhadyet seen.Strange to say, theEskimos lookedat itwiththeirwontedgazeofcalmindifference.“It’sthegreatsea-serpentatlast,”saidBenjy,withsomethinglikeaweonhiscountenance.“It does look uncommon like it,” replied the Captain, with a perplexedexpression on his rugged visage. “Get out the rifles, lad! It’s as well to beready.D’yeknowwhatitis,Chingatok?”Again the giant uttered the unpronounceable name,whileBenjy got out thefire-armswitheagerhaste.“Load’emall,Ben,load’emall,an’cramtheWinchestertothemuzzle,”saidtheCaptain.“There’snosayin’whatwemayhavetoencounter;thoughIhaveheard of a gigantic bit of seaweed bein’ mistaken for the great sea-serpentbeforenow.”“Thatmay be, father,” saidBenjy,with increasing excitement, “but nobodyever sawabitof seaweed swimwith theactivityof agigantic eel like that.Why, Ihavecounted itscoilsas they riseandsink,andI’mquitesure it’sahundredandfiftyyardslongifit’saninch.”ThoseintheotherboatswerefollowingtheCaptain’sexample,gettingoutandchargingthefire-arms,andtrulythereseemedsomegroundfortheiralarm,forthecreature,whichapproachedatarapidrate,appearedmostformidable.Yet,strangetosay, theEskimospaidlittleattentionto it,andseemedmoretaken

upwiththeexcitementofthewhitemen.Whenthecreaturehadapproachedtowithinaquarterofamile,itdivergedalittletotheleft,andpassedtheboatsat thedistanceofafewhundredyards.ThenCaptainVaneburstintoasuddenlaugh,andshouted:“Grampuses!”“What?”criedLeo.“Grampuses!” repeated the Captain. “Why, it’s only a shoal of grampusesfollowingeachotherinsinglefile,thatwe’vemistakenforonecreature!”Neverbeforewasmanorboysmittenwithheavierdisappointment thanwaspoorBenjyVaneonthattryingoccasion.“Why,what’swrongwithyou,Benjy?”askedhis father,ashe lookedathiswoefulcountenance.“Tothink,”saidthepoorboy,slowly,“thatI’vecomeallthewaytotheNorthPole for this!Why I’ve believed in the great sea-serpent since ever I couldthink,I’veseenpicturesofit twistingitscoilsroundthree-mastedships,andgoin’overtheoceanwithamanelikealion,anditsheadfiftyfeetouto’thewater!Oh! it’s too bad, I’d have givenmy ears to have seen the great sea-serpent.”“Therewouldn’thavebeenmuchofyouleft,Benjy,ifyouhadgiventhem.”“Well,well,” continued the boy, not noticinghis father’s remark, “it’s somecomforttoknowthatI’veallbutseenthegreatsea-serpent.”Itissomecomforttous,reader,tobeabletorecordthefactthatBenjyVanewas not doomed to total disappointment on thatmemorable day, for, on thesameevening,thevoyagershadanencounterwithwalruseswhichmorethanmadeupforthepreviousmisfortune.Ithappenedthus:The three boats were proceeding abreast, slowly but steadily over the stillcalm sea, when their attention was attracted by a sudden and tremendoussplashorupheavalofwater,justoffwhattheCaptainstyledhis“portbow.”Atthesamemomenttheheadofawalrusappearedonthesurfacelikeagiganticblackbladder.Itseemedtobeaslargeastheheadofasmallelephant,anditsivory tuskswere not less than two feet long. Therewas a square bluntnessabout the creature’s head, and a savage look about its little bloodshot eyes,whichgave to it averyhideousaspect. Itsbristlingmoustache, eachhairof

whichwas six inches long,andas thickasacrowquill,drippedwithbrine,anditraiseditselfhighoutofthewater,turningitsheadfromsidetosidewitha rapidity and litheness of action that one would not have expected in ananimalsounwieldy.Evidentlyitwaslookingeagerlyforsomething.Catchingsightofthethreeboats,itseemedtohavefoundwhatitlookedfor,andmade straight at them.Leo quietly got ready hisWinchester repeater, ariflewhich,asthereaderprobablyknows,candischargeadozenormoreshotsinrapidsuccession;thecartridgesbeingcontainedinacaseresemblingathickram-rod under the barrel, fromwhich they are thrust almost instantaneouslyintotheirplaces.Butbeforethecreaturegainedtheboats,asecondgreatupheavalofwatertookplace,andanotherwalrusappeared.Thiswastherealenemyofwhomhehadbeen inquest.Bothwerebullsof the largestandmost ferociousdescription.Nosoonerdidtheybeholdeachother,than,witharoar,somethingbetwixtabark and a bellow, they collided, and a furious fight began. The sea waschurnedintofoamaroundthemastheyrolled,reared,spurned,anddrovetheirtusksintoeachother’sskullsandshoulders.The boats lay quietly by, their occupants looking on with interest. TheEskimoswereparticularlyexcited,butnoonespokeoracted.Theyallseemedfascinatedbythefight.Soonone and another and anotherwalrus-head cameupout of the sea, andthenitwasunderstoodthatanumberofcowwalruseshadcometowitnessthecombat!Butthehumanaudiencepaidlittleregardtothese,somuchweretheyengrossedbythechiefactors.Itmighthavebeenthought,fromthepositionoftheirtusks,whicharesimplyan enlargement and prolongation of the canine teeth, that these combatantscouldonlystrikewiththeminadownwarddirection,butthiswasnotso.Onthecontrary,theyturnedtheirthickneckswithsomucheaseandrapiditythatthey could strike in all directionswith equal force, and numerouswere thewoundsinflictedoneitherside,astheblood-redfoamsoontestified.Wehavesaidthatthehumanspectatorsofthesceneremainedinactive,but,atthefirstpause,theCaptainsaidhethoughttheymightaswellputastoptothefight,andadvisedLeotogiveoneofthemashot.“We’ll not be the worse for a fresh steak,” he added to Benjy, as Leowastakingaim.The effect of the shot was very unexpected. One of the bulls was hit, butevidently not in a deadlymanner, for themotion of the boat had disturbed

Leo’s aim. Each combatant turned with a look of wild surprise at theinterruptor, and, as not unfrequently happens in cases of interference withfights, bothmade a furious rush at him.At the samemoment, all the cowsseemed to be smitten with pugnacity, and joined in the attack. There wasbarelytimetogetready,whenthefuriousanimalswereuponthem.Gunsandrifles were pointed, axes and spears grasped, and oars gripped. Even thewomenseizedeachaspear,andstoodonthedefensive.Asimultaneousvolleycheckedtheenemyforamoment,andsentoneofthecowstothebottom;butwithafuriousbellowtheychargedagain.Thegreatanxietyof thedefenderswas toprevent themonsters fromgettingclose to the boats, so as to hook on to themwith their tusks, whichwouldprobablyhaveoverturnedthem,orpenetratedtheinflatedsides.Ineithercase,destructionwouldhavebeen inevitable,and itwasonlyby theactiveuseofoar,axe,andspearthatthiswasprevented.TwicedidoneofthebullschargetheCaptain’sboat,andonbothoccasionshewasmetbythetremendousmightofChingatok,whoplantedtheendofanoaronhisbluntnose, and thrusthimoff.Oneachoccasion, also,he receivedashot from the double barrel ofBenjy,who fired the first time into his openmouth,andthesecondtimeintohiseye,butanangrycoughfromtheone,andawink from the other showed that he did notmind itmuch.Meantime theCaptain,withtheWinchesterrepeater,wasendeavouringbutvainly,owingtothemotionsofthegiant,andtheswayingoftheboattogetashotatthebeast,whileToolooha,withanaxe,wascoquettingwithasomewhattimidcownearthestern.Atlastanopportunityoffered.CaptainVanepouredhalfadozenballsasquickashecouldfireintotheheadofthebull,whichimmediatelysank.Not less vigorously did the occupants of the other boats receive the charge.Leo, being more active than the Captain, as well as more expert with hisrepeater,slewhismaleopponentinshortertime,andwithlessexpenditureofammunition. Butterface, too, gained much credit by the prompt manner inwhichhesplittheskullofoneanimalwithanaxe.EvenOblooria,thetimid,rosetotheoccasion,anddisplayedunlooked-forheroism.Withabarbedseal-spear she stood up and invited a baby walrus to come onby looks, not bywords.Thebabyaccepted the invitationperhaps,beingapugnaciousbaby, itwascomingonatanyrateandOblooriagaveitavigorousdabonthenose.Itresentedtheinsultbyshakingitsheadfiercely,andendeavouringtobackoff,but the barb had sunk into the wound and held on. Oblooria also held on.Oolichuk, having just driven off a cow walrus, happened to observe thesituation,andheldontoOblooria.Thebabywalruswassecured,and,almostassoonastheoldbullwasslain,hadalineattachedtoit,andwasmadefastto

thestern.“Welldone,littlegirl!”exclaimedOolichukinadmiration,“you’realmostasgoodasaman.”Amongcivilisedpeoplethismighthavebeendeemedadoubtfulcompliment,butitwasnotsoinEskimo-land.Thelittlemaidwasevidentlymuchpleased,andthetitleoftheTimidOne,whichOolichukwaswonttogiveherwheninaspeciallyendearingframeofmind,waschangedfortheBraveOnefromthatday. In a fewmoreminutes the last charge of the enemywas repulsed, andthoseof themthatremainedalivedivedbackto thatnativehomeintowhichtheslainhadalreadysunk.Thusendedthatnotablefightwithwalruses.After consummating the victory with three cheers and congratulating eachother, the conquerors proceeded to examine into the extent of damagereceived. Itwas found that, beyonda few scratches, theFaith and theHopehad escaped scathless, but the Charity had suffered considerably. Besides abadripintheupperpartofthegunwale,asmallholehadbeenpokedinhersidebelowwater,andherair-chamberwasfillingrapidly.“Come here, quick, uncle,” criedAlf, in consternation,when he discoveredthis.TohissurprisetheCaptainwasnotsomuchalarmedashehadexpected.“Itwon’tsinkyou,Alf,sokeepyourmindeasy,”hesaid,whileexaminingtheinjury.“YouseeI tookcare tohave theboatsmade incompartments. Itwillonlymakeyougolop-sidedlikealameducktillIcanrepairthedamage.”“Repairit,uncle!howcan”“Nevermind justnow,handoutablanket,quick; I’llexplainafter;wemustundergirdherandkeepoutasmuchwateraswecan.”Thisoperationwassoonaccomplished.Theblanketwaspassedundertheboatandmade fast.Bypressing against the injuredpart it checked the inflowofwater.Thenthecargowasshifted,andpartof itwas transferred to theotherboats,andsoon theywereadvancingaspleasantly, thoughnotasquicklyasbefore,while theCaptain explained that hehadbrought a solutionof gutta-percha for theexpresspurposeof repairingdamages to theboats,but that itwas impossible to use it until they could disembark either on landor on aniceberg.“We’ll come to another berg ere long, no doubt, shan’twe,Chingatok?” he

asked.TheEskimo shook his head and said he thought not, but therewas a smallrockyisletnotfarfromwheretheywere,thoughitlaysomewhatoutoftheircourse.OnhearingthistheCaptainchangedhiscourseimmediately,androwedinthedirectionpointedout.“There’swindenoughupthere,Benjy,”remarkedhisfather,lookinguptothesky,wherethehighercloudswereseenrapidlypassingthelowerstratatothenorthward,“buthowtogetthekitessetupinadeadcalmismorethanIcantell.”“Thereisawayoutofthedifficulty,father,”saidBenjy,pointingbehindthem.Hereferredtoaslightbreezewhichwasrufflingtheseaintowhatarecalledcat’spawsfarastern.“Rightboy,right.Preparetohoistyourtops’ls,lads,”shoutedtheCaptain.Ina fewminutes thekiteswereexpandedand the tow-lines attached.Whenthe lightbreeze cameup theyall soared,heavily, it is true, butmajestically,into thesky.Soonreaching theupper regions, theycaught thesteadybreezethere,andtowedtheboatsalongattherateofeightortenmilesanhour.IntwohourstheysightedtheisletwhichChingatokhadmentioned,and,soonafterwards,hadlandedandtakenpossessionofit,intheusualmanner,underthenameofRefugeIsland.

ChapterFifteen.DiscoursesofDeepThings.

Theislet,orrock,foritwaslittlemore,whichtheexplorershadreached,waslowandextremelybarren.Neverthelessithadonitalargecolonyofsea-fowl,whichreceivedthestrangerswiththeirwontedclamourofindignationifnotofwelcome.Asitwasnearnoonatthetime,theCaptainandLeowentwiththeirsextantstothehighestpartoftheislandtoascertainitsposition;theEskimossetaboutmakinganencampment,unloadingtheboats,etcetera,andAlf,withhammerandbotanicalbox,setoffonashortramblealongthecoast,accompaniedbyBenjyandButterface.Sometimesthesethreekepttogetherandchatted,atothertimestheyseparated

a little, each attracted by some object of interest, or following the lead, itmighthavebeen,ofwayward fancy.But theynever lost sightofeachother,and,afteracoupleofhours,converged,asifbytacitconsent,until theymetandsatdowntorestonaledgeofrock.“Well, I do like this sort o’ thing,” remarkedBenjy, as hewiped his heatedbrow.“Thereissomethingtomesopleasantandpeacefulaboutalowrockyshorewith thesunblazingoverheadand thegreatseastretchingoutflatandwhiteinadeadcalmwithjustrippleenoughtoletyouknowitisallaliveandheartyonlyresting,likeagood-humouredandsleepygiant.”“Why,Ben,Ideclareyouarebecomingpoetical,”saidAlfwithasmile;“yourconceptionscorrespondwiththoseofBuzzby,whowrites:“‘GreatOcean,slumb’ringinmajesticcalm,Lieslikeamightyamighty’“IIfearI’veforgotten.Letmesee:“‘GreatOcean,slumb’ringinmajesticcalm,Lieslikeamighty’”“Giantinadwalm,”suggestedBenjy.“We’llchangethesubject,”saidAlf,openinghisbotanicalboxandtakingoutseveral specimensofplantsand rocks.“See,herearesomebitsof rockofakindthatarequitenewtome.”“What’sdeuseobdem?”inquiredButterfacewithalookofearnestsimplicity.“The use?” said Benjy, taking on himself to reply; “why, you flat-nosedgrampus, don’t you know that these bits of rock are made for the expresspurpose of being carried home, identified, classified, labelled, stuck up in amuseum,andstaredatbywonderingignoramuses,whocarenothingwhateverabout them, andknow less.Geologists are constantlygoingabout theworldwiththeirlittlehammerskeepingupthesupply.”“Yes,Butterface,” saidAlf, “Benjy ispartlycorrect; such specimenswillbetreated as he describes, and be stared at in blank stupidity by hundreds offellows like himself, but they will also be examined and understood bygeologists,whofromtheirprofoundknowledgeoftheplanswhichourCreatorseemstohavehadinarrangingthematerialsoftheearth,areabletopointoutmany interesting and useful facts which are not visible to the naked andunscientific eye, such, for instance, as the localities where coal and other

preciousthingsmaybefound.”“Kindeytellwhar’goldistobefound,massaAlf?”“Oyes,theycantellthat.”“Denit’sdisyerchileaswishes,”saidButterfacewithasigh,“dathewasajollygist.”“Oh!Butterface,you’rea jollygooseatallevents,”saidBenjy;“wouldn’t itbefuntogoanddiscoveragoldmine,anddigupasmuchaswouldkeepusinhappyidlenessalltherestofourlives?ButIsay,Alf,haveyounothingbetterthangeologicalspecimensinyourboxnogrubologicalspecimens,eh?”Alfrepliedbyproducingfromhisboxapaperparcelwhichcontainedsomeoftherequiredspecimensintheshapeofbiscuitandpemmican.“Capital!Well, youare agood fellow,Alf.Letusmakea table-clothof thepapernow,youundisciplinedblack,don’tglare soat thevictuals, elseyou’llgrowtoohungryforamoderatesupply.”When the triowere in the full swingofvigorous feeding, thenegropaused,withhismouthfull,toaskAlfwhatwouldbetheuseoftheNorthPolewhenitwasdiscovered.“Makematchesorfirewoodofit,”saidBenjyjustashewasabouttostopuphisimpudentmouthwithalumpofpemmican.“Truly,ofwhatusethePoleitselfmaybesupposingittoexistintheformofathing,”saidAlf,“Icannottell,butithasalreadybeenofgreatuseincreatingexpeditions to the Polar regions. You know well enough, Butterface, foryou’vebeenround theCapesofGoodHopeandHornoftenenough,whatalonglongvoyageitistotheeasternseas,ontheothersideoftheworld,andwhatasavingoftimeandexpenseitwouldbeifwecouldfindashorterrouteto those regions, fromwhichsomanyofournecessariesand luxuriescome.Now,ifwecouldonlydiscoveranopenseaintheArcticregionswhichwouldallowourshipstosailinastraightlinefromEnglandacrosstheNorthPoletoBehring’sStraits,thevoyagetotheEastwouldbereducedtoonlyabout5000miles,andweshouldbeabletoreachJapaninthreeorfourweeks.Justthinkwhatanadvantagethatwouldbetocommerce!”“Tea at twopence a pound an’ sugar to matchnot to mention molasses andbaccy,youignorantnigger!”saidBenjy;“passthebiscuits.”“An’now,massaAlf,”saidButterfacewithaneagerlook,“we’sdiskivereddisopenseaeh!”

“Well,itseemsasifwehad.”“Butwhat goodwill it do us,” arguedBenjy, becomingmore earnest in thediscussion,“ifit’sallsurroundedbyaringoficesuchaswehavepassedoveronsledges.”“If,” repeatedAlf, “in that ‘if’ lies thewhole question.NodoubtEnterprisehasfoughtheroically forcenturies tooverleap thissupposedringof ice,andscience has stood expectant on the edge, looking eagerly for the day whenhumanperseveranceshallreveal thesecretsof theFarNorth.It is true,also,thatweatlastappeartohavepenetratedintothegreatunknown,butwhoshallsaythattheso-calledice-ringhasbeenfullyexamined?Ourexplorationshavebeenhithertoconfinedtooneortwopartsofit.Wemayyetfindanever-openentrancetothisopenPolarsea,andourshipsmayyetbeseensailingregularlytoandfroovertheNorthPole.”“Just so,” saidBenjy, “aNorth Pole steam line once amonth to Japan andbackfirstclassaccommodationforsecondclass fares.WalrusandwhitebearpartiesdroppedonthewayatthePoleStarHotel,aneasytripfromthePoleitself,whichmaybemadeinEskimocabsinsummerandreindeersleighsinwinter.ReturnticketsavailableforsixmonthstouchingatChina,India,NovaZembla,Kamtschatka,andIceland.SplendidviewofHeclaandthegreatMerde Glace of Greenlandfogs permitting.Don’t eat so much, Butterface, elsebu’stin’willsurelybeyourdoom.”“Yourpictureisperhapsalittleoverdrawn,Ben,”rejoinedAlfwithasmile.“Sowouldtheancientshavesaid,”retortedBenjy,“ifyouhadprophesiedthatin the nineteenth century our steamers would pass through the Straits ofHercules,uptheMediterranean,andoverthelandtoIndia;orthatourcousins’steamcarswouldgorattlingacrossthegreatprairiesofAmerica,throughthevast forests, over and under the Rocky Mountains from the States toCalifornia, in seven days; or that the telephone or electric light should evercomeintobeing.”“Well,yousee,Butterface,”saidAlf,“thereisagreatdealtobesaidinfavourofArcticexploration,evenatthepresentday,anddespitealltherebuffsthatwehave received.SirEdwardSabine,oneof thegreatestArctic authorities,says of the route from the Atlantic to the Pacific, that it is the greatestgeographical achievement which can be attempted, and that it will be thecrowningenterpriseofthoseArcticresearchesinwhichEnglandhashithertohad the pre-eminence. Why, Butterface,” continued Alf, warming with hissubject,whiletheenthusiasticnegrolistenedasitwerewitheveryfeatureof

hisexpressiveface,andeventhevolatileBenjybecameattentive,“why,thereisno tellingwhatmightbe the advantages thatwould arise fromsystematicexploration of these unknown regions,which cover a space of not less thantwomillion,fivehundredthousandsquaremiles.Itwouldadvancethescienceof hydrography, and help to solve some of the difficult problems connectedwithEquatorialandPolarcurrents.Itwouldenableus,itissaid,byaseriesofpendulumobservationsatornear thePole, to render essential service to thescienceofgeology,toformamathematicaltheoryofthephysicalconditionofthe earth, and to ascertain its exact conformation. It would probably throwlighton thewonderfulphenomenaofmagnetismandatmosphericelectricityandthemysteriousAuroraBorealistosaynothingofthefloraoftheseregionsandtheanimallifeonthelandandinthesea.”“Why,Alf,”exclaimedBenjyinsurprise,“Ihadnoideayouweresodeeplylearnedonthesesubjects.”“Deeplylearned!”echoedAlfwithalaugh,“why,Ihaveonlyasmatteringofthem.JustknowledgeenoughtoenablemeinsomesmalldegreetoappreciatethevastamountofknowledgewhichIhaveyettoacquire.Whydoyoulookperplexed,Butterface?”“’Cause,massa,you’stoodeepformealtogidder.Mybrainnobig’noughtoholditall.”“Andyourskull’stoothicktoletitthroughtothelittleblobofbrainthatyoudopossess,”saidBenjywithakindly-contemptuous lookathissablefriend.“Oh!flatnose,you’reaterriblethick-head.”“You’srightdere,massa,”repliedthenegro,withagratifiedsmileatwhathedeemeda compliment. “You shouldha’ seedmedat timewhen Iwas leetleboydowninOleVirginny,whardeyrizme,whenmygran’modershefoun’mestickin’myfistindemolasses-jaran’lickin’itoff.Sheswarmedatmean’fetchmeonekick,shedid,an’sentmeslaptrooapannelobdeloftdoor,an’tumbledmedowndebackstair,wharIfelledoverdeedgean’landedondetop ob a tar barrel w’ich my head run into. I got on my legs, I did, wivdifficulty,an’runnedawayneverabitdeworsenotevenaheadacheonlyitwastreemonths afore I got dat tar rightlyout o’mywool.Yes,myhead’s t’ick’nough.”WhileButterfacewasspeaking,LeoandtheCaptainwereseenapproaching,andthethreerosetomeetthem.TherewasagravesolemnityintheCaptain’slookwhichalarmedthem.“NothingwrongIhope,uncle?”saidAlf.

“Wrong!no, lad, there’snothingwrong.Onthecontrary,everything is right.Why,wheredoyouthinkwehavegotto?”“AhundredandfiftymilesfromthePole,”saidAlf.“Less,less,”saidLeo,withanexcitedlook.“Wearenotmore,”saidtheCaptainslowly,ashetookoffhishatandwipedhisbrow,“notmorethanahundredandfortymilesfromit.”“Thenwecouldbe there in threedaysorsooner,withagoodbreeze,”criedBenjy,whoseenthusiasmwasaroused.“Ay, Ben, if there was nothing in the way; but it’s quite clear from whatChingatoksays,thatwearedrawingneartohisnativeland,whichcannotbemore than fiftymiles distant, if somuch.You remember he has told us hishomeisoneofagroupof islands,someofwhichare largeandsomesmall;somemountainousandothersflatandswampy,affordingfoodandsheltertomyriadsofwild-fowl;so,yousee,afterweget thereourprogressnorthwardthroughsuchacountry,withoutroadsorvehicles,won’tbeattherateoftenmilesanhourbyanymeans.”“Besides,”addedLeo,“itwouldnotbepolitetoChingatok’scountrymenifweweretoleavethemimmediatelyafterarriving.Perhapstheywouldnotletusgo,soI fear thatweshan’tgain theendofour journeyyetawhile,but thatdoesnotmattermuch,forwe’resuretomakeitoutatlast.”“What makes the matter more uncertain,” resumed the Captain, as theysaunteredbacktocamp,“isthefactthatthisnorthernarchipelagoispeopledby different tribes of Eskimos, some of whom are of a warlike spirit andfrequentlygivetheotherstrouble.However,Chingatoksaysweshallhavenodifficulty in reaching thisNothingas hewill insist on styling the Pole, eversinceIexplainedtohimthatitwasnotarealbutanimaginarypoint.”“Iwonder howAnders ever got him tounderstandwhat an imaginarypointis,”saidBenjy.“Thathaspuzzledme too,” returned theCaptain, “buthedidget it screwedintohimsomehow,andtheresultisNothing!”“Out of nothing nothing comes,” remarked Leo, as the giant suddenlyappeared from behind a rock, “but assuredly nothing can beatChingatok insizeormagnificence,whichismorethananythingelsecan.”TheEskimohadbeensearchingfortheabsenteestoannouncethatdinnerwasready,andthatTooloohawasimpatienttobegin;theyallthereforequickened

theirpace, andsoonaftercamewithin scentof the savourymesswhichhadbeenpreparedforthembythegiant’ssquatbutamiablemother.

ChapterSixteen.ArrivalinPoloeland.

Fortune,whichhadhithertoprovedfavourabletoourbraveexplorers,didnotdesertthemattheeleventhhour.SoonaftertheirarrivalatRefugeIslandafairwindsprangupfromthesouth,andwhentheCharityhadbeencarefullypatchedandrepaired,thekitesweresent up and the voyagewas continued.That day andnight they spent againupontheboundlesssea,fortheislandwassoonleftoutofsightbehindthem,thoughthewindwasnotveryfresh.Towardsmorningitfellcalmaltogether,obligingthemtohauldownthekitesandtaketotheoars.“It can’t be far off now, Chingatok,” said the Captain, who became ratherimpatientastheenddrewnear.“Notfar,”wasthebriefreply.“Landho!”shoutedBenjy,abouthalf-an-hourafterthat.ButBenjywasforcedtoadmitthatanxietyhadcausedhimtotakeanicebergonthehorizonforland.“Well, anyhowyoumust admit,” saidBenjy, on approaching the berg, “thatit’sbigenough fora fellow tomistake it foramountain. Iwonderwhat it’sdoingherewithoutanybrothersorsisterstokeepitcompany.”“Under-currents brought it here, lad,” said the Captain. “You see, such amonsterasthatmustgoverydeepdown,andthewarmunder-currenthasnotyetmeltedawayenoughofhisbasetopermitthesurface-currenttocarryhimsouth like thesmallermembersofhisfamily.He isstill travellingnorth,butthatwon’tlastlong.He’llsoonbecomesmallenoughtoputaboutandgotheotherway.Ineversawabiggerfellowthanthat,Benjy.Hayes,theAmerican,mentionsonewhichhemeasured,about315feethigh,andnearlyamilelong.Ithadbeengroundedfor twoyears.Hecalculatedthat theremusthavebeenseven times as much of it below water as there was above, so that it wasstrandedinnearlyhalf-a-miledepthofwater.Thisbergcannotbefarshortofthatoneinsize.”“Hm!probablythenhislittlebrothersandsistersarebeingnowcrushedtobits

inBaffin’sBay,”saidBenjy.“Notunlikely,Ben,ifthey’venotalreadybeenmeltedintheAtlantic,whichwillbethisone’sfateatlastsoonerorlater.”Fromapoolonthisbergtheyobtainedasupplyofpurefreshwater.Whenourexplorersdidatlastsightthelanditcameuponthemunexpectedly,intheformofanislandsolowthattheywerequiteclosebeforeobservingit.Thenumberofgullshoveringaboveitmighthavesuggesteditspresence,butasthesebirdsfrequentlyhoverinlargeflocksovershoalsofsmallfish,littleattentionwaspaidtothem.“Isthisyournativeland,Chingatok?”askedtheCaptain,quickly.“No,itisoverthere,”saidtheEskimo,pointingtothedistanthorizon;“thisisthefirstoftheislands.”Astheygazedtheyperceivedamountain-shapedcloudsofaintandfarawaythatithadalmostescapedobservation.Advancingslowly,thiscloudwasseentotakedefiniteformandcolour.“Iknewitwas!”saidBenjy,“butwasafraidofmakinganothermistake.”Hadtheboyorhisfatherlookedattentivelyatthegiantjustthen,theywouldhave seen that his colour deepened, his eyes glittered, and his great chestheaveda littlemore thanwas itswont,ashe lookedoverhisshoulderwhilelabouringat theoars.Perhapsweshouldhavesaidplayedwith theoars, fortheyweremeretoysinhisgrasp.Chingatok’slittlemotheralsowasevidentlyaffectedbythesightofhome.ButtheCaptainandhissonsawitnottheyweretoomuchoccupiedwith theirownthoughtsandfeelings.TotheEnglishmenthesightoflandrousedonlyonegreatall-engrossingthoughttheNorthPole!which,despitetheabsurdityoftheidea,wouldpresentitselfintheformofanuprightpostofterrificmagnitudeaworthyaxle-tree,asitwere,fortheworldto revolve upon. To the big Eskimo land presented itself in the form of apalatialstoneedificemeasuringfifteenfeetbytwelve,withadearprettylittlewifechokingherselfinthesmokeofacooking-lamp,andadarlinglittleboychokinghimselfwithamassofwalrusblubber.Thus thesameobject,whenpresentedtodifferentminds,suggestedideasthatwere:“Diverseascalmfromthunder,Wideasthepolesasunder.”Itwasmidnightwhentheboatsdrewneartoland.Theislandinwhichstoodthegiant’shumblehomeseemedtoCaptainVanenotmore thaneightor ten

miles in extent, and rose to a moderate heightapparently about five or sixhundred feet. Itwaspicturesque in formandcomposedof rugged rocks, themarks on which, and the innumerable boulders everywhere, showed that atsome remote period of the world’s history, it had been subjected to theinfluenceofglacial action.Noglacierwasvisiblenow,howeveronly,on therockysummitlayapatchortwoofthelastwinter’ssnow-drift,whichwastoodeepforthesummersuntomeltaway.Fromthisstorehouseofwatergushednumerous tinyrivuletswhichbrawledcheerily rather thannoisilyamong therocks,wateringtherichgreenmossesandgrasseswhichaboundedinpatcheseverywhere, and giving life to countless wild-flowers and berries whichdeckedandenrichedtheland.Justoff the islandwhichbya strangecoincidence the inhabitantshadnamedPoloetherewerehundredsofotherisletsofeveryshapeandsize,butnearlyallof them low, andmany flat and swampythe breeding-grounds ofmyriads ofwaterfowl.Therewere lakelets inmanyof these isles, in themidstofwhichwere still more diminutive islets, whose moss-covered rocks and fringingsedgeswere reflected in the crystalwater.Under a cliff on themain islandstoodtheEskimovillage,acollectionofstonehuts,bathedintheslantinglightofthemidnightsun.Butnosoundissuedfromthesehutsorfromtheneighbouringislands.Itwasthe period of rest for man and bird. Air, earth, and water were locked inprofoundsilenceandrepose.“We’ve got to Paradise at last, father,” was the first sound that broke thesilence, ifweexcept thegentledipof theoarsand theripplingwateron thebow.“Lookslikeit,Benjy,”repliedtheCaptain.Awakefuldogonshorewasthefirst toscentthecomingstrangers.Hegaveventtoalowgrowl.Itwasthekeynotetothecaninechoir,whichimmediatelysentupahowlofdiscord.Forthwithfromeveryhutthereleapedarmedmen,anxiouswomen,and terrifiedchildren,which latter rushed towards thecliffsortookrefugeamongtherocks.“Hallo! Chingatok, your relations are not to be taken by surprise,” said theCaptainorsomethingtothateffectinEskimo.Thegiantshookhisheadsomewhatgravely.“Theymustbeatwar,”hesaid.“Atwar!whomwith?”

“WiththeNeerdoowulls,”repliedChingatokwithafrown.“Theyarealwaysgivingustrouble.”“Notbadlynamed,father,”saidBenjy;“onewouldalmostthinktheymustbeofScotchextraction.”Atthatmomentthenativeswhohadbeengesticulatingwildlyandbrandishingspearsandbonekniveswithexpressionsoffury thatdenotedastrongdesireon their part to carve out the hearts and transfix the livers of thenewcomerssuddenlygaveventtoashoutofsurprise,whichwassucceededbyascreamofjoy.Chingatokhadstoodupintheboatandbeenrecognised.Thegiant’s dogan appropriately large onehad been the first to observe him, andexpressed its feelingsbywagging its tail to suchanextent that itshind legshaddifficultyinkeepingtheground.Immediatelyonlanding,thepartywassurroundedbyaclamorouscrew,who,todothemjustice,tookverylittlenoticeofthestrangers,sooverjoyedweretheyatthereturnoftheirbigcountryman.Soonalittlepleasantthoughflattish-facedwomanpushedthroughthecrowdand seized the giant. This was his wife Pingasuk, or Pretty One. She waspetitenot much larger than Oblooria the timid. The better to get at her,Chingatokwentdownonhisknees, seizedherby theshoulders,and rubbedhernoseagainsthis sovigorously that the smallernosebid fair tocomeoffaltogether.Hehadtostoopstilllowerwhenastouturchinofaboutfiveyearsofagecameupbehindhimandtriedtoreachhisface.“Meltik!”exclaimedthegiant,rubbingnosesgentlyforfearofdamaginghim,“youarestoutandfat,myson,youhavebeeneatingmuchblubbergood.”AtthatmomentChingatok’seyesfellonanobjectwhichhadhithertoescapedhis observation. Itwas a little roundyellowhead in hiswife’s hood,with apair of small black eyes which stared at him in blank surprise. Hemade asnatchatitanddrewforthanakedbaby!“Ourgirlie,” said thewife,withapleasedbutanxious look;“don’t squeeze.Sheisveryyoungandtenderlikeababyseal.”Thegladfathertriedtofoldthecreaturetohisbosom;nearlydroppeditinhisexcessoftendercaution;thrustithastilybackintohiswife’shood,androsetogive a respectful greeting to an agedmanwith a scrubbywhite beard,whocameforwardatthemoment.“Who are these, my son?” asked the oldman, pointing to the Englishmen,

who,standinginagroupwithamusedexpressions,watchedthemeetingabovedescribed.“ThesearetheKablunets,father.Imetthem,asIexpected,inthefar-offland.Thepoorcreatureswerewanderingabout inagreatkayak,which theyhavelost,searchingfornothing!”“Searchingfornothing!myson,thatcannotbe.Itisnotpossibletosearchfornothingatleastitisnotpossibletofindit.”“But that iswhat theycomehere for,”persistedChingatok; “theycall it theNortPole.”“AndwhatistheNortPole,myson?”“Itisnothing,father.”Theoldmanlookedathisstatelysonwithsomethingofanxietymingledwithhissurprise.“HasChingatok become a fool, like theKablunets, since he left home?” heaskedinalowvoice.“Chingatok isnot sure,” replied thegiant,gravely.“Hehasseensomuch topuzzlehimsincehewentaway,thathesometimesfeelsfoolish.”TheoldEskimolookedsteadilyathissonforafewmoments,andshookhishead.“Iwillspeaktothesementhesefoolishmen,”hesaid.“Dotheyunderstandourlanguage?”“Someofthemunderstandandspeakalittle,father,buttheyhavewiththemonenamedUnders,whointerprets.Comehere,Unders.”Anders promptly stepped to the front and interpreted,while the oldEskimoputCaptainVane throughanexaminationofuncommon lengthandseverity.Atthecloseofitheshookhisheadwithprofoundgravity,andturnedagaintohisson.“Youhaveindeedbroughttousasetoffools,Chingatok.Yourvoyagetothefar-off lands has not been very successful. Thesemenwant something thattheydonotunderstand;thattheycouldnotseeifitwasbeforethem;thattheycannotdescribewhentheytalkaboutit,andthattheycouldnotlayholdofiftheyhadit.”“Yes, father,” sighed Chingatok, “it is as I told younothing; only the Nort

Poleamerename.”Anew light seemed to break in onChingatok as he said this, for he addedquickly,“But,father,anameissomethingmyname,Chingatok,issomething,yetitisnothing.Youcannotseeit,youdonotlayholdofit,yetitisthere.”“Toohoo!myson,thatisso,nodoubt,butyournamedescribesyou,andyouaresomething.Nooneevergoestoafar-offlandtosearchforaname.IfthisNortPoleisonlyanameandnotathing,howcanitbe?”exclaimedtheoldman, turning on his heel and marching off in a paroxysm of metaphysicaldisgust.Heappearedtochangehismind,however,for,turningabruptlyback,hesaidtoAnders,“Tell thesestrangers that Iamglad tosee them; thatahouseandfoodshallbegiventothem,andthattheyarewelcometoPoloe.Perhapstheirlandthefar-offlandisapoorone;theymaynothaveenoughtoeat.Ifso,theymaystayinthisrichlandofminetohuntandfishaslongastheyplease.Buttell them that the Eskimos lovewisemen, and do not care for foolishness.TheymustnottalkanymoreaboutthissearchafternothingthisNortPolethisnonsensehuk!”Havingdeliveredhimselfofthesesentimentswithmuchdignity,theoldmanagainturnedonhisheelwitharegalwaveofthehand,andmarcheduptohishut.“That must be the King of Poloe,” whispered Captain Vane to Leo,endeavouringtosuppressasmileattheconcludingcaution,astheyfollowedAndersandoneofthenativestothehutsetapartforthem.TheCaptainwasonlyhalfright.Amalatokwasindeedthechiefoftheisland,buttherespectanddeferenceshowntohimbythetribewereowingmoretothe man’s age and personal worth, than to his rank. He had succeeded hisfather as chief of the tribe, and, during a long life, had led his people incouncil, at the hunt, and in war, with consummate ability and success.Althoughold,hestillheld the reinsofpower,chieflybecausehiseldest sonand rightful successorChingatok’s elder brotherwas a weak-minded man oflittlecapacityandsomewhatmalignantdisposition. Ifourgianthadbeenhiseldest,hewouldhaveresignedcheerfullylongago.Asitwas,hedidnotseehiswaytochangethecustomsoftheland,thoughhecouldnottellwhen,orby whom, or under what circumstances, the order of succession had beenestablished. Probably, like many other antiquated customs, it had beenoriginally theresultofdespotismon thepartofmeninpower,andofstupidacquiescenceonthepartofanunthinkingpeople.Onreachinghishuttheoldchiefsatdown,and,leaningcarelesslyagainstthe

wall,hetoyedwithabitofwalrusrib,asanEnglishmanmightwithapairofnut-crackersatdessert.“Whydidyoubringthesebarbarianshere?”“Ididnotbringthem,father,theybroughtme,”saidthesonwithadeprecatingglance.“Huk!”exclaimedthechief,afterwhichheadded,“hum!”Itwasevidentthathehadreceivednewlight,andwasmeditatingthereon.“My son,” continued Amalatok, “these Kablunets seem to be stout-bodiedfellows;cantheyfightaretheybrave?”“They are brave, father, very brave. Even the little one, whom they callBunjay, isbravealso,he isfunny.IhaveneverseentheKablunetsfightwithmen,buttheyfightwellwiththebearandthewalrusandtheice.Theyarenotsuchfoolsasyouseemtothink.True,aboutthisnothingthisNortPoletheyarequitemad,butinothermatterstheyareverywiseandknowing,asyoushallseebeforelong.”“Good,good,”remarkedtheoldchief, flingingthewalrusribatanintrusivedogwithsignalsuccess,“Iamgladtohearyousaythat,becauseImaywanttheirhelp.”Amalatokshowedonesymptomoftruegreatnessareadinesstodivesthimselfofprejudice.“Forwhatdoyourequiretheirhelp,father?”askedChingatok.Insteadofanswering, theoldchiefwrenchedoffanotherwalrus rib from itsnativebackbone,andbegantognawitgrowlingly,asifitwerehisenemyandheadog.“Myfatherisdisturbedinhismind,”saidthegiantinasympathisingtone.EvenalessobservantmanthanChingatokmighthaveseenthattheoldchiefwas not only disturbed inmind, but also in body, for his features twitchedconvulsively,andhisfacegrewredashethoughtofhiswrongs.“Listen,”saidAmalatok,flingingtheribatanother intrusivedog,againwithsuccess, and laying his hand impressively on his son’s arm. “My enemy,Grabantakthatbellowingwalrus, thatslyseal, thatempty-skulledpuffin, thatporpoise,cormorant,narwhals–s–sus!”Theoldmansethisteethandhissed.

“Well,myfather?”“It is notwell,my son. It is all ill. Thatmarrowless bear is stirring up hispeople,andthereisnodoubtthatweshallsoonbeagainengagedinabloodyauselesswar.”“Whatisitallabout,father?”“About!aboutnothing.”“Huk!aboutNortPolenothing,”murmuredChingatokhisthoughtsdivertedbytheword.“No, it is worse than Nort Pole, worse than nothing,” returned the chiefsternly;“itisasmallislandverysmallsosmallthatasealwouldnothaveitforabreathing-place.Nothingonit;nomoss,nograss.Birdswon’tstaythereonlyflyover it andwinkwith contempt.YetGrabantak sayshemusthave itit iswithintheboundsofhisland!”“Well,lethimhaveit,ifitbesoworthless,”saidChingatok,mildly.“Let him have it!” shouted the chief, starting up with such violence as tooverturn the cooking-lampto which he paid no regard whateverand stridingaboutthesmallhutsavagely,“no,never!Iwillfighthimtothelastgasp;killallhismen; slayhiswomen;drownhis children; levelhishuts;burnuphismeat”Amalatok paused and glared, apparently uncertain about the propriety ofwastinggoodmeat.Thepausegavehiswrathtimetocool.“At all events,”he continued, sittingdownagain andwrenchingoff anotherrib, “wemust call a council and have a talk, forwemay expect him soon.Whenyouarrivedwetookyouforourenemies.”“Andyouwerereadyforus,”saidChingatok,withanapprovingsmile.“Huk!” returned the chief with a responsive nod. “Go, Chingatok, call acouncil of my braves for tonight, and see that these miserable starvingKablunetshaveenoughofblubberwherewithtostuffthemselves.”OurgiantdidnotdeemitworthwhiletoexplaintohisratherpetulantfatherthattheEnglishmenwerethereverseofstarving,buthefelttheimportanceofraising them in the old chief’s opinion without delay, and took measuresaccordingly.“Blackbeard,” he said, entering the Captain’s hut and sitting down with a

troubledair,“myfatherdoesnotthinkmuchofyou.Tellhimthat,Unders.”“Iunderstandyouwellenough,Chingatok;goon,and letmeknowwhytheoldmandoesnotthinkwellofme.”“Hethinksyouareafool,”returnedtheplainspokenEskimo.“H’m! I’m not altogether surprised at that, lad. I’ve sometimes thought somyself.Well, I supposeyou’vecome togivemesomegoodadvice tomakemewisereh!Chingatok?”“Yes,thatiswhatIcomefor.DowhatItellyou,andmyfatherwillbegintothinkyouwise.”“Ah,yes, theoldstory,”remarkedBenjy,whowasanamusedlistenerforhisfather translated in a low tone for the benefit of his companions as theconversationproceeded“thesamehereaseverywhereDoasI tellyouandallwillbewell!”“Holdyourtongue,Ben,”whisperedAlf.“Well,whatamItodo?”askedtheCaptain.“Invitemy father to a feast,” saidChingatok eagerly, “andme too, andmymothertoo;alsomywife,andsomeofthebraveswiththeirwives.Andyoumustgiveusbiskitan’whatdoyoucallthatbrownstuff?”“Coffee,”suggestedtheCaptain.“Yes,cuffy,alsotee,andshoogre,andsealst–atewhat?”“Steakeh?”“Yes,stik,andcookthemallinthestrangelamp.Youmustaskustoseethefeastcooked,andthenwewilleatit.”It will be observed that when Chingatok interpolated English words in hisdiscoursehispronunciationwasnotperfect.“Well, you are the coolest fellow I’vemetwith formany aday!Toorder afeast, invite yourself to it, name the rest of the company, as well as thevictuals, and insist on seeing the cooking of the same,” said theCaptain inEnglish;then,inEskimo,“Well,Chingatok,Iwilldoasyouwish.Whenwouldyoulikesupper?”“Now,”repliedthegiant,withdecision.

“Youhear,Butterface,”saidtheCaptainwhenhehadtranslated,“gotoworkandgetyourpotsandpansready.Seethatyouputyourbestfootforemost.Itwillbeaturning-point,thisfeast,Isee.”Needwesaythatthefeastwasagreatsuccess?Thewives,highlypleasedattheattentionpaid themby the strangers,werewonoveratonce.Thewholeparty, when assembled in the hut, watched with the most indescribableastonishment the proceedings of the negrohimself a living miracleas hemanipulated amachinewhich, in separate compartments, cooked steaks andboiledtea,coffee,oranythingelse,bymeansofaspiritlampinafewminutes.Onfirsttastingthehotliquidstheylookedateachothersuspiciously;thenasthesugartickledtheirpalates,theysmiled,tiltedtheirpannikins,drainedthemtothedregs,andaskedformore!The feast lasted long, and was highly appreciated. When the companyretiredwhichdidnothappenuntiltheCaptaindeclaredhehadnothingmoretogive them, and turned the cooking apparatus upside down to provewhat hesaidtherewasnot amanorwomanamong themwhodidnotholdandevenloudlyassertthattheKablunetswerewisemen.Afterthefeastthecouncilofwarwasheldandthestrangerswereallowedtobepresent.Therewasagreatdealoftalkprobablysomeofitwasnotmuchtothepoint,buttherewasnointerruptionorundignifiedconfusion.Therewasapeace-party, of course, and awar-party, but the latter prevailed. It too oftendoessoinhumanaffairs.Chingatokwasunderstoodtofavourthepeace-party,butashissirewasontheotherside,respectkepthimtongue-tied.“TheseEskimosreverenceageandarerespectfultowomen,”whisperedLeotoAlf,“sowemaynotcallthemsavages.”Theoldchiefspokelast,summingupthearguments,asitwere,onbothsides,andgivinghisreasonsforfavouringwar.“Theislandisofnouse,”hesaid;“itisnotworthaseal’snose,yetGrabantakwishes to tear it fromususwhohavepossessed it since the forgotten times.Why is this? because he wishes to insult us,” (“huk!” from the audience).“Shallwesubmittoinsult?shallwesitdownlikefrightenedbirdsandseetheblack-liveredcormorantstealwhatisours?shallthecourageofthePoloesbequestionedbyallthesurroundingtribes?Never!whilewehaveknivesinourbootsandspearsinourhands.Wewillfighttillweconquerortillwearealldeadtill our wives are husbandless and our children fatherless, and all ourstores of meat and oil are gone!” (“huk! huk!”) “Then shall it be said bysurrounding tribes, ‘Behold! how bravewere the Poloes! they died and lefttheirwivesandlittlechildrentoperish,ormourninslavery,ratherthansubmit

toinsult!’”The “huks” that greeted the conclusion of the speech were so loud andnumerous that the unfortunate peace-makers were forced to hide theirdiminishedheads.Thus did Amalatok resolve to go to war for “worse than Nort Polefornothing”ratherthansubmittoinsult!(SeeNote1.)

ChapterSeventeen.TheEffectofPersuasiononDiverseCharacters.

Thewarlike tendencies ofGrabantak, the northern savage, had the effect ofcompellingCaptainVaneandhisparty todelayforaconsiderable timetheireffortstoreachthePole.Thiswasallthemoredistressingthattheyhadbythattimeapproachedsoverynear to it.Acarefullymadeobservationplaced theisland of Poloe in latitude 88 degrees 30 minutes 10 seconds, about 90geographical,or104EnglishstatutemilesfromthePole.Therewasnohelpforit,however.TohaveventuredonGrabantak’sterritorywhilewarwasimpendingwouldhavebeentocourtdestruction.CaptainVanesawtherefore that theonlywayofadvancinghisowncausewas topromotepeacebetweenthetribes.WithaviewtothishesoughtaninterviewwiththeoldchiefAmalatok.“Whydoyouwishtogotowar?”heasked.“Idonotwishtogotowar,”answeredthechief,frowningfiercely.“Whydoyougothen?”saidtheCaptaininasoothingtone,forhewasveryanxious not to rouse the chief’s anger; but he was unsuccessful, for thequestionseemedtoset theoldmanonfire.Hestartedup,grindinghis teethand striding about his hut, knocking over pots, oil cans, and cooking-lampssomewhatlikethatfamousbullwhichgotintoachinashop.Findingthespacetoo small for him he suddenly dropped on his knees, crept through the lowentrance,sprangup,andbegantostrideaboutmorecomfortably.Theopenaircalmedhimalittle.Heceasedtogrindhisteeth,andstoppinginfront of theCaptain,who had followed him, said in a low growl, “Do youthinkIwillsubmittoinsult?”“Somemenhaveoccasionallydonesowithadvantage,”answeredtheCaptain.“Kablunetsmaydo so,Eskimosnever!” returned theoldman, resuminghishurriedwalktoandfro,andthegrindingofhisteethagain.

“IfAmalatokwere to kill all his enemiesall themen,women and children,”saidtheCaptain,raisingafiercegleamofsatisfactionintheoldman’sfaceatthemeresuggestion,“andifheweretoknockdownalltheirhuts,andburnupall theirkayaksandoomiaks, the insultwouldstill remain,becauseaninsultcanonlybewipedoutbyone’senemyconfessinghissinandrepenting.”ForafewsecondsAmalatokstoodsilent;hiseyesfixedonthegroundasifhewerepuzzled.“Thewhitemanisright,”hesaidatlength,“butifIkilledthemallIshouldbeavenged.”“Vengeance ismine, saith theLord,” leapednaturally to theCaptain’smind;but,reflectingthatthemanbeforehimwasaheathenwhowouldnotadmitthevalueofthequotation,hepausedamomentortwo.“Andwhat,”hethensaid,“ifGrabantakshouldkillAmalatokandallhismen,and carry away the women and children into slavery, would the insult bewipedoutinthatcase?Woulditnotratherbedeepened?”“True,itwould;butthenweshouldallbedeadweshouldnotcare.”“Themenwould all be dead, truly,” returned theCaptain, “but perhaps thewomenandchildrenleftbehindmightcare.Theywouldalsosuffer.”“Go, go,” said the Eskimo chief, losing temper as he lost ground in theargument;“whatcanKablunetsknowaboutsuchmatters?Youtellmeyouaremenofpeace; thatyour religion isa religionofpeace.Ofcourse, then,youunderstandnothingaboutwar.Go,Ihavebeeninsulted,andImustfight.”Seeingthat itwouldbefruitless talkingto theoldchiefwhilehewasin thisframeofmind,CaptainVanelefthimandreturnedtohisownhut,wherehefoundChingatokandLeoengagedinearnestconversationAlfandBenjybeingsilentlisteners.“I’mglad you’ve come, uncle,” saidLeo,making room for himon the turfseat,“becauseChingatokandIarediscussingthesubjectofwar;and”“Astrangecoincidence,”interruptedtheCaptain.“IhavejustbeendiscussingthesamesubjectwitholdAmalatok. Ihope that inshowingtheevilsofwaryouarecomingbetterspeedwiththesonthanIdidwiththefather.”“Astothat,”saidLeo,“IhavenodifficultyinshowingChingatoktheevilsofwar.Hesees themclearlyenoughalready.The trouble Ihavewithhimis toexplain the Bible on that subject. You see he has got a very troublesome

inquiring sort ofmind, and ever since I have told him that theBible is theWordofGodhewon’tlistentomyexplanationsaboutanything.Hesaidtomein the quietest way possible, just now, ‘Why do you giveme your reasonswhen you tellme theGreat Spirit has givenHis? Iwant to knowwhatHesays.’Well,now,youknow,itispuzzlingtobebroughttobooklikethat,andIdoubtifAnderstranslateswell.Youunderstandandspeakthelanguage,uncle,betterthanhedoes,Ithink,soIwantyoutohelpme.”“I’lltry,Leo,thoughIamashamedtosayIamnotsowellreadintheWordmyselfasIoughttobe.WhatdoesChingatokwanttoknow?”“Hewantstoreconcilethings,ofcourse.Thatisalwaystheway.NowItoldhimthattheGreatSpiritisgood,anddoesnotwishmentogotowar,andthatHehaswritten forusa law,namely, thatweshould ‘livepeaceablywithallmen.’Chingatoklikedthisverymuch,butthenIhadtoldhimbefore,thattheGreatSpirithadtoldHisancientpeopletheJewstogoandfightHisenemies,andtakepossessionoftheirlands.Nowheregardsthisasacontradiction.HesaysHowcanamanlivepeaceablywithallmen,andat thesametimegotowarwithsomemen,killthem,andtaketheirlands?”“Ah!Leo,myboy,yourdifficultyinansweringtheEskimoliesinyourownpartialquotationofScripture,”said theCaptain.Then, turning toChingatok,headded,“Myyoungfrienddidnotgiveyouthewholelawonlypartofit.Thewordiswrittenthus:‘ifitbepossible,asmuchasliethinyou,livepeaceablywithallmen.’Some times it isnotpossible,Chingatok; thenwemust fight.But the law says keep from fighting ‘as much as you can.’ Mind that,Chingatok, and if you are ever induced to go towar for the sake of a littleislandfor thesakeofa little insult,don’t flatteryourself thatyouarekeepingoutofitasmuchasliethinyou.”“Good,good,”saidthegiant,earnestly;“Blackbeard’swordsarewise.”“AstothepeopleofGodinthelongpast,”continuedtheCaptain,“Godtoldthemtogotowar,sotheywent;butthatdoesnotauthorisementogotowarat their own bidding.What is right in the Great Father of all may be verywronginthechildren.Godkillsmeneveryday,andwedonotblameHim,butifmankillshisfellowwehunthimdownasamurderer.Inthelongpasttimethe Great Father spoke to His children by His wise and holy men, andsometimesHesawfittotellthemtofight.WithHisreasonswehavenothingtodo.Now,theGreatFatherspeakstousbyHisBook.InitHetellsustoliveinpeacewithallmenifpossible.”“Good,”saidthegiantwithanapprovingnod,thoughaperplexedexpressionstilllingeredonhisface.“ButtheGreatFatherhasneverbeforespokentome

byHisBookneveratalltomyforefathers.”“Hemay,however,havespokenbyHisSpiritwithinyou,Chingatok,Icannottell,”returnedtheCaptainwithameditativeair.“Youhavedesiresforpeaceandatendencytoforgive.Thiscouldnotbetheworkofthespiritofevil.ItmusthavebeenthatoftheGoodSpirit.”This seemed to breakupon theEskimoas a new light, andhe relapsed intosilence as he thought of thewonderful idea thatwithin his breast theGreatSpiritmighthavebeenworkingintimepastalthoughheknewitnot.Thenhethoughtofthemanytimeshehadinthepastresistedwhathehadhithertoonlythoughtofasgoodfeelings;and thesuddenperception thatatsuch timeshehad been resisting the Father of all impressed him for the first timewith asensationofguiltiness.ItwassometimebeforetheneedofaSaviourfromsinenteredintohismind,buttheicehadbeenbroken,andatlast,throughLeo’sBible, as read by him and explained by Captain Vane, Jesus, the Sun ofRighteousness, rose upon his soul and sent in the light for which he hadthirstedsolong.But,aswehavesaid,thiseffectwasnotimmediate,andheremainedinastateofuncertaintyand sadnesswhile thewarlikecouncils andpreparationswenton.MeanwhileCaptainVanesethimselfearnestlytoworktohitonsomeplanbywhich, ifpossible, to turn thefeelingof theEskimocommunity infavourofpeace. At first he thought of going alone and unarmed, with Anders asinterpreter, to the land ofGrabantak to dissuade that savage potentate fromattackingthePoloes,buttheEskimospointedoutthatthedangerofthisplanwassogreat thathemightaswellkillhimselfatonce.Hisownparty,also,objectedtoitsostronglythathegaveitup,andresolvedinthemeantimetostrengthen his position and increase his influence with the natives amongwhomhislotwascast,bysomeexhibitionsofthepowerswithwhichscienceandarthadinvestedhim.

ChapterEighteen.TheCaptainelectrifiesaswellassurpriseshisNewFriends.

ItwillberememberedthatthepartyofEnglishmenarrivedatPoloelandunderoars, and although the india-rubber boats had been gazed at, and gentlytouched,withintensewonderbythenatives,theyhadnotyetseentheprocessofdisinflation,ortheexpansionofthekites.Ofcourse,ChingatokandtheirotherEskimofellow-travellershadgiventheirfriends graphic descriptions of everything, but this only served to whet the

desire tosee thewonderfuloomiaksinaction.Several times,duringthefirstfewdays,theoldchiefhadexpressedawishtoseetheKablunetsgothroughthewaterintheirboats,butasthecalmstillprevailed,andtheCaptainknewhis influence over the natives would depend very much on the effect withwhich his various proceedings were carried out, he put him off with theassurancethatwhenthepropertimeforactioncame,hewouldlethimknow.Onenightagentlebreezesprangupandblewdirectlyoffshore.Asitseemedlikely to last, theCaptainwaited till thewhole communitywas asleep, andthenquietlyrousedhisson.“Lendahandhere,Ben,”hewhispered,“andmakenonoise.”Benjyaroseandfollowedhisfatherinaverysleepyframeofmind.They went to the place where the india-rubber boats lay, close behind theEnglishmen’s hut, and, unscrewing thebrass heads that closed the air-holes,begantopressouttheair.“That’sit,Ben,butdon’tsqueezetoohard,lestthehissingshouldrousesomeof’em.”“What’r’eedoin’thisforeeyaou?”askedBenjy,yawning.“You’llseethatto-morrow,lad.”“Hum!goin’t’squeeze’mall?”“Yes,allthree,andput’emintheirboxes.”The conversation flagged at this point, and the rest of the operation wasperformedinsilence.Nextmorning, after breakfast, seeing that the breeze still held, the Captainsent a formal message to Amalatok, that he was prepared to exhibit hisoomiaks.Thenews spread likewild-fire, and the entire community soon assembledtothe number of several hundredsin front of the Englishmen’s hut, where theCaptainwasseencalmlyseatedonapacking-case,withasolemnexpressionon his face. The rest of his party had beenwarned to behavewith dignity.EvenBenjy’sroundfacewasdrawnintosomethingofanoval,andButterfacemade such superhuman attempts to appear grave, that the rest of the partyalmostbrokedownatthesightofhim.Greatwas thesurpriseamongthenativeswhentheyperceived that the three

oomiakshaddisappeared.“My friends,” said theCaptain, rising, “Iwill now showyou themanner inwhichweEnglishmenuseouroomiaks.”A soft sigh of expectation ran through the group of eager natives, as theypressed round their chief and Chingatokwho stood looking on in dignifiedsilence, while the Captain and his companions went to work. Many of thewomenoccupiedalittleeminencecloseathand,whencetheycouldseeovertheheadsofthemen,andsomeoftheyoungerwomenandchildrenclamberedtothetopofthehut,thebettertowitnessthegreatsight.Numerousandcharacteristicwerethesighs,“huks,”grunts,growls,andotherexclamations; all of which were in keeping with the more or less intenseglaring of eyes, and opening of mouths, and slight bending of knees andelbows,andspreadingoffingers,andraisingofhands,astheoperatorsslowlyunrolled the india-rubber mass, attached the bellows, gradually inflated thefirst boat, fixed the thwarts and stretchers, and, as it were, constructed aperfectoomiakinlittlemorethantenminutes.ThentherewasashoutofdelightwhentheCaptainandLeo,oneatthebow,theotheratthestern,liftedtheboatasifithadbeenafeather,and,carryingitdownthebeach,placeditgentlyinthesea.But the excitement culminatedwhenChingatok, stepping lightly into it, satdownontheseat,seizedthelittleoars,androwedaway.Weshouldhavesaid,attemptedtorowaway,for,thoughherowedlustily,theboat did not move, owing to Anders, who, like Eskimos in general, dearlylovedapracticaljoke.Holdingfastbythetail-lineafewseconds,hesuddenlyletgo,andtheboatshotaway,whileAnders,throwingahandfulofwaterafterit, said,“Gooff,badboy,anddon’tcomeback;wecandowithoutyou.”Aroaroflaughterburstforth.Someofthesmallboysandgirlsleapedintotheairwithdelight,causingthetailsofthelattertowrigglebehindthem.TheCaptaingavethemplentyoftimetoblowoffthesteamofsurprise.Whentheyhadcalmeddownconsiderably,heproceededtoopenoutandarrangeoneofthekites.Ofcoursethisthrewthembackintotheopen-eyedandmouthed,andfinger-spreading condition, and, if possible, called forthmore surprise thanbefore.Whenthekitesoaredintothesky,theyshouted;whenitwasbeingattachedtothe bow of the boat, they held their breathwith expectation,many of themstandingonone leg; andwhen at last theboat,with fourpersons in it, shotawaytoseaattherateofeightortenmilesanhour,theyroaredwithecstasy;

accompanying theyellswithcontortionsof frameandvisagewhichweresoindescribablethatwegladlyleaveitalltothereader’simagination.There can be no doubt of the fact that the Captain placed himself and hiscountrymenthatdayonapedestalfromwhichtherewasnofearoftheirbeingafterwardsdislodged.“DidnotItellyou,”saidChingatoktohissirethatnight,intheprivacyofhishut,“thattheKablunetsaregreatmen?”“Youdid,myson.Chingatokiswise,andhisfatherisafool!”No doubt the northern savage meant this self-condemning speech to beunderstood much in the same way in which it is understood by civilisedpeople.“WhentheoomiakswelledIthoughtitwasgoingtoburst,”addedthechief.“SodidI,whenI firstsawit,”saidChingatok.Fatherandsonpausedafewminutes.Theyusuallydidsobetweeneachsentence.Evidentlytheyponderedwhattheysaid.“Havethesemengotwives?”askedthechief.“The old one has, andBunjay is his son.The other onesno.The blackmanmayhaveawife: Iknownot,but Ishould think thatnowomanwouldhavehim.”“Whatmadehimblack?”“Iknownot.”“Washealwaysblack?”“TheKablunetssayhewasfromsobig.”Chingatokmeasured off the half of his left hand byway of explaining howbig.“Isheblackundertheclothes?”“Yes;blackallover.”Againthecouplepaused.“It is strange,” said the old man, shaking his head. “Perhaps he was madeblackbecausehisfatherwaswicked.”

“Not so,” returned the young giant. “I have heard him say his fatherwas averygoodman.”“Strange,”repeatedthechief,withasolemnlook,“heisveryuglyworsethanawalrus. Tell me, my son, where do the Kablunets live? Do they hunt thewalrusortheseal?”“Blackbeardhastoldmemuch,father,thatIdonotunderstand.Hispeopledonothuntmuchonlyaveryfewofthemdo.”“Wah!theyarelazy!Thefewhunttokeeptherestinmeat,Isuppose.”“No,father,thatisnottheway.Thefewhuntforfun.Thegreatmanyspendtheir time in changing one thing for another. They seem to be neversatisfiedalwayschanging,changingeveryday,andallday.Gettingandgiving,andneversatisfied.”“Poorthings!”saidthechief.“Andtheyhavenowalruses,nowhitebears,nowhales,nothing!”addedtheson.“Miserables!Perhapsthatiswhytheycomeheretosearchfornothing!”“But, father, if theyhavegotnothingathome,whycomehere to search forit?”“Whatdotheyeat?”askedAmalatok,quickly,asifhewereafraidofrecurringto the puzzling question that had once already taken him out of hismentaldepth.“Theyeatallsortsofthings.Manyofthemeatthingsthatarenastythingsthatgrowoutof theground; things thatareveryhotandburn the tongue; thingsthatarepoisonandmakethemill.Theyeatfishtoo,likeus,andotherpeoplebringthemtheirmeatingreatoomiaksfromfar-offlands.Theyseemtobesopoorthattheycannotfindenoughintheirowncountrytofeedthemselves.”“Wretched creatures!” said the oldman, pitifully. “Yes, and they drink too.Drink waters so hot and so terrible that they burn their mouths and theirinsides,andsotheygomad.”“DidInotsaythattheywerefools?”saidAmalatok,indignantly.“Butthestrangestthingofall,”continuedChingatok,loweringhisvoice,andlookingathissireinaspeciesofwonder,“isthattheyfill theirmouthswithsmoke!”

“What?Eatsmoke?”saidAmalatokinamazement.“No,theyspititout.”“DidBlackbeardtellyouthat?”“Yes.”“ThenBlackbeardisaliar!”Chingatokdidnotappeartobeshockedbytheoldman’splainspeaking,buthedidnotagreewithhim.“No,father,”saidhe,afterapause.“Blackbeardisnotaliar.Heisgoodandwise,andspeaksthetruth.IhaveseentheKablunetsdoitmyself.Inthebigoomiakthattheylost,someofthemendidit,sopuff,pull,puff,puffisitnotfunny?”Both fatherandsonburst into laughterat this,and then,becomingsuddenlygrave, remained staring at the smoke of their cooking-lamp, silentlymeditatingonthesethings.While thus engaged, a man entered the low doorway in the only possiblemanner,onhandsandknees,and,rising,displayedthefaceofAnders.“Blackbeardsendsamessagetothegreatoldchief,”saidtheinterpreter.“HewisheshimtopaytheKablunetsavisit.Hehassomethingtoshowtothegreatoldchief.”“Tell him I come,” said the chief,with a tossof theheadwhichmeant, “beoff!”“Iwonder,”saidAmalatokslowly,asAnderscreptout,“whetherBlackbeardmeanstoshowussomeofhiswisdomorsomeofhisfoolishness.Thewhitemenappeartohavemuchofboth.”“Letusgosee,”saidChingatok.Theywent,andfoundtheCaptainseatedinfrontofthedoorofhishutwithhisfriendsroundhimallexceptBenjy,whowasabsent.Theywereverygrave,asusual,desiringtobeimpressive.“Chief,”begantheCaptain,inthatsolemntoneinwhichghostsaresupposedtoaddressmankind,“IwishtoshowyouthatIcanmakethestoutestandmostobstinatewarriorofPoloelandtrembleandjumpwithouttouchinghim.”“Thatisnotverydifficult,”saidtheoldman,whohadstillalurkingdisliketo

acknowledge the Englishmen his superiors. “I can make any one of themtrembleandjumpbythrowingaspearathim.”Aslighttitterfromtheassemblytestifiedtothesuccessofthisreply.“But,” rejoined theCaptain,with deepening solemnity, “Iwill do itwithoutthrowingaspear.”“SowillI,bysuddenlyhowlingathiminthedark,”saidAmalatok.Atthishismenlaughedoutright.“ButIwillnothowlormove,”saidtheCaptain.“Thatwillbeclever,”returnedthechief,solemnisedinspiteofhimself.“LetBlackbeardproceed.”“Orderoneofyourbravestostandbeforemeonthatpieceofflatskin,”saidtheCaptain.Amalatoklookedround,and,observingahugeungainlymanwithacod-fishyexpressionofface,whoseemedtoshrinkfromnotoriety,orderedhimtostepforward.Themandidsowithobvioustrepidation,buthedarednotrefuse.TheCaptainfixedhiseyesonhimsternly,and,inalowgrowlingvoice,mutteredinEnglish:“Now,Benjy,giveitagoodturn.”Cod-fishiness vanished as if bymagic, and,with a look ofwild horror, themansprangintotheair,tumbledonhisback,roseup,andranaway!It isdifficult tosaywhethersurpriseoramusementpredominatedamongthespectators.Manyofthemlaughedheartily,whiletheCaptain,stillasgraveasajudge,saidinalowgrowlingtoneasifspeakingtohimself:“Notquitesostiff,Benjy,notquitesostiff.Bemoregentlenexttime.Don’tdoitallatonce,boy;jerkit,Benjy,aturnorsoatatime.”ItisperhapsneedlesstoinformthereaderthattheCaptainwaspractisingontheEskimoswithhiselectricalmachine,andthatBenjywassecretly turningthe handle inside the hut. Themachine was connected, bymeans of wires,withthepieceofskinonwhichthepatientsstood.Thesewireshadbeenlaidunderground,not,indeed,inthedarkness,but,duringthesecrecyandsilenceofthepreviousnight.Afterwitnessingtheeffectonthefirstwarrior,nootherbraveseemedinclinedto venture on the skin, and the women, who enjoyed the fun greatly, werebeginning to taunt themwith cowardice,whenOolichuk strode forward.He

believedintensely,andjustifiably, inhisowncourage.Noman,hefeltquitesure,hadthepowertostarehimintoanervousconditionnoteventhefiercestoftheKablunets.LetBlackbeardtry,anddohisworst!Animatedbythesesternandself-reliantsentiments,hesteppeduponthemat.Benjy, being quick in apprehension, perceived his previous error, andproceededthistimewithcaution.Hegavethehandleofthemachineagentlehalf-turn and stopped, peeping through a crevice in thewall to observe theeffect.“Ha! ha! ho! ho!hi! huk!” laughedOolichuk, as a tickling sensation thrilledthrough all his nervous system. The laugh was irresistibly echoed by theassembledcommunity.Benjywaited a few seconds, and then gave the handle another and slightlystrongerturn.Thelaughthistimewaslongerandmoreferocious,whilethegallantEskimodrewhimselftogether,determinedtoresistthestrangeandsubtleinfluence;atthesametimefrowningdefianceattheCaptain,whoneverforamomenttookhiscoal-blackeyeoffhim!AgainBenjy turned the handle gently.He evidently possessed something ofthe ancient Inquisitor spirit, and gloated over the pains of his victim! TheresultwasthatOolichuknotonlyquiveredfromheadtofoot,butgavealittlejumpand anythingbut a little yell.Benjy’s powers of self-restraintwerebythat time exhausted. He sent the handle round with a whirr and Oolichuk,tumbling backwards off the mat, rent the air with a shriek of demoniaclaughter.OfcoursethedelightoftheEskimosespeciallyofthechildrenwasbeyondallbounds,andeagerweretheeffortsmadetoinduceanotherwarriortogouponthemysteriousmat,butnotonewouldventure.Theywouldratherhavefacedtheirnaturalenemy,thegreatGrabantak,unarmed,anyday!InthisdifficultyanideaoccurredtoAmalatok.Seizingahugedogbytheneckhedraggedittothemat,andbadeitliedown.Thedogcrouchedandlookedsheepishlyround.Nextmomenthewasintheairwriggling.Thenhecametothe ground, over which he rushed with a prolonged howl, and disappearedamongtherocksonthehillside.It is said that that poor dog was never again seen, but Benjy asserts mostpositivelythat,aweekafterwards,hesawitsneakingintothevillagewithitstailverymuchbetweenitslegs,andanexpressionofthedeepesthumilityon

itscountenance.“You’dbettergivethematasteofdynamite,father,”saidBenjythatevening,astheyallsatroundtheirsupper-kettle.“No,no,boy.Itisbadpolicytofireoffallyourammunitioninahurry.We’llgiveit’embitbybit.”“Justso,impressthembydegrees,”saidAlf.“Defustwarriorwasnighbu’stedbydegrees,”saidButterface,withabroadgrin,ashestirredthekettle.“Yougibit’ima’mosttoostrong,MassaBenjee.”“Blackbeardmustbethebadspirit,”remarkedAmalatoktohissonthatsamenightastheyheldconversetogetheraccordingtocustombeforegoingtobed.“Thebadspiritisneverkindorgood,”repliedChingatok,afterapause.“No,”saidtheoldman,“never.”“ButBlackbeardisalwaysgoodandkind,”returnedthegiant.Thisargumentseemedunanswerable.Atalleventstheoldmandidnotanswerit,butsatfrowningatthecooking-lampundertheinfluenceofintensethought.Afteraprolongedmeditationduring thecourseofwhich fatherand soneachconsumed the tit-bitsofawalrus ribanda seal’s flipperChingatok remarkedthat thewhitemenwere totally beyond his comprehension. Towhich, afteranotherpause,hisfatherrepliedthathecouldnotunderstandthematall.Then,retiringtotheirrespectivecouches,theycalmlywenttosleep“perchancetodream!”

ChapterNineteen.AShootingTriptoParadiseIsle,andfurtherDisplayoftheCaptain’s

Contrivances.Whileourexplorerswerethusreducedtoastateofforcedinactionasregardedthemainobjectoftheirexpedition,theydidnotbyanymeanswastetheirtimein idleness.On thecontrary,eachof thepartywentzealously towork in thewaythatwasmostsuitabletohisinclination.AftergoingoverthemainislandofPoloeasaunitedparty,andascertainingits size, productions, andgeneral features, theCaptain told them theymightnowdoastheypleased.Forhisparthemeanttospendagooddealofhistimein taking notes and observations, questioning the chiefmen as to the lands

lying to the northward, repairing and improving the hut, and helping thenativesmiscellaneouslysoastogaintheirregard.OfcourseLeospentmuchofhistimewithhisrifle,forthenativeswerenotsuch expert hunters but that occasionally they were badly off for food. Ofcourse, also, Alf shouldered his botanical box and sallied forth hammer inhand, to “break stones,” as Butterface put it. Benjy sometimes followedAlfmorefrequentlyLeo,andalwayscarriedhisfather’sdouble-barrelledshot-gun. He preferred that, because his powers with the rifle were not yetdeveloped.SometimeshewentwithToolooha,orTekkona,orOblooria,inoneof the native oomiaks to fish. At other times he practised paddling in thenativekayak,sothathemightaccompanyChingatokonhisexcursionstotheneighbouringislandsaftersealsandwild-fowl.In theexcursionsbywaterLeopreferredoneof the india-rubberboatspartlybecause he was strong and could row it easily, and partly because it wascapableofholdingmoregamethanthekayak.These expeditions to the outlying islandswere particularly delightful. Therewassomethingsopeaceful,yetsowild,soromanticandsostrangeabouttheregion, that the young men felt as if they had passed into a new worldaltogether. It is scarcely surprising that they should feel thus, when it isrememberedthatprofoundcalmsusuallyprevailedatthatseason,causingtheseatoappearlikeanotherheavenbelowthem;thatthesunneverwentdown,butcircledroundandroundthehorizondipping,indeed,alittlemoreandmoretowards it each night, but not yet disappearing; that myriads of wild birdsfilledtheairwithplaintivecries;thatwhales,andsea-unicorns,andwalrusessported around; that icebergs were only numerous enough to give a certainstrangeness of aspect to the scenea strangenesswhichwas increased by thefrequentappearanceofarcticphenomena,suchasseveralmock-sunsrivallingtherealone,andobjectsbeingenveloped inagoldenhaze,or turnedupsidedownbychangesinatmospherictemperature.“Nowonderthatarcticvoyagersarealwayshankeringafterthefarnorth,”saidLeo toBenjy,onemagnificentmorning, as they rowed towards theoutlyingislandsoverthegoldensea.Captain Vane was with them that morning, and it was easy to see that theCaptainwasinapeculiarframeofmind.Acertaintwinkleinhiseyesandanoccasional smile, apparently at nothing, showed that his thoughts,whatevertheymightbe,werebusy.Now, it cannot have failed by this time to strike the intelligent reader, thatCaptain Vane was a man given to mystery, and rather fond of taking by

surprise not only Eskimos but his own companions. On the brightmorningreferred to he took with him in the boat a small flat box, or packing-case,measuringaboutthreefeetsquare,andnotmorethanfourinchesdeep.As theydrewnear toLeo’s favourite sporting-ground,a long flat islandwithseveralsmalllakesonitwhichwereborderedbytallreedsandsedges,wheremyriads of ducks, geese, gulls, plover, puffins, and other birds revelled inabjectfelicity,Benjyaskedhisfatherwhathehadgotinthebox.“I’vegotsomethin’init,Benjy,somethin’.”“Why,daddy,” returned theboywith a laugh, “if Iwere an absolute lunaticyoucouldnottreatmewithgreatercontempt.DoyousupposeIamsoweakastoimaginethatyouwouldbringapacking-caseall thewayfromEnglandtotheNorthPolewithnothinginit?”“You’reafunnyboy,Benjy,”saidtheCaptain,regardinghissonwithaplacidlook.“You’re a funny father, daddy,” answered the sonwith a shakeof the head;“and it’s fortunate foryou that I’mgoodaswellas funny,else I’dgiveyousometrouble.”“You’vegotagoodopinionofyourself,Ben,anyhow,”saidLeo,lookingoverhisshoulderasherowed.“Justchangethesubjectandmakeyourselfuseful.Jumpintothebowandhavetheboat-hookready;thewatershoalsratherfasthere,andIdon’twanttoriskscrapingaholeinourlittlecraft.”TheislandtheywereapproachingformedpartoftheextensivearchipelagoofwhichPoloewasthemainorcentralisland.ParadiseIsle,asLeohadnamedit,layabouttwomilesfromPoloe.Theboatsoontoucheditsshinglybeach,butbefore it could scrape thereon its occupants stepped into the water andcarefullycarrieditonshore.“Now,Benjy,handme therifleandcartridges,”saidLeo,after theboatwasplacedintheshadowofalowbank,“andfetchthegame-bag.What!youdon’tintendtocarrythepacking-case,uncle,doyou?”“IthinkI’dbetterdoit,”answeredtheCaptain,liftingthecasebyitscordinacarelessway;“itmighttakeafancytohaveaswimonitsownaccount,youknow.Comealong,thebirdsaregrowingimpatient,don’tyousee?”Withashortlaugh,Leoshoulderedhisrifle,andmarchedtowardsthefirstofachain of little lakes, followedbyBenjywith the game-bag, and theCaptainwiththecase.

Soon a splendid grey wild-goose was seen swimming at a considerabledistancebeyondthereeds.“There’syourchance,now,Leo,”said theCaptain.ButLeoshookhishead.“Nouse,”hesaid;“ifIweretoshootthatoneI’dneverbeabletogetit;themud is toodeepforwading,and thereeds too thickforswimmingamongst.It’s a pity to kill birds thatwe cannot get hold of, so, you see, ImustwalkalongthemarginofthelakeuntilIseeabirdinagoodpositiontobegotat,andthenpothim.”“Butisn’tthatslowwork,lad?”askedtheCaptain.“ItmightbeslowifImissedoftenorwoundedmybirds,”repliedLeo,“butIdon’toftenmiss.”Theyouthmightwithtruthhavesaidhenevermissed,forhiseyewasastrueandhishandassureasthatofanyLeatherstockingorRobinHoodthateverlived.“Whydon’tyoulaunchtheboatonthelake?”askedtheCaptain.“BecauseIdon’tliketoruntheriskofdamagingitbyhaulingitaboutamongmud and sticks and overland.Besides, thatwould be a cumbersomewayofhunting. I prefer to tramp about the margin as you see, and just take whatcomes inmyway.There areplentyofbirds, and I seldomwalk farwithoutgettingagoodishhist!There’sone!”As he spoke another large grey goose was seen stretching its long neckamongstthereedsatadistanceofabouttwohundredyards.Thecrackoftherifle was followed by the instant death of the goose. At the same momentseveral companionsof thebird rose trumpeting into the air amid a cloudofother birds. Again the rifle’s crackwas heard, and one of the geese on thewingdroppedbesideitscomrade.AsLeocarriedhis repeating rifle,hemight easilyhave shot another,butherefrained,asthebirdwouldhavebeentoofarouttobeeasilypickedup.“Now,Benjy,areyoutogoin,oramI?”askedthesportsmanwithaslylook.“Oh! I suppose Imust,” said theboywith an affectationof beingmartyred,though, intruth,nothingcharmedhimsomuchastoact thepartofawater-dog.Afewsecondsmore,andhewasstripped,forhisgarmentsconsistedonlyofshirtand trousers.But itwasmore thana fewsecondsbeforehereturned toland,swimmingonhisbackandtrailingagoosebytheneckwitheachhand,

for the reedswere thick and themud softish, and the second bird had beenfurtheroutthanheexpected.“It’sgloriousfun,”saidBenjy,pantingvehementlyashepulledonhisclothes.“It’s gloriously knocked up you’ll be before long at that rate,” said theCaptain.“Oh!but,uncle,”saidLeo,quickly,“youmustnotsupposethatIgivehimallthehardwork.Weshareitbetweenus,youknow.BenjysometimesshootsandthenIdotheretrieving.You’venoideahowgoodashotheisbecoming.”“Indeed,letmeseeyoudoit,myboy.D’yeseethatgooseoverthere?”“What,theonenearthemiddleofthelake,aboutfourhundredyardsoff?”“Ay,Benjy,Iwantthatgoose.Youshootit,myboy.”“Butyou’llneverbeabletogetit,uncle,”saidLeo.“Benjy, I want that goose. You shoot it.” There was no disobeying thisperemptorycommand.Leohandedtherifletotheboy.“Downononeknee,Ben,Hytheposition,myboy,” said theCaptain, in thetoneofadisciplinarian.Benjyobeyed,tookalongsteadyaim,andfired.“Bravo!” shouted the Captain as the bird turned breast up. “There’s thatgoose’sbrothercomin’toseewhat’sthematterwithhim;justcookhisgoosetoo,Benjy.”Theboyaimedagain,fired,andmissed.“Again!”criedtheCaptain,“looksharp!”Again the boy fired, and this timewounded the bird as itwas risingon thewing.Although wounded, the goose was quite able to swim, and made rapidlytowardsthereedsontheotherside.“What!amItolosethatgoose?”criedtheCaptainindignantly.Leoseizedtherifle.Almostwithouttakingtimetoaim,hefiredandshotthebirddead.“There,”saidhe,laughing,“butIsuspectitisalostgooseafterall.Itwillbehardworktogeteitherofthesebirds,uncle.However,I’lltry.”

LeowasproceedingtostripwhentheCaptainforbadehim.“Don’ttroubleyourself,lad,”hesaid,“I’llgoforthemmyself.”“You,uncle?”“Ay,me.D’yesupposethatnobodycanswimbutyouandBenjy?Here,helpmetoopenthisbox.”InsilentwonderandexpectationLeoandBenjydidas theywerebid.Whenthemysteriouspacking-casewasopened,therewasdisplayedtoviewamassof waterproof material. Tumbling this out and unrolling it, the Captaindisplayedapairoftrousersandbootsinonepieceattachedtosomethinglikeanovallife-buoy.Thrustinghislegsdownintothetrousersandboots,hedrewthebuoywhichwascoveredwithindia-rubberclothuptohiswaistandfixeditthere.Then,puttingtheendofanindia-rubbertubetohismouth,hebegantoblow,andthebuoyroundhiswaistbegantoextenduntilittooktheformofanoval.“Now,boys,”saidtheCaptain,withprofoundgravity,“I’maboutreadytogotosea.Here,youobserve,isapairo’pantsthatwon’tletinwater.Atthefeetyou’ll notice two flaps which expand when driven backward, and collapsewhen moved forward. These are propellershuman web-feetto enable me towalkahead,d’yesee?andherearetwosmallpaddleswithajointwhichIcanfixtogethersoandthusmakeonedouble-bladedpaddleof’em,aboutfourfeetlong.Itwillhelp thefeet,youunderstand,butI’mnotdependentonit, forIcanwalkwithoutthepaddlesattherateoftwoorthreemilesanhour.”AshespokeCaptainVanewalkedquietlyintothewater,tothewilddelightofBenjy,andtheamazementofhisnephew.When he was about waist-deep the buoy floated him. Continuing to walk,thoughhisfeetnolongertouchedground,hewasenabledbythepropellerstomoveon.Whenhehadgotoutahundredyardsorso,heturnedround,tookoffhishat,andshouted“landho!”“Shipahoy!”shriekedBenjy,inanecstasy.“Mind your weather eye!” shouted the Captain, resuming his walk with afacetiousswagger,while,withthepaddles,heincreasedhisspeed.Soonafter,hereturnedtolandwiththetwogeese.“Wellnow,daddy,” saidhis son,whileheandLeoexamined thedresswithminuteinterest,“Iwishyou’dmakeacleanbreastofit,andletusknowhowmanymoresurprisesandcontrivancesofthissortyou’vegotinstoreforus.”

“Ifearthisisthelastone,Benjy,thoughthere’snoendtotheapplicationsofthesecontrivances.You’dbetterapplythisonetoyourselfnow,andseehowyougetoninit.”OfcourseBenjywasmorethanwilling,though,asheremarked,thedresswasfartoobigforhim.“Nevermindthat,myboy.Atightfitain’tneedful,andnobodywillfindfaultwiththecutintheseregions.”“Where ever did you get it, father?” asked the boy, as the fastenings werebeingsecuredroundhim.“Igot it froman ingenious friend,who sayshe’s goin’ tobring it out soon.Mayhapit’sintheshopsofoldEnglandbythistime.There,now,offyougo,butdon’tbetoorisky,Ben.Keepherfull,andmindyourhelm.”(SeeNote.)Thusencouraged,theeagerboywadedintothewater,but,inhishaste,trippedandfell,sendingavolumeofwateroverhimself.Herose,however,withoutdifficulty, and, proceeding with greater caution, soon walked off into deepwater.Herehepaddledaboutinastateofexuberantglee.Thedresskepthimperfectlydry,althoughhesplashedthewateraboutinrecklessfashion,anddidnotreturntolandtillquiteexhausted.BenjaminVanefromthatdaydevotedhimselftothatmachine.Hebecamesoenamouredofthe“water-tramp,”ashestyleditnotknowingitspropernameatthetimethathewentaboutthelakeletsinitcontinually,sometimesfishing,atothertimesshooting.Heevenventuredashortdistanceouttoseainit,totheamazement of the Eskimos, the orbits of whose eyes were being decidedlyenlarged,Benjysaid,andtheireyebrowspermanentlyraised,bytheconstantsuccessionofastonishment-fitsintowhichtheywerethrownfromdaytodaybytheirwhitevisitors.

ChapterTwenty.Benjy’sEnjoymentsInterrupted,andPoloelandOverwhelmedwitha

Catastrophe.

Onepleasantmorning, towards theendofsummer,BenjaminVanewentoutwithhisguninthewater-tramponthelargelakeofParadiseIsle.Leo and he had reached the isle in one of the india-rubber boats. They hadtakenAnderswiththemtocarrytheirgame,andlittleOblooriatopreparetheirdinnerwhiletheywereawayshooting;fortheydislikedthedelayofpersonalattention to cooking when they were ravenous! After landing Benjy, and

seeinghimbusygettinghimselfintotheaquaticdress,Leosaidhewouldpullofftoagroupofwalruses,whichweresportingaboutoffshore,andshootone.Provisions of fowl and fish were plentiful enough just then at the Eskimovillage,butheknew thatwalrusbeefwasgreatlyprizedby thenatives, andnoneofthehugecreatureshadbeenkilledforsomeweekspast.About this time the threatened war with the northern Eskimos hadunfortunatelycommenced.The insatiableGrabantakhadmade a descent ononeofAmalatok’s smallerislands, killed the warriors, and carried off the women and children, witheverything else he could lay hands on.Of courseAmalatokmade reprisals;attacked a small island belonging to Grabantak, and did as much generalmischief as he could. The paltry islet about which the war began was notworthyeitherofattackordefence!ThenAmalatok, burningwith the righteous indignationof themanwhodidnot begin the quarrel, got up a grandmuster of his forces, andwentwith agreatfleetofkayakstoattackGrabantakinhisstrongholds.ButGrabantak’s strongholdswere remarkablystrong.Agooddealofkillingwas done, and some destruction of property accomplished, but that did noteffect the conquest of the great northernSavage.Neither did it prove eitherparty tobe rightorwrong!Grabantak retired to impregnable fastnesses,andAmalatok returned to Poloeland “coveredwith glory,”some of his followersalsocoveredwithwounds, a fewofwhichhad fallen tohisown share.Thesuccess, however, was not decided. On the whole, the result was ratherdisappointing, but Amalatok was brave and high-spirited, as some peoplewouldsay.Hewasnotgoingtogivein;nothe!Hewouldfightaslongasamanwaslefttobackhim,andbringGrabantaktohiskneesordie!Eithereventwould,ofcourse,havebeenofimmenseadvantagetobothnations.Hegroundhisteethandglaredwhenheannouncedthisdetermination,andalsoshookhisfist,butasharptwingeofpaininoneofhisunhealedwoundscausedhimtoceasefrowningabruptly.Therewasasound,too,intheair,whichcausedhimtositdownandreflect.Itwasamixedandhalf-stifledsound,asifofwomengroaningandlittlechildrenwailing.Someofhisbraves,ofcourse,hadfallenintherecentconflictsfallenhonourably with their faces to the foe. Their youngwidows and their littleonesmourned them, and refused to be comforted, because theywerenot. Itwashighlyunpatriotic,nodoubt,butnatural.Amalatok had asked the white men to join him in the fight, but they hadrefused.Theywouldhelphimtodefendhiscountry,ifattacked,theysaid,but

theywouldnotgoouttowar.AmalatokhadoncethreatenedBlackbeardifherefused to go, but Blackbeard had smiled, and threatened to retaliate bymakinghim“jump!”Whereupontheoldchiefbecamesuddenlymeek.This,then,wasthestateofaffairswhenBenjyandLeowentshooting,onthemorningtowhichwehavereferred.But who can hope to describe, with adequate force, the joyful feelings ofBenjaminVane as hemoved slily about the lakelets of Paradise Isle in thewater-tramp? The novelty of the situation was so great. The surroundingcircumstancesweresopeculiar.Theprolongedcalmsofthecircumpolarbasin,atthatperiodoftheyear,weresonewtooneaccustomedtothevariableskiesofEngland; theperpetual sunshine, theabsenceofanynecessity toconsidertime,inalandfromwhichnightseemedtohavefinallyfled;theglassyreposeof lake and sea, so suggestive of peace; the cheery bustle of animal life, sosuggestiveofpleasurealltheseinfluencestogetherfilledtheboy’sbreastwithastrongromanticjoywhichwasfartoopowerfultoseekorfindreliefinthoseboisterousleapsandshoutswhichwerehisusualsafety-valves.Althoughnotmuchgiventoseriousthought,exceptwhenconversingwithhisfather,Benjybecamemeditativeashemovedquietlyaboutattheedgeofthereeds, and began to wonder whether the paradise above could exceed thisparadisebelow!Eventsoccurredthatdaywhichprovedtohimthatthesublunaryparadisewas,atleast,woefullyuncertaininitsnature.“Now, justkeepstill,willyou, foronemoment,”mutteredBenjy,advancingcautiously through the outermargin of reeds, among the stems ofwhich hepeeredearnestlywhilehecockedhisgun.Theindividualtowhomhespokemadenoreply,becauseitwasagoosewouldthatitwerethuswithallgeese!Itwasagreygooseofthelargestsize.Ithadcaughtaglimpseofthenewandstrangecreaturethatwaspaddlingaboutitshome,andwaswiselymakingfor theshelterofaspotwhere thereedsweremoredense,andwhereBenjywouldnothavedaredtofollow.For,itmustberememberedthatouryoungsportsmanwassunktohiswaistinwater,andthatthereedsrosehighoverhishead,sothatifoncelostintheheartofthem,hemighthavefounditextremelydifficulttofindhiswayoutagain.Anxious not to lose his chance, he gave vent to a loud shout. This had theeffectofsettingupinnumerableflocksofwild-fowl,which,althoughunseen,had been lurking listeners to the strange though gentle sound of the water-tramp. Among them rose the grey goose with one or two unexpectedcomrades.

Benjy had not at that time acquired the power of self-restraint necessary togoodshooting.Hefiredhastily,andmissedwiththefirstbarrel.Dischargingthe second in hotter haste, he missed again, but brought down one of thecomrades by accident. This was sufficiently gratifying. Picking it up, heplaced it on the boat-buoy in front of him to balance several ducks whichalready lay on the part in rear.Hemight have carried a dozen geese on hisnovel hunting-dress, if there hadbeen room for them, for its floatingpowerwassufficienttohaveborneuphimself,andatleastfour,ifnotfive,men.Pursuinghiswaycautiouslyandgently,bymeansof thewebbed feetalone,the young sportsman moved about like a sly water-spirit among the reeds,sometimesaddressingafewpleasantwords,suchas,“howd’yedo,oldboy,”or, “don’t alarmyourself,my tulip,” to awater-henor a coot, or some suchbird which crossed his path, but was unworthy of his shot; at other timesstoppingtogazecontemplativelythroughthereedstems,ortofloatandrestinplacidenjoyment,whilehetriedtoimaginehimselfinaforestofwater-trees.Everywhere the feathered tribes first gazed at him in mute surprise; thenhurried,witheveryvarietyofsqueak,andquack,andflutteringwing,fromhisfrightfulpresence.Suddenlyhecameinsightofabirdsolargethathisheartgaveaviolentleap,and the gunwent almost of its own accord to his shoulder, but the creaturedisappeared among the reeds before he could take aim. Another opening,however, again revealed it fully to view! It was a swana hyperborean wildswan!Justashemadethisdiscovery,thegreatbird,havingobservedBenjy,spreaditsenormouswingsandmadeoffwithanamazingsplutter.Bang!wentBenjy’sgun,bothbarrels inquicksuccession,anddownfell theswanquitedead,withitsheadinthewateranditsfeetpointingtothesky.“WhatafeasttheEskimoswillhaveto-night!”wasBenjy’sfirstthoughtashetrampedvehementlytowardshisprize.Buthisoverflowingjoywasrudelychecked,for,havinglaidhisgundowninfrontofhim,forthepurposeofusingthepaddlewithbothhands,itslippedtoone side, tilted up, and, disappearing like an arrow in the lake,went to thebottom.The sinkingofBenjy’sheartwasnot less complete.Hehad thepresenceofmind,however,toseizethereedsnearhimandcheckhisprogressattheexactspot.Leaningoverthesideofhislittlecraft,hebeheldhisweaponquivering,

asitwere,at thebottom,inabouteightfeetofwater.Whatwastobedone?The energetic youthwas not long inmaking up hismind on that point.Hewould dive for it. But diving in the water-tramp was out of the question.Knowingthatitwasallbutimpossibletomakehiswaytotheshorethroughthereeds,heresolvedtoreachtheoppositeshore,whichwasinsomeplacesfreefromvegetation.Seizingoneof thereeds,heforceditdown,andtieditintoaknottomarkthespotwherehislosshadhappened.Hetreatedseveralmorereedsinthiswaytillhegainedtheopenwateroutside,thusmarkinghispath.Thenhepaddledacrossthelake,landed,undressed,andswamoutagain,pushingtheemptydressbeforehim,intendingtouseitasaresting-place.Onreachingthespot,hedivedwithadegreeofvigourandagilityworthyofaduck,butfoundithardtoreachthebottom,ashewasnotmuchaccustomedtodiving.Forthesamereasonhefounditdifficulttoopenhiseyesunderwater,soastolookforthegun.Whiletryingtodoso,adesperatedesiretobreathecaused him to leap to the surface, where he found that he had struggledsomewhatawayfromtheexactspot.Afterafewminutes’rest,hetookalongbreathandagainwentdown;butfound,tohisdismay,thatinhisfirstdivehehaddisturbedthemud,andthusmadethewaterthick.Gropingaboutrenderedit thicker, and he came to the surface the second time with feelingsapproaching to despair. Besides which, his powers were being rapidlyexhausted.ButBenjywasfullofpluckaswellasperseverance.Feelingthathecouldnotholdoutmuchlonger,heresolvedtomakethenextattemptwithmorecarearesolve,itmayberemarked,whichitwouldhavebeenbettertohavemadeatfirst.He swam to the knotted reed, consideredwell the position he had occupiedwhenhislossoccurred,tookanaimatadefinitespotwithhishead,andwentdown.Theresultwasthathishandsgraspedthestockofthegunthemomenttheyreachedthebottom.Inflatedwithjoyheleapedwithittothesurfacelikeabladder;laiditcarefullyonthewater-dress,andpushingthelatterbeforehimsoonsucceededingettinghold of the dead swan.The birdwas too heavy to be lifted on the float, hethereforegraspeditsneckwithhisteeth,andthus,heavilyweighted,madefortheshore.ItwillnotsurprisethereadertobetoldthatBenjyfelthungryaswellastiredaftertheseachievements,andthisinducedhimtolookanxiouslyforLeo,andto wonder why the smoke of Oblooria’s cooking-lamp was not to be seenanywhere.

Theengrossingnatureoftheeventsjustdescribedhadpreventedourlittleherofromobservingthatasmartbreezehadsprungup,andthatheavycloudshadbegun to drive across the hitherto blue sky, while appearances of a verysqually nature were gathering on the windward horizon. Moreover, whileengagedinpaddlingamongthereedshehadnotfeltthebreeze.It waswhile taking off thewater-tramp that he became fully alive to thesefacts.“That’sit,”hemutteredtohimself.“They’vebeencaughtbythisbreezeandbeendelayedbyhavinghad to pull against it, or perhaps thewalruses gavethemmoretroublethantheyexpected.”Appeasing his appetite as well as he could with this reflection, he left thewater-trampontheground,withthedrippinggunbesideit,andhurriedtothehighestpartoftheisland.Althoughnotmuchofanelevation,itenabledhimtoseeallround,andafeelingofanxietyfilledhisbreastasheobservedthattheonceglassyseawasruffledtothecolourofindigo,whilewaveletsfleckediteverywhere,andnoboatwasvisible!“Theymayhavegotbehindsomeof the islands,”he thought,andcontinuedhis look-out for some time,with growing anxiety and impatience, however,becausethebreezewasbythattimefresheningtoagale.Whenanhourhadpassedawaythepoorboybecamethoroughlyalarmed.“Can anything have happened to the boat?” he said to himself. “The india-rubberiseasilycut.Perhapstheymayhavebeenblownouttosea!”Thislatterthoughtcausedaninvoluntaryshudder.Lookinground,heobservedthatthedepressionofthesuntowardsthehorizonindicatedthatnighthadsetin.“Thiswillneverdo,”hesuddenlyexclaimedaloud.“Leowillbelost.Imustriskit!”Turningashespoke,heranbacktothespotwherehehadleftthewater-dress,whichhe immediatelyputon.Then, leavinggunandgameon thebeach,heboldlyenteredthesea,andstruckoutwithfeetandpaddleforPoloeland.Althoughsorelybuffetedbytherisingwaves,andseveraltimesoverwhelmed,his waterproof costume proved well able to bear him up, and withcomparativelylittlefatiguehereachedthelandinlessthantwohours.Withoutwaiting to take the dress off, he ran up to the Eskimo village and gave thealarm.

While these events were going on among the islets, Captain Vane andAlphonseVandervellhadbeenfarotherwiseengaged.“Come,Alf,”saidtheCaptain,thatsamemorning,afterLeoandhispartyhadstartedontheirexpedition,“letyouandmegooffonascientificexcursion,onwhatwemaystyleabotanico-geologico-meteorologicalsurvey.”“Withallmyheart,uncle,andletustakeButterfacewithus,andOolichuk.”“Ay,lad,andIvitchukandAkeetoliktoo,andChingatokifyouwill,forI’vefixedonaspotwhereontopitchanobservatory,andwemustsettoworkonitwithoutfurtherdelay.IndeedIwouldhavegotitintoworkingorderlongagoifithadnotbeenformyhopethatthecessationofthismiserablewarwouldhaveenabledustogetnearertheNorthPolethissummer.”ThepartysoonstartedforthehighestpeakoftheislandofPoloeorPoloeland,asAlfpreferredtocallit.Oolichukcarriedonhisbroadshouldersoneofthosemysterious cases out ofwhich theCaptainwas so fond of takingmachineswherewithtoastonishthenatives.Indeed it was plain to see that the natives who accompanied them on thisoccasion expected some sort of surprise, despite the Captain’s earnestassurance that there was nothing in the box except a few meteorologicalinstruments. How the Captain translated to the Eskimos the wordmeteorologicalwehaveneverbeenable toascertain.Hisownexplanationisthathedid it ina roundaboutmannerwhich they failed tocomprehend,andwhichhehimselfcouldnotelucidate.On the way up the hill, Alf made several interesting discoveries of plantswhichwerequitenewtohim.“Ho! stop, I say,uncle,”heexclaimed for the twentieth time thatday, ashepickedupsomeobjectofinterest.“Whatnow,lad?”saidtheCaptain,stoppingandwipinghisheatedbrow.“Hereisanotherspecimenofthesepetrifactionslook!”“Hemeansavegetableo’somesortturnedtostone,Chingatok,”explainedtheCaptain,asheexamined thespecimenwithan interested thoughunscientificeye.“You remember,uncle, theexplanation Igaveyousome timeago,” said theenthusiasticAlf,“aboutProfessorHeerofZurich,whocametotheconclusionthatprimeval forestsonceexisted in thesenow treelessArctic regions, fromthefossilsofoak,elm,pine,andmapleleavesdiscoveredthere.Well,Ifound

afossilofaplaneleaftheotherday,notaverygoodone,tobesureandnow,here is a splendid specimen of a petrified oak-leaf.Don’t you trace it quiteplainly?”“Well, lad,” returned the Captain, frowning at the specimen, “I do believeyou’reright.Theredoesseemtobethemarkofaleafthere,andthereissomegroundforyourtheorythatthislandmayhavebeenoncecoveredwithtrees,thoughit’shardtobelievethatwhenwelookatit.”“An evidence, uncle, that we should not be too ready to judge byappearances,”saidAlf,astheyresumedtheirupwardmarch.Thetopgained,aspacewasquicklyselectedandcleared,andasimplehutofflat stones begun, while the Captain unpacked his box. It contained abarometer, amaximum andminimum self-registering thermometer, wet anddry bulb, also a black bulb thermometer, a one-eighth-inch rain-gauge, andseveralotherinstruments.“I have another box of similar instruments, Alf, down below,” said theCaptain,ashelaidthemcarefullyout,“andIhope,bycomparingtheresultsobtainedupherewiththoseobtainedat thelevelof thesea, tocarryhomeaseriesofnoteswhichwillbeofconsiderablevaluetoscience.”WhentheCaptainhadfinishedlayingthemout,theEskimosretiredtoalittledistance,andregarded themforsomeminuteswithanxiousexpectancy;but,as the strange things did not burst, or go up like sky-rockets, they soonreturnedwithasomewhatdisappointedlooktotheirhut-building.Theworkwasquicklycompleted,forEskimosareexpertbuildersintheirway,and the instruments had been carefully set up under shelter when the firstsymptomsofthestormbegan.“Ihopethesportsmenhavereturned,”saidtheCaptain,lookinggravelyroundthehorizon.“Nodoubt theyhave,” saidAlf,preparing todescend themountain. “Leo isnotnaturallyreckless,andifhewere,thecautiousAnderswouldbeadragonhim.”AnhourlatertheyregainedtheEskimovillage,justasBenjycamerunning,inastateofdrippingconsternation,fromthesea.Needitbesaidthataninstantandvigoroussearchwasinstituted?Notonlydida band of the stoutest warriors, headed by Chingatok, set off in a fleet ofkayaks,but theCaptainandhiscompanionsstartedwithoutdelayin thetwo

remainingindia-rubberboats,and,flyingtheirkites,despitetheriskofdoingsoinagale,wentawayineagerhasteoverthefoamingbillows.Afterexertingthemselvestotheuttermost,theyfailedtodiscovertheslightesttrace of the lost boat. The storm passed quickly, and a calm succeeded,enabling them toprosecute the searchmoreeffectivelywithoar andpaddle,butwithnobetterresult.Day after day passed, and still no member of the bandEnglishman orEskimowouldrelaxhisefforts,oradmitthathopewassinking.Buttheyhadtoadmititatlast,and,afterthreeweeksofunremittingtoil,theywerecompelledtogiveup in absolutedespair.Themost sanguinewasdriven to the terribleconclusionthatLeo,Anders,andtimidlittleOblooriawerelost.Itwas an awful blow.What caredAlf or theCaptain now for discovery, orscientificinvestigation!Thepoornegro,whohadneveratanytimecaredforplants,rocks,orPoles,wassunkintheprofoundestdepthsofsorrow.Benjy’sgay spirit was utterly broken. Oolichuk’s hearty laugh was silenced, and acloudofsettledmelancholydescendedovertheentirevillageofPoloe.

ChapterTwentyOne.FateoftheLostOnes.

Leo,Anders,andtimidlittleOblooria,however,werenotlost!Theircasewasbadenough,butithadnotquitecometothat.OnpartingfromBenjy,asdescribedinthelastchapter,thesethreewentafterawalrus, which coquetted with them instead of attacking, and drew them aconsiderabledistanceawayfromtheisland.Thiswouldhavebeenamatteroftrifling import if the weather had remained calm, but, as we have seen, asuddenandviolentgalearose.When the coming squall was first observed the boat was far to leeward ofParadiseIsle,andas that islandhappened tobeoneof themostnortherlyofthe groupoverwhichAmalatok ruled, theywere thus far to leewardof anylandwiththeexceptionofasolitarysugar-loafrocknearthehorizon.StillLeoandhiscompanionswerenot impressedwithanysenseofdanger.Theyhadbeen so long accustomed to calms, and tomoving about in the india-rubberboatsbymeansofpaddleswithperfect easeand security, that theyhadhalfforgotten the forceofwind.Besides, thewalruswas still playingwith themprovokinglykeeping just out of rifle-shot as if he had studied fire-arms andknewtheirrangeexactly.“The rascal!” exclaimed Leo at last, losing patience, “he will never let us

comeaninchnearer.”“Try ’im oncemore,” saidAnders, whowas a keen sportsman, “push him,paddlestrong.Ho!Oblooria,paddlehardandqueek.”Although the interpreter, being in a facetious mood, addressed Oblooria inEnglish, she quite understood his significant gestures, and bent to herworkwith a degree of energy and power quite surprising in one apparently sofragile.Leoalsousedhisoars,(fortheyhadbothoarsandpaddles),withsuchgood-willthattheboatskimmedovertheArcticsealikeanortherndiver,andthedistancebetweenthemandthewalruswasperceptiblylessened.“Idon’t like the lookso’ the southern sky,” saidLeo, regarding thehorizonwithknittedbrows.“Himsblack’noughany’ow,”saidAnders.“Hold.I’llhaveafarewellshotatthebrute,andgiveupthechase,”saidLeo,layingdowntheoarsandgraspinghisrifle.Theballseemedtotakeeffect,forthewalrusdivedimmediatelywithaviolentsplutter,andwasseennomore.By this time the squall was hissing towards them so fast that the hunters,givingupallthoughtofthewalrus,turnedatonceandmadefortheland,butlandbythattimelayfaroffonthesouthernhorizonwithadarkfoam-fleckedseabetweenitandthem.“There’snofearoftheboat,Oblooria,”saidLeo,glancingoverhisshoulderatthegirl,whosatcrouching tomeet the firstburstof thecomingstorm,“butyoumustholdontighttothelife-lines.”TherewasnoneedtocautionAnders.Thatworthywasalreadyonhiskneesembracingathwarthisteethclenchedashegazedoverthebow.Onitcamelikeawhirlwindofthetropics,andrushedrightoverthelowroundgunwale of the boat, sweeping loose articles overboard, and carrying herbodilytoleeward.Leohadtakenaturnofthelife-linesroundboththighs,andheldmanfully tohisoars.These,afterstooping to thefirst rushofwindandwater,hepliedwithallhismight,andwasablysecondedbyOblooriaaswellas by the interpreter, but a very fewminutes of effort sufficed to convincethemthattheylabouredinvain.Theydidnoteven“holdtheirown,”assailorshaveit,butdriftedslowly,yetsteadily,tothenorth.“It’s impossible tomake head against this,” said Leo, suddenly ceasing hisefforts, “and I count it apieceofgood fortune, forwhichwecannotbe too

thankful,thatthereisstilllandtoleewardofus.”Hepointedtothesugar-loafrockbeforementioned,towardswhichtheywerenowrapidlydrifting.“Nothingtoeatdere.Nothingtodrink,”saidAnders,gloomily.“Oh!thatwon’tmattermuch.Asqualllikethiscan’tlastlong.Weshallsoonbe able to start again for home, no doubt. I say, Anders, what are thesecreaturesoffthepointthere?Theyseemtoolargeandblackforsea-birds,andnottheshapeofsealsorwalruses.”The interpretergazedearnestly at theobjects inquestion for somemomentswithout answering. The rock which they were quickly nearing was rugged,barren,andsteepon itssouthernface,againstwhich thewaveswereby thattimedashingwithextremeviolence,sothatlandingtherewouldhavebeenanimpossibility.Onits leeornorthernside,howevertheymightcountonquietwater.“We have nothing to fear,” said Leo, observing that Oblooria was muchagitated;“tellherso,Anders;wearesuretofindashelteredcreekofsomesortontheotherside.”“I fear not the rocks or storm,” replied the Eskimo girl to Anders. “It isGrabantak,thechiefofFlatland,thatIfear.”“Grabantak!”exclaimedAndersandLeointhesamebreath.“Grabantakiscomingwithhismen!”Poor littleOblooria,whose face hadpaledwhile herwhole frame trembled,pointed towards thedarkobjectswhichhad already attracted their attention.Theywerebythattimenearenoughtobedistinguished,andastheycame,oneafteranother,roundthewesternpointofSugar-loafrock,itwasalltooevidentthat thegirlwasright,and that thefleetofkayakswasprobablybearing thenorthernsavageandhismentoattacktheinhabitantsofPoloe.Leo’s first impulse was to seize his repeating rifle and fill its cartridge-chamberquite full. Itmaybewell toobservehere that thecartridges,beingcarriedinatightwaterproofcase,hadnotbeenaffectedbytheseaswhichhadsorecentlyoverwhelmedthem.“What’sdeuse?”askedAnders,inanunusuallysulkytone,ashewatchedtheyouth’saction.“TwomennotcanfightalldemansofFlatland.”“No,butIcanpickoffadozenofthem,oneafteranother,withmygoodrifle,

andthentherestwillfly.Grabantakwillfallfirst,andhisbestmenafterhim.”ThiswasnoidleboastonthepartofLeo.Heknewthathecouldaccomplishwhathe threatened longbefore theEskimoscouldgetwithinspear-throwingdistanceofhisboat.“Nouse,” repeatedAnders, firmly, still shakinghishead in a sulkymanner.“Whenyou’sbulletsbedone,morean’moreinimiescomeon.Thendeykillyou,an’me,an’Oblooria.”Leolaiddownhisweapon.Theresolvetodiefightingtothelastwastheresultof amere impulse of animal courage. Second thoughts cooled him, and thereferencetoOblooria’sfatedecidedhim.“You are right,Anders. If by fighting to the death I could saveOblooria, itwouldbemydutyaswellasmypleasuretofight;butIseethatIhaven’ttheghostofachanceagainstsuchahostasisapproaching,anditwouldbesimplyrevengeful to send asmany as I can into the nextworld before going theremyself.Besides,itwouldexasperatethesavages,andmakethemharderonthepoorgirl.”InsayingthisLeowasratherarguingoutthepointwithhimselfthantalkingtotheinterpreter,whodidnotindeedunderstandmuchofwhathesaid.Havingmadeuphismindhowtoact,Leostowedhispreciousrifleandammunitioninasmallbagplacedforthatpurposeunderoneofthethwarts,and,resumingtheoars,preparedtomeethisfate,whateveritshouldbe,peacefullyandunarmed.Whilethusdriftinginsilencebeforethegale,thethoughtsuddenlyoccurredtoLeo,“HowstrangeitisthatI,whoamaChristianinnameatleastshouldfeelas if itwereabsurd topray forGod’shelpat sucha timeas this!SurelyHewhomademeandtheseEskimosiscapableofguardingus?TheveryleastwecandoistoaskHimtoguideus!”Theyouthwassurprisedatthethought.Ithadflasheduponhimlikearayoflight.Itwasnotthefirsttimethathehadbeeninevenmoreimminentdangerthan the present, yet he hadnever before thought of the necessity of askinghelp fromGod, as if Hewere really present and able as well as willing tosuccour. Before the thought had passed he acted on it. He had no time forformalprayer.He lookedup! Itwasprayerwithoutwords. Ina fewminutesmoretheboatwassurroundedbythefleetofkayaks.Therewerehundredsofthese tiny vessels of the north, each with its solitary occupant, using hisdouble-bladedpaddlevigorously.Needwesaythatthestrangerswereatfirstgazedonwithspeechlesswonder?andthattheEskimoskeptforsometimehoveringroundthematarespectful

distance,as ifuncertainhowtoact,butwith theirwar-spears ready?All thetimethewholepartydriftedbeforethegaletowardstheisland-rock.“Anders,”saidLeo,whilethenativesremainedinthisstateofindecision,“mymind is made up as to our course of action. We will offer no resistancewhatevertothesefellows.Wemustbeabsolutelysubmissive,unless,indeed,theyattempttoill-treatOblooria,inwhichcaseofcoursewewilldefendher.Doyouhear?”Thiswassaidwithsuchquietdecision,andtheconcludingquestionwasputinsuchatone,thattheinterpreterreplied,“Yis,sar,”promptly.AsLeomadenosignofanykind,butcontinuedtoguidetheboatsteadilywiththeoars,asifhissoleanxietywastoroundthewesternpointoftheislandandgetintoaplaceofshelter,thenativesturnedtheirkayaksandadvancedalongwithhim.Naturally they fell into thepositionof an escortapart of the fleetpaddlingoneachsideofthecaptives,(forsuchtheynowwere),whiletherestbroughtuptherear.“WhatailsOblooria,Anders?”askedLeoinalowtone.“Whatisthematter?”askedtheinterpreter,turningtothegirl,who,eversincetheapproachoftheEskimos,hadcrouchedlikeabundleinthebottomoftheboatwithherfaceburiedinherhands.“Thereisnofear.Grabantakisaman,notabear.Hewillnoteatyou.”“Grabantakknowsme,”answeredthepoorgirl,withoutliftingherhead;“hecametoPoloeonce,beforethewar,andwantedmetobethewifeofhisson.Iwantnothisson.IwantOolichuk!”ThesimplicityandcandourofthisconfessioncausedLeotolaughinspiteofhimself,whilepoor littleOblooria,who thought it no laughingmatter, burstintotears.Of course themen of Flatland kept their eyes fixed inwide amazement onLeo, as they paddled along, and this sudden laugh of his impressed themdeeply, being apparently without a cause, coupled as it was with an air ofabsoluteindifferencetohisprobablefate,andtothepresenceofsomanyfoes.Eventheruthlessland-hungerer,Grabantak,wassolemnised.In a few minutes the whole party swept round the point of rocks, andproceededtowardsthelandoverthecomparativelyquietwatersofalittlebaywhichlayundertheleeoftheSugar-loafrock.During the brief period that had been afforded for thought, Leo had been

intentlymakinghisplans.Henowproceededtocarrythemout.“Handmethetrinket-bundle,”hesaidtoAnders.The interpreter searched in awaterproof pouch in the stern of the boat, andproduced a small bundle of such trinkets as are known to be valued bysavages.IthadbeenplacedandwasalwayskepttherebyCaptainVane,tobereadyforemergencies.“Theywillbesuretotakeeverythingfromusatanyrate,”remarkedLeo,ashedividedthetrinketsintotwoseparatebundles,“soIshalltakethewindoutoftheirsailsbygivingeverythingupatoncewithagoodgrace.”TheGrabantaks,ifwemaysostylethem,drewnear,asthefleetapproachedtheshore,withincreasingcuriosity.Whenlandwasreachedtheyleapedoutoftheirkayaksandcrowdedround thestrangers. It isprobable that theywouldhave seized them and their possessions at this point, but the tall strappingfigureofLeo,andhisquietmanner,overawedthem.Theyheldbackwhiletheindia-rubberboatwasbeingcarriedbyLeoandAnderstoapositionofsafety.PoorOblooriawalkedbeside themwithherheadboweddown, shrinkingasmuch as possible out of sight. Everybodywas so taken upwith the strangewhitemanthatnoonetookanynoticeofher.No sooner was the boat laid down than Leo taking one of the bundles oftrinketssteppedup toGrabantak,whomheeasilydistinguishedbyhisairofsuperiorityandthedeferencepaidhimbyhisfollowers.Pullinghisownnosebywayofa friendly token,Leosmiledbenignantly inthechief’sface,andopenedthebundlebeforehim.It is needless to say that delightmingledwith the surprise that had hithertoblazedonthevisageofGrabantak.“Come here,Anders, and bring the other bundlewith you.Tell thiswarriorthatIamverygladtomeetwithhim.”“Greatandunconquerablewarrior,”begantheinterpreter,inthedialectwhichhehadfoundwasunderstood,bythemenofPoloe,“wehavecomefromfar-offlandstobringyougifts”“Anders,”saidLeo,whoseknowledgeoftheEskimotonguewassufficient,bythattime,toenablehiminameasuretofollowthedriftofaspeech,“Anders,ifyoudon’ttellhimexactlywhatIsayI’llkickyouintothesea!”As Anders stood on a rock close to the water’s edge, and Leo looked

unusually stern, he thereafter rendered faithfullywhat the latter told him tosay.Thespeechwassomethingtothefollowingeffect:“Iamoneofasmallbandofwhitemenwhohavecomeheretosearchouttheland.Wedonotwanttheland.Weonlywanttoseeit.Wehaveplentyoflandof our own in the far south. We have been staying with the great chiefAmalatokinPoloeland.”Atthementionofhisenemy’snamethecountenanceofGrabantakdarkened.Withoutnoticingthis,Leowenton:“WhenIwasouthuntingwithmymanandawoman,thewindaroseandblewus hither.We claim your hospitality, and hope youwill help us to get backagaintoPoloeland.Ifyoudosowewillrewardyouwell,forwhitemenarepowerfulandrich.See,herearegiftsforGrabantak,andforhiswife.”This latterremarkwasasortof inspiration.Leohadobserved,whileAnderswasspeaking, thatastoutcheerful-facedwomanhadbeenpushingaside themenandgraduallyedgingherwaytowardtheEskimochiefwiththeairofaprivilegedperson.Thathehadhitthemarkwasobvious,forGrabantakturnedwithablandsmile,andhithiswifea facetiousandratherheavyslapon theshoulder.Shewasevidentlyaccustomedtosuchtreatment,anddidnotwince.Taking from his bundle a gorgeous smoking-cap richly ornamented withbrilliantbeads,Leocoollycrownedthechiefwithit.Grabantakdrewhimselfupandtriedtolookmajestic,butacertaintwitchingofhisface,andsparkleinhis eyes, betrayed a tendency to laugh with delight. Fortunately, there wasanother cap of exactly the same pattern in the bundle, which Leo instantlyplacedontheheadofthewifewhosenameheafterwardslearnedwasMerkut.The chief’s assumed dignity vanished at this. With that childlike hilaritypeculiar to the Eskimo race, he laughed outright, and then, seizing the capfromMerkut’s head, put it abovehis own to the amusementof his grinningfollowers.Leo then selected a glittering clasp-knife with two blades, which the chiefseized eagerly. It was evidently a great prizetoo serious a gift to be lightlylaughedat.Thenacombwaspresentedtothewife,andastringofgaybeads,and a pair of scissors. Of course the uses of combs and scissors had heexplained, and deepwas the interestmanifested during the explanation, andutter the forgetfulness of the whole party for the time being in regard toeverythingelseintheworldOblooriaincluded,whosatunnoticedontherockswithherfacestillburiedinherhands.WhenGrabantak’s possessionswere so numerous that the hood of his coat,

and the tops of his wife’s boots were nearly filled with them, he becamegenerous,and,prince-like,(havingmorethanheknewwhattodowith),begantodistributethingstohisfollowers.Amongthesefollowerswasatallandstalwartsonofhisown,towhomhewasratherstern,andnotvery liberal.Perhaps thechiefwished to trainhimwithSpartan ideas of self-denial. Perhaps he wanted his followers to note hisimpartiality. Merkut did not, however, act on the same principles, for shequietly passed a number of valuable articles over to her dear sonKoyatuk,unobservedbyhissternfather.Thingshadgoneonthuspleasantlyforsometime;thenoveltyofthegifts,andthe interest in their explanation having apparently rendered these peopleforgetful of the fact that they might take them all at once; when a suddenchangeinthestateofaffairswaswroughtbytheutteranceofoneword.“Wemustnot,”saidLeotoAnders,lookingathisfollowerovertheheadsoftheEskimos,“forgetpoorlittleOblooria.”“Oblooria!”roaredGrabantakwithastart,asifhehadbeenelectrified.“Oblooria!”echoedKoyatuk,glaringround.“Oblooria!”gaspedtheentireband.AnothermomentandGrabantak,burstingthroughthecrowd,leapedtowardsthecrouchinggirlandraisedherface.Recognisingherheutteredayellwhichprobablywasmeantforacheer.Hurryingthefrightenedgirlintothecirclethroughwhichhehadbroken,thechiefpresentedhertohisson,and,withanairworthyofacivilisedcourtier,said:“Yourwife,KoyatukyourOblooria!Looria!”Hewentoverthelastsyllablesseveraltimes,asifhedoubtedhissenses,andfeareditwastoogoodnewstobetrue.Thisformalintroductionwasgreetedbythechief’sfollowerswithaseriesofwildshoutsandotherdemonstrationsofextremejoy.

ChapterTwentyTwo.AFightinDefenceofWoman,AndRifle-ShootingExtraordinary.

When the excitement had somewhat abated, Leo stepped to the side ofOblooria,andlayinghishandonhershouldersaidfirmly,throughAnders:

“Pardonme,Grabantak,thisgirlisnotthewifeofKoyatuk;sheismysister!”Thechieffrowned,clenchedhisteeth,andgraspedaspear“WhendidKablunetmenbegintohaveEskimosisters?”“When they tookalldistressedwomenunder theirprotection,” returnedLeopromptly.“Everywomanwhoneedsmyhelp ismysister,”headdedwithalookofself-sufficiencywhichhewasfarfromfeeling.This new doctrine obviously puzzled the chief, who frowned, smiled, andlookedattheground,asifinmeditation.ItseemedtoaffordgreatcomforttoOblooria,whonestledclosertoherchampion.AsforKoyatuk,hetreatedthematter with an air of mingled surprise and scorn, but dutifully awaited hisfather’spleasure.Koyatukwas physically a fine specimen of a savage, but his spiritwas notequal tohisbody.Likehis fatherhewasoversix feethigh,andfirmlyknit,beingofbothlargerandstrongerbuildthanLeo,whomhenowregarded,andofcoursehated,ashisrivalacontemptibleone,nodoubt;stillarival.The warriors watched their chief in breathless suspense. To them it was athoroughlynewandinterestingsituation.Thatawhitestranger,tallandactive,butslenderandveryyoung,shoulddaresingle-handedtodefynotonlytheirchief,but,asitwere,theentiretribe,includingtheroyalfamily,wasastateofthingsinregardtowhichtheirpreviouslivesaffordednoparallel.Theycouldnotunderstanditatall,andstood,asitwere,ineager,open-mouthed,andone-leggedexpectation.AtlastGrabantaklookedup,asifsmittenbyanewidea,andspoke“CanKablunetmenfight?”heasked.“Theylovepeacebetterthanwar,”answeredLeo,“butwhentheyseecausetofighttheycandoso.”Turningimmediatelytohisson,Grabantaksaidwithagrimsmile“Beholdyourwife,takeher!”Koyatuk advanced. Leo placed Oblooria behind him, and, being unarmed,threwhimselfintoapugilisticpostureofdefence.TheyoungEskimolaidoneofhisstronghandsontheEnglishman’sshoulder,intendingtothrusthimasideviolently.Leowasnaturallyofatenderdisposition.Heshrankfromdealingaviolent blow to onewho had not the remotest idea ofwhatwas coming, or

howtodefendhimselffromthehumanfistwhenusedasabattering-ram.ButLeochanced tobe, inasense,doublyarmed.Duringoneofhisholidayrambles in England he had visited Cornwall, and there had learned thatcelebrated “throw” which consists in making your haunch a fulcrum, yourrightarmalever,andyouradversaryashuttlecock.Hesuddenlygraspedhisfoeroundthewaistwithonearm.NextmomenttheGrabantakssawwhatthemostimaginativeamongthemhadnevertillthenconceivedofKoyatuk’ssolesturnedtothesky,andhisheadpointingtotheground!Themomentfollowing,helayflatonhisbacklookingupwardsblankly.The huk! hi! ho! hooroos! that followed may be conceived, but cannot bedescribed. Some of the men burst into laughter, for anything ludicrous isirresistible to anEskimoof the very far north.A fewwere petrified.Othersthere were who resented this indignity to the heir-apparent, and flourishedtheirspearsinathreateningmanner.TheselastGrabantakquietedwithalook.The incident undoubtedly surprised that stern parent, but also afforded himsome amusement. He said it was an insult that must be avenged. Oddlyenough he made use of an expression which sounded curiously familiar toLeo’sears,astranslatedbyAnders.“Theinsult,”saidGrabantak,“couldonlybewashedoutinblood!”Strange, that simple savages of the far north should hold to that ridiculousdoctrine.Wehadimaginedthatitwasconfinedentirelytothosefurthersouth,whosemindshavebeenmoreorlesswarpedbycivilisedusage.Aringwas immediately formed,andpoorLeonowsaw that thematterwasbecoming serious. He was on the eve of fighting an enforced duel inOblooria’sservice.While the savageswere preparing the lists, andKoyatuk, having recovered,wasengagedinconversewithhisfather,LeowhisperedtoAnders“PerhapsOblooriahasnoobjectiontobethewifeofthisman?”Butthepoorgirlhadverystrongobjections.Shewas,moreover,soemphaticinherexpressionsofhorror,andcastonherchampionsuchalookofentreaty,that he would have beenmore thanmortal had he refused her. It was veryperplexing. The idea of killing, or being killed, in such a cause was veryrepulsive. He tried to reason with Grabantak about the sin of injuring adefencelesswoman,andtheabstractrightoffemalesingeneraltohavesomesayintheselectionoftheirhusbands,butGrabantakwasinexorable.“IstheKablunetafraid?”heasked,withaglanceofscornfulsurprise.

“Doeshelookafraid?”returnedLeo,quietly.Koyatuk now stepped into the middle of the ring of warriors, with a shortspear inhis righthand,andhalf-a-dozenspareones inhis left,wherebyLeoperceivedthatthebattlebeforehimwasnotmeanttobeamere“exchangeofshots,”forthe“satisfactionofhonour.”TherewasevidentlynohumbugabouttheseEskimos.Two men mounted guard over Anders and Oblooria, who, however, wereallowed to remain inside the ring to witness the combat. A warrior nowadvanced toLeo and presented himwith a small bundle of spears.He tookthemalmostmechanically, thanked thegiver,and laid themdownathis feetwithoutselectingone.Thenhestoodup,and,crossinghisarmsonhisbreast,gazedfullathisopponent,whomadeahideousfaceathimandflourishedhisspear.It was quite evident that the Eskimos were perplexed by the white youth’sconduct, and knew not what tomake of it. The truth is that poor Leo wasalmostbesidehimselfwithconflictingemotionsanduncertaintyastowhatheoughttodo.Despiteallthathadtakenplace,hefounditalmostimpossibletopersuadehimself thathewasactuallyabout toengage inmortalcombat.Hehadnotavestigeofangryfeelinginhisheartagainstthemanwhomhewasexpected to fight with to the death, and the extraordinary nature of thecomplexfacesthatKoyatukwasmakingathimtendedtofosterthedelusionthatthewholethingwasafarceoradream.Thentheknowledgethathecouldburstthroughthering,getholdofhisrifle,and sell his life dearly, or, perhaps, cause the whole savage tribe to fly interror,wasa sore temptation tohim.All this,coupledwith thenecessity fortakinginstantandvigorousactionofsomesort,wasenoughtodriveanolderheaddistracted.Itdiddrivethebloodviolentlytotheyouth’sface,but,byapowerful effort of self-restraint, he continued to stand perfectly still, like alivingstatue,facingtheEskimo.At lastKoyatukbecame tiredofmakinguseless faces athis rival.Suddenlypoisinghisspear,helaunchedit.HadLeo’seyebeenlessquick,orhislimbslessactive,thatspearhadlaidhimlow for ever. He had barely time to spring aside, when the weapon passedbetweenhissideandhisleftarm,grazingthelatterslightly,anddrawingbloodwhichtrickledtotheendsofhisfingers.Therecouldbenofurtherdoubtnowaboutthenatureofthefight.CatchingupaspearfromthebundleathisfeethewasjustintimetoreceivetheEskimo,whospranginonhimwiththeintentionofcomingatoncetoclosequarters.

Hisrushwasveryfurious;probablywithaviewtomakeitdecisive.ButtheagileLeowasequaltotheoccasion.Bendingsuddenlysolowastobequiteunder his opponent’s desperate thrust, he struck out his right leg firmly.Koyatuktrippedoverit,andploughedthelandforsomeyardswithhishands,head,andknees.Considerablystaggeredinmindandbodybythefall,hesprangupwitharoar,andturnedtorenewtheattack.Leowasready.TheEskimo,bythattimemadwithpain,humiliation,andrage,exercisednocautioninhisassault.Herushedathisrivallikeamadbull.OurEnglishmansawhisopportunity.Droppinghisownspearheguardedthethrustofhisadversary’swithhisrightarm,while,withhisleftfist,heplantedasolidblowonKoyatuk’sforehead.Therightfistfollowed the left like the lightning flash, and alighted on Koyatuk’s nose,which,flatbynature,wasrenderedflatterstillbyart.Indeeditwouldbetheweakestflatterytoassertthathehadanynoseatallafterreceivingthatblow.Itwasreducedtotheshapeofasmallpancake,fromthetwoholesinwhichthereinstantlyspoutedastreamofbloodsocopiousthatitdrenchedalikeitsownerandhisrival.After giving him this double salute, Leo stepped quickly aside to let himtumble forward, heels over head, which he did with the only half-checkedimpetuosityofhisonset,andlayproneupontheground.“There,Anders,”said thevictor, turningroundashepointed tohisprostratefoe,“surelyGrabantak’ssonhasgotenoughofbloodnowtowipeoutalltheinsultsheeverreceived,orislikelytoreceive,fromme.”Grabantakappearedtoagreetothisviewofthecase.Thathesawandrelishedthejestwasobvious,forheburst intoanuproariousfitoflaughter, inwhichhisamiablewarriorsjoinedhim,and,advancingtoLeo,gavehimaheartyslapofapprovalontheshoulder.Atthesametimehecastalookofamusedscornonhisfallenson,whowasbeingattendedtobyMerkut.ItmaybeobservedherethatMerkutwastheonlywomanofthetribeallowedtogoonthiswar-expedition.Beingthechief’swife,shehadbeenallowedtodoasshepleased,anditwasherpleasuretoaccompanythepartyandtotravellikethewarriorsinakayak,whichshemanagedaswellasthebestofthem.Grabantaknoworderedhismentoencamp,andfeedtillthegaleshouldabate.Then,callingLeoandthe interpreteraside,hequestionedthemcloselyas tothe condition of the Poloese and the numbers of the white men who hadrecentlyjoinedthem.OfcourseLeomadeAnders givehimagraphic account of thepreparationsmadebyhisenemiestoreceivehim,inthehopethathemightbeinducedto

give up his intentions, but he had mistaken the spirit of the Eskimo, whomerely showed his teeth, frowned, laughed in a diabolic manner, andflourishedhisspearduringtherecitalofAmalatok’swarlikearrangements.Hewoundupbysayingthathewasrejoicedtolearnallthat,becauseitwouldbeall themore tohiscredit tomakehisenemygodownonhisknees, lick thedust,crawlinhispresence,andotherwisehumblehimself.“But tell him,Anders,” saidLeo, earnestly, “thatmywhitebrothers, thoughfewinnumber,areverystrongandbrave.Theyhaveweaponstoowhichkillfaroffandmakeadreadfulnoise.”Grabantaklaughedcontemptuouslyatthis.“DoestheKablunet,”heasked,“thinkIamafraidtodieafraidofanoise?doeshethinkthatnonebutwhitemencankillfaroff?”Ashespokehesuddenlyhurledhisspearatagull,which,withmanyothers,wasperchedonacliffaboutthirtyyardsoff,andtransfixedit.“Gototheboat,Anders,andfetchmyrifle,”saidLeoinalowtone.WhentheriflewasbroughtacrowdofEskimoscamewithit.Theyhadbeenclosely observing their chief and the stranger during the conference, butremainedatarespectfuldistanceuntiltheysawsomethingunusualgoingon.“Tellthechief,”saidLeo,“tolookatthatpeakwiththesolitarygullstandingonit.”Hepointedtoadetachedconeofrockupwardsoftwohundredyardsdistant.When the attention of the whole party was concentrated on the bird inquestion,Leotookasteadyaimandfired.Needwesaythattheeffectoftheshotwaswonderful?notonlydidthebravesutteraunitedyellandgiveasimultaneousjump,butseveralofthelessbraveamong them bolted behind rocks, or tumbled in attempting to do so, whilemyriads of sea-fowl, which clustered among the cliffs, sprang from theirperchesandwentscreamingintotheair.Atthesametimeechoesinnumerable,which had lain dormant since creation, or at best had given but sleepyresponsetothebarkofwalrusesandthecryofgulls,tookuptheshotinlivelyhasteandsentittoandfrofromclifftocraginbewilderingcontinuation.“Wonderful!” exclaimed Grabantak in open-mouthed amazement, when hebeheldtheshotgulltumblingfromitsloftyperch,“Doitagain.”Leo did it againall the more readily that another gull, unwarned by its

predecessor’sfate,flewtotheconicalrockatthemoment,andpercheditselfon the same peak. It fell, as before, and the echoes were again awakened,whilethesea-birdscawedandscreamedmoreviolentlythanever.The timid ones among the braves, having recovered from their first shock,stood fast this time, but trembledmuch and glared horribly.The chief,whowasmadeofsternerstuffthanmanyofhisfollowers;didnotmove,thoughhisface flushedcrimsonwith suppressedemotion.As to the sea-birds,curiosityseemedtohaveovercomefear,fortheycamecirclingandwheelingoverheadincloudssodensethattheyalmostdarkenedtheskymanyofthemswoopingclosepasttheEskimosandthenshearingoffandupwithwildcries.AnideasuddenlyflashedintoLeo’shead.Pointinghisrifleupwardshebeganand continued a rapid fire until all the bullets in it, (ten or twelve), wereexpended.Theresultwasashehadexpected.Travellingthroughsuchadensemass of birds, each ball piercedwe knownot howmany, until it absolutelyraineddead andwoundedgulls on the heads of the natives,while the rockssent forth a roar of echoes equal to a continuous fire of musketry. It wasstupendous!NothinglikeithadoccurredinthePolarregionssincetheworldfirst becamea little flattenedat thepoles!Nothing like itwill happenagainuntil the conjunction of a series of similar circumstances occurs. The timidbraveslostheartagainanddivedliketheconeysintoholesandcornersoftherocks.Othersstoodstillwithchatteringteeth.EvenGrabantakwaveredforamoment. But it was only for a moment. Recovering himself he uttered amightyshout;thenheyelled;thenhehowled;thenheslappedhisbreastandthighs; thenheseizedasmallishbravenearhimbytheneckandhurledhiminto the sea.Having relievedhis feelings thusheburst into a fit of laughtersuchashasneverbeenequalledbythewildestmaniaceitherbeforeorsince.Suddenlyhecalmed,steppeduptoLeo,andwrenchedtheriflefromhisgrasp.“Iwilldothat!”hecried,andheldtheweaponoutatarms-lengthinfrontofhisfacewithbothhands;buttherewasnoansweringshot.“Whydoesitnotbark?”hedemanded,turningtoLeosternly.“Itwillonlybarkatmybidding,”saidLeo,withasignificantsmile.“Bidit,then,”saidthechiefinaperemptorytone,stillholdingtherifleout.“Youmusttreatitintherightway,otherwiseitwillnotbark.Iwillshowyou.”Havingbeenshownhowtopullthetrigger,thechieftriedagain,butasharpclick was the only reply. Grabantak having expected a shot, he nervouslydroppedtherifle,butLeowasprepared,andcaughtit.

“Youmustnotbeafraidof it; itcannotworkproperlyifyouareafraid.See,lookthere,”headded,pointingtotheconicalrockonwhichanotherinfatuatedgullhadperchedhimself.Grabantaklookedearnestly.Histimidbravesbegantocreepoutoftheirholes,anddirected their eyes to the same spot.While their attentionwasoccupiedLeomanagedtoslipafreshcartridgeintotherifleunobserved.“Now,”saidhe,handingtherifletothechief,“tryagain.”Grabantak,whowasnotquitepleasedatthehintabouthisbeingafraid,seizedthe rifle and held it out as before. Resolved to maintain his reputation forcoolness,hesaidtohisfollowersinimitationofLeo:“Doyouseethatgull?”“Huk!”repliedthewarriors,witheagerlooks.Leo thought of correcting hismanner of taking aim, but, reflecting that theresultwouldbeamissinanycase,herefrained.Grabantak raised the rifle slowly, as itsownerhaddone, and frownedalongthebarrel.Indoingso,hedrewitbackuntilthebuttalmosttouchedhisface.Then he fired. There was a repetition of previous results with somedifferences. The gull flew away from the rock unhurt; one of the bravesreceived the bullet in his thigh and ran off shriekingwith agony,while thechiefreceivedablowfromtherifleonthenosewhichallbutincorporatedthatfeaturewithhischeeks,anddrewfromhiseyesthefirsttearshehadevershedsincebabyhood.ThatnightGrabantaksatforhoursstaringinmoodysilenceatthesea,tenderlycaressinghis injurednose,andmeditating,nodoubt,on thingspast,present,andtocome.

ChapterTwentyThree.LeovisitsFlatlandandseesaswellashearsmuchtointeresthimthere.

The result of Grabantak’s meditation was that, considering the nature andwonderfulweaponsof themenbywhomAmalatokhadbeen reinforced, hethought itadvisable to return tohisown land,whichwasnot fardistant, forthepurposeofaddingtotheforcewithwhichhemeanttosubjugatethemenofPoloe.“We are unconquerable,” he said, while conversing on the situation with

Teyma,hisfirst lieutenant,orprimeminister;“everybodyknowsthatweareinvincible. It iswell-known that neitherwhitemen, nor yellowmen,no, norblackmen,norbluemen,canovercometheFlatlanders.Wemustkeepupourname.Itwillnotdo to let theancientbeliefdiedown, thatoneFlatlander isequaltothreemenofPoloe,oranyotherland.”“ThePoloemenlaughintheirbootswhentheyhearusboastinthisway,”saidTeymagently.We draw attention to the curious resemblance in this phrase to our morecivilised“laughinginthesleeve,”whilewepointoutthattheprimeminister,althoughofnecessityamanofwar,wasbynatureamanofpeace.Indeedhisname, Teyma, which signifies peace, had been given him because of hispacifictendencies.“What! would you not have me defend the Flatland name?” demandedGrabantak,fiercely.“No, Iwouldhaveyoudefendonly theFlatlandproperty,” replied thebluntminister.“AndisnotPuiröemyproperty?”growledGrabantak,referringtothebarrenrockwhichwasthecauseofwar.“Soisthatyourproperty,”saidTeyma,pickingupastone,“andyetItreatitthus!” (He tossed it contemptuously into the sea.) “Is that worth Flatlanderblood?wouldyoukillmeforthat?shallEskimowivesandmothersweep,andchildrenmournandstarveforauselessrockinthesea.”“Youalwaysthwartme,Teyma,”saidGrabantak,tryingtosuppressaburstofwrath,whichhewaswellawarehisfearlessministerdidnotmindintheleast.“Itistruethisislandisnotworththeshakeofapuffin’stail;butifweallowthePoloementotakeit”“Tokeepit,”mildlysuggestedTeyma,“theyhavelonghadit.”“Well,tokeepit,ifyouwill,”continuedthechieftestily;“willnotothertribessaythattheoldnameoftheFlatlandersisdead,thatthewar-spiritisgone,thatthey may come and attack us when they please; for we cannot defend ourproperty,andtheywilltrytomakeusslaves?What!shallFlatlandersbecomeslaves? no never, never, never!” cried Grabantak, furiously, thoughunconsciouslyquotingthechorusofawell-knownsong.“No, never,” re-echoed Teyma with an emphatic nod, “yet there are manystepsbetweenfightingforauselessrock,andbeingmadeslaves.”

“Well then,” cried Grabantak, replying to the first part of his lieutenant’sremarkand ignoring thesecond,“wemust fight toproveourcourage.As tolosingmanyof our bestmen, of coursewe cannot help that.Thenwemustkill,burn,anddestroy rightand left inPoloeland, toproveourpower.Afterthat we will show the greatness of our forbearance by letting our enemiesalone.Perhapswemayevencondescend toask themtobecomeour friends.Whatanhonourthatwouldbetothem,and,doubtless,whatajoy!”“Grabantak,”saidTeymawithalookandtoneofsolemnitywhichinvariablyoverawed his chief, and made him uncomfortable, “you have lived a goodmanyyearsnow.Didyouevermakeafriendofanenemybybeatinghim?”“Ofcoursenot,”saidtheotherwithagestureofimpatience.“Grabantak,youhadafather.”“Yes,”saidthechief,withsolemnrespect.“Andhehadafather.”“True.”“Andhe,too,hadafather.”“Well,Isupposehehad.”“Of course he had. All fathers have had fathers back and back into themysteriousLongtime.Ifnot,wheredidourtalesandstoriescomefrom?Therearemanystoriestoldbyfatherstosons,andfatherstosons,tilltheyhaveallcomedowntous,andwhatdothesestoriesteachus?thatallfightingisbad,exceptwhatmust be. Evenwhatmust be is badonly, it is better than somethingsthatareworse.Lossoflife,lossofcountry,lossoffreedomtohunt,andeat,andsleep,areworse.Wemustfightforthesebuttofightforabarerock,foraname,foracoast,forafancy,itisfoolish!andwhenyouhavegotyourrock,and recoveredyourname,andpleasedyour fancy,do thebraveyoungmenthataredeadreturn?Dothemaidensthatweeprejoice?Dothemothersthat pine revive? Of what use have been all the wars of Flatland fromLongtime till now? Can you restore the mountain-heaps of kayaks, andoomiaks, and spears, and walrus-lines, from the smoke into which theyvanished!Canyourecallthegreatriversofwhale-oilfromtheseaintowhichtheyhavebeenpoured,orthebloodofmenfromtheearththatswallowedit?Isnotwaralwaysloss,loss,loss,andnevergain?Whycannotweliveatpeacewiththosewhowill,andfightonlywiththosewhoinsistonwar.”“Go, Teyma, stop your mouth with blubber,” said the chief, rising; “I am

wearyofyou.Itellyou,Amalatokshalldie;Puiröeshallbemine.ThetribesshallalllearntotrembleatthenameofGrabantakandtorespectthemenofFlatland.”“Ay,andtolovethemtoo,Isuppose,”addedTeymawithafacetioussneer.“Boo!” replied his chief, bringing the conversation to an abrupt close bywalkingaway.Inaccordancewiththeirchief’sresolve,theGrabantakbandembarkedintheirkayaks nextmorning, the gale havingmoderated, and with the intention ofobtaining reinforcements, paddledback toFlatland,which they reached in acoupleofdays.On the voyage Leo confined himself strictly to the oars and paddles, beingunwilling to let theEskimos into the secretof thekite,until he coulddo sowitheffect,eitherinthewayofaddingtotheirrespectforthewhitemanandhiscontrivances,orofmakinghisescape.Now, as has been said or hinted, althoughGrabantak’s son,Koyatuk,was astoutandtallman,hewasnotgiftedwithmuchbrain.Hepossessedevenlessofthatsubstancethanhisfather,whoseenergyandpowerofmuscle,coupledwith indomitable obstinacy, enabled him to hold the reins of governmentwhichwerehisbyhereditaryright.Besidesbeinga fearlessman,Grabantakwasrespectedasagoodleaderinwar.ButKoyatukhadneithertheenergyofhis father, nor his determination. He was vacillating and lazy, as well asselfish.Hencehewasnotafavourite,andwhen,afterlandingatFlatland,heendeavouredtorenewhisclaimtoOblooria,neitherhisfathernorthepeopleencouragedhim.ThetimidonewasthereforeleftwithLeoandAnders,whoimmediately fitted up for her a separate screened-off apartment in the hutwhichwasassignedtotheminthenativevillage.EvenKoyatuk’smotherdidnotbefriendhersononthisoccasion.Merkuthadher own reasons for proving faithless to her spoilt boy, whom on mostoccasions she favoured. Knowing his character well, the sturdy wife ofGrabantak had made up her mind that Koyatuk should wed a youngintelligent,andwhatyoumaycalllumpygirlnamedChukkee,whowasveryfond of the huge and lazy youth, and who, being herself good-natured andunselfish,wouldbesuretomakehimagoodwife.After one or two unavailing efforts, therefore, and a few sighs, the heir-apparent to the throne of Flatland ceased to trouble Oblooria, and devotedhimselftohisthreefavouriteoccupationshunting,eating,andrepose.“MisserLo,”whisperedAnders,onthefirstnightafterlanding,astheybusied

themselveswiththepartitionabovereferredto,“we’scapesfromdisherelandveryeasy.”“How,Anders?”“W’y, you’s on’y got wait for nort’ vint, den up kite, launch boat, an’hup!away.”“True,lad,butIdon’twanttoescapejustyet.”“Notwantto’scape?”“No.Yousee,Anders,wearenowonveryfriendlytermswiththistribe,anditseemstomethatifweweretoremainforatimeandincreaseourinfluence,wemightinduceGrabantaktogiveupthiswaronwhichheseemstohavesethisheart.IhavegreathopesofdoingsomethingwithTeyma.Heisevidentlyareasonable fellow, and has much power, I think, with the chiefindeed withevery one. Pity that he is not to succeed Grabantak instead of that stupidKoyatuk.Besides,now Iamhere Imust explore the land ifpossible. It is apitynodoubt toleaveourfriends,evenforashort time, inignoranceofourfate,butwecan’thelp that atpresent.Light the lamp,Anders, and let’s seewhatwe’reabout.”The summer was by that time so far advanced that the sun descended aconsiderable way below the horizon each night, leaving behind a sweetmellowtwilightwhichdeepenedalmostintodarknessinsidetheEskimohuts.These latter, like thosealreadydescribed,weremadeofstone,and thesmallopeningsthatservedforwindowsdidnotletinmuchlightatanytime.ThehutwhichhadbeenassignedbyGrabantaktohisprisonersorvisitors,forassuchhenowseemedtoregardthemwasalargeroomyone,madechieflyofclay. It stood on a littlemound a hundred yards or so apart from themainvillageofFlatland,andwasprobablyoneofthechief’sprivatepalaces.Itwasoval in formlike a huge ovenabout fifteen feet in diameter, and six feet inheight.One-halfof the floorwasraisedabouteight inches, thusforming the“breck,”whichservedforaloungebyday,andacouchbynight.Itsfurnitureof skins, cooking-lamp, etcetera,wasmuch the same as that of the Eskimohuts alreadydescribed, except that the low tunnel-shaped entrancewasverylongabout twelve feet. Light was admitted by a parchment-covered hole orwindow,withseveralrentsinit,aswellasbyvariousaccidentalholesintheroof.When the lampwas lighted, and skins were spread on the breck, and Leo,having finished the partition, was busy making entries in a note-book, andAnderswas amusing himselfwith a tobacco pipefoolishman! andOblooria

was devoting herself to the lamp, fromwhich various charming sounds anddelicioussmellsemanatedaswellassmokethisnorthernresidence lookedfarmore cheerful and snug than the luxurious dwellers in civilised lands willreadilybelieve.“Iwonder,”saidLeo, lookingupfromhisbookafteraprolongedsilence,“IwonderwhatstrangesoundsarethoseIhear.”“P’r’aps it’s de vint,” said Anders, puffing a cloud from his lips in sleepycontentment,andglancingupwards.When he and Leo looked at the roof of the hut it shook slightly, as ifsomethinghadfallenonit.“Strange,”mutteredLeo,revertingtohisnotebook,“itdidnotlooklikewindwhenthesunwentdown.Itmustbegoingtoblowhard.”AfterafewminutesofsilenceLeoagainlookedupinquiringly.“Dere’sanodersquall,”saidAnders.“Morelikeasneezethanasquall.Listen;thatisaqueerpatteringsound.”They listened, but all was silent. After a minute or so they resumed theiroccupations.The sounds were, however, no mystery to those who were in the secret ofthem. Knowing the extreme curiosity of his countrymen, Grabantak hadplacedasentineloverhisguests’hut,withorderstoletnoonegonearit.Thesentinel entered on his vigilwith that stern sense of duty-unto-death that issupposed to animate all sentinels. At first the inhabitants of Flatland keptconscientiouslyawayfromtheforbiddenspot,butastheshadesofnighttoneddownthelight,someofthemcouldnotresistdrawingnearoccasionallyandlisteningwithdistendedeyes,ears,andnostrils,asiftheyexpectedtodrinkinforeignsoundsatalltheseorifices.Thesentinelgraspedhisspear,steeledhisheart,andstoodinfrontofthedoorwithalookofgrandsolemnityworthyofthehorse-guards.Atlast,however,thesentinel’sowncuriositywasrousedbytheeagerlooksofthosechiefly big boyswho drew ever nearer and nearer. Occasional soundsfromthehutquickenedhiscuriosity,andthestrangesmelloftobacco-smokeatlastrendereditunbearable.Slowly, sternly, as if it were part of his duty to spy, he moved to the tornwindowandpeepedin.Hewasfascinatedatonceofcourse.Aftergazingforfive minutes in rapt admiration, he chanced to withdraw his face for a

moment, and then found that nine Eskimos had discovered nine holes orcrevices in the hutwalls, againstwhich their fat faceswere thrust,while atleasthalf-a-dozenotherswerevainlysearchingforotherpeep-holes.Ascarcelyaudiblehisscausedtheraptninetolookup.Aterriblefrownandashakeoftheofficialspearcausedthemtoretiredowntheslopethatledtothehut.This was the unaccountable “squall” that had first perplexed Leo and hiscomrade.But like tigers who have tasted blood, the Flatlanders could not now berestrained.“Go!”saidthesentinelinalowsternvoicetotheretreatingtrespassers,whomhe followed to the foot of the slope. “If you come up again I will tellGrabantak,whowillhaveyouallspearedandturnedintowhale-buoys.”The boys did not appear to caremuch for the threat. They were obviouslybuoyedupwithhope.“Oh!do,doletuspeep!justonce!”entreatedseveraloftheminsubduedbuteagertones.Thesentinelshookhisobdurateheadandraisedhisdeadlyspear.“We will make no noise,” said a youth who was the exact counterpart ofBenjaminVaneinall respectsexceptcolourandcostumethefirstbeingdirtyyellowandthelatterhairy.Thesentinelfrownedworsethanever.“TheKablunets,” said another of the band, entreatingly, “shall hear nothinglouderthanthefallingofasnow-flakeorabitofeider-down.”Stillthesentinelwasinexorable.TheEskimoswereindespair.Suddenly Benjy’s counterpart turned and fled to the village on light andnoiselesstoe.Hereturnedimmediatelywitharich,odorous,steamingpieceofblubber in his hand. It was a wise stroke of policy. The sentinel had beenplacedtherewithoutanyreferencetothefactthathehadnothadhissupper.Hewasravenouslyhungry.Canyoublamehimforloweringhisspear,untyinghiseyebrows,andsmilingblandlyastheheldouthishand?“Just one peep, and it is yours,” said the counterpart, holding the morsel

behindhim.“MylifeisindangerifIdo,”remonstratedthesentinel.“Yoursupperisindangerifyoudon’t,”saidthecounterpart.Itwas toomuch forhim.Thesentinelaccepted thebribe, and,devouring it,returned with the bribers on tiptoe to the hut, where they gazed in silentwondertotheirhearts’content.“Well,thatbeatseverything,”saidLeo,layingdownhisbookandpencil,“butIneverdidhearagalethatpantedandsnortedasthisonedoes.I’llgooutandhavealookatit.”Heroseandcrawledonhandsandkneesthroughthetunnel.Thespiesrolledoff thehutwithconsiderablenoiseand fled,while thesentinel resuminghisspearandposition,triedtolookinnocent.While he was explaining to Anders why he was there, Grabantak himselfwalkedup,accompaniedbyhislieutenant.Theywerehospitablyentertained,andasOblooriahadbythattimepreparedasavourymess,suchassheknewthe white men loved, the chief and Teyma condescended to sup with theircaptive-guests.Leo had notwith him the great cookingmachinewithwhich his uncle hadeffected so much in Poloeland, but he had a tin kettle and a couple ofpannikins,withsomecoffee,sugar,andbiscuit,whichdidgoodserviceinthewayofconciliating,ifnotsurprising,thechiefofFlatland.Both he and his lieutenant, moreover, were deeply interested in Anders’sproceedingswiththepipe.At first they supposed he was conducting some religious ceremony, andlookedonwithappropriatesolemnity,but,onbeinginformedofthemistake,Grabantak smiled graciously and requested a “whiff.”He received one, andimmediatelymadesuchahideousfacethatAnderscouldnotrestrainashortlaugh,whereuponthechiefhithimovertheheadwithhisemptypannikin,but,afterfrowningfiercely,joinedinthelaugh.Leothenbegantoquestionthechiefaboutthelandoverwhichheruled,andwastoldthatitwasagroupofislandsofvarioussizes,likethegroupwhichbelongedtoAmalatok,butwithmoreislandsinit; thatmostoftheseislandswereflat,andcoveredwithlakes,largeandsmall,inwhichweretobefoundmanyanimals,andbirdsasnumerousalmostasthestars.“Ask him fromwhat direction these birds come,” said Leo, pulling out his

pocket-compass and expecting thatGrabantakwould point to the south; butthechiefpointedtothenorth, thentothesouth, thentotheeast,andthentothewest!“Whatdoeshemean?Idon’tunderstandhim,”saidLeo.“Thebirdscomefromeverywherefromallround.Theycomeheretobreed,”said the chief, spreadinghis hands roundhimandpointing in all directions.“Then,whentheyoungarestrongandthecoldseasonbegins,theyspreadthewingandgoawaytheretoeveryplaceallround.”“Anders,” said Leo impressively, “do you know I think we have actuallyarrivedattheimmediateregionoftheNorthPole!Whatthechiefsaysalmostsettles the question. This, you see, must be the warmest place in the Polarregions;thecentralspotaroundthePoletowhichmigratorybirdsflockfromthe south. If voyagers, crossing theArctic circle at all parts, have observedthese birds ever flying north, it follows that theymust have somemeeting-placenearthePole,wheretheybreedandfromwhichtheydepartinautumn.Well,accordingtoGrabantak,thisisthemeeting-place,thereforethismustbenearthePole!HowIwishunclewerehere!”Leohadbeenmorethanhalfsoliloquising;henowlookedupandburstintoalaugh, for the interpreter was gazing at him with an expression of blankstupidity.“You’skiteright,MissrLo,”hesaidatlast,withameeksmile,“kiteright,nodoubt;onlyyou’stooclibberforme.”“Well,Anders,I’lltrynottobequitesoclibberinfuture;butaskGrabantakifhewillgowithmeonanexpeditionamongtheseislands.Iwantverymuchtoexaminethemall.”“Examine them all!” repeated the chief with emphasis when this wastranslated; “tell the youngKablunetwith the hard fist, that the sunless timewouldcomeandgo,andthesun-seasonwouldcomeagain,beforehecouldgooverhalfmylands.Besides,Ihavemoreimportantworktodo.Imustfirstgoto Poloeland, to kill and burn and destroy. After that I will travel withHardfist.”Hardfist, as the chief had styled him in reference to his late pugilisticachievements,feltstronglyinclinedtousehisfistsonGrabantak’sskullwhenhementionedhissanguinaryintentions,butrecallingAlf’soft-quotedwords,“Discretionisthebetterpartofvalour,”herestrainedhimself.Healsoenteredintoalongargumentwiththesavage,inthehopeofconvertinghimtopeaceprinciples,butofcourseinvain.Thechiefwasthoroughlybentondestroying

hisenemies.Then,inastateofalmostdesperateanxiety,Leosoughttoturnhimfromhispurpose by telling him aboutGod the Father, and the Prince of Peace, and,pullingouthisBible,begantoreadandmakeAndersinterpretsuchpassagesoftheWordasboremostdirectlyonhissubject.Whileactinginthis,tohim,novelcapacityasateacherofGod’sWord,LeomorethanoncelifteduphisheartinbriefsilentprayerthattheSpiritmightopentheheartofthesavagetoreceive the truth. The chief and his lieutenant listened with interest andsurprise.Beingsavages,theyalsolistenedwithprofoundrespecttotheyoungenthusiast, but Grabantak would not give up his intention. He explained,however,thathemeantfirsttogotothelargestandmostcentralislandofhisdominions,tomakeinquirythereoftheManoftheValleywhatwouldbethebesttimetosetoutforthewar.“TheManoftheValley!”askedLeo,“whoisthat?”“He isanEskimo,” repliedGrabantak,withasuddenairofsolemnity inhismanner, “whose first forefather came in the far past longtime, fromnobodyknows where; but this first forefather never had any father or mother. Hesettledamong theEskimosand taught themmany things.Hemarriedoneoftheir women, and his sons and daughters were many and strong. TheirdescendantsinhabittheGreatIsleofFlatlandatthepresentday.Theyaregoodandstrong;greathuntersandwarriors.Thefirst forefather lived long, tillhebecamewhite andblind.Hispower andwisdom lay in a little strange thingwhichhecalled‘buk.’Howitmadehimstrongorwisenoonecantell,butsoitwas.HisnamewasMakitok.Whenhediedhegavebuktohiseldestson.Itwaswrappedupinapieceofsealskin.Theeldestsonhadmuchtalkwithhisfather about this mystery-thing, and was heard to speak much about theKablunets, but the son would never tell what he said. Neither would heunwrapthemystery-thing,forfearthatitspowermightescape.Sohewrappeditupinanotherpieceofsealskin,andgaveittohiseldestson,tellinghimtohand it down from son to son, along with the name Makitok. So buk hasgrowntobealargebundlenow,andnooneunderstandsit,buteveryonehasgreatreverenceforit,andtheMakitoknowinpossessionisagreatmystery-man,verywise;wealwaysconsulthimonimportantmatters.”HerewasfoodforreflectiontoLeoduringtheremainderofthatnight,andformanyhours did his sleeplessmindpuzzle over themystery ofMakitok, theManoftheValley.This sleepless condition was, not unpleasantly, prolonged by the sounds ofanimal life thatenteredhisoven-likedwellingduringgreatpartof thenight.Evidently great numbers of the feathered tribes were moving about, either

becausetheymeanttoretireatdissipatedlylate,orhadrisenatunreasonablyearly, hours. Among them he clearly distinguished the musical note of thelong-tailedduck and theharsh screamof thegreat northerndiver,while theprofound calmness of the weather enabled him to hear at intervals the softblowand the lazyplashof awhitewhale, turning, itmightbe, onhisothersideinhiswater-bedontheArcticSea.Followingthewhale’sexample,Leoturnedroundatlast,buriedhisfaceinareindeerpillow,andtookrefugeinoblivion.

ChapterTwentyFour.AGloriousRegionContemplated,andaGloriousChasePlanned.

Leo did not slumber long. Very early in the morning he awoke with thatsensation about him which told that at that time further repose was notattainable.Hethereforerose,donnedthefewgarmentswhichhehadputoffonlyingdown,creptthroughhistunnel,andemergedintotheopenair.Andwhatavisionofgloriousbeautymethisenrapturedeyes,whilethefreshsea-breeze entered, like life, into his heaving chest! It was still a profoundcalm.Earth,air,water,sky,seemedtobeunitinginasilentactofadorationtotheir great Creator, while the myriad creatures therein contained werecomparatively quiet in the enjoyment of His rich and varied bounties. Itseemedasifthehourweretooearlyforthestrifeofviolentpassionstoocalmforthestirringsofhatredorrevenge.Everythingaroundspokeonlyofpeace.Sittingdownwithhisbacktoasun-bathedrock,andhisfacetothesilversea,Leo drew out his Bible and proceeded to read the records of the Prince ofPeace.Asheliftedhiseyesfromthewords,“marvellousarethyworks,andthatmysoulknowethrightwell,”tothevisionofbeautyandlifethatlaybeforehim,Leomadethewordsandthethought,forthefirsttime,hisown.The prospect embraced innumerable islands of all sizes, studding like gemsthe gently-heaving sea. Over these, countless millions of sea-birds flew orsailed to and fro; some with the busy fluttering of activity, as if they hadsomething to do and a mind to do it; others loitering idly on the wing, ordipping lightly on the wave, as if to bid their images good-morning.Burgomaster,yellow-legged,andpink-beakedgulls,largeandsmall,wheeledinwideningcirclesroundhim.Occasional flocksofptarmigan, in themixedbrown and white plumage of summer, whirred swiftly over him and tookrefuge among the rocky heights of the interior, none of which heights roseabovethreehundredfeet.Eider-ducks,chatteringkittiwakes,andgracefultern,auks,guillemots,puffins,geese,andevenswans,swarmedontheislands,far

andnear,whileseals,whales,narwhals,dolphins,andgrampuses,revelledinthesea,sothattheArcticworldappearedalmostoverchargedwithanimallife.Ofcourse thenoiseof their criesandevolutionswouldhavebeengreathadnotdistancelentenchantmenttosoundaswellasview.ToLeothereseemedeven a sort of restfulness in the voices of the innumerablewild-fowl. Theywere so far off, most of them, that the sounds fell on his ear like a gentleplaint, and even the thunderous plash of the great Greenland whale wasreducedbydistancetoaripplelikethatwhichfellontheshoreathisfeet.While he wasmeditating, Anders joined him and responded heartily to hissalutation,butAnderswasnotinapoeticalframeofmindthatmorning.Histhoughtshadbeenalreadyturnedtoaneminentlypracticalsubject.“I’m tole,” said he, seatinghimself besideour hero, “datGrabantakholds atalk’boutfighting.”“And a council of war,” said Leo. “I knowwhat the result of that will be.WhenleaderslikeGrabantakandAmalatokdecideforwar,mostofthepeoplefollowthemlikeaflockofsheep.AlthoughmostofthepeopleneversawthismiserableislandthisPuiröeandknow,andcare,nothingaboutit,you’llseethattheFlatlanderswillbequiteenthusiasticafter thecouncil,andreadytofightforittothebitterend.Averybitterenditis,indeed,toseemenandwomenmakefoolsofthemselvesaboutnothing,andbereadytodieforthesame!WillGrabantakallowustobepresentatthecouncil,thinkyou?”“Hoyis.Hesendmetosayyoumusscome.”Leowasright.NothingcouldsurpasstheimpetuosityofGrabantak,excepttheanxietyofmanyoftheFlatlanderstobeledbythenose.Wasnotthepointinquestiononeofvitalimportancetothewellbeingofthecommunityindeedofthe whole Arctic world? Teyma mildly asked them what was the point inquestion, but not a soul could tell, untilGrabantak, starting upwith furiousenergy,manufactureda“point,”andthenexplaineditinlanguagesointricate,yetsoclear,thatthewholecouncilstoodamazedattheirneverhavingseenitbefore in that light, and then said,more or less emphatically, “There, that’swhat we thought exactly, only we could not state it so well as the greatGrabantak!”AfterthistherewasnochanceforTeymaandhispartyandhehadaparty,evenamong northern savages,who believed in men working hard at their ownaffairs and letting other people alone, as far as that was possible. But thepeace-partyinArcticlandwasinaminorityatthattime,andthecouncilbrokeupwith shouts forGrabantak, anddenunciationsofdeathanddestruction tothemenofPoloeland.

But thingsdonotalways turnoutasmenevenwisemenarrange them.Fromthat day, during the brief period of preparation for the setting out of anexpedition to visitMakitokofGreat Isle,Leo receiveddaily visits from thePrimeMinister,whowasdeeply interested and inquisitive about the strange“thing,”ashe styled theBible,which told theKablunetsaboutGodand thePrince of Peace. Of course Leo was willing and happy to give him all theinformation he desired, and, in doing so, found a new and deep source ofpleasure.Teymawas not theman to hide his light under a bushel.Hewas a fearlessoutspoken counsellor, and not only sought to advance the pacific views heheld,bytalkingtothemenofhisownpartyinprivate,butevenpropoundedthem in public to Grabantak himself, who, however, could not be moved,thoughmanyofhismenquietlychangedsides.WithallthisTeymawasloyaltohischief.Whateverhedidwasinthewayoffairandopenargument.HewastooloyaltohelpLeowhenhemadeacertainproposaltohimoneday.“Teyma,”saidLeo,onthatoccasion,“youhavebeenveryfriendlytome.Willyoudomeagreatfavour?WillyousendayoungmaninakayaktoPoloelandwith amessage fromme tomypeople?Theymust think I amdead. IwishthemtoknowthatIamhere,andwell.”“No,”repliedTeymapromptly;“thatwouldletthemenofPoloeknowthatwetalkofgoingtoattackthem.Idonotlovewar.Iwishtoletourenemiesalone,butifmychiefdecidesforwar,itismydutytohelp,nottofrustratehim.Ifwego towarwithPoloeland,wemust take themenofPoloeby surprise.Thatcouldnotbeifayoungmanwentwithyourmessage.”Leosaw the forceof this, and respectedTeyma’sdisinterested loyalty tohischief;butfeltinclinedtoarguethat,fidelitytothebestinterestsofhiscountrystoodhigherthanloyaltytoachief.Herefrained,however,frompressingthematteratthattime.NotsoAnders.WhenthatworthysawthatTeymawouldnotact,andthatLeofrom some inexplicable reason hesitated, he quietly took thematter into hisownhands,andsowroughtonthefeelingsofaweakbutamiableyouthofthetribe,thatheprevailedonhimtocarryamessagetotheenemy,explainingtohimearnestlythatnoevil,butthereverse,wouldresultfromhismission;thatthe Kablunets were men of peace, who would immediately come over toFlatlandandputeverythingrightinapeaceableandsatisfactorymanner.“Tellthewhitemen,”saidAnders,“thatweareprisonersinFlatlandaliveand

wellbuttheymustcometohelpusquickly.”No difficulty was experienced in sending the messenger away. There wasunlimited personal freedom in Flatland. Young men frequently went off tohunt for days together at a time, without saying anything about theirintentions, unless they chose; so the secret messenger set out. Thus theinterpreterlightedthefuseofaminewhichwaseminentlycalculatedtoblowuptheplansofGrabantak.But another fuse had been lighted which, in a still more effectual manner,overturnedtheplansofthatwarlikechief.ItchancedatthistimethattheFlatlandersranshortofmeat.Theirhabitwastogo off on a grand hunt, gather asmuchmeat as they could, and then comehometofeastandrejoicewiththeirfamiliesuntilscarcityagainobligedthemto hunt. Of course there were many among them whose natural activityrebelledagainstthislazystyleoflife,buttheexertionsofthesedidnotsufficetokeepthewholetribesupplied.Henceitcametopass,thattheyoftenbeganto be in want while in the midst of plenty. A grand hunt was thereforeorganised.They were tired, they said, of ducks and geese and swans. They wanted achangefromsealsandbears,walrusesandsuchsmallfry.Nothingshortofawhalewouldservethem!Oncestirreduptothepointofaction,therewasnolackofenergyamongthesenorthernEskimos.Kayaks,lines,andspearsweregotready,andoomiakswerelaunched;forwomenandchildrenlovedtoseethesport,thoughtheydidnotjoininit.Everywherebustleandexcitementreigned,andthehubbubwasnotalittleincreasedbytheagitateddogs,whichknewwellwhatwasa-foot,andlickedtheirlipsinanticipation.OfcourseLeoandAnderspreparedtogoandseethefun.SodidOblooria.ItwasarrangedthatLeoandthelatterweretogointheindia-rubberboat.Thatvesselhadbeenthesourceofdeep,absorbinginterestandcuriositytothenatives.Whenourtravellerslanded,ithadbeenconveyedtothesideofthehutassignedthem,andlaidgentlyontheturf,whereitwasstaredatbysuccessivegroupsallday.Theywouldhavestayedstaringatitallnight,iftheyhadnotbeen forbiddenbyGrabantak to approach theKablunetsduring thehoursofrepose.Leoexplaineditspartstothem,butmadenoreferencetoitsexpansiveandcontractileproperties.Healsolauncheditandpaddledabouttogratifythecuriosityofhisnewfriends,butdidnotshowthemthekite,which,foldedandinitscover,hehadstowedawayinthehut.

Onenight,fearingthatthesunmightinjuretheboat,Leohadsqueezedtheairout of it, folded it, and stowed it away in the hut beside the kite. Theastonishment of the natives,when they came out nextmorning to stare andwonder,accordingtocustom,wasverygreat.Leoresolvedtomakeamysteryofit,lookedsolemnwhenspokentoonthepoint,andgaveevasivereplies.When,however,thetimecameforsettingoffonthisgrandhunt,hecarriedhisboat, still bundledup in skins, down to thewater’s edge,wherekayaks andoomiaksinhundredslayreadytobelaunched.The news spread like wild-fire that the Kablunet was going to “actwonderfully!”Everyman,woman,andchildintheplacehurriedtothespot.“Itisdestroyed!”exclaimedGrabantak,sadly,whenhesawtheboatunrolled,flatandempty,onthesand.Weshallnotdescribethesceneindetail.ItissufficienttosaythatLeodidnotdisappointthegeneralexpectation.Hedidindeed“actwonderfully,”fillingtheunsophisticated savages with unbounded surprise and admiration, while hefilled theboatwithairand launchedit.He thensteppedinto itwithAnders,gallantly liftedOblooriaonboard,and,seizing theoars, rowedgentlyout tosea.With shouts of delight the Eskimos jumped into their kayaks and followed.Their admiration was, however, a little calmed by the discovery that thekayaks could beat the Kablunet boat in speed, though the women in theiroomiaks could not keep upwith it. Therewas no emulation, however; Leocarefullyrefrainedfromracing.Hehadbeensuppliedwithalonglanceandacoupleofspears,towhichlatterwereattached,bythongsofwalrushide,twoinflatedsealskinstoactasbuoys.TheseLeohadbeenpreviouslyinstructedhowtouse.He took thekitewithhimon this occasion,without, however, havingmuchexpectationofbeingabletouseit,asthecalmstillprevailed.Itwasfoldedofcourse,andfixedinitsplaceinthebow.Thenativesthoughtitmustbeaspearorharpoonofstrangeform.It was not long before a whale was sighted. There were plenty of thesemonstersabout,somecominglazilytothesurfacetoblow,otherslyingquitestill,withtheirbacksoutofthewaterasifsunningthemselves,orasleep.SoonthespiritofthehunterfilledeachEskimobosom.Whatappearedtobe

an unusually large whale was observed on the horizon. Kablunets, india-rubber boats, and all less important things, were forgotten for themoment;paddleswerepliedwithenergy,andthechasebegan.

ChapterTwentyFive.InwhichaGreatHuntisDescribed,aWarExpeditionFrustrated,anda

HeroEnnobled.

Now,inafitofunwiseambition,Anderstheinterpreterresolvedtosignalisehimself, anddisplayhisvalouron theoccasionof thishunt.Heborrowedakayak of one of the natives, andwent as an independent hunter.Leo, beingquiteabletorowhisboatalone,withOblooriatosteer,didnotobject.Thewhalewhichhadbeenselectedwasa thorough-goingArcticmonsterofthelargestsize,nearlyahundredfeetlong,which,whileonhispassagefromtheAtlantictothePacificthroughBehringStraits,hadpausedforanapofftheislesofFlatland.Thefleetofkayaksconvergedtowardsthefishlikeaflockoflocusts.Despitehisutmostefforts,Leocouldnotdomorethankeepupinrearofthehunters,for thesharpshuttle-likekayaksshot likearrowsover thesmoothsea,whilehisclumsierboatrequiredgreaterforcetopropelit.In a fewminutes thoseEskimoswhowere best paddlers crept ahead of therest.Grabantakandhissontookthelead,whetherbecauseofrightorbecauseof superior strength itwashard to say.Anders,whowas a powerful fellow,andanexpertcanoeman,keptclosealongsideofthem.Notcontentwiththis,he attempted to pass them; but they sawhis intention, put onwhat sportingmencalla“spurt,”andinafewsecondslefthimseveralyardsbehind.Onnearingtheirvictim,GrabantakandKoyatukcheckedtheirspeedandgottheirspearsready.Afewminuteslaterandadozenofthefollowerswereupandpreparedtoact,buttheyallheldbackallexcepttheexcitableAnderswhilethe chief and his son glided cautiously towards the fish, one on either side.Suddenly each grasped a spear and drove itwith all the force of both armsdeep into thewhale’s flesh. Itwasa rudeawaking!Ofcourse the fishdivedinstantly.Indoingsoitflungitstailonhighwithasuperbsweep,sendingtonsofwater,andtheimpatientAnders,intotheair.Theinterpretercamedowninacataractofspray,withhiskayakdoubledupbut himself uninjured,while the Eskimos greeted the eventwith a shout ofalarm.Thischangedintolaughterwhenitwasfoundthat theambitiousmanwas none the worse for his toss; and the women in one of the oomiak;paddlingquicklyup,hauledthedrenchedandcrestfallenmanoutof thesea.

Theyalsopickeduphisspearwiththesealskinbuoyattached.Givinghimtheplaceofhonourinthebow,theyputthespearinhishand,andbadehimkeepupheartanddobetternexttime.Meanwhile thewhale, having got over its first surprise, and feeling the twolarge sealskin-floats a somewhat heavy aswell as unusual drag, soon cameagain to the surface, not far from the spot where Leo lay on his oars, anamusedaswellasinterestedspectatorofthescene.“Ho!” shrieked Oblooria, whose eager little heart was easily excited. Shepointedtothefish,andgazedatLeowithblazingeyes.Youmaybesureourherodidnotlosetime.Theindia-rubberboatleapedoverthewaterasifithadsuddenlybeenendowedwithlife.Thesmartlittlewomancarefully arranged the spear and buoy ready to hand. Several of the kayakswhich chanced to benearest to thewhale rushed towards it like sword-fish;but they had no chance, Leo being so near. He did not check his speed onreaching the fish, but allowed the boat to run tilt on its back. The smoothindia-rubberglidedupontheslipperysurfacetillmorethanhalfitslengthwasonthecreature’sback.Itwasthuscheckedwithoutashockprobablyunfeltbythewhale.Leoseizedthespear, leapedup,and,withbothhands,droveitdeepinto theflesh,justasthechiefandhissonhaddone.Theforcewithwhichhedroveitwassogreatthatitthrusttheboatbackintothewater.Thiswasfortunate,foritenabledthemnarrowlytoescapethevortexthatwasinstantlymadebythedivingofthenowenragedmonster;afewback-strokesoftheoarstookthemoutoftheseaoffoamleftbehind.Themasterlymannerinwhichthiswasdonecalledforthshoutsofadmirationfromtheentirefleet,anditgreatlysurprisedLeohimself,for itwasthefirsttimehehadattemptedtousetheharpoon.“Itmusthavebeenchance,”hemutteredtohimselfasheagainlayonhisoarsawaitingthewhale’sreappearance,“asortofhappyaccident.IfeelconvincedIcouldnotdoitsowellasecondtime.”The fish took a longer dive on this occasion, and when he retained to thesurfaceforanotherbreathofair,wasataconsiderabledistancefromallpartsof the fleet.The instanthewasseen,however,everypaddle flashed into thesea, and the kayaks darted away in pursuit. They soon came up with theirvictim,andanotherspear,withitsaccompanyingsealskinbuoy,wasfixedinits side. Down it went a third time, and reappeared in quite an oppositedirectionfromthatinwhichithadbeenlookedfor.

Thisuncertaintyinthemovementsofthewhalewasamatterofsmallmomentto the occupiers of the light kayaks, but it told rather heavily onLeo in hisclumsierboat.Hethereforeresolvedtopaddlegentlyabout,takethingseasy,watch theprogressof the chase, and trust to the chapterof accidentsgivinghimanotherchance.“Yousee,Oblooria,”hesaidintheEskimotongue,whichhewaspickinguprapidly, “it’s of no use my pulling wildly about in all directions, blowingmyselffornothing;sowe’lljusthangoff-and-onhereandwatchthem.”As this remark called for nodirect reply,Oblooriamerely smiledindeed shemorethansmiledbutsaidnothing.ItisjustpossiblethatLeo’srenderingofthephrase“off-and-on”intoEskimomayhavesoundedridiculous.However thismay be, the two sat there for some time, absorbed and silentspectatorsofthechase.“Howlongwilltheytaketokillit?”askedLeowhenhesawGrabantakthrustsomewhereaboutthethirty-fifthspearintothevictim.“Allday,”answeredOblooria.“Allday!”repeatedLeoinsurprise.“Iftheycouldlancehimfarin,”saidthegirl,“hewoulddiesoon,buthisfleshisthickandhislifeisdeepdown.”Leorelapsedintosilence.Theideaofremainingamerespectatoralldaywasdistasteful tohisactivemindandbody.Hehadalmostmadeuphismind toaskoneofthenativestolendhimakayakandchangeplaces,whenapuffofwindsentafewcats-pawsoverthehithertoglassysea.Helookedquicklyin thedirectionwhenceitcame,andobservedabluelineon the horizon. It was a coming breeze. Ere long it touched them, blowinggently,indeed,butsteadily.Aglanceupwardsshowedthatitwassteadierandstronger in the upper regions, and blew towards the south-east, in whichdirectionthechasewasbeingprosecutedwithunflaggingactivity.“If therewas only enough,”mutteredLeo, “to take the kite up, I’d soonbealongsideofthewhale;come,I’lltry.Lendahand,Oblooria.”The Eskimo girl had, during her voyage to Flatland, become so wellacquaintedwiththeoperationofextendingandsettingupthekite,thatshewasabletolendeffectiveassistance.Inlessthantenminutesitwasexpanded,andalthoughLeowasnearlypulled into thewaterbeforehegot fairholdof theregulator,whileOblooriawasthrowndownbyaneccentricwhiskofthetail,

theymanagedatlasttogetitfairlyovertheirheads,andsoonsentitshootingupwardsintothestrongeraircurrentabove.Ofcoursetheybegantorushovertheseaatapace thatwouldhavequickly left thebestkayak in the fleet farastern, butLeodidnotwish to actprecipitately.He sat down in thebow toattendtotheregulator,whileOblooriaheldthesteering-oar.“Keepher away a bit,Oblooria; starboardImean to that side.So,wewon’tspoiltheirsporttoosoon.”Hepulledtheregulatorashespoke,andeasedthepace,whiletheEskimogirl,witheyesglitteringfromexpectancyandhope,turnedtheboatofftotheright.Leoseemedtobemeditativeatfirst,asifuncertainhowtoproceed.Soonthiscondition of mind passed. He let go the regulator, and, taking up the longwhalelancewithwhichhehadbeenprovided,examineditsbladeandpoint.Thefull forceof thebreezefilled thekiteandcarried themalongatnot lessthantenmilesanhour.HithertotheEskimoshadbeensointentontheirpreythattheyhadnoeyesforanything else. Again and again had thewhale been pierced by the stingingharpoons,andthenumberofinflatedsealskinswhichhewasobligedbythattimetodragdownintothedeepwassogreatthathisdiveshadbecomemorefrequent andmuch shorter. Itwasobvious that the perseveranceof his littlefoeswould in theendovercomehismightystrength. Itwasequallyevident,however,thattherewasstillagreatdealoffightingpowerleftinhim,andassome of the harpoons had come out while several of the floats had brokenloose, therewas just apossibility thathemightyet escape if notvigorouslyfollowedup.SuddenlyoneoftheEskimoswasseentodrophispaddleandpointwithbothhandstothesky,utteringatthesametimeacryofsurpriseandalarm.Therewas no mistaking the cry. Every paddle ceased to dip, and every eye wasturnedtothesky.Ofcourseeveryvoicegaveforthahowl!“Amystery!”shoutedGrabantak.“Anevilspirit!”criedKoyatuk.“Anewkindofbird!”roaredTeyma.Atthatmomentacrylouderthaneverarose.Leo’sboatwasobservedcominglikeanarwhaloverthesea,withthefoamflyingfromitsbows!The“newkindofbird,”sotheyatfirstimagined,hadletdownalongthintail,caughttheboatofthewhiteman,andwasflyingawaywithit!

Intothemidstofthemtheboatrushed.Theydashedasiderightandleft.Leowasstandinginthebow.Hemovednot,spokenot,lookedatnoone,butstoodup,bentalittleforward,withasternfrownonhisbrow,hislipscompressed,andthelonglanceheldlevelinbothhandsasifintheactofcharging.“Catchholdofhim!”yelledGrabantakastheyflewpast.Aswellmighttheyhavetriedtocatchacomet!“Steeralittletotheleft,”saidLeoinalowtone.Obedient,ontheinstant,thegirlmadeasharpstrokewiththeoar.“Steadyso.Now,Oblooria,holdontightforyourlife!”Theyweregoingstraightatthewhale.Leodidnotdaretothinkoftheresultofhisintendedattack.Hecouldnotguessit.Hehopedallwouldbewell.Hehadno timeto thinkofprosandcons.Theywereclose to thevictim.Onit,now,slidingoveritsback,whilethesharplanceentereditsbodywiththefullmomentum of the charge,deep down into its vitals! Blood flew out like awaterspout. The lance was torn from Leo’s grasp as he fell backwards.Oblooria leaped up, in wild excitement, dropped her oar, and clapped herhands.At that instant the stout traction-line snapped, and the boat remainedfast, while the kite descended in a series of helpless gyrations into the sea.Nextmoment the whale went down in a convulsive struggle, and the boat,withitsdaringoccupants,waswhelmedinawhirlpoolofbloodandfoam.No cry proceeded from the Eskimos during this stupendous attack. Theyseemed bereft alike of voice and volition, but, on beholding the closingcatastrophe,theyrushedtotherescuewithaunitedroar.Before they could gain the spot, Leo was seen to emerge from the deep,drippingwithpinkandwhitefoamlikeaverywater-god.Oblooriafollowedinstantly, like a piebald water-nymph. The boat had not been upset, thoughoverwhelmed,andtheyhadheldontoitwiththetenacityofalasthope.Lookingsharplyround,ashegaspedandsweptthewaterfromhiseyes,Leoseized the oars, which, being attached to the boat, were still available, androwedwith all hismight away from the approachingEskimosas if hewereafraid of being caught by them. They followed with, if possible, increasedsurprise at this inexplicable conduct.Theymadeup tohim; someeven shotaheadofhim.PoorLeowasnotamoment toosooninreachinghiskite, forthese people were about to transfix it with their whale-harpoons, when hedashedupandorderedthemtodesist.Havingrescuedthemiserable-lookingthingfromtheseaandhastilyfoldedit,

heplaceditinthebow.Thenbreathingfreely,hebegantolookabouthimjustasthewhalecameagaintothesurfaceinadyingflurry.ItsochancedthatitcameuprightunderGrabantak’skayak,whichittossedupendoverend.Thiswouldnothavebeenaseriousmatterifithadnot,thenextmoment,broughtitsmightytaildownonthecanoe.It thensheeredoffahundredyardsorso,leapedhalfitslengthoutofthewater,andfelloveronitssidewithanoiselikethunderanddied.Everyoneturnedtotheplacewherethechief’skayaklayacompletewreckonthewater. Itsownerwasseenswimmingbesideit,andwassoonhauledintoone of the women’s oomiaks. Evidently he had been severely hurt, but hewould not admit the fact.With characteristic dignity he sternly ordered thefleettolayholdofthewhaleandmakefortheshore.“Tellhimhisarmisbroken,”saidLeothateveningtoAnders,afterexaminingthechief’shurtsintheprivacyofhisownhut,“andlethimknowthatIamamedicine-manandwilltrytocurehim.”Grabantakreceivedtheinformationwithalookofanger.“Then,” said he, “Amalatokmust live a little longer, for I cannot fight himwith a broken arm.Go,” he added, looking full at Leowith something likeadmiration, “go, you have done well to-day; my youngmen want to makeyournoseblue.”The peremptory nature of the chief’s command forbade delay. Leo wasthereforeobligedtocreepoutofhishut,wonderingintensely,andnotalittleuncomfortably,astowhathavinghisnosemadebluecouldmean.HewasquicklyenlightenedbyAnders,whotoldhimthatthemostsuccessfulharpoonerinawhalehuntislookedonasaverygreatpersonageindeed,andisinvariablydecoratedwithwhatmaybestyledtheEskimoorderoftheBlueRibbon.Scarcelyhadhereceivedthisinformation,whenhewasseizedbytheyoungmenandhurriedintothemidstofanexpectantcircle,wherehesubmittedwitha good grace to the ceremony. A youth advanced to him, made a fewcomplimentary remarks, seized him by the right ear, and, with a little wetpaint,drewabroadblue lineacrosshis faceover thebridgeofhisnose.Hewas then informed that he had received the highest honour known to theEskimos of the far north, and that, among other privileges, it gave him therightofmarryingtwowivesifhefeltdisposedtodoso!Acceptingthehonour,butdecliningtheprivilege,Leoexpressedhisgratitudeforthecomplimentjustpaid him in a neat Eskimo speech, and then retired to his hut in search ofmuch-needed repose, not a little comforted by the thought that the chief’s

broken arm would probably postpone the threatened war for an indefiniteperiod.Thatnightridiculousfanciesplayedabouthisdeerskinpillow,forhedreamedofbeingswallowedbyamadwhale,andwhiskeduptotheskybyakitewithabrokenarmandabluestripeacrossitsnose!

ChapterTwentySix.TellsofaWarlikeExpeditionanditsHappyTermination.

While these stirring eventswere taking place in Flatland, our friends in theIslandofPoloecontinuedtofishandhunt,andkeepwatchandwardagainsttheirexpectedenemiesintheusualfashion;butalasforthepoorEnglishmen!All the lighthadgoneoutof their eyes; all theelasticityhadvanished fromtheirspirits.Ah!itisonlythosewhoknowwhatitistoloseadearfriendorbrother,who can understand the terrible blankwhich had descended on thelivesofourdiscoverers, rendering them, for the timeat least, comparativelyindifferenttotheeventsthatwentonaroundthem,andtotallyregardlessofthegreatobjectwhichhadcarriedthemsofarintothoseregionsofice.They could no longer doubt that Leo and his companions had perished, fortheyhadsearchedeveryislandofthePoloegroup,includingthatoneonwhichLeoandtheEskimoshadfoundtemporaryrefuge.Here,indeed,amomentarygleam of hope revived,whenAlf found the spent cartridge-caseswhich hisbrotherhad throwndownon theoccasionofhis shooting for thepurposeofimpressinghiscaptors,and theysearchedeveryyardof the island,highandlow,forseveraldays,beforesufferingthemselvestorelapseintotheoldstateofdespair.NoevidencewhateverremainedtomarkthevisitoftheEskimos,for these wily savages never left anything behind them on their war-expeditions, and the stormhadwashed away any footprints thatmight haveremainedinthehardrockysoil.Amalatokwho,withhissonandhismen,sympathisedwiththeEnglishmenintheirloss,andlentableassistanceintheprolongedsearchgavethefinaldeath-blowtotheirhopesbyhisremarks,whenCaptainVanesuggestedthatperhapsthelostoneshadbeenblownovertheseatoFlatland.“Thatisnotpossible,”saidAmalatokpromptly.“Whynot?Thedistanceisnotsoverygreat.”“The distance is not very great, that is true,” repliedAmalatok. “If Lo hadsailedawaytoFlatlandhemighthavegotsafelythere,butBlackbeardsurelyforgetsthatthestormdidnotlastmorethanafewhours.IfLohadremained

evenashorttimeonthisisland,wouldnotthecalmweatherwhichfollowedthestormhaveenabledhimtopaddlebackagaintoPoloe?No,hemusthavethought the stormwasgoing tobe a longone, and thinking that,must havetried, again to face it and paddle against it. In this attempt he has perished.WithoutdoubtLoandUndersandOblooriaareinthelandofspirits.”Eskimosofthefarnorth,unliketheredmenoftheprairies,arepronetogiveway to their feelings. At the mention of the timid one’s name, Oolichukcoveredhis facewithhishandsandwept aloud.PoorAlf andBenjy felt analmost irresistible desire to join him. All the fun and frolic had gonecompletely out of the latter, and as for Alf, he went about like aman halfasleep, with a strange absent look in his eyes and a perfect blank on hisexpressionless face. No longer did he roam the hills of Poloeland withgeologicalhammerandbox.Hemerelywentfishingwhenadvisedoraskedtodoso,orwanderedaimlesslyonthesea-shore.TheCaptainandBenjyactedmuchinthesameway.Intheextremityoftheirgrieftheycourtedsolitude.ThewarmheartsofChingatokandthenegrobeatstrongwithsympathy.Theylonged to speakwords of comfort, but at first delicacy of feeling,which isfound in all ranks and under every skin, prevented them from intruding onsorrowwhichtheyknewnothowtoassuage.At last thegiantventuredoneday to speak toAlf. “Has theGreatSpirit nowordofcomfortforHisKablunetchildren?”heasked.“Yes,yes,”repliedAlfquickly.“Hesays,‘CalluponmeinthetimeoftroubleandIwilldeliverthee,andthoushaltglorifyme.’”“Haveyounotcalled?”askedChingatokwithaslightlookofsurprise.“No;Isayittomyshame,Chingatok.ThisblowhassostunnedmethatIhadforgottenmyGod.”“Callnow,”saidthegiantearnestly.“IfHeisagoodandtrueGod,HemustkeepHispromise.”Alf did call, then and there, and theEskimo stood and listenedwith bowedheadandreverentlook,untilthepooryouthhadconcludedhisprayerwiththenameofJesus.Thenegro’s lineofargumentwithBenjywasdifferentandcharacteristicallylowertoned.“Youmusskeepupdeheart,MassaBenjy.Nobodynebber knowswotmaycomefortopass.P’r’apsMassaLeohegotodeNortPolebyhisself.Hewas

allers bery fond o’ takin’ peepil by surprise. Nebber say die,Massa Benjy,s’long’sder’sashotindelocker.”At any other time Benjy would have laughed at the poor cook’s efforts toconsolehim,butheonlyturnedawaywithasigh.Two days after that the Eskimos of Poloe were assembled on the beachmakingpreparationstogooffonasealhunt.“Is that a whale on the horizon or a walrus!” asked the Captain, touchingChingatokonthearmastheystoodontheedgeofthesea,readytoembark.“Morelikeablackgull,”saidBenjy,“oranortherndiver.”Chingatok looked longandearnestlyat theobject inquestion,and thensaidwithemphasis“Akayak!”“One of the youngmen returning from a hunt, I suppose,” saidAlf,whoseattentionwasarousedbytheinterestmanifestedbythesurroundingEskimos.“Not so,” said Amalatok, who joined the group at the moment, “the manpaddleslikeamanofFlatland.”“What! one of your enemies?” cried the Captain, who, in his then state ofdepression, would have welcomed a fight as a sort of relief. EvidentlyButterfacesharedhishopes,forheshowedthewhitesofhiseyesandgrinnedamazinglyasheclenchedhishornyhands.“Yesourenemies,”saidAmalatok.“The advanced guard of the host,” said the Captain, heartily; “come, thesoonerwegetreadyforself-defencethebetter.”“Yis,dat’sdeword,”saidthenegro,increasinghisgrinforamomentandthencollapsing into sudden solemnity; “we nebber fights ’cep’ in self-defenceohnonebber!”“They comenot to attack,” saidChingatokquietly. “Flatlanders never comeexceptinthenightwhenmensleep.Thisisbutoneman.”“Perhapshebringsnews!”exclaimedBenjy,withasuddenblazeofhope.“Perhaps,”echoedAlf,eagerly.“Itmaybeso,”saidChingatok.It was not long before the questionwas set at rest. The approaching kayak

came on at racing speed. Its occupant leaped on shore, and, panting fromrecentexertion,deliveredhisthrillingmessage.“Prisoners in Flatland,” said the Captain at the council of war which wasimmediatelysummoned,“butaliveandwell.Letusbethankfulforthatgoodnews, anyhow; but then, they ask us to help them, quickly. That meansdanger.”“Yes,danger!”shoutedOolichuk,who,atthethoughtofOblooriainthehandsofhisfoes,feltanalmostirresistibledesiretojumpatsomeoftheyouthsofhisowntribe,andkillthem,bywayofrelievinghisfeelings.“Rest content, Oolichuk,” cried Amalatok, with a horrible grinding of histeeth;“wewilltearouttheirhearts,andbatterintheirskulls,and”“But,”resumedtheCaptainhastily,“Idonotthinkthedangersogreat.AllIwouldurgeisthatweshouldnotdelaygoingtotheirrescue”“Ho!huk!hi!”interruptedthewholebandofassembledwarriors, leapingupandgoingthroughsundrysuggestiveactionswithknivesandspears.“Doesmyfatherwishmetogetthekayaksready?”askedChingatok,who,asusual,retainedhiscomposure.“Do,myson.Letplentyofblubberbestowedinthem,andwar-spears,”saidtheoldchief;“wewillstartatonce.”Thepromptitudewithwhich thesenorthernEskimosprepared forwarmightbealessontothemenofcivilisedcommunities.Wehavealreadysaidthatthesun had by that time begun to set for a few hours each day. Before it hadreached the deepest twilight that night a hundred and fifty pickedwarriors,with theirkayaks andwarmaterial,were skimmingover the sea, ledby thefieryoldchiefandhisgiganticbutpeace-lovingson.OfcourseCaptainVane,Benjy,AlphonseVandervell, andButterface accompanied them, but noneofthewomenwere allowed to go, as itwas expected that thewarwould be abloodyone.These,therefore,withthechildren,wereleftinchargeofasmallbodyofthebigboysofthetribe,withtheoldmen.The weather was fine, the sea smooth, and the arms of the invading hoststrong.ItwasnotlongbeforetheseathatseparatedPoloeIslandfromFlatlandwascrossed.Towards sunset of a calm and beautiful day they sighted land.Gently,withnoiselessdipofpaddle,theyglidedonwardlikeaphantomfleet.ThatsameeveningLeoandOblooriasatbythecouchofGrabantak,nursing

him.The injuryreceivedby thechief fromthewhalehad thrownhimintoahighfever.Theirritationofenforceddelayonhisfieryspirithadmademattersworse,andat timeshebecamedelirious.Duringtheseparoxysmsit requiredtwomen to hold himdown,while he indulged inwild denunciations of hisPoloe foes, with frequent allusions to dread surgical operations to beperformedonthebodyofAmalatokoperationswithwhichtheRoyalCollegeofSurgeonsisprobablyunacquainted.Leo,whoseknowledgeof theEskimotonguewas rapidly extending, sought to counteract the patient’s ferocity bypreachingforgivenessandpatience.Beingunsuccessful,hehadrecoursetoasoporificplantwhichhehadrecentlydiscovered.Toadministeranoverdoseofthiswasnotunnatural,perhaps,inayouthfuldoctor.Absoluteprostrationwasnot the precise result he had hoped for, but itwas the result, and it had thehappy effect of calming the spirit of Grabantak and rendering him open toconviction.FortunatelytheFlatlanderswereonthelook-outwhenthemenofPoloedrewnear.OneoftheFlatlandbraveswasreturningfromafishingexpeditionatthetime, saw theadvancinghostwhile theywereyetwellout at sea, andcamehomeatracingspeedwiththenews.“Strangethattheyshouldcometoattackus,”saidTeymatoLeoatthecouncilofwarwhichwasimmediatelycalled.“Ithasalways,uptothistime,beenourcustomtoattackthem.”“Not so strange as you think,” said Anders, who now, for the first time,mentionedthesendingofthemessagetoPoloeland.Black looks were turned on the interpreter, and several hands wanderedtowardsbootsinsearchofdaggers,whentheprimeministerinterfered.“Youdidnotwell,Unders,toactwithoutlettingusknow,”hesaidwithgraveseverity.“WemustnowpreparetomeetthemenofPoloe,whethertheycomeasfriendsorfoes.Lettheyoungmenarm.Igotoconsultwithourchief.”“Youmustnot consultwithGrabantak,” saidLeo firmly. “He lies limp.Hisbackbonehasnomorestrengththanapieceofwalrusline.Hissonmustactforhimatpresent.”“Boo!” exclaimed one of the warriors, with a look of ineffable contempt,“Koyatukisbigenough,butheisbrainless.Hecanblusterandlookfiercelikethewalrus,buthehasonlythewisdomofaninfantpuffin.No,wewillbeledbyTeyma.”Thissentimentwashighlyapplaudedbytheentirecouncil,whichincludedtheentire army, indeed the whole grown-up male part of the nation; so that

Koyatukwasdeposedonthespot,asallincompetentsoughttobe,andoneofthebestmenofFlatlandwasputinhisplace.“ButifIamtoleadyou,”saidthepremierfirmly,“itshallbetopeace,nottowar!”“Lead us to what you like; you have brains,” returned the man who hadpreviouslysaid“boo!”“Weknownotwhatisbest,butwecantrustyou.”Againtheapprovalwasunanimous.“Well, then, I accept the commanduntilmy chief’s health is restored,” saidTeyma,rising.“Now,thecouncilisatanend.Toyourhuts,warriors,andgetyourspears ready;and toyour lamps,girls.Preparesupper forourwarriors,andlettheallowanceofeachbedoubled.”This latter command caused no small degree of surprise, but no audiblecommentwasmade,andstrictobediencewasrendered.Leo returned toGrabantak’s hut,where he found that fiery chief as limp asever, but with some of the old spirit left, for he was feebly makinguncomfortable references to the heart, liver, and other vital organs ofAmalatokandallhisband.Soonafterwardsthatbandcameoninbattlearray,onmurderousdeedsintent.TheFlatlandersassembledonthebeachtoreceivethem.“Leave your spears on the ground behind you,” shoutedTeyma to his host;“advancetothewater’sedge,andatmysignal,throwupyourarms.”“They have been forewarned,” growled Amalatok, grinding his teeth indisappointment,andcheckingtheadvanceofhisfleetbyholdinguponehand.“No doubt,” said Captain Vane, who, with Benjy, Alf, and Butterface, wasclosetothePoloechiefinoneoftheindia-rubberboats,“nodoubtmyyoungcountryman,havingsentamessage,expectedus.Surelyeh!Benjy,isnotthatLeostandinginfrontoftherestwithanotherman?”TheCaptainappliedhisbinoculartelescopetohiseyesashespoke.“Yes,it’shimthankGod!andIseeAnderstoo,quiteplainly,andOblooria!”“Aretheyboundhandandfoot?”demandedAmalatok,savagely.“No,theyareasfreeasyouare.AndtheEskimosareunarmed,apparently.”“Ha!thatistheirdeceit,”growledthechief.“TheFlatlanderswerealwayssly;

buttheyshallnotdeceiveus.Braves,getreadyyourspears!”“MayitnotbethatLeohasinfluencedthempeacefully,myfather?”suggestedChingatok.“Not so,my son,” said the chief savagely. “Grabantakwas always sly as awhite fox, fierce as a walrus, mean as a wolf, greedy as a black gull,contemptibleas”The catalogue of Grabantak’s vices was cut short by the voice of Teymacomingloudandstrongoverthesea.“IfthemenofPoloecomeasfriends,letthemland.ThemenofFlatlandareabout tofeed,andwillshare theirsupper. If themenofPoloecomeasfoes,stillIsayletthemland.ThebravesofFlatlandhavesharpenedtheirspears!”Teymathrewupbothhandsashefinished,andallhishostfollowedsuit.ForamomentortwothePoloesehesitated.Theystillfeareddeception.ThenthevoiceofLeowasheardloudandclear.“Why do you hesitate? come on, uncle, supper’s getting cold.We’ve beenwaitingforyoualongtime,andareallveryhungry!”This was received with a shout of laughter by the Englishmen, high abovewhichroseawildcheerof joyfromBenjy.Amalatokswallowedhiswarlikespirit,laidasidehisspear,andseizedhispaddle.Chingatokgavethesignaltoadvance, and, a few minutes later, those warriors of the norththose fiercesavages who, probably for centuries, had been sworn hereditary foeswereseatedroundtheigloe-lamps,amicablysmearingtheirfingersandfaceswithfat, as they feasted together on chops of thewalrus and cutlets of the polarbear.

ChapterTwentySeven.TheGreatDiscovery.

Friendly relations having been established between the Flatlanders and thePoloese,bothnationsturnedtheirattentiontotheartsofpeace.Among other things, Captain Vane and his party devoted themselves oncemore, with renewed energy, to the pursuit of discovery and scientificinvestigation. An expedition was planned to Great Isle, not now for thepurposeofconsultingMakitok,theoracle,astothebesttimeforgoingtowar,but to gratify thewishes ofCaptainVane,whohad the strongest reason forbelievingthathewasintheimmediateneighbourhoodofthePole.

“Blackbeardsayshemustbeverynearnothingnow,”observedChingatoktoAndersthedayaftertheirarrival.“Nearnothing!”exclaimedTeyma,whowassittingcloseby.Ofcoursethegiantexplained,andthepremierlookedincredulous.“IwishIhadnotleftmysextantbehindmeinthehurryofdeparture,”saidtheCaptainthateveningtoLeo.“ButwecameoffinsuchhothastethatIforgotit.However,I’llaskAmalatoktosendayoungmanbackforit.I’mpersuadedwecannotnowbemorethanafewmilesdistantfromourgoal.”“Iquiteagreewithyou,uncle,forwhenIlookedatthenorthstarlastnightitseemedtomeasdirectlyinthezenithasitwaspossibletoimagine.”“Ay,lad;buttheunaidedeyeisdeceptive.Afewmilesofdifferencecannotbedistinguishedbyit.WhendidthePolestarbecomevisible?”“Onlylastnight;IfanciedIhadmadeitoutthenightbefore,butwasnotquitesure,thedaylight,evenatthedarkesthour,beingstilltoointensetoletmanyofthestarsbeseen.”“Well,weshallsee.IamofopinionthatwearestillbetweentwentyandfortymilessouthofthePole.Meanwhile,I’llinduceTeymatogetupanexpeditiontotheislandofthisMaki-what?”“Tok,”saidLeo;“Makitok.Everythingalmostendsintokortukhereabouts.”“Who,andwhat,isthisman?”askedtheCaptain.“No one seems to know precisely. His origin has been lost in the mists ofantiquity.Hisfirstforefathersotraditionstyleshimseems,likeMelchisedec,tohavehadno fatherormother, and tohavecome fromnooneknowswhere.AnyhowhefoundedacolonyinGreatIsle,andMakitokisthepresentheadofallthefamilies.”Leothenexplainedaboutthemystery-thingcalledbuk,whichwaswrappedupininnumerablepiecesofsealskin.“Strange,” said theCaptain, “passing strange.Allyou tellmemakesme themore anxious to visit thisman of the valley.You say there is no chance ofGrabantakbeingabletotakethereinsofgovernmentagainforalongtime?”“None.Hehasgotashakethatwillkeephimhelplessforsometimetocome.And this is well, for Teyma will be ready to favour any project that tendstowardspeaceorprosperity.”

Now, while preparations for the northern expedition were being made, ourfriendOolichukwenta-wooing.Andthisisthefashioninwhichhedidit.Arrayinghimselfoneday,likeanyotherlovesickswain,inhisbest,hepaidaceremonialvisittoOblooria,wholivedwithMerkut,thewifeofGrabantak,inahutat theeasternsuburbof thevillage.Oolichuk’scostumewassimple, ifnot elegant. It consisted of an undercoat of bird-skins, with the feathersinwards;bearskinpantaloonswiththehairout;anuppercoatofthegreyseal;dogskinsocksandsealskinboots.ThatyoungEskimodidnotvisithisbrideempty-handed.Hecarriedabundlecontaining agiftskinsof theyoung eider-duck tomake anundergarment forhis lady-love, two plump little aukswithwhich to gratify her palate, and abladderofoiltowashthemdownandcauseherhearttorejoice.Goodfortunefavouredthisbraveman,forhemetOblooriaatalonelypartoftheshoreamongtheboulders.RomanceliesdeepintheheartofanEskimosodeepthatitisnotperceptibletothenakedeye.WhateverthePoloewarriorandmaidenfelt,theytookcarenot toexpress inwords.ButOolichuklookedunutterable things,andinvitedOblooria to dine then and there. The lady at once assented with a bashfulsmile,andsatdownonaboulder.Oolichuksatdownbesideher,andpresentedthebundleofunder-clothing.Whiletheladywasexaminingthiswithcriticaleyes,thegentlemanpreparedthe food. Taking one of the auks, he twisted off its head, put his forefingerunder the integuments of the neck, drew the skin down backwards, and thebirdwasskinned.Thenheranhislongthumb-naildownthebreastandslicedoffa lump,whichhepresented to the ladywith theoff-handairofonewhoshouldsay,“Ifyoudon’twantityoumayletitalone!”Rawthoughthemorselwas,Oblooriaaccepteditwithapleasedlook,andateitwithrelish.Shealsoacceptedthebladder,and,puttingittoherlips,pledgedhiminabumperofoil.Oolichuk continued this process until the first auk was finished. He thentreated the second bird in the same manner, and assisted his lady-love toconsume it, as well as the remainder of the oil. Conversation did not flowduringthefirstpartofthemeal,but,afterhavingdrunkdeeply,theirlipswereopened and the feast of reason began. It consisted chiefly of a runningcommentary by theman on theKablunets and their ways, and appreciativegiggles on the part of the woman; but they were interrupted at the verycommencementbythesuddenappearanceofoneoftheKablunetssauntering

towardsthem.They rose instantly and rambled away in opposite directions, absorbed incontemplationtheoneoftheearth,andtheotherofthesky.Three days after that, CaptainVane and his party approached the shores ofGreatIsle.ItwaslowliketheotherislandsofFlatland,butofgreaterextent,insomuch that its entire circumference could not be seen from its highestcentralpoint.Liketheotherislandsitwasquitedestituteoftrees,butthelowbushwasluxuriantlydense,andfilled,theyweretold,withherdsofreindeerandmusk-oxen.Myriads ofwild-fowlfrom the lordly swan to the twitteringsandpiperswarmedamongitssedgylakelets,whilegrouseandptarmiganweretobeseeninlargeflocksonitsuplands.Thelandwasclothedinmossesandgrasses of the richest green, and decked with variegated wild-flowers andberries.The voyagers were received with deep interest and great hospitality by theinhabitants of the coast, who, it seemed, never quarrelled with theneighbouringislandersorwenttowar.Makitok dwelt in the centre of the island. Thither they therefore went thefollowingday.Itwasafternoonwhentheycametothevalleyinwhichdwelttheangekok,or,asRedIndianswouldhavestyledhim,themedicine-man.Itwasapeculiarvalley.Unlikeothervales ithadneitheroutletor inlet,butwasamerecircularbasinordepressionofvastextent,thelowestpartofwhichwasinitscentre.Theslopetowardsthecentrewassogradualthatthedescentwashardlyperceived,yetCaptainVanecouldnotresisttheconvictionthatthelowestpartofthevalemustbelowerthanthesurfaceofthesea.TherichluxurianceofherbageinGreatIsleseemedtoculminateinthislovelyvale.Atthecentreandlowestpartofthevalley,Makitok,orratherMakitok’sforefathers,hadbuilt theirdwelling. Itwasahut, resembling thehutsof theEskimos.Nootherhutwastobeseen.Theangekoklovedsolitude.Beside thehut therestoodasmall truncatedconeabout fifteen feethigh,onthesummitofwhichsatanoldwhite-beardedman,whointentlywatchedtheapproachingtravellers.“BeholdMakitok!”saidTeymaastheydrewnear.Theoldmandidnotmove.Heappearedtobeovereightyyearsofage,and,unlikeEskimosingeneral,hadabushysnow-whitebeard.Thethinhaironhis

headwasalsowhite,andhisfeaturesweregood.Our travellerswerenotdisappointedwith this strange recluse,who receivedthem with an air of refinement and urbanity so far removed from Eskimomannersandcharacter,thatCaptainVanefeltconvincedhemustbedescendedfrom some other branch of the human family.Makitok felt and expressed adegreeofinterestintheobjectsoftheexpeditionwhichhadnotbeenobservedin any Eskimo, except Chingatok, and he was intelligent and quick ofperceptionfarbeforemostofthosewhosurroundedhim.“Andwhathaveyou to sayaboutyourself?”asked thecaptain thatevening,afteralonganimatedconversationonthecountryanditsproductions.“Ihave little tosay,” replied theoldman,sadly.“There isnomysteryaboutmyfamilyexceptitsbeginninginthelongpast.”“Butisnotallmysteryinthelongpast?”askedtheCaptain.“True,my son, but there is a difference inmymystery.Other Eskimos cantracebackfromsontofathertilltheygetconfusedandlost,asifsurroundedbythewinter-fogs.ButwhenI tracebackfarbackIcometoonemanmyfirstfather,whohadnofather,itissaid,andwhocamenooneknowsfromwhere.Mymindisnotconfusedorlost;itisstopped!”“Mightnotthemystery-bundlethatyoucallbukexplainmatters?”askedAlf.Whenthiswastranslated,theoldmanforthefirsttimelookedtroubled.“Idarenotopenit,”hesaidinanundertone,asifspeakingtohimself.“Fromfathertosonwehavehelditsacred.Itmustgrowevergrowneverdiminish!”“It’s a pity he looks at it in that light,” remarkedLeo toBenjy, as they laydowntosleepthatnight.“Ihavenodoubtthatthemanwhomhestylesfirstfather wrapped up the thing, whatever it is, to keep it safe, not to make amystery of it, and that his successors, having begun with a mistaken view,havenowconvertedthere-wrappingofthebundlebyeachsuccessiveheirintoasacredobligation.However,wemayperhapssucceedinovercomingtheoldfellow’sprejudices.Good-night,Benjy.”AsnorefromBenjyshowedthatLeo’swordshadbeenthrownaway,so,witha light laugh, he turned over, and soon joined his comrade in the land ofdreams.For twoweeks the party remained onGreat Isle, hunting, shooting, fishing,collecting,andinvestigating;also,wemayadd,astonishingthenatives.

During that periodmany adventures of amoreor less excitingnature befellthem,which,however,wemustpassoverinsilence.Attheendofthattime,theyouthwhohadbeensentfortheCaptain’ssextantandotherphilosophicalinstruments arrived with them allthermometers, barometers, chronometers,windandwatergauges,pendulums,etcetera,safeandsound.AstheinstrumentsreachedCupValley,(soBenjyhadstyledMakitok’shome),in the morning, it was too early for taking trustworthy observations. TheCaptain therefore employed the time in erecting an observatory. For thispurpose he selected,withMakitok’s permission, the truncated cone close tothe recluse’s dwelling.Here, after taking formal possession andhoisting theUnionJack,hebusiedhimself,inastateofsubduedexcitement,preparingfortheintendedobservations.“I’llfixthelatitudeandlongitudeinafewhours,”hesaid.“Meantime,Leo,youandBenjyhadbettergooffwiththerifleandfetchussomethinggoodfordinner.”LeoandBenjywerealways ready togoa-hunting.Theyrequirednosecondbidding,butweresoonramblingovertheslopesorwadingamongthemarshesoftheislandinpursuitofgame.Leocarriedhisrepeater;Benjytheshot-gun.BothworenativeEskimobootsas long as the leg, which, beingmade of untanned hide, are, when soaked,thoroughlywaterproof.(SeeNote.)Oolichuk and Butterface carried the game-bags, and these were soon filledwithsuchgameaswasthoughtbestforfood.Sendingthembacktocampwithorders to empty the bags and return, Leo andBenjy took to the uplands insearchofnoblergame. Itwasnotdifficult to find.SoonasplendidstagwasshotbyLeoandamusk-oxbyBenjy.Notlongafterthis,thebag-bearersreturned.“Youshootsmos’awfulwell,Massas,” saidButterface; “but it’smy ’piniondatyoubofbettergohome,forCaptainVanehegomad!”“Whatd’youmean,Butterface?”askedLeo.“ImeandatdeCapp’nhe’shoedmad,orsuffinlikeit,an’MassaAlfnotmushbetter.”Agooddealamusedandsurprisedby thenegro’sstatement, the twohuntershastenedback toMakitok’shut,where they indeed foundCaptainVane inastateofgreatexcitement.

“Well,uncle,what’s thenews?”askedLeo;“foundyour latitudehigher thanyouexpected?”“Higher!” exclaimed the Captain, seizing his nephew by both hands andshaking them. “Higher! I should think socouldn’t be higher. There’s neitherlatitude nor longitude here, my boy! I’ve found it! Comecome up, and I’llshowyoutheexactspottheNorthPoleitself!”HedraggedLeotothetopofthetruncatedconeonwhichhehadpitchedhisobservatory.“There, look round you,” he cried, taking off his hat and wiping theperspirationfromhisbrow.“Well,uncle,whereisit?”askedLeo,half-amusedandhalf-sceptical.“Where!why,don’tyou see it?No,of courseyoudon’t.You’re lookingallroundit,lad.Lookdown,downatyourfeet.LeonardVandervell,”headded,insuddensolemnity,“you’reonit!you’restandingontheNorthPolenow!”Leostilllookedincredulous.“WhatIyoudon’tbelieve?Convincehim,Alf.”“Indeed it is true,” said Alf; “we have been testing and checking ourobservationsineverypossiblemanner,andtheresultnevervariesmorethanafootortwo.TheNorthPoleisatthismomentactuallyunderourfeet.”Aswehavenow,goodreader,atlastreachedthatgreatpointofgeographicalinterestwhichhassolongperplexedtheworldandagitatedenterprisingman,wedeem this theproperplace topresentyouwith amapofCaptainVane’sdiscoveries.“And so,” said Benjywith an injured look, “the geography books are rightafter all; theworld is ‘a little flattened at the Poles like an orange.’Well, Ineverbelieveditbefore,andIdon’tbelieveyetthatit’slikeanorange.”“But it is more than flattened, Benjy,” said Leo; “don’t you see it is evenhollowed out a little, as if the spinning of the world had made a sort ofwhirlpoolattheNorthPole,andnodoubtthereisthesameattheSouth.”Chingatok, who was listening to the conversation, without of courseunderstanding it, and to whom the Captain had made sundry spasmodicremarks during the day in theEskimo tongue,went that night toAmalatok,whowassittinginMakitok’shut,andsaid

“Myfather,Blackbeardhasfoundit!”“Foundwhat,myson?hisnothinghisNortPole?”“Yes,myfather,hehasfoundhisNortPole.”“Ishegoing tocarry itawaywithhiminhissoftwind-boat?”asked theoldchiefwithahalf-humorous,half-contemptuousleer.“And,” continued Chingatok, whowas too earnest about thematter to takenotice of his father’s levity, “his Nort Pole is something after all! It is notnothing,forIheardhimsayheisstandingonit.Nomancanstandonnothing;thereforehisNortPolewhichhestandsonmustbesomething.”“He is standing on my outlook. He must not carry that away,” remarkedMakitokwithaportentousfrown.“Boh!” exclaimed Amalatok, rising impatiently. “I will not listen to thenonsense ofBlackbeard.Have I not heard him say that theworld stands onnothing, spins on nothing, and rolls continually round the sun? How cananythingspinonnothing?Andastothesun,useyourowneyes.Doyounotsee that fora long time it rolls round theworld, fora long time it rolls inacircleaboveus,andforalongtimeitrollsawayaltogether,leavingusallindarkness?Myson,theseKablunetsareignorantfools,andyouarenotmuchbetter forbelieving them.Boo! Ihavenopatiencewith thenonsense talkofBlackbeard.”Theoldchiefflungangrilyoutofthehut,leavinghismorephilosophicsontocontinue the discussion of the earth’s mysteries with Makitok, the reputedwizardofthefurthestpossiblenorth.

ChapterTwentyEight.Tells,amongotherThings,ofaNotableDiscovery.

Soonafterthis,signsofapproachingwinterbegantomaketheirappearanceintheregionsof theNorthPole.Thesun,whichat firsthadbeenasa familiarfriendnightandday,hadbeguntoabsenthimselfnotonlyallnight,butduringalargeportionofeachday,givingsurethoughquiethintsofhisintentiontoforsake the region altogether, and leave it to the sixmonths’ reign of night.Frostbegantorenderthenightsbitterlycold.Thebirds,havingbroughtforthand brought up their young, were betaking themselves to more temperateregions, leavingonly suchcreaturesasbears, seals,walruses, foxes,wolves,andmen,toenjoy,orendure,theregionsofthefrigidzone.SuddenlytherecameadayinOctoberwhenalltheelementalfiendsandfuries

oftheArcticcircleseemedtobeletlooseinwildestrevelry.Itwasaturning-pointintheArcticseasons.BythattimeCaptainVaneandhispartyhadtransportedalltheirbelongingstoGreatIsle,wheretheyhadtakenuptheirabodebesideoldMakitok.Theyhad,with thatwizard’s permission, built to themselves a temporary stone hut, asBenjyVanefacetiouslysaid,“ontheverytopoftheNorthPoleitself;”thatis,onthelittlemoundortruncatedconeofrock,inthecentreoftheGreatIsle,onwhich theyhadalreadysetup theobservatory,andwhichconewas, inverytruth,asnearlyaspossibletheexactpositionofthatlong-sought-forimaginarypoint of earth as could be ascertained by repeated and careful observations,madewiththebestofscientificinstrumentsbythoroughlycapablemen.Chingatok and his father, with a large band of their followers and some oftheirwomen,hadalsoencamped,bypermission,roundthePole,where,intheintervalsofthechase,theywatched,withsolemnandunflagginginterest,theincomprehensibledoingsofthewhitemen.Thestormreferredtobeganwithheavysnowthatslow,quiet,down-floatingofgreat flakeswhich is sopleasant,evenrestful, in itseffecton thesenses.Atfirst it seemedas ifagoldenhazeweremixedwith thesnowfall, suggestingtheideathatthesun’srayswerepenetratingit.“Mostbeautiful!”saidLeo,whosatbesidetheCaptainandhisfriendsontheNorth Pole enjoying the view through the open doorway of the hut, andsippingacupofcoffee.“Itremindsme,”saidAlf,“ofBuzzby’slines:“‘ThesnowflakesfallingsoftlyInthemorning’sgoldenprime,SuggestiveofagentletouchAndthesilentflightofTime.’”“BeholdamorepowerfulreminderoftheflightofTime!”saidBenjy,pointingto the aged Makitok, who, with white beard and snow-besprinkled person,came slowly towards them like the living embodiment of “Old FatherChristmas.”“Come,” saidLeo, hastening to assist the oldman, “letmehelp youup thePole.”Leo, and indeed all the party, had fallen in with Benjy’s humour, and

habituallyreferredthustotheirmound.“Why comes the ancient one here through the snow?” said Captain Vane,rising and offering Makitok his seat, which was an empty packing-case.“Surely my friend does not think we would forget him? Does not Benjyalwayscarryhimhismorningcupofcoffeewhentheweather is toobadforhimtocomehither?”“Truly,” returned the oldman, sitting downwith a sigh, “theKablunets arekind.Theyneverforget.Bunjeeneverfailstobringthecuffy,thoughhedoessometimespretendtoforget theshoogre, till Ihavetasteditandmadeabadface;thenhelaughsandremembersthattheshoogreisinhispouch.Itishislittleway.ButIcomenotto-dayforcuffy;Icometowarn.Thereisdangerinthe air. Blackbeard must take his strange things,” (thus he referred to thephilosophical instruments), “away fromherefromha!fromNortPole, andputtheminmyhut,wheretheywillbesafe.”TheCaptaindidnotatoncereply.Turningtohiscompanionshesaid“Iseenoparticularreason tofear this ‘danger in theair.’ I’llgoandconsultChingatokorhisfatheronthepoint.”“Theancientone, asyoucallhim,” saidBenjy, “seems tobegrowing timidwithage.”“Theyouthfulone,”retortedtheCaptain,“seemstobegrowinginsolentwithage.Go,youscamp,andtellAmalatokIwanttospeakwithhim.”Whatever faults ouryoungherohad, disobediencewasnotoneof them.Herosepromptly,andsoonreturnedwiththechiefofPoloeland.Amalatokconfirmedthewizard’sopinions,andbothopinionswerestillmorepowerfully confirmed, while he was speaking, by a gust of wind whichsuddenly came rushing at them as if from all points of the compass,converging at the Pole and shooting upwards like a whirlwind, carryingseveralhatsofthepartywithvolumesofthenowwildlyagitatedsnowupintothesky.Therewasnoroomforfurtherhesitation.“Why,MassaBunjay, I thoughtmywoolly scalp he hoed up ’longwidmyhat!”criedButterface,leapingupinobediencetotheCaptain’shurriedordertolooksharpandlendahand.In a short time all the instrumentswere removed from the observatory andcarefully housed inMakitok’s hut. Even while they were thus engaged the

stormburstonthemwithexcessiveviolence.Thesnowwhichhadbeenfallingsosoftly,wascaughtupbytheconflictingwindsandhurledhighintotheair,ordrivenfuriouslyoverthevalleyinalldirections,forthegaledidnotcomefrom any fixed quarter; it rose and swooped and eddied about, driving thesnow-drift now here, now there, and shrieking as if in wild delight at thechaotichavocitwaspermittedtoplay.“Confusionworseconfounded!”gaspedLeo,ashestaggeredpastAlfwiththelastloadonhisshoulder.“Andyet theremustbeordereverywhere,”observedChingatok,when,afterallweresafelyhousedinMakitok’shutthatevening,heheardLeorepeatthatsentiment.“Whydoyouthinkso,Chingatok?”askedtheCaptainwithsomecuriosity.“Because there is order even in my hut,” returned the giant. “Pingasuk,(referring to hiswife), keeps all things in perfect order. Is theWorld-MakerlesswisethanPingasuk?Sometimes,nodoubt,whenPingasukiscooking,orarranging,thingsmayseemindisordertotheeyeofmylittleboyMeltikandthe small one, (referring to baby), butwhenMeltik and the small one growolderandwiser,theywillseethatitisnotso.”WhileChingatokwasspeaking,agustofwindmorefuriousthaneverstruckthe hut and shook it to its foundations. At the same time a loud rumblingsoundwasheardoutside.Mostofthemenleapedup,caughtholdofspearsorknives,andrushedout.Throughthedrivingdrift theycouldjustseethat theobservatory,whichwas a flimsy structure, had been swept clean away, andthatthemoresolidhutwasfollowingit.Evenastheygazedtheysawitsroofcaughtup, andwhirledoff as if ithadbeena scrollofpaper.Thewalls fellimmediately after, and the stones rolled down the rocky cone with a loudrattling,whichwaspartiallydrownedbytheshriekingofthetempest.Forthreedaysthestormlasted.Duringthattimeitwasalmostimpossibletoshowfacein theopenair.Onthenightof thethirddaythefuryof thewindabated.Thenitsuddenlybecamecalm,butwhenButterfaceopenedthedoor,and attempted to go out, he found himself effectually checked by awall ofsnow.Theinteriorofthehutwaspitchdark,anditwasnotuntilalamphadbeenlightedthatthepartyfoundtheywereburiedalive!Todigthemselvesoutwasnot,however,adifficultmatter.Butwhatascenepresented itself to their view when they regained the upper air! Nometamorphosis conceived by Ovid or achieved by the magic lantern; nopantomimic transformation; no eccentricity of dreamland ever equalled it!Whenlastseen,thevalleywasclothedinalltherichluxurianceofautumnal

tints, and alive with the twitter and plaintive cry of bird-life. Now it wasdrapedinthepurewinding-sheetofwinter,andsilentinthereposeofArcticdeath. Nothing almost was visible but snow. Everything was whelmed inwhite.Onlyhereandthereafewofthesturdierclumpsofbusheshelduptheirloads like giganticwedding-cakes, and broke the universal sameness of thescene.Oneravenwastheonlylivingrepresentativeofthebirdsthathadfled.Itsoaredcalmlyoverthewaste,asifitwerethewizardwhohadwroughtthechange,andwasadmiringitswork.“Winterisuponusfairlynow,friends,”saidCaptainVaneashesurveyedtheprospect fromthePole,whichwas itselfallbutburied in theuniversaldrift,and capped with the hugest wedding-cake of all; “we shall have toaccommodateourselvestocircumstances,andprepareforthecampaign.”“Isupposethefirstthingweshallhavetodoistobuildasnow-house,”saidBenjy, looking ruefully round, for, as usual, he was depressed by firstappearances.“Justso,Benjy;andthesoonerwegotoworkthebetter.”Now,thereadermustnothastilyconcludethatweareabouttoinflictonhimor her a detailed narrative of a sixmonths’ residence at theNorthPole.Wehavenosuchfelldesign.Muchthoughthereistotell,muchofsuffering,moreof enjoyment, many adventures, numerous stirring incidents, and not a fewmishapswe shallpassover themostof it in total silence, and touchonlyonthosepointswhichareworthyofspecialnotice.Letusleap,then,intotheverymiddleoftheArcticwinter.Itiscontinuouslydark now. There is no day at all at the Pole; it is night all round. The lastglimmerof thedepartingsun left themmonthsago; thenextglimmerofhisreturnwillnotreachthemformonthstocome.ThenorthernEskimosandtheirEnglish visitors were well aware of that, nevertheless there was nothing ofgloomordepressedspiritsamongthem.Theyweretoobusyforthat.Hadnotmeat tobeprocured, and thenconsumed?Didnot theprocuring involve theharnessingofdogsinsledges,thetrappingoffoxesandwolves,thefightingofwalruses, the chasing of polar bears; and did not the consuming thereofnecessitatemuchculinarywork for thewomen,muchand frequentattentionand labour on the part of thewhole community, not tomention hours, andsometimesdays,ofcalmrepose?Then, as to light, had they not the Aurora Borealis, that mysteriousshimmering in the northern sky which has puzzled philosophers from thebeginningof time,and isnotunlikely tocontinuepuzzling themto theend?Had they not the moon and the stars, which latter shone with a brilliancy

almost indescribable, and among them the nowdoubly interestingPole star,right overhead, with several new and gorgeous constellations unknown tosouthernclimes?Besides all this, had not Captain Vane his scientific investigations, hispendulumexperiments,hiswind-gauging,hisozonetesting,histhermometric,barometric, and chronometric observations, besides what Benjy styled hiskiteometricpranks?These lastconsisted inattempts tobring lightningdownfromthecloudsbymeansofakiteandcord,andinwhichefforttheCaptainmanagedtoknockhimselfdown,andwell-nighshatteredtheNorthPoleitselfinpieces!Moreover, had not Leo to act the part of physician and surgeon to thecommunity?adutywhichhefulfilledsowellthatthereneverhadbeenbeforethattimesuchademandforphysicinFlatland,and,itisprobable,thereneverwill be so many sick people there again. In addition to this, Leo had toexercise hismarvellous powers as a huntsman.Benjy, of course, played hiswontedrôleofmischief-makerandjack-of-all-tradestotheentiresatisfactionofeverybody,especiallyonthatgreatoccasionwhenhesucceededinkillingapolar bear single-handed, andwithout the aid of gun or spear or any lethalweaponwhatever;ofwhichgreatevent,morehereafter.Anders, the southernEskimo, made himself generally agreeable, and Butterface became a primefavourite,chieflybecauseofhisinexhaustiblefundoffunandgoodhumour,coupledwithhisfinemusicalqualities.We have not saidmuch on this latter point hitherto, becausewe have beenunwilling to overwhelm the reader with too sudden a disclosure of thatmarvellousmagazineofpowerwhichwaslatentinourbandofheroes;butwefeelittobeourdutynowtostatethatthenegrosanghisnativemelodieswithsuchpathosthathefrequentlyreduced,(perhapsweshouldsayelevated),theunsophisticatedEskimos to floodsof tears,andsometimes toconvulsionsoflaughter.As,atBenjy’ssuggestion,hesometimeschangedhismoodsabruptly,the tears often mingled with the convulsions, so as to produce some vividillustrationsofEskimohysteria.ButButterface’sstrongpointwastheflute!Noonewhohadnotwitnesseditcould adequately conceive the poutings of thick red lips and generalcontortionsofblackvisage thatseemednecessary inorder todrawthe tonesoutofthatsimpleinstrument.Theagoniesofexpression,thehissingofwind,andtheturningupofwhitesoflargeblackeyes,itispastbelief!ThefruitlesseffortsoftheEskimostoimitatehimwereasnothingtothegreatoriginal,andtheirdelightatthesoundwasonlyequalledbytheiramazementatthesight.Alf assisted the Captain scientifically and otherwise. Of course he was

compelled, during the long winter, to lay aside his geological hammer andbotanical box; but, then, had he not the arrangement and naming of hisspecimens?Hischiefwork,however,was toact theunwonted,and,wemayadd,unexpectedworkofalawgiver.Thisdutydevolvedonhimthus:WhenGrabantak recovered healthwhich hewas very long in doinghis spiritwas so far subdued that he agreedsomewhat sulkily, it is trueto all that hisprimeministerhaddonewhileheheldthereinsofgovernment.Thenhewasinduced to visit Great Isle, where he was introduced to his mortal foeAmalatok,whomhefoundtobesomuchamanafterhisownheartthathenolonger sighed for the extraction of his spinalmarrow or the excision of hisliver, but became a fast friend, and was persuaded by Alf to agree to aperpetualpeace.HealsotookagreatfancytoChingatok,whobeggedofAlftoreadtothechiefofFlatlandsomeofthestrangeandnewideascontainedinhislittlebook.Alf willingly complied, and for hours these northern savages sat in raptattentionlisteningtotheBiblestory.“Myson,”saidGrabantakoneeveningtoChingatok,“ifwearehenceforthtoliveinpeace,whynotuniteandbecomeonenation?”“Whynot?”echoedChingatok.WhenAmalatokandMakitokheardthequestionpropounded,theyalsosaid,“Whynot?”and,asnobodyobjected,thethingwassettledoff-handthenandthere.“But,”saidtheprimeministerofFlatland,startingadifficulty,“whoistobegreatestchief?”Amalatok,onwhosemindthespiritofChristianityhadbeengraduallymakinganimpression,saidpromptly,“LetGrabantakbechief.Heiswiseincouncilandbraveinwar.”Grabantakhadinstantlyjumpedtotheconclusionthatheoughttobegreatestchief,andwasabout tosayso,whenAmalatok’shumilitystruckhimdumb.Recoveringhimselfhereplied“Butthereistobenomerewar!andIhavebeenawarrior.No,letAmalatokbegreatchief.Heisold,andwisdomlieswithage.”“Iamnotsosureofthat!”mutteredCaptainVanetohimselfinEnglish;thentothegiantinEskimo,“WhatsaysChingatok?”

“MayIspeak,myfather?”saidthegiant,dutifully,toAmalatok.“Youmayspeak,myson.”“Then,” continued Chingatok, “I would advise that there should be threechiefs, who shall be equalmy father, Grabantak, and Makitok. Let theseconsultaboutouraffairs.Let thepeopleappoint twelvemen toholdcouncilwiththem,andwhatthemostofthemagreetoshallbedone.”Aftersomefurthertalkthiscompromisewasagreedto.“ButthelawsofPoloelandandthoseofFlatlandaredifferent,”saidAmalatok,startinganotherobjection.“Wemusthavethesamelaws.”“Mybrother chief iswise,” saidGrabantak. “Let us havenew laws, and letthatwiseyoungKablunet,Alf,makethem.”“Bothmybrotherchiefsarewise,”saidMakitok.“Letitbedone,andlethimtakethelawsoutofthelittlethingthatspeakstohim.”(ThustheyreferredtotheBible,havingnowordintheirlanguagebywhichtonameit.)GreatwasthesurpriseofAlfat thehonourandlabourthusthrustuponhim,but he did not shrink from it.On the contrary, he set towork at oncewithnotebook andpencil, and set down the two “GreatCommandments:” “ThoushaltlovetheLordthyGodwithallthyheart,andwithallthysoul,andwithallthymind;”and,“Thoushaltlovethyneighbourasthyself,”asthefirstlawinthenewcode.Hesetdownasthesecondthegoldenrule,“Whatsoeveryewouldthatmenshoulddountoyou,doyeevensotothem.”Proceedingfromtheseasabasis,heworkedhiswaygraduallydownthecodetill he had embraced nearly all the possibilities ofEskimo lifeaworkwhichkepthimbusyallthewinter,andwasnotquitefinishedwhen“timeandtide”obligedhimandhiscompanionstoquittheland.Now,notlongafterthiseventfulcouncil,BenjyVaneburstratherirreverentlyintohisfather’shutwithexcitedlooks,holdingwhatlookedlikeanoldbookinhishand.“Whathaveyougotthere,lad?”“I’vegotitatlast,father!YouknowI’vebeentryingtowheedleoldMakitokintolettingmeopenhismysteriousbundle.Well,Iprevailedonhimtoletmedoitthisafternoon.Afterunrollingbundleafterbundle,Icameatlasttothecentre,andfoundthatitcontainednothingwhateverbutthisbook,wrappedupinanoldcottonpocket-handkerchief.Thebookisveryold,father.See,1611

onthefirstpage.Ididnottaketimetoglanceatmorethanthat,butbroughtitstraightawaytoyou.”“Hand it over, Benjy,” said the Captain eagerly. “This accounts for themysterious‘buk’thatwe’veheardsomuchabout.”He received the little book with a look of tender curiosity and opened itcarefully,whileLeo,Alf,andhissonlookedonoverhisshoulder.“1611, sure enough,” he said, “though not very legible. The characters arequeer,too.Try,Alf,whatyoucanmakeofit.”Alftookthebook.AshedidsooldMakitokentered,somewhatanxiousastowhat theyweredoingwithhis treasure.BeingquietedbytheCaptainwithadraught of cold tea, and made to sit down, the examination of the bookproceeded.“Itismuchworn,andinplacesisalmostillegible,asmightbeexpected,”saidAlf. “Letme see. ‘Coast ofLabrador, (something illegiblehere), 1611.Thisday the mutineers took possess ... (can’t make out what follows), and putCaptainHudson,withhisson,myself,thecarpenter,andfivesickmenintothedinghy,castingus,(blank),withsome,(blank),andonecaskofwater.Ibeginthisdiaryto-day.Itmayneverbeseenbyman,butifitdoesfallintothehandsof any one who can read it, he will do a service to ... by conveying ...England.JohnMackintosh,seaman.’“Canitbepossible?”saidAlf,lookingupfromtherelicwithanexpressionofdeepsolemnity,“thatwehavefoundarecordofthatgreatArcticexplorer,theunfortunateHenryHudson?”“Itseemslikeit,Alf;readon,”saidLeo,eagerly.WewillnotfurthertroublethereaderwithAlf’slaboureddecipheringofthiscurious and ancient notebook,whichwas not only stained andworn, but inmanyplacesrudelytorn,asifitsownerhadseenmuchhardservice.Wewillmerelyrunoverafewofthechiefpointswhichitclearedup.Unfortunately,itthrewnoadditionallightonthefateofpoorHudson.Manyofthefirstpagesofthebookwhichnodoubttreatedofthat,hadbeendestroyedandthelegibleportion began in themiddle of a record of travellingwith a sledge-party ofEskimos to the north of parallel 85 degrees 20 minutesa higher northernlatitude,itwillbeobserved,thanhadbeenreachedbyanysubsequentexplorerexcept Captain Vane. No mention being made of English comrades, thepresumptionremainedthattheyhadallbeenkilledorhaddiedatalleventsthatMackintoshhadbeenseparatedfromthem,andwas theonlysurvivorof thepartytravellingwiththeEskimos.

Furtheronthejournal,whichwasmeagreindetail,andkeptinthedryformofalog-book,spokeofhavingreachedafarnorthernsettlement.Referencewasalsomadetoawifeandfamily,leadingtotheconclusionthattheseamanhadpermanentlycastinhislotwiththesavages,andgivenupallhopeofreturningtohisnativeland.Onesentencenear theendcausedaconsiderablesensation,andopenedtheireyestoafactwhichtheymighthaveguessedif theyhadnotbeentoomuchtakenupwiththespellingoutofthefadedpencillingtothinkofitatfirst.Alfreaditwithdifficulty.Itranthus:“Another boy born to-day.His name is Igluk. It is only the eldest boy of afamily,inthistribe,whobearshisfather’ssurname.MyeldestalonegoesbythenameofMackintosh.Hiseldestwillbearthesamename,andsoon.ButtheseEskimosmake a sadmess of it. I doubt ifmyScotch kinsmenwouldrecogniseusunderthenameofMakitokwhichisthenearest”“Makitok!” shouted Benjy, gazing open-eyed at the white-bearded wizard,whoreturnedthegazewithsomeastonishment.“Why, old boy,” cried the boy, jumping up and seizing the wizard’s hand,“you’reaScotsman!”“Soheis,”saidtheCaptainwithalookofprofoundinterest.“AndIsay,”continuedBenjy,inatonesosolemnthattheeyesofallthepartywereturnedonhim,“wedidfindhimsittingontheNorthPole!”“Andwhatofthat,youexcitablegoose?”saidtheCaptain.“Goose, father! Am I a goose for recognising the fulfilment of an ancientprophecy?Hasitnotbeenafamiliarsaying,eversinceIwasborn,thatwhentheNorthPolewasdiscovered,aScotsmanwouldbefoundsittingonthetopofit?”“Unfortunately,Ben,”returnedAlfwithalaugh,“thesameprophecyexistsinotherlands.AmongtheGermans,Ibelieve, it isheldthataBohemianandaJewwillbefoundonthetopofit.”“Thatonlyconfirms thecorrectnessofprophecy ingeneral,” retortedBenjy,“forthismanunitesalltheseinhisownperson.DoesnotthisnotebookprovehimtobeaScot?Havewenotjustfoundhim?whichproveshimtobeoneofa‘losttribe’inotherwords,aJew;and,surely,you’lladmitthat,inappearanceat least,he isBohemianenough for the settlementofanydisputedquestion.

Yes,he’saScotchBohemianJew,orI’maDutchman.”ThisdiscoveryseemedalmosttoomuchforBenjy.Hecouldnotthinkortalkofanythingelsetheremainderofthatday.Among other things he undertook to explain to Makitok something of hisoriginandantecedents.“Ancientone,”hesaidearnestly,throughthemediumofAnders,whenhehadledtheoldmanasideprivately,“youcomeofagrandnation.TheyarecalledScots, and are said to be remarkably long-headed andwonderfully cautious.Greatwarriors,butgreaterat theartsofpeace.Andthefellowyoucallyourfirst fatherwasaMackintosh, (probablychiefofall theMackintoshes),whosailednearly270yearsagotosearchfor thisvery‘NorthPole’ thatwehavegotholdofat last.Butyour first fatherwasnot the leader,oldboy.Hewasonly a seaman. The leader was Henry Hudsonamanwho ranks among theforemostofArcticexplorers.Hewon’tbeabletounderstandwhatthatmeans,Anders, but nomattertranslate it the bestway you can. ThisHenryHudsonwas one of themost thorough and extensive searchers of these regions thateversailedthenorthernseas.Hemademanyimportantdiscoveries,andsetoutonhislastvoyageintendingtosailrightovertheNorthPoletoChina,whichIdaresayhewouldhavedone,hadnothisrascallycrewmutiniedandcasthimand his little son, with seven other men, adrift in a little boatall of whomperished,nodoubt,exceptyourfirstfather,Makitok,myancienttulip!”Hewoundup this summarybygraspingandshaking thewizard’shand,andthenflungoff,toexpendhisfeelingsonothermembersofthecommunity.

ChapterTwentyNine.ARunawayJourneyandaTremendousExperiment.

Aswinter advanced, Captain Vane continued to keep up the interest of theEskimos, and to increase their respect for the Kablunets, by graduallyunfoldingthevarioussourcesofpowerwhichwereathiscommand.He did this judiciously, just giving them a taste of themarvellous now andthen to whet their appetites. He was particularly careful, however not topractiseon their credulityor to passhimself off as a conjuror.HedistinctlystatedthatallhispowerswerederivedfromGod,theirfatherandhis,andthathe only excelled them in some matters because of having had betteropportunitiesofacquiringknowledge.Among other things, he effected an adaptation of his kites which producedresultssosurprisingthatwefeelboundtodescribethemparticularly.

Duringthewinterhefound,ashehadexpected,thattheaveragetemperatureatthePolewasnotnearlysocoldasthatexperiencedinlowerlatitudes.Asfarasmerefeelingwent,indeed,thecoldseemedsevereenough;neverthelessitwas not sufficiently intense to freeze the great ocean, which remained an“open basin” all the year round,a result which was doubtless owing to theupflowofthewarmunder-currentsfromtheequator,referredtoinapreviouschapter.This,however,didnotapplytothewaterslyingdirectlyaroundthePoloeandFlatlandgroups.Inthesearchipelagosthewatersbeingshallow,thefrostwasquite intenseenough tocool themto thebottom.Hence thesea immediatelyroundtheislandswascoveredwithathickcoatofsolidice,whichresembledin all respects theordinaryArctic sea-ice, beinghummocky in someplaces,comparativelysmooth inothers,witha strong iceberghereand therecaughtandimprisonedamongstit.AsthisicesurroundedallthePolarland,andstretchedouttoseafarbeyondthereachofvision, it followedthat therewas littleornodifferencebetweenthewinterexperienceofourdiscoverersandthatofallotherArcticvoyagers.This realmofwhatwemaystyle island-icestretchedaway,all round, in thedirection of the Arctic circle, getting thinner and thinner towards its outermargin,untilatlastitbecamesludgy,and,finally,meltedawayintotheopensea.This open sea, in its turn, stretched southward, all round, to the knownArctic regions.Thus theArcticbasinwasfound tobeazoneofopenwater,surroundedbyiceonthesouth,andwithapatchoficeandlandinitscentre.Now,itwasastrongdesireonthepartofCaptainVanetovisit thesouthernedgeof thiscentral ice-patchonwhichhedwelt, that inducedhimto try thekiteadaptationbeforereferredto.“Benjy,myboy,”saidhe,one finewinterday,when thegalaxyof stars, thefullmoon, andanunusuallybrilliant aurora,diffuseda strong lightover theundulationsofCupValley, “I have a notionof taking a trip to the s’uth’ardsoon.”“Whichs’uth’ardd’youthinkofgoingto,father?”askedtheboy.Incaseanyreadershouldhastilyexclaim,“Whataridiculousquestion;therecanbeonlyonesouthward!”webegleavetopointoutthatattheNorthPoleeverydirectionliestothesouthward,andthat,asthereisnecessarilynoeastorwestatall,thereisthereforenopossibilityofstatingbycompasstowhatpartof thesouthoneintends togo.Ofcourse itwasopento theCaptain tohavesaid he intended to descend south on one of the degrees of longitude, or

betweenanytwoofthem,andthen,immediatelyonquittingthePoletheoldfamiliareastandwestwould,asitwere,returntohim.Buthefounditmoreconvenient, on the whole, having got beyond all latitude, to indicate hisintendedroutebywell-knownobjectsoftheland.“I’mgoingtosteerforthestarboardsideofPoloeland,”hesaid,“payashortvisit toGrabantak andAmalatok in passing, and then carry on south to theopenwater.”“It’llbealongishtrip,father.”“Notsolongasyouexpect,myboy,forImeantogobyexpress.”Benjy’seyestwinkled,forheknewthatsomenewdevicewasworkinginhisfather’sbrain,whichbrainneverfailedtobringitsplanstomaturity.“Whatisittobe,father?”“Yougoandfetchtwoofthekites,Benjy,andyou’llsoonfindout.Overhaulthemwell and see that everything is taut and shipshape.LetButterfacehelpyou,andsendAlfandChingatoktome.IsupposeLeoisoffaftermusk-oxen,asusual.”“Yes;hepretends that thecampwantsa supplyof freshmeat.He’dpretendthatasanexcuseforhuntingevenifwewerealldyingofsurfeit.”SoonafterwardstheCaptainwasseen,followedbyhisusualcompanionsandacompanyofEskimos,draggingtwosledgestotheupperridgeofCupValley.Onesledgewaslightly,theotherheavily,laden.“You’vebroughtplentyofsupplies,Ihope,Alf?”askedtheleader.“Yes,enoughforthreeweeks.Willthatdo?”“Quiteenough,lad;butitmaynotbewanted,asI’mgoingsouthinadirectionwe’venotyettried,whereIexpecttofindtheopenwaterclosetous.It’swell,however,tohaveenoughofmeatatalltimes.”“No fear of its being toomuch, father,” saidBenjy. “WhenButterface goeswithus,athreeweeks’allowanceusuallydisappearsinafortnight.”“Nebbermind,Massa,”saidthenegroseriously.“You’veplentyfortreeweeksdistime,’causeI’soffmyfeed.GotPolardimspepsy,orsuffin’o’datsort,Itink.”“You’ve brought the electricalmachine, of course, and the dynamite, Alf?”askedtheCaptain.

“Of course. I never prepare for a tripwithout these.There’s no saying, yousee,whenwemayrequirethemeithertoblowupobstructionsorastonishthenatives.”“Thenativesarepastastonishingnow,”remarkedBenjy;“nothingshortofatenthousandjarbatterywouldastonishChingatok,andI’mquitesurethatyoucouldn’t rouse a sentiment of surprise in Oolichuk, unless you made himswallowadynamitecartridge,andblewhiminsideout.But,Isay,daddy,howlongareyougoingtokeepusinthedarkaboutyourplans?Don’tyouseethatweareinagoniesofsuspense?”“Only till we gain the ridge, Benjy. It will be down-hill after that, and thesnow-crustcomparativelysmoothaswellashard.”Arrived at the ridge, oneof thekiteswasunfolded and sent up.Thebreezewas steady, and sufficiently strong. It took twenty Eskimos to hold itwhenallowed full play, and even these it jerked about in a manner that highlydivertedthem.TheseEskimoswereveryfondofkite-flying,foritsownsake,withoutreferencetoutility!“I knew you were going to try it on the sledge,” exclaimed Benjy, withsparklingeyes.“Whydidyouaskmeaboutit,then?”returnedtheCaptain.“Doletmemakethefirsttrial,father!”CaptainVanewasfastening thedrag-line to theforepartof the lightsledge,andrefused,atfirst,tolistentotheboy’sentreaties,fearingthatsomeaccidentmightbefallhim.“YouknowhowaccustomedIamtomanagethekites,father.There’snottheleastfear;andI’llbesuperhumanlycautious.”There was no resisting Benjy’s tone and eyes. He was allowed to take hisplaceonthesledgeasmanager.Butterfacesatbehindtosteer.Steeringwastobemanagedbymeansofastoutpole,pressedvaryinglyonthesnowoneitherside.“Don’tgomorethanamileorso,myboy,”saidtheCaptain,inaserioustone.“It’s only a trial, you know. If it succeeds, we’ll divide the loading of thesledges,andmakeafairstartincompany.”Benjy promised to manipulate the check-string with care. The strugglingnativeswereorderedtoletthekitestraightentheslackofthelinegradually.

“Areyouready,Ben?”“Allright,father.”“Gotyourhandonthecheck-string?Mind,itwillpullhard.Nowletgo!”Thenatives obeyed.Benjy at the same instant hauled sharplyon the check-string, intending to tilt the kite well forward, and start in a slow, statelymanner,but therewasahitchof somesort somewhere, for the stringwouldnotact.Thekiteacted,however,withitsfullforce.Upwenttheforepartofthesledgeasitflewofflikeanarrowfromabow,causingButterfacetothrowabacksomersault,andleavinghimbehind.Benjyheldon to theheadof thesledge,andmadeviolentefforts tofree thecheck-string.Fortunately,thesurfaceofthesnowwassmooth.“Afterhim, lads,”roaredtheCaptain,settingabraveexample,andforsometimeheadingthenativesinthechase;butafewmomentssufficedtoprovethehopelessnessoftherace.TugasBenjywouldattheregulator,itrefusedtoact.Fortunately,beingmadeofsilk,itdidnotbreak.Bythistimethekitehadattaineditsmaximumspeed,equal,astheCaptainsaid,toatwenty-knotbreeze.Atfirstthesurfaceofthesnow was so smooth and hard, that Benjy, being busy with the obdurateregulator,didnotappreciatethespeed.Whenhegaveuphisattemptswitha sighofdespair,hehad leisure to lookaround him. The sledge was gliding on with railway speed. One or twosolitary hummocks that looked likewhite sentinels on the level plain,wentpast himwith an awful rush, and several undulations caused by snow-driftwerecrossedinalightleapwhichhebarelyfelt.Benjywasfullyawareofhisdanger.Tomeetwithahummocknobiggerthanawheelbarrow,would,inthecircumstances, have entailed destruction; he therefore seized a pole whichformedpartof thesledge-gear,and triedsteering. Itcouldbedone,butwithgreatdifficulty,ashehadtositinthefrontofthesledgetokeepitdown.Recklesslyjovial thoughhewas,theboycouldnotcontemplatehisprobablefatewithoutmisgiving.Nothingwasvisible inall thewhite illimitableplainsaveahummockhereandthere,withadistantbergonthehorizon.Hecouldnotexpectthelevelcharacteroftheicetoextendfar.Whitherwashegoing?Southheknew;butinthatdirection,hisfatherhadoftentoldhim,laytheopensea. Themoon seemed to smile on him; the aurora appeared to dancewithunwontedvigour,asifinglee;theverystarswinkedathim!

“Whatifachasmorabighummockshouldturnup?”thoughtBenjy.The thought seemed toproduce thedreadedobject, fornextmomenta largehummock appeared right ahead. Far away though it was, the awful pacebroughtitquicklynear.Thepoorboystruggledheabsolutelyagonisedwiththepole.Hiseffortsweresuccessful.Thehummockwentpastlikeameteor,butitwasahorriblycloseshave,andBenjy felthisverymarrowshrink,whilehedrewhimselfupintothesmallestpossiblecompasstoletitgoby.Abumpsoonaftertoldthattheicewasgettingmorerugged.Thenhesawaridge before him. Was it large or small? Distance, the uncertain light, andimagination,magnified it to a highwall; high as thewall ofChina. Inwildalarmourherotuggedattheregulator,buttuggedinvain.ThewallofChinawas upon himunder him. There was a crash. The sledge was in the air.Moments appeared minutes! Had the vehicle been suddenly furnished withwings?No!Another crash,which nearly shut up his spine like a telescope,told him that there were no wings. His teeth came together with a snap.Happily his tonguewas not between them!Happily, too, the sledge did notoverturn,butcontinueditsfuriousflight.“Oh,youvillain!”exclaimedBenjy,shakinghisfistattheairymonsterwhichwasthusdragginghimtodestruction.IfBenjyhadbeenasked to state the truth just then,hewouldhave found ithard to saywhether consternation or delightwere uppermost. Itwas such agloriousrush!Butthen,howwasit toend?Well,hedidnotdaretothinkofthat. Indeedhehadnot timeto think,for troublescamecrowdingonhim.Aviolent “swish!” and a sudden deluge told him that what he had taken forglassyicewasopenwater.Itwasonlyashallowpool,however.Nextmomenthewasacrossit,andbumpingviolentlyoverasurfaceofbrokenice.Thewater suggested the fear that hemust be nearing the open sea, and hebecame supernaturally grave. Fortunately, the last crash had been passedwithoutdislocatingthepartsofeithersledgeorrider.Alongstretchofsmoothicefollowed,overwhichheglidedwithever-increasingspeed.Thushe continued to rushover the frozen seaduring a considerablepart ofthatnight.PoorBenjy!hebecamehalf-madwithexcitementatlast.Theexaltationofhislittle spirit at the risky neck-or-nothing dash, coupled with horror at thecertaintyofaterribleclimax,wasalmosttoomuchforhim.Hegaveventtohisfeelingsinawildcheeroryell,and,justthen,beheldanicebergofunusualsize, loomingupon thehorizonbeforehim.Knowingbyexperience thathewould soonbe up to it, he used his polewith all hismight, hoping to steer

clearofit.Ashedrewnearer,hesawadarklineoneithersideoftheberg.Afeelingofdeadlyalarmfilledhim.Itwastheopensea!andhehadtochoosebetweenbeingplunged into itordashedagainst theberg. Itoccurred tohimthen, for the first time, that a third resourcewasopenhemight cut the rope,andletthekitegofree!Amazedathisstupidityinnotthinkingofthisbefore,hetookouthisclasp-knife,butbeforeapplyingit,madealastefforttomovethe regulator. Strange to say, the silken cord yielded to the first pull, as ifnothing had been wrong with it at all! The head of the runaway kite wasthrownforward,anditcamewaveringdownineccentricgyrations,whilethesledge gradually lost way, and came to a standstill not fifty yards from theberg.Up to this point what may be termed the northern island-ice continuedunbroken, but beyond the berg it was broken up into floes, and, not sixhundred yards out, it tailed away to the southward in what whalers termstream-ice.Thebergitselfwasobviouslyaground.ThefirstobjectthatmetBenjy’seyes,aftercomingtoahalt,wasanenormouspolar bear. This was no strange sight to the boy by that time, but it wasawkwardinthecircumstances,forhehadneithergunnorspear.EvenifhehadpossessedthelatterhewastooyoungandlighttocopesuccessfullywiththeshaggywhitekingofArcticbeasts.Fromtheattitudeoftheanimalitappearedtobewatchingsomething.Intruth,itwas so intently engagedwith a sleeping seal that it had not observed theapproachofthesledge.Profitingbythis,Benjyquietlymovedawayroundacolossalbuttressoftheberg,andtookrefugeinanice-cave.Butsuchrefuge,heknew,couldavailhimnothingifthebearshouldscenthimoutandsearchforhim.Lookinghastilyroundandupintothedarkbluecavern,heespiedaprojectingledgeoficeaboutthirteenfeetabovethelevelofthefloor.Onthisheresolvedtoperchhimself.Hisfirstcarewastoexaminethecontentsofthesledge.Wehavesaidithadbeenlightlyladenatstarting,whichwasthereasonofthetremendouspaceatwhichittravelled.Althoughtherewasneitherspearnorgun,theanxiousboywassomewhatcomfortedtofindanaxestrappedinitsaccustomedplace;alsoablanket,sleeping-bag,andmusk-oxskin,besidesamassoffrozenblubber,but therewas nothing else of an eatable nature. Therewas, however, a boxcontaining the captain’s sextant, the electrical machine, and a packet ofdynamitecartridges.Regardingtheselatterobjectswithasighofdisappointment,Benjyseizedtheaxe and hastened towards the ledge of ice, muttering to himself in aconfidentialtone

“Yousee,oldboy,ifthatbeartakesafancytocallonyou,itwillbeaswelltobe able to say, ‘Not at home,’ for he couldmake short work of you,muchthough you think of yourself. Yes, this ledge is high enough to bid youdefiance, mister bear, and it’s long and broad enough to hold me and mybelongings.Theknobsbywhich to climb to it, too, are easytoo easybut I’llsoonrectifythat.Now,then,lookalive,Benjy,boy,forifthatbeardon’tcatchthatsealhe’llbesuretolookyouup.”Ceasingtospeak,heactivelyconveyedthecontentsofthesledgetohisshelfofrefuge.Thenhecutawaytheknobsbywhichheclimbedtoit,until therewasbarelysufficientforhisowntinytoestoreston.Thatdone,hewenttothemouthofthecaverntolookabouthim.What he saw there may be guessed from the fact that he returned nextmoment, runningat full speed, stumblingover ice lumps,bumpinghisshinsandknees,droppinghisaxe,andlaceratinghisknuckles.Hehadmetthebear!Needweaddthathegainedhisperchwiththeagilityofatree-squirrel!Thebear, surprised,nodoubt,butobviously sulky from the lossof the seal,entered the cave sedatelywith an inquiring look. It sawBenjy at once, andmadeprodigiouseffortstogetathim.Asthemonsterroseonitshindlegsandreached its paws towards his shelf, the poor boy’s spirit seemed to melt,indeedhiswhole interior felt as if reduced to awarm fluid,while a pricklyheatbrokeoutathisextremities,perspirationbeadedhisbrow,andhisheartappearedtohavesettledpermanentlyinhisthroat.These distressing symptoms did not, however, last long, for he quicklyperceivedthatthebear’sutmoststretchdidnotreachnearerthanthreeorfourfeetofhim.Someofthealarmreturned,however,whenthecreatureattemptedtoclimbupbyhisownladder.Sevenoreighttimesitmadetheattempt,whiletheboywatchedinbreathlessanxiety,buteachtimeitslippedwhenhalf-wayup,andfellwithasoftheavythudontheicebelow,whichcausedittogaspand cough. Then it sat down on its haunches and gazed at its little foemalignantly.“Bah!youbrute!”exclaimedBenjy,whosecouragewasreturning,“I’mnotabitafraidofyou!”Heleantagainstthewallofhisrefuge,notwithstandingthisboast,andlickedtheicetomoistenhisparchedlips.Afterarestthebearmadeanothertrial,andtwiceitsucceededinplantingtheclaws of one huge paw on the edge of the shelf, butBenjy placed his heelagainsttheclaws,thrustthemoff,andsentthebeardowneachtimehowlingwithdisappointment.

Sailing softly among the constellations in the aurora-lighted sky, the moonsentabrightrayintothecavern,whichgleamedonthemonster’swickedeyesandglistening teeth;butBenjyhadbegun to feelcomparativelysafeby thattime,andwasbecoming“himselfagain.”“Don’tyouwishyoumaygetme?”heaskedinadesperatelyfacetiousspirit.Thebearmadeno reply,but turned toexamine thecontentsof the ice-cave.Firsthewenttothehatchetandsmelt it.Indoingsohecuthisnose.Withagrowlhegavetheweaponanangrypat,andinsodoingcuthistoes.Wefearthat Benjy rejoiced at the sight of blood, for he chuckled and made thesarcasticremark,“Thatcomesoflosingyourtemper,oldfellow!”That bear either understood English, or the very sound of the human voicecauseditirritation,foritturnedandrushedattheice-ledgewithsuchfurythatBenjy’s heart again leaped into his throat. He had, however, recoveredsufficientlytoenablehimtoactwithpromptitudeanddiscretion.Sittingdownwithhisrightfootready,andhishandsrestingfirmlyontheicebehindhim,hepreparedtoreceivethechargeintheonlyavailablemanner.Sofiercewasthe onset that the monster ran up the ice-cliff like a cat, and succeeded infixing the terrible claws of both feet on the edge of the shelf, but the boydeliveredhisrightheelwithsuchforcethattheleftpawslippedoff.Theleftheel followed like lightning, and the right paw also slipped, letting the bearagainfallheavilyontheicebelow.This was more than even a bear could bear. He rushed savagely about thecavern,growlinghideously,dashingthesledgeaboutasifithadbeenameretoy, and doing all the mischief he could, yet always avoiding the axe withparticular carethus showing that polar bears, not less than men, are quiteawaketopersonaldanger,evenwhensupposedtobeblindwithrage!Atlasthelaydowntorecoverhimself,andlickhisbloodynoseandpaw.WhileBenjy sat contemplating this creature, andwonderingwhatwas tobethe end of it all, a bright idea occurred to him. He rose quickly, took theelectricalmachineoutofitsbox,andhappilyfoundittobeingoodworkingorderthanks toAlf,whohadspecialchargeof thescientific instruments,andpridedhimselfonthecarewithwhichheattendedtothem.Thebearwatchedhimnarrowlywithitswickedlittleeyes,thoughitdidnotseefit toceaseitspaw-licking.Having arranged themachine, Benjy took the two handles in his left hand,pressedhiskneeontheboardoftheinstrumenttoholditsteady,andwithhisrighthandcausedit torevolve.Thenhehelddownthehandlesasif invitingthebeartocomeandtakethem.

Thechallengewasacceptedatonce.Bruincanteredup,roseonhishindlegs,andstretchedhisneck to itsutmost,butcouldnot reach thehandles, thoughtheboystretcheddownwardasfaraspossibletoaccommodatehim.Thedirty-whitemonsterwhinedandsnickeredwithintensefeelingatthusfindingitselfsonear,andyetsofar,fromtheattainmentofitsobject.Sympathisingwithitsdesires,Benjychangedhisposture,andmanagedjusttotouch the nose of his enemy. The bear shrank back with a sort of gasp,appalledatleastshockedbytheresult!Afteralittle,notfeelingmuchtheworseforit,thebrutereturnedasiftoinviteanotherelectricshockperhapswithsomesinister design in view.But another and a brighter idea had enteredBenjy’sbrain.Insteadofgivingthebearashock,hetoreoffasmallbitofseal-blubberfromthemassathisside,whichhedroppedintoitsmouth.Itswallowedthatmorsel with satisfaction, and waited for more. Benjy gave it more. Still itwantedmore.“You shall have it,my boy,” said Benjy, whose eyes assumed that peculiarglareofgleewhichalwayspresagedsomedesperateintention.Heopenedanothersmallbox,andfoundwhathewanted.Itwasasmallobjectscarcely a couple of inches in length. He fastened the wires of the electricmachinequicklytoit,andthenimbeddeditinasmallpieceofblubberwhichhelowered,asbefore,tothebear.“You’ll probably break the wires or smash the machine, but I’ll risk that,”mutteredBenjythroughhissetteeth.“Ionlyhopeyouwon’tchewit,becausedynamitemayn’tbepalatable.Theredownwithit!”Thebearhappilyboltedthemorsel.Thewiresseemedtoperplexhimalittle,butbeforehehadtimetoexaminethemystery,theboygavetheinstrumentafuriousturn.Instantlytherewasastupendouscrashlikeaverythunderbolt.Thebearburstlikeanoverchargedcannon!Benjyandthebergcollided,andatthatmomenteverythingseemedtotheformertovanishawayinsmoke,leavingnotevenawrackbehind!

ChapterThirty.LeoinDangernext!ANovelModeofRescue.

Whenthecatastrophedescribedinthelastchapteroccurred,CaptainVaneandhisfriends,followinghardontheheelsoftherunaway,chancedtobewithintwomilesoftheberginthebosomofwhichBenjyhadfoundrefuge.

“There he is!” shouted the Captain joyfully, as the flash of the explosionreachedhiseyesandtheroarofthereporthisears.“Blessedevidence!He’suptomischiefofsomesortstill,andthat’sproofpositivethathe’salive.”“But he may have perished in this piece of mischief,” said Alf, anxiouslyglancing up at the kite,whichwas dragging the heavily-laden sledge ratherslowlyovertheroughice.“Ihopenot,Alf.Shaketheregulator,Butterface,andseethatit’sclear.”“Allright,Massa.Steam’sondeberrystrongestwhat’spossible.”“Heavesomeo’thecargooverboard,Alf.Wemustmakehaste.Notthemeat,lad,notthemeat;everythingelsebeforethat.So.Mindyourhelm,Chingatok;she’llsteerwildishwhenlightened.”CaptainVanewasright.WhenAlfhadtumbledsomeoftheheavierportionsofladingoffthesledge,itburstawaylikeawild-horseletgofree,renderingitdifficultatfirstforChingatoktosteadyit.Inafewminutes,however,hehaditagainundercontrol,andtheysoonreachedtheberg.“Thedynamitemusthavegoneoffby accident,” said theCaptain toAlf, astheystumbledovermassesoficewhichtheexplosionhadbroughtdownfromthe roof of the cavern. “It’s lucky it didn’t happen in summer, else thebergmighthavebeenblowntoatoms.Hallo!what’sthis?Bitsofapolarbear,Idobelieveandwhat!notBenjy!”Itwas indeedBenjy, flat on his back like a spread-eagle, and coveredwithbloodandbrains;buthisappearancewastheworstofhiscase,thoughittookaconsiderabletimetoconvincehishorrifiedfriendsofthatfact.“ItellyouI’mallright,father,”saidthepoorboy,onrecoveringfromthestateofinsensibilityintowhichhisfallhadthrownhim.“But you’re covered from head to foot with blood,” exclaimed the anxiousfather, examining him all over, “though I can’t find a cut of any sort aboutyouonlyoneortwobruises.”“You’ll find a bumpon the top ofmy head, father, the size of a cocoa-nut.That’swhatknockedthesensesouto’me,butthebloodandbrainsbelongtothebear.Ilaynoclaimtothem.”“Whereisthebear?”askedAlf,lookinground.“Whereishe?”echoedBenjy,burstingintoawildlaugh.

“Oh!MassaBenjy,don’tlaugh,”saidButterfacesolemnly;“youhabnonotionwotaawfullookyougotwhenyoulaughwidsitchabloodyface.”ThismadeBenjy laughmore than ever.Hismirthbecamecatching, and thenegro’ssolemnvisagerelaxedintoanirrepressiblegrin.“Oh,youjapan-jawedporpoise!”criedBenjy,“youshouldhaveseenthatbeargo offwith such a crack too! I only wish I’d been able to hold up for twoseconds longer to see it properly, butmy shelfwent down, and I had to goalongwithit.Blowntobits!Nohewasblowntoathousandatoms!Count’emifyoucan.”AgainBenjyburstintouproariouslaughter.There was indeed some ground for the boy’s way of putting the case. Thecolossalcreaturehadbeensoterriblyshatteredbythedynamitecartridge,thattherewasscarcelyapieceofhimlargerthanaman’shandlefttotellthetale.“Well,well,”said theCaptain,assistinghisson torise,“I’mthankful it’snoworse.”“Worse, father! why, it couldn’t be worse, unless, indeed, his spirit werebroughtaliveagainandallowedtocontemplatethehumblingconditionofhisbody.”“I don’t refer to the bear, Benjy, but to yourself, lad.Youmight have beenkilled,youknow,andI’mverythankfulyouwerenotthoughyouhalf-deserveto be. But come, we must encamp here for the night and return home to-morrow,forthewindhasbeenshiftingalittle,andwillbefavourable,Ithink,inthemorning.”The wind was indeed favourable next morning, we may say almost toofavourable,foritblewastiffbreezefromthesouth,whichsteadilyincreasedtoagaleduringtheday.Afterwardstheskybecameovercastandthedarknessintense,renderingitnecessarytoattendtothekite’sregulatorwiththeutmostcare,andadvancewiththegreatestcaution.Now,while the Captain and his friendswere struggling back to their Polarhome, Leo Vandervell happened to be caught by the same gale when outhunting. Being of a bold, sanguine, and somewhat reckless disposition, thisNimrodofthepartypaidlittleattentiontotheweatheruntilitbecamedifficulttowalkandnexttoimpossibletosee.Then,havingshotnothingthatday,heturnedtowardsthePolewithafeelingofdisappointment.But when the gale increased so that he could hardly face it, and the sky

becameobliteratedbyfallinganddriftingsnow,disappointmentgaveplacetoanxiety,andhesoonrealisedthefactthathehadlosthisdirection.Toadvanceinsuchcircumstanceswasoutofthequestion,hethereforesetaboutbuildingaminiaturehutofsnow.Beingbythattimeexpertatsuchmasonry,hesoonerectedadome-shapedshelter,inwhichhesatdownonhisemptygame-bagafterclosingtheentrancewithablockofhardsnow.Thepositionofourhunterwasnotenviable.Thehutwasbarelyhighenoughto lethimsitup,and longenoughto lethimliedownnot tostretchout.Thesmall allowanceofpemmicanwithwhichhehad set outhad longagobeenconsumed.Itwassodarkthathecouldnotseehishandwhenclosebeforehiseyes.Hewassomewhatfatiguedandrathercold,andhadnowatertodrink.ItwasdepressingtothinkofgoingtobedinsuchcircumstanceswiththeyellingofanArcticstormforalullaby.However,Leohadabuoyantspirit,andresolvedto“makethebestofit.”Firstof all he groped in his game-bag for a small stove lamp, which he set upbeforehim,andarrangedblubberandawickinit,usingthesenseoftouchindefault of sight. Then he struck a light, but not with matches. TheEnglishmen’s small stock of congreves had long since been exhausted, andtheywereobligedtoprocurefirebytheEskimomethod,namely,alittlepieceofwoodworkedlikeadrill,withathongofleather,againstanotherpieceofwooduntilthefrictionproducedfire.Whenalighthadbeenthuslaboriouslyobtained, he applied it to the wick of his lamp, and wished fervently forsomethingtocook.Itisproverbialthatwishingdoesnotusuallyachievemuch.Afteradeepsigh,therefore,Leoturnedhiswalletinsideout.Besidesafewcrumbs,itcontainedasmalllumpofnarwhalblubberandalittlepacket.Theformer,initsfrozenstate,somewhat resembledhardbutter.The lattercontaineda littlecoffeenotthegenuinearticle,however.That, like thematches,hadlongagobeenusedup,andourdiscovererswerereducedtoroastedbiscuit-crumbs.Thesubstitutewasnotbad!Insideofthecoffee-packetwasasmallerpacketofbrownsugar,butithadburstandalloweditscontentstominglewiththecoffee.Rejoicedtofindevenalittlefoodwherehehadthoughttherewasnone,Leofilled his pannikin with snow, melted it, emptied into it the compound ofcoffeeandsugar,putitonthelamptoboil,andsatdowntowatch,whileheslowlyconsumed thenarwhalbutter, listening thewhile to thesimmeringofthepannikinandtheroaringofthegale.Afterhismeagremealhewrappedhimselfinhisblanket,andwenttosleep.Thiswasallverywellaslongasitlasted,buthecooledduringthenight,and,

onawakinginthemorning,foundthatkeenfrostpenetratedeveryfibreofhisgarmentsandeveryporeofhisskin.Thestorm,however,wasover;themoonand stars were shining in a clear sky, and the aurora was dancing merrily.Risingatoncehebundleduphistraps,threwthelineofhissmallhand-sledgeoverhisshoulder,andsteppedout forhome.Butcoldandwantof foodhadbeentellingonhim.Hesoonexperiencedanunwontedsenseoffatigue,thenadrowsysensationcameoverhim.Leo was well aware of the danger of giving way to drowsiness in suchcircumstances, yet, strange to say, he was not in the least afraid of beingovercome.Hewouldsitdowntorest,justfortwominutes,andthenpushon.He smiled, as he sat down in the crevice of a hummock, to think of thefrequentandneedlesscautionswhichhisunclehadgivenhimagainstthisverything.Thesmilewasstillonhislipswhenhisheaddroopedonapieceofice,andhesankintoadeepslumber.Ah,LeonardVandervell!illwouldithavebeenfortheeifthouhadstbeenlefttothyselfthatday;butsharpeyesandanxiousheartswereoutontheicywasteinsearchofthee!Onarrivingathiswinterquarters,andlearningthatLeohadnotyetreturned,CaptainVaneatonceorganisedanelaboratesearch-expedition.ThemanwhofoundhimatlastwasButterface.“Oh, Massa Leo!” exclaimed that sable creature on beholding the youthseated,whiteandcold,onthehummock;buthesaidnomore,beingfullyalivetothedangerofthesituation.Rushing at Leo, he seized and shook him violently, as if he had been hisbitterest foe. There was no response from the sleeping man. The negrothereforebegantochafe,shake,andkickhim;eventoslaphisface,andyellintohisears inawaythatanignorantobserverwouldhavestyledbrutal.Atlasttherewasasymptomofreturningvitalityinthepooryouth’sframe,andthenegroredoubledhisefforts.“Ho!hallo!MassaLeo,wakeup!You’sdyin’,youis!”“Whywhat’sthematterButterf”mutteredLeo,anddroppedhisheadagain.“Hi! hello! ho–o–o!” yelled Butterface, renewing the rough treatment, andfinallyhittingtheyouthasoundingslapontheear.“Ha!Ibetinkdatvakesyouup.”Itcertainlydidwakehimup.Aburstofindignationwithinseemedtodomore

forhimthantheoutwardbuffetings.HeshuthisfistandhitButterfaceaweakbutwellintendedright-handeronthenose.Thenegrorepliedwithasoundingslapontheotherear,whichinducedLeotograsphiminhisarmsandtrytothrow him. Butterface returned the grasp with interest, and soon quite aninteresting wrestling match began, the only witness of which sat on aneighbouringhummockintheformofamelancholyArcticfox.“Hi!holdon,MassaLeo!Don’tkillmealtogidder,”shoutedButterface,ashefellbeneathhisadversary.“You’sa’mostrightnow.”“Almostright!whatdoyoumean?”“Imeandat you’sbin a’most froze todeaf, but I’smeltedyoudown to lifeagin.”Thetruthatlastbegantodawnontheyounghunter.Afterabriefexplanation,heandthenegrowalkedhometogetherinperfectharmony.

ChapterThirtyOne.TheLast.

In course of time the long and drearywinter passed away, and signs of thecomingspringbegantomanifestthemselvestothedwellersinthePolarlands.Chiefandmostmusicalamongthesesignswere thealmostforgottensoundsof dropping water, and tinkling rills. One day in April the thermometersuddenly rose to eighteen above the freezing-point of Fahrenheit. CaptainVane came from the observatory, his face blazingwith excitement and oilywithheat,toannouncethefact.“Thataccountsforitfeelingsolikesummer,”saidBenjy.“Summer, boy, it’s like India,” returned the Captain, puffing and fanninghimself with his cap. “We’ll begin this very day to make arrangements forreturninghome.”Itwas on the evening of that day that they heard the first droppings of themeltingsnow.Longbeforethat,however, thesunhadcomebacktogladdenthe Polar regions, and break up the reign of ancient night.His departure inautumnhadbeensogradual, that itwasdifficult tosaywhennightbegantoovercometheday.So,inlikemanner,hisreturnwasgradual.ItwasnotuntilCaptain Vane observed stars of the sixth magnitude shining out at noon inNovember, that he had admitted the total absence of day; andwhen springreturned,itwasnotuntilhecouldreadthesmallestprintatmidnightinJunethatheadmittedtherewas“nonightthere.”

But neither the continual day of summer, nor the perpetual night ofwinter,madesodeepanimpressiononourexplorersasthegushingadventofspring.Thatseasondidnotcomegraduallybacklikethelight,butrusheduponthemsuddenly with a warm embrace, like an enthusiastic friend after a longabsence.Itplunged,asitwere,upontheregion,andoverwhelmedit.Gushingwatersthrilledtheearswiththesweetnessofanoldfamiliarsong.Exhalationsfromthemoistenedearth,and,soonafter,thescentofawakeningvegetation,filled the nostrils with delicious fragrance. In May, the willow-stems weregreenand freshwith flowingsap.Flowersbegan tobudmodestly, as ifhalfafraid of having come too soon. But there was no cause to fear that. Theglorioussunwasstronginhismight,and,likehisMaker,warmedthenorthernworld into exuberant life.Mosses, poppies, saxifrages, cochlearia, andotherhardyplantsbegantosprout,andmigratorybirdsinnumerablescreamingterns,cacklingduck,pipingplover,auksindensecloudswithloudlywhirringwings,trumpetinggeese,eider-ducks,burgomasters,etcetera,begantoreturnwithallthenoisybustleandjoyousexcitementofafamilyonitsannualvisittomuch-lovedsummerquarters.Butherewemustnoteadifferencebetween theexperienceofourexplorersandthatofallothers.Thesemyriadsofhappycreaturesandmanyothersthatwe have not space to namedid not pass from the south onward to a stillremoternorth,butcameupfromallroundthehorizon,upallthemeridiansoflongitude, as on somany railway lines converging at the Pole, and settlingdownforaprolonged residence ingarrulous felicityamong the swampsandhillsandvalesofFlatland.Truly it was a most enjoyable season and experience, but there is no joywithoutitsalleyherebelownotevenattheNorthPole!ThealloycameintheformofalowfeverwhichsmotedownthestalwartLeo,reduced his great strength seriously, and confined him formanyweeks to acouchin their littlestonehut,and,ofcourse, thepowerofsympathyrobbedhis companions of much of that exuberant joy which they shared with theloweranimalsattheadventofbeautifulspring.DuringtheperiodofhisillnessLeo’schiefnurse,comforter,andphilosophicalcompanion, was the giant of the North. And one of the subjects whichoccupied theirmindsmost frequentlywas theWord ofGod. In the days ofweaknessandsufferingLeotooktothatgreatsourceofcomfortwiththirstingavidity,andintensewashisgratificationat theeagerdesireexpressedbythegianttohearandunderstandwhatitcontained.Of course Alf, and Benjy, and the Captain, and Butterface, as well as

Grabantak, Makitok, and Amalatok, with others of the Eskimos, werefrequentlybyhisside,butthegiantneverlefthimformorethanabriefperiod,nightorday.“Ah!Chingatok,”saidLeooneday,when the returningspringhadbegun torevivehisstrength,“IneverfeltsuchaloveforGod’sBookwhenIwaswellandstrongasI feel for itnowthat Iamill,andI little thought that Ishouldfindout somuchof itsvaluewhile talkingabout it toanEskimo. I shallbesorrytoleaveyou,Chingatokverysorry.”“TheyoungKablunetisnotyetgoingtodie,”saidthegiantinasoftvoice.“Ididnotmeanthat,”repliedLeo,withtheghostofhisformerheartylaugh;“ImeanthatIshallbeobligedtoleaveFlatlandandtoreturntomyownhomeassoonastheseasonpermits.CaptainVanehasbeentalkingtomeaboutit.He is anxious now to depart, yet sorry to leave his kind and hospitablefriends.”“I,too,amsorry,”returnedChingatoksadly.“NomoreshallIhearfromyourlipsthesweetwordsofmyGreatFatherthestoryofJesus.Youwilltakeyourbookawaywithyou.”“Thatistrue,myfriend;anditwouldbeuselesstoleavemyBiblewithyou,asyoucouldnotreadit,butthetruthwillremainwithyou,Chingatok.”“Yes,”repliedthegiantwithasignificantsmile,“youcannottakethataway.Itis hereand here.”He touched his forehead and breast as he spoke. Then hecontinued:“These strange things that Alf has been trying to teachme during the longnightsIhavelearnedIunderstand.”HereferredheretoasyllabicalphabetwhichAlfhadinvented,andwhichhehad amused himself by teaching to some of the natives, so that theymightwritedownandreadthosefewwordsandmessagesintheirowntonguewhichformerlytheyhadbeenwont toconveytoeachotherbymeansofsignsandrudedrawingsafterthemannerofmostsavages.“Well,whataboutthat?”askedLeo,ashiscompanionpaused.“Couldnotmyfriend,”repliedChingatok,“changesomeofthewordsofhisbookintothelanguageoftheEskimoandmarkthemdown?”Leoatoncejumpedattheidea.AfterwardshespoketoAlfaboutit,andthetwosettoworktotranslatesomeofthemostimportantpassagesofScripture,andwritethemdowninthesyllablealphabet.Forthispurposetheyconverted

a sealskin into pretty fair parchment, andwrotewith the inkwhichCaptainVanehadbroughtwithhimandcarefullyhusbanded.Theoccupationprovedabeneficial stimulus to the invalid, who soon recoveredmuch of his wontedhealth, and even began again to wander about with his old companion therepeatingrifle.The last event of interest which occurred at the North Pole, before thedepartureofourexplorers,wasthemarriageofOolichukwithOblooria.Theceremonywasverysimple.Itconsistedinthebridegroomdressinginhisbestandgoingtothetentofhisfather-in-lawwithagift,whichhelaidathisfeet.He thenpaidsomeendearingEskimoattentions tohismother-in-law,oneofwhich was to present her with a raw duck, cleaned and dismembered forimmediate consumption. He even assisted that pleased lady immediately toconsume theduck, andwoundupby taking timid littleOblooria’shandandleading her away to a hut of his own, which he had specially built anddecoratedfortheoccasion.As Amalatok had arrived that very day on a visit from Poloeland with hisprimeminister and several chiefs, and Grabantak was residing on the spot,withanumberofchiefsfromthesurroundingislands,whohadcometobeholdthefamousKablunets,therewasasortofimpromptugatheringofthenorthernclanswhichlentappropriatedignitytothewedding.After the preliminary feast of the occasion was over, Captain Vane wasrequestedtoexhibitsomeofhiswonderfulpowersforthebenefitofastrangechief who had recently arrived from a distant island. Of course our good-naturedCaptaincomplied.“Getout theboatsandkites,Benjy,boy,”hesaid;“wemustgo throughourperformances toplease’em.I feelas ifwewerearegularcompanyofplay-actorsnow.”“Won’tyougivethemablow-upfirst,father?”“No, Benjy, no. Never put your best foot foremost. The proverb is a falseoneas many proverbs are.We will dynamite them afterwards, and electrifythemlastofall.Go,looksharp.”SotheCaptainfirstamazedthevisitorwiththekitesandindia-rubberboats;thenhehorrifiedhimbyblowingasmall icebergofsome thousandsof tonsintomillionsofatoms;afterwhichheconvulsedhimandmadehim“jump.”The latter experimentwas theone towhich theenlightenedEskimos lookedforwardwiththemostexcitedandhopefulanticipations,foritwasthatwhichgratifiedbesttheirfeelingofmischievousjoviality.

When the sedate anddignified chiefwas led, all ignorant of his fate, to themysterious mat, and stood thereon with grave demeanour, the surroundingnatives bent their knees, drew up elbows, expanded fingers, and glared inexpectancy.When thedignifiedchiefexperienceda tremorof the frameandlooked surprised, they grinned with satisfaction; when he quiveredconvulsively they also quivered with suppressed emotion. Ah! Benjy hadlearnedbythattimefromexperiencetograduateverydelicatelyhisshockingscale,andthusleadhisvictimstepbystepfrombadtoworse,soastosqueezetheutmostamountoffunoutofhim,beforeinducingthatgalvanicwar-dancewhichusuallyterminatedthesceneandthrewhisaudienceintofitsofecstaticlaughter.These were the final rejoicings of the wedding dayif we except a dance inwhicheverymandidwhatseemedbestinhisowneyes,andButterfaceplayedreelsontheflutewithadmirableincapacity.Buttherecameaday,atlast,whentheinhabitantsofFlatlandwerefarindeedremovedfromthespiritofmerriment.Itwas theheightof theArctic summer-time,when thecrashingof thegreatglaciersand thegleamingof themeltingbergs toldof rapiddissolution,andthesleeplesssunwascirclingitsday-and-nightlycourseintheever-brightbluesky. The population of Flatlandwas assembled on the beach of their nativeislethemenwithdowncast looks, thewomenwithsadandtearfuleyes.Twoindia-rubber boats were on the shore. Two kites were flying overhead. Thethird boat and kite had been damaged beyond repair, but the two left weresufficient. The Englishmen were about to depart, and the Eskimos wereinconsolable.“Myboatisontheshore,”SaidBenjy,quotingByron,asheshookoldMakitokbythehand“Andmykiteisinthesky,ButbeforeIgo,ofmore,Iwillbidyouallgood-b”Benjybrokedownatthispoint.Thefeebleattempttobefacetioustothelastutterlyfailed.TurningabruptlyonhisheelhesteppedintotheFaithandtookhisseatinthestern.ItwastheHopewhichhadbeendestroyed.TheFaithandCharitystillremainedtothem.

We must draw a curtain over that parting scene. Never before in humanexperience had such a display of kindly feeling and profound regret beenwitnessedinsimilarcircumstances.“Letgothetail-ropes!”saidCaptainVaneinahuskytone.“Letgoderopes,”echoedButterfaceinabrokenvoice.Theropeswereletgo.Thekitessoared,andtheboatsrushedswiftlyoverthecalmandglitteringsea.Onnearing one of the outer islands the voyagers knew that their tiny boatswouldsoonbeshutoutfromview,andtheyrosetowavealastfarewell.Thesalutewas returnedby theEskimoswithespecial fervourbyChingatok,whostoodhighabovehisfellowsonapromontory,andwavedtheparchmentrolloftextswhichhegraspedinhishugerighthand.Longaftertheboatshaddisappeared,thekitescouldstillbeseenamongthegorgeous clouds. Smaller and smaller they became in their flight to themysterious south, until at last they seemed undistinguishable specks on thehorizon,andthenvanishedaltogetherfromview.OnebyonetheEskimosretiredtotheirhomesslowlyandsadly,asifloathtopartfromthescenewherethewordfarewellhadbeenspoken.AtlastallweregonesaveChingatok,whostillstoodforhoursonthepromontory,pressingthescroll to his heaving chest, and gazing intently at the place on the horizonwherehisfriendshaddisappeared.Therewasnonight tobringhisvigilorhismeditations to a close,but timeworehimoutatlast.Withasigh,amountingalmosttoagroan,heturnedandwalkedslowlyaway,anddidnotstopuntilhestooduponthePole,wherehesatdownononeoftheCaptain’sstools,andgazedmournfullyattheremainsof the dismantled observatory.There hewas foundby oldMakitok, and forsometimethegiantandthewizardheldconversetogether.“IlovetheseKablunets,”saidChingatok.“Theyareastrangerace,”returnedthewizard.“Theyminglemuchfollywiththeirwisdom.Theycomehere to find thisNortPole, thisnothing, and theyfindit.Thentheygoawayandleaveit!Whatgoodhasitdonethem?”“I know not,” repliedChingatok humbly, “but I know not everything. Theyhaveshowedmemuch.OnethingtheyhaveshowedmethatbehindallthingsthereissomethingelsewhichIdonotsee.TheKablunetsarewonderfulmen.YetIpitythem.AsBlackbeardhassaid,someofthemaretoofondofkilling

themselves, and some are too fond of killing each other. Iwish theywouldcome herethe whole nation of themand learn how to live in peace and behappyamongtheEskimos.But theywillnotcome.Onlyafewof theirbestmenventuretocome,andIshouldnotwonderiftheircountrymenrefusedtobelievethehalfofwhattheytellthemwhentheygethome.”OldMakitokmade no reply.Hewas puzzled, andwhen puzzled he usuallyretiredtohishutandwenttobed.Doingsoonthepresentoccasionhelefthiscompanionalone.“Poor,poorKablunets,”murmuredChingatok,descendingfromhisposition,andwanderingawaytowardstheoutskirtsofthevillage.“Youareveryclever,butyouaresomewhatfoolish.Ipityyou,butIalsoloveyouwell.”Withhisgrandheaddown,hisarmscrossed,andthescrolloftextspressedtohis broad bosom, the Giant of the North wandered away, and finallydisappearedamongthefloweringandrockyuplandsoftheinterior.

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