 Part 1. The only one of the four windows, through which it was possible to look into the court of the fort, was that opening at the end of the entrance passage. The outside shutters had not been closed, but before it could be seen through it had to be washed with boiling water, as the panes were covered with a thick coating of ice. This was done several times a day by the lieutenant's orders, when the districts surrounding the fort were carefully examined, and the state of the sky and of the alcohol thermometer placed outside were accurately noted. On the 6th January, towards eleven o'clock in the morning, Kele, whose turn it was to look out, suddenly called the sergeant, and pointed to some moving masses indistinctly visible in the gloom. Long, approaching the window, observed quietly, they are bears. In fact half a dozen of these formidable animals had succeeded in getting over the palisades, and, attracted by the smoke from the chimneys, were advancing upon the house. On hearing of the approach of the bears, Hobbson at once ordered the window of the passage to be barricaded inside. It was the only unprotected opening in the house, and when it was secured it appeared impossible for the bears to effect an entrance. The window was, therefore, quickly closed up with bars, which the carpenter McNabb wedged firmly in, leaving a narrow slit through which to watch the movements of the unwelcome visitors. Now, observed the head carpenter, these gentlemen can't get in without our permission, and we can have time to hold a council of war. "'Well, Lieutenant,' exclaimed Mrs. Barnett, nothing has been wanting to our northern winter, after the cold come the bears.' "'Not after,' replied the Lieutenant, but, which is a serious matter, with the cold, and a cold so intense that we cannot venture outside. I really don't know how we shall get rid of those tiresome brutes.' "'I suppose they will soon get tired of prowling about,' said the lady, and return as they came.' Hobbson shook his head, as if he had his doubts. "'You don't know these animals, madam. They are famished with hunger, and will not go until we make them.' "'Are you anxious, then?' "'Yes and no,' replied the Lieutenant. I don't think the bears will get in, but neither do I see how we can get out. Should it become necessary for us to do so?' With these words, Hobbson turned to the window, and Mrs. Barnett joined the other women who had gathered round the sergeant, and were listening to what he had to say about the bears. He spoke like a man well up in his subject, for he had had many an encounter with these formidable, carnivorous creatures, which are often met with even towards the south, where, however, they can be safely attacked. Whilst here the siege would be a regular blockade, for the cold would quite prevent any attempt at a sortie. Throughout the whole day the movements of the bears were attentively watched. Every now and then one of them would lay his great head against the window-pane, and an ominous growl was heard. The Lieutenant and Sergeant Long took counsel together, and it was agreed that if their enemies showed no sign of beating a retreat they would drill a few loopholes in the walls of the house and fire at them. But it was decided to put off this desperate measure for a day or two, as it was desirable to avoid giving access to the outer air. The inside temperature being already far too low. The walrus oil to be burnt was frozen so hard that it had to be broken up with hatchets. The day passed without any incident. The bears went and came, prowling round the house, but attempting no direct attack. Watch was kept all night, and at four o'clock in the morning they seemed to have left the court. At any rate they were nowhere to be seen. But about seven o'clock Marlborough went up to the loft to fetch some provisions, and on his return announced that the bears were walking about on the roof. Hobbson, the Sergeant, McNabb, and two or three soldiers seized their arms and rushed to the ladder in the passage, which communicated with the loft by a trapdoor. The cold was, however, so intense in the loft that the men could not hold the barrels of their guns, and their breath froze as it left their lips, and floated about them as snow. Marlborough was right. The bears were all on the roof, and the sound of their feet and their growls could be distinctly heard. Their great claws caught in the laze of the roof beneath the ice, and there was some danger that they might have sufficient strength to tear away the woodwork. The lieutenant and his men, becoming giddy and faint from the intense cold, were soon obliged to go down, and Hobbson announced the state of affairs in as hopeful a tone as he could assume. The bears, he said, are now upon the roof. We ourselves have nothing to fear, as they can't get into our rooms. But they may force an entrance to the loft, and devour the furs stowed away there. Now these furs belong to the company, and it is our duty to preserve them from injury. I ask you, then, my friends, to aid me in removing them to a place of safety. All eagerly volunteered, and relieving each other in parties of two or three, for none could have supported the intense severity of the cold for long at a time. They managed to carry all the furs into the large room in about an hour. Whilst the work was proceeding the bears continued their efforts to get in, and tried to lift up the rafters of the roof. In some places the laze became broken by their weight, and poor McNabb was in despair. He had not reckoned upon such a contingency when he had constructed the roof, and expected to see it give way every moment. The day passed, however, without any change in the situation. The bears did not get in, but a no less formidable enemy, the cold, gradually penetrated into every room. The fires in the stoves burnt low, the fuel in reserve was almost exhausted, and before twelve o'clock the last piece of wood would be burnt, and the genial warmth of the stove would no longer cheer the unhappy colonists. Death would then await them, death in its most fearful form from cold. The poor creatures huddled together round the stove, felt that their own vital heat must soon become exhausted, but not a word of complaint passed their lips. The women bore their sufferings, with the greatest heroism, and Mrs. McNabb pressed her baby convulsively to her ice-cold breast. Some of the soldiers slept, or rather were wrapped in a heavy tupper, which could scarcely be called sleep. At about three o'clock in the morning Hobbson consulted the thermometer hanging in the large room, about ten feet from the stove. It was marked four degrees Fahrenheit below zero. The lieutenant pressed his hand to his forehead, and looked mournfully at his silent companions without a word. His half-condensed breath shrouded his face in a white cloud, and he was standing, rooted to the spot, when a hand was laid upon his shoulder. He started and looked round to see Mrs. Burnett beside him. "'Something must be done, Lieutenant Hobbson,' exclaimed the energetic woman. We cannot die like this without an effort to save ourselves.' "'Yes,' replied the lieutenant, feeling revived by the moral courage of his companion. "'Yes, something must be done.' And he called together Long, McNabb, and Ray, the blacksmith, and the bravest men in his party, all together with Mrs. Burnett, hastened to the window, and having washed the panes with boiling water. They consulted the thermometer outside. "'Seventy-two degrees,' cried Hobbson. "'My friends, two courses are only open to us. We can risk our lives to get a fresh apply of fuel, or we can burn the benches, beds, partition-walls, and everything in the house to feed our stoves for a few days longer. A desperate alternative, for the cold may last some time yet. There is no sign of a change in the weather.' "'Let us risk our lives to get fuel,' said Sergeant Long. All agreed that it would be the best course, and without another word, each one set to work to prepare for the emergency. The following were the precautions taken to save the lives of those who were about to risk themselves for the sake of the general good. The shed in which the wood was stored was about fifty steps on the left, behind the principal house. It was decided that one of the men should try and run to the shed. He was to take one rope, wound round his body, and to carry another in his hand, one end of which was to be held by one of his comrades. Once in the shed he was to load one of the sludges there with fuel, and tie the rope to the front, and the other to the back of the vehicle, so that it could be dragged backwards and forwards between the house and the shed without much danger. A tug, violently shaking one or the other cord, would be the signal that the sledge was filled with fuel at the shed or unloaded at the house. A very clever plan, certainly, but two things might defeat it. The door of the shed might be so blocked up with ice that it would be very difficult to open it, or the bears might come down from the roof and prowl about the court. Two risks to be run. Long, McNabb, and Ray, all three volunteered for the perilous service, but the sergeant reminded the other two that they were married and insisted upon being the first to venture. When the lieutenant expressed a wish to go himself, Mrs. Barnette said earnestly, You are a chief. You have no right to expose yourself. Let Sergeant Long go. Hobson could not but realize that his office imposed caution, and being called upon to decide which of his companions should go. He chose the sergeant. Mrs. Barnette pressed the brave man's hand with ill-concealed emotion, and the rest of the colonists, asleep or stupefied, knew nothing of the attempt about to be made to save their lives. Two long ropes were got ready. The sergeant wound one round his body above the warm furs, worth some thousand pounds sterling in which he was encased, and tied the other to his belt, on which he hung a tinder-box and a loaded revolver. Just before starting he swallowed down half a glass of rum, as he said to himself, to ensure a good load of wood. Hobson, Ray, and McNabb accompanied the brave fellow through the kitchen, where the fire had just gone out, and into the passage. Ray climbed up to the trap-door of the loft, and peeping through it made sure that the bears were still on the roof. The moment for action had arrived. One door of the passage was open, and in spite of the thick furs in which they were wrapped, all felt chilled to the very marrow of their bones. And when the second door was pushed open they recoiled for an instant, panting for breath, whilst the moisture, held in suspension in the air of the passage, covered the walls and the floor with fine snow. The weather outside was extremely dry, and the stars shone with extraordinary brilliancy. Sergeant Long rushed out without a moment's hesitation, dragging the cord behind him, one end of which was held by his companions. The outer door was pushed to, and Hobson, McNabb, and Ray went back to the passage and closed the second door, behind which they waited. If Long did not return in a few minutes they might conclude that his enterprise had succeeded, and that, safe in the shed, he was loading the first train with fuel. Ten minutes at the most ought to suffice for this operation, if he had been able to get the door open. When the sergeant was fairly off, Hobson and McNabb walked together towards the end of the passage. Meanwhile Ray had been watching the bears and the loft. It was so dark that all hoped Long's movements would escape the notice of the hungry animals. Ten minutes elapsed, and the three watchers went back to the narrow space between the two doors, waiting for the signal to be given to drag in the sledge. Five minutes more, the cord remained motionless in their hands. Their anxiety can be imagined. It was a quarter of an hour since the sergeant has started, plenty of time for all he had to do, and he had given no signal. Hobson waited a few minutes longer, and then tightening his hold of the end of the rope he made a sign to his companions to pull with him. If the load of wood were not quite ready, the sergeant could easily stop it from being dragged away. The rope was pulled vigorously. A heavy object seemed to slide along the snow. In a few moments it reached the outer door. It was the body of the sergeant with the rope round his waist. Poor Long had never reached the shed. He had fallen fainting to the ground, and after twenty minutes' exposure to such a temperature there was little hope that he would revive. A cry of grief and despair burst from the lips of McNabb and Ray. They lifted their unhappy comrade from the ground, and carried him into the passage. But as the lieutenant was closing the outer door something pushed violently against it, and a horrible growl was heard. Help! cried Hobson. McNabb and Ray rushed to their officer's assistance, but Mrs. Barnett had been beforehand with them and was struggling with all her strength to help Hobson to close the door. In vain the monstrous brute throwing the whole weight of its body against it would force its way into the passage in another moment. Mrs. Barnett, whose presence of mine did not forsake her now, seized one of the pistols in the lieutenant's belt, and waited quietly until the animal shoved its head between the door and the wall, discharged the contents into its open mouth. The bear fell backwards, mortally wounded, no doubt, and the door was shut and securely fastened. The body of the sergeant was then carried into the large room. But alas! the fire was dying out. How was it possible to restore the vital heat with no means of obtaining warmth? I will go, I will go and fetch some wood! cried the blacksmith, Ray. Yes, Ray, we all go together, exclaimed Mrs. Barnett, whose courage was unabated. No, my friends, no, cried Hobson, you will fall victims to the cold, or the bears, or both. Let us burn all there is to burn in the house, and leave the rest to God. And the poor half-rozen settlers rose and laid about them with their hatchets, like madmen. Benches, tables, and partition walls were thrown down, broken up, crushed to pieces, and piled up in the stove of the large room and kitchen furnace. Very soon good fires were burning, on which a few drops of walrus oil were poured, so that the temperature of the rooms quickly rose a dozen degrees. Every effort was made to restore the sergeant. He was rubbed with warm rum, and gradually the circulation of his blood was restored. The white blotches, with which parts of his body were covered, began to disappear. But he had suffered dreadfully, and several hours elapsed before he could articulate a word. He was laid in a warm bed, and Mrs. Barnett and Magge watched by him until the next morning. Meanwhile, Hobson, McNabb and Ray consulted how best to escape from their terrible situation. It was impossible to shut their eyes to the fact that in two days this fresh supply of fuel would be exhausted. And then, if the cold continued, what would become of them all? The new moon had risen forty-eight hours ago, and there was no sign of a change in the weather. The north wind still swept the face of the country with its icy breath. The barometer remained at fine dry weather, and there was not a vapor to be seen above the endless succession of ice fields. There was reason to fear that the intense cold would last a long time yet. But what was to be done? Would it do to try once more to get to the woodshed when the bears had been roused by the shot, and rendered doubly dangerous? Would it be possible to attack these dreadful creatures in the open air? No. It would be madness, and certain death for all. Fortunately the temperature of the rooms had now become more bearable, and in the morning Mrs. Jolieve served up a breakfast of hot meat and tea. Hot grog was served out, and the brave sergeant was able to take his share. The heat from the stoves warmed the bodies and reanimated the drooping courage of the poor colonists, who were now ready to attack the bears at a word from Hobson. But the lieutenant, thinking the forces unequally matched, would not risk the attempt. And it appeared likely that the day would pass without any incident worthy of note. When at about three o'clock in the afternoon a great noise was heard on the top of the house. There they are, cried two or three soldiers, hastily arming themselves with hatchets and pistols. It was evident that the bears had torn away one of the rafters of the roof, and got into the loft. Let every one remain where he is, cried the lieutenant, ray the trap. The blacksmith rushed into the passage, scaled the ladder, and shut and securely fastened the trap door. A dreadful noise was now heard, growling, stamping a feat and tearing of claws. It was doubtful whether the danger of the anxious listeners was increased, or the reverse. Somewhere of the opinion that if all the bears were in the loft it would be easier to attack them. They would be less formidable in a narrow space, and there would not be the same risk of suffocation from cold. Of course, a conflict with such fierce creatures must still be very perilous. But it no longer appeared so desperate as before. It was now debated whether it would be better to go and attack the besiegers, or to remain on the defensive. Only one soldier could get through the narrow trap door at a time, and this made Hobbson hesitate and finally resolve to wait. The sergeant and others, whose bravery none could doubt, agreed that he was in the right, and it might be possible that some new incident would occur to modify the situation. It was almost impossible for the bears to break through the beams of the ceiling, as they had the rafters of the roof, so that there was little fear that they would get on to the ground floor. The day passed by in anxious expectation, and at night no one could sleep for the uproar made by the furious beasts. The next day about nine o'clock a fresh complication compelled Hobbson to take active steps. He knew that the pipes of the stove and kitchen furnace ran all along the loft, and being made of lime bricks but imperfectly cemented together, they could not resist, great pressure for any length of time. Now some of the bears scratched at the masonry while others lent against the pipes for the sake of the warmth from the stove, so that the bricks began to give way, and soon the stoves and furnace ceased to draw. This really was an irreparable misfortune which would have disheartened less energetic men, but things were not yet at their worst. While the fire became lower and lower, a thick, nauseous, acrid smoke filled the house. The pipes were broken, and the smoke soon became so thick that the lamps went out. Hobbson now saw that he must leave the house if he wished to escape suffocation, but to leave the house would be to perish with cold. At this fresh misfortune some of the women screamed, and Hobbson, seizing a hatchet, shouted in a loud voice, "'To the bears, to the bears, my friends!' It was the forlorn hope these terrible creatures must be destroyed. All rushed into the passage and made for the ladder. Hobbson leading the way. The trapdoor was opened, and a few shots were fired into the black whirlpool of smoke. Mingled howls and screams were heard, and blood began to flow on both sides, but the fearful conflict was waged in profound darkness. In the midst of the melee a terrible rumbling sound suddenly drowned the tumult. The ground became violently agitated, and the house rocked as if it were being torn up from its foundations. The beams of the walls separated, and through the openings Hobbson and his companions saw the terrified bears rushing away into the darkness, howling with rage and fright. A violent earthquake had shaken Cape Bathurst. Such convulsions were probably frequent in this volcanic region, and the connection between them and eruptions was once more demonstrated. Hobbson well understood the significance of what had occurred, and waited in anxious suspense. He knew that the earth might open and swallow up the little colony, but only one shock was felt, and that was rather a rebound than a vertical upheaval, which made the house lean over toward the lake, and burst open its walls. Immediately after this one shock the ground again became firm and motionless. The house, although damaged, was still habitable. The breaches in the walls were quickly repaired, and the pipes of the chimneys were patched together again somehow. Fortunately the wounds the soldiers had received in their struggle with the bears were slight and merely required dressing. Two miserable days ensued during which the woodwork of the beds and the planks of the partition walls were burnt, and the most pressing repairs executed by McNabb and his men. The piles well driven into the earth had not yielded, but it was evident that the earthquake had caused a sinking of the level of the coast on which the fort was built, which might seriously compromise the safety of the building. Hobson was most anxious to ascertain the extent of the alteration of elevation, but the pitiless cold prevented him from venturing outside. But at last there were symptoms of an approaching change in the weather. The stars shone with rather less brilliancy, and on the eleventh January the barometer fell slightly. Hazy vapors floated in the air, the condensation of which would raise the temperature, and on the twelfth January the wind veered to the south-west, and snow fell at regular intervals. The thermometer outside suddenly rose to fifteen degrees above zero, and to the frozen colonists it was like the beginning of spring. At eleven o'clock the same morning all were out of doors. They were like a band of captives unexpectedly set free. They were, however, absolutely forbidden to go beyond the encant of the fort in case of awkward meetings. The sun had not yet reappeared above the horizon, but it approached it nearly enough to produce a long twilight during which objects could be distinctly seen to a distance of two miles, and Hobson's first thought was to ascertain what difference the earthquake had produced in the appearance of the surrounding districts. Certain changes had been effected. The crest of the promontory of Cape Bathurst had been broken off, and large pieces of the cliff had been flung upon the beach. The whole mass of the Cape seems to have been bent towards the lake, altering the elevation of the plateau on which the fort was built. The soil on the west appears to have been depressed, whilst that on the east had been elevated. One of the results of this change of level would unfortunately be that when the thaw set in the waters of the lake and of Paulina River in obedience to the law requiring liquids to maintain their level would inundate a portion of the western coast, the stream would probably scoop out another bed, and the natural harbor at its mouth would be destroyed. The hills on the eastern bank seem to be considerably depressed, but the cliffs on the west were too far off for any accurate observations to be made. The important alteration produced by the earthquake may, in fact, be summed up in a very few words. The horizontal character of the ground was replaced by a slope from east to west. "'Well, Lieutenant,' said Mrs. Barnett, laughing, "'you were good enough to give my name to the port and river, and now there will be neither Paulina River nor Port Barnett. I must say I have been hardly used.' "'Well, madam,' replied Hopson, "'although the river is gone, the lake remains, and we will call it Lake Barnett. I hope that it, at least, will remain true to you.' Mr. and Mrs. Jolief, on leaving the house, had hurried one to the dog-house, the other to the reindeer-stable. The dogs had not suffered much from their lone confinement, and rushed into the court, barking with it. One reindeer had died, but the others, though thin, appeared to be in good health. "'Well, madam,' said the Lieutenant, "'we have got through our troubles better than we could have expected.' "'I never disbared,' replied the lady. The miseries of an arctic winter would not conquer men like you and your companions.' "'To own the truth, madam,' replied Hopson, "'I never experienced such intense cold before in all the years I have spent in the North, and if it had lasted many days longer, we should have all been lost.' The earthquake came in the nick of time, then, not only to drive away the bears, but also to modify the extremity of the cold. "'Perhaps so, madam. All natural phenomena influence each other to a certain extent. But the volcanic structure of the soil makes me rather uneasy. I cannot but regret the close vicinity of this active volcano. If the lava from it cannot reach us, the earthquake connected with it can. Just look at our house now.' "'Oh, all that can be put right when the fine weather comes, and you will make it all the stronger for the painful experience you have gained.' "'Of course we shall, but meanwhile I'm afraid you won't find it very comfortable.' "'Are you speaking to me, Lieutenant, to an old traveller like me? I shall imagine myself one of the crew of a small vessel, and now that it does not pitch and toss, I shall have no fear of being seasick.' "'What you say does not surprise me,' replied Hobbson. We all know of your grandeur of character, your moral courage, and your imperturbable good temper. You have done much to help us all to bear our troubles. And I thank you in my own name and that of my friend. Hey, flatter me, Lieutenant, you flatter me.' "'No, no. I only say what everyone thinks. But may I ask you one question. You know that next June, Captain Creventy, is to send us a convoy with provisions, which will take back our furs to Fort Reliance. I suppose our friend Thomas Black, after seeing his eclipse, will return with the Captain's men. Do you mean to accompany him?' "'Do you mean to send me back?' asked the lady with a smile. "'Oh, madam.' "'Well, my superior officer,' replied Mrs. Barnett, extending her hand to the Lieutenant. I shall ask you to allow me to spend another winter at Fort Hope. Next year one of the company's ships will probably anchor off Cape Bathurst, and I shall return in it. Having come over land, I should like to go back by bearing straight.' The Lieutenant was delighted with his companion's decision. The two had become sincerely attached to each other, and had many tastes and qualities in common. The hour of separation could not fail to be painful to both. And who could tell what further trials awaited the colonists in which their combined influence might sustain the courage of the rest. On the twentieth January the sun at last reappeared, and the polar night was at an end. It only remained above the horizon for a few minutes, and was greeted with joyous hurrahs by the settlers. From this date the days gradually increased in length. Throughout the month of February and until the fifteenth March there were abrupt transitions from fine to bad weather. The fine days were so cold that the hunters could not go out, and in the bad weather snowstorms kept them in. It was only between miles that any outdoor work could be done. And long excursions were out of the question. There was no necessity for them, however, as the traps were in full activity. In the latter end of the winter martins, foxes, ear-minds, wolverines, and other valuable animals were taken in large number, and the trappers had plenty to do. In March an excursion was ventured on as far as Walrus's bay, and it was noticed that the earthquake had considerably altered the form of the cliffs, which were much depressed, whilst the igneous hills beyond, with their summits wrapped in mist, seemed to look larger and more threatening than ever. About the twentieth March the hunters sighted the first swans migrating from the south, and uttering shrill cries as they flew. A few snow-buntings and winter-hawks were also seen, but the ground was still covered with thick layers of frozen snow, and the sun was powerless to melt the hard surface of the lake and sea. The breaking up of the frost did not commence until early in April. The ice burst with a noise like the discharge of artillery. Sudden changes took place in the appearance of the icebergs, broken by collisions, undermined by the action of the water, once more set free. Huge masses rolled over with an awful crash, in consequence of the displacement of their centre of gravity, causing fractures and fissures in the ice fields which greatly accelerated their breaking up. At this time the mean temperature was thirty-two degrees above zero, so that the upper layer of ice on the beach rapidly dissolved, whilst the chain of icebergs drifted along by the currents of the polar sea, gradually drew back and became lost in the fogs of the horizon. On the fifteenth April the sea was open and a vessel from the Pacific Ocean, coming through Bering Strait, could certainly have skirted along the American coast and have anchored off-cave bathurst. Whilst the ice was disappearing from the ocean, Lake Barnett was also laying aside its slippery armour, much to the delight of the thousands of ducks and other waterfowl which began to come upon its banks. As Hobson had foreseen, however, the level of the lake was affected by the slope of the soil. That part of the beach, which stretched away from the encant of the fort, was bounded on the east by wooded hills, had increased considerably in extent, and Hobson estimated that the waters of the lake had receded five hundred paces on the eastern bank. As a natural consequence the water on the western side had risen, and if not held back by some natural barrier would inundate the country. On the whole it was fortunate that the slope was from east to west, for had it been from west to east the factory must have been submerged. The little river dried up as soon as the thaw set free its waters. It might almost be said to have run back to its source, so abrupt was the slope of its bed from north to south. We have now, to erase a river from the map of the Arctic regions, observed Hobson to his sergeant. It would have been embarrassing if we had been dependent on the truant for drinkable water. Fortunately we still have lake Barnett, and I don't suppose our thirsty men will drain it quite dry. Yes, we've got the lake, replied the sergeant, but do you think its waters have remained sweet? Hobson started and looked at his subordinate with knitted brows. It had not occurred to him that a fisher in the ground might have established a communication between the lake and the sea. Should it be so, ruin, must ensue, and the factory would inevitably have to be abandoned after all. The lieutenant and Hobson rushed to the lake and found their fears groundless, its waters were still sweet. Early in May the snow had disappeared in several places, and scanty vegetation clothed the soil. Tiny mosses and slender grasses timidly pushed up their stems above the ground, and the sorrel and cochlearia, seeds which Mrs. Jolieve had planted, began to sprout. The carpet of snow had protected them through the bitter winter, but they still had to be saved from the beaks of birds and the teeth of rodents. This arduous and important task was confided to the worthy corporal who acquitted himself of it with the zeal and devotion of a scarecrow in a kitchen-garden. The long days had now returned, and hunting was resumed. Hobson was anxious to have a good stock of furs for the agents from Fort Reliance to take charge of when they arrived, as they would do in a few weeks. Marbra and Sabine and the others therefore commenced the campaign. Their excursions were neither long nor fatiguing. They never went further than two miles from the Cape Bathurst, for they had never before been in a district so well stocked with game, and they were both surprised and delighted. Martins, reindeer, hares, caribous, foxes, and ear-mines passed close to their guns. Everything, however, excited some regret in the minds of the colonists. Not a trace was to be seen of their old enemies, the bears. And it seemed as if they had taken all their relations with them. Perhaps the earthquake had frightened them away, for they have a very delicate, nervous organization if such an expression can be applied to a mere quadruped. It was a pity they were gone, for vengeance could not be wreaked upon them. The month of May was very wet. Rain and snow succeeded each other. The mean temperature was only forty-one degrees above zero. Fogs were of frequent occurrence, and so thick that it would often have been imprudent to go any distance from the fort. Peterson and Calais once caused their companions grave anxiety by disappearing for forty-eight hours. They had lost their way, and turned to the south when they thought they were near to Alrises Bay. They came back exhausted, and half dead with hunger. June came at last, and with it really fine warm weather. The colonists were able to leave off their winter clothing. They worked zealously at repairing the house, the foundations of which had to be propped up. And Hobson also ordered the construction of a large magazine at the southern corner of the court. The quantity of game justified the expenditure of time and labour involved. The number of furs collected was already considerable, and it was necessary to have some place at a side in which to keep them. The lieutenant now expected every day the arrival of the detachment to be sent by Captain Creventy. A good many things were still required for the new settlement. The stores were getting low, and if the party had left the fort in the beginning of May they ought to reach Cape Bathurst towards the middle of June. It will be remembered that the captain and his lieutenant had fixed upon the Cape as the spot of rendezvous, and Hobson, having constructed his fort on it, there is no fear of the reinforcements failing to find him. From the 15th June the district surrounding the Cape were carefully watched. The British flag waved from the summit of Lyft, and could be seen at a considerable distance. It was probable that the convoy would follow the lieutenant's example, and skirt along the coast from Coronation Gulf. If not exactly the shortest, it was the surest route. At a time, when the sea being free from ice, the coastline could be easily followed. When the month of June passed without the arrival of the expected party, Hobson began to feel rather uneasy, especially as the country again became wrapped in fogs. He began to fear that the agents might lose their way, and often talked the matter over with Mrs. Barnett, McNabb, and Ray. Thomas Black made no attempt to conceal his uneasiness, for he was anxious to return with the party from Fort Reliance as soon as he had seen his eclipse, and should anything keep them back from coming, he would have to resign himself to another winter, a prospect which did not please him at all, and in reply to his eager questions, Hobson could say little to reassure him. The 4th July dawned, no news. Some men sent to the southeast to reconnoiter returned, bringing no tidings. Either the agents had never started, or they had lost their way. The latter hypothesis was unfortunately the more probable. Hobson knew captain Creventy, and felt confident that he had sent off the convoy at the time named. His increasing anxiety will therefore be readily understood. The fine season was rapidly passing away. Another two months, and the arctic winter, with its bitter winds, its whirlpools of snow, and its long nights, would again set in. Hobson, as we well know, was not a man to yield to misfortune without a struggle. Something must be done, and with the ready concurrence of the astronomer the following plan was decided on. It was now the 5th July. In another fortnight, July 18th, the solar eclipse was to take place, and after that Thomas Black would be free to leave Fort Hope. It was therefore agreed that if by that time the agents had not arrived, a convoy of a few men and four or five sledges should leave the factory and make for the Great Slave Lake, taking with them some of the most valuable furs, and if no accident befell them, they might hope to arrive at Fort Reliance in six weeks at the latest, that is to say, towards the end of August. This matter settled. Thomas Black shrank back into his shell, and became once more the man of one idea, awaiting the moment when the moon, passing between the orb of day and himself, should totally eclipse the disk of the sun. The eclipse of the 18th July, 1860. The mist did not disperse. The sun shone feebly through thick curtains of fog, and the astronomer began to have a great dread lest the eclipse should not be visible after all. Sometimes the fog was so dense that the summit of the cape could not be seen from the court of the fort. Hobson got more and more uneasy. He had no longer doubts that the convoy had gone astray in the strange land. Moreover, vague apprehensions and sad forebodings increased his depression. He could not look into the future with any confidence. Why, he would have found it impossible to explain. Everything apparently combined to reassure him. In spite of the great rigor of the winter, his little colony was in excellent health. No quarrels had risen amongst the colonists, and their zeal and enthusiasm was still unabated. The surrounding districts were well stocked with game. The harvest of furs had surpassed his expectations, and the company might well be satisfied with the result of the enterprise. Even if no fresh supply of provisions arrived, the resources of the country were such that the prospect of a second winter need awake no misgivings. Why then was Lieutenant Hobson losing hope and confidence? He and Mrs. Barnett had many a talk on the subject, and the latter did all she could to raise the drooping spirits of the commanding officer, urging upon him all the considerations enumerated above, and one day, walking with him along the beach, she pleaded the cause of Kate Pathhurst and the factory, built to the cost of so much suffering, with more than usual eloquence. Yes, yes, madam, you are right, replied Hobson, but we can't help our presentiments. I am no visionary. Twenty times in my soldier's life I have been in critical circumstances, and have never lost presence of mind for one instance. And now, for the first time in my life, I am uneasy about the future. If I had to face a positive danger I should have no fear, but a vague uncertain peril of which I have only a presentiment. Of what danger do you mean, inquired Mrs. Barnett, a danger from men, from animals, or the elements? Of animals I have no dread, whatever, madam. It is for them to tremble before the hunters of Kate Pathhurst. Nor do I fear men. These districts are frequented by none but Eskimo, and the Indians seldom venture so far north. Besides, Lieutenant," said Mrs. Barnett, the Canadians, whose arrival you so much feared in the fine season have never appeared. I am sorry for it, madam. What, you regret the absence of the rifles, who are so evidentially hostile to your company? Madam, I am both glad and sorry that they have not come. That will, of course, puzzle you, but observe that the expected convoy from Fort Reliance has not arrived. It is the same with the agents of the St. Louis Fur Company. They might have come, and they have not done so. Not a single Eskimo has visited this part of the coast during the summer, either. And what do you conclude from all this, inquired Mrs. Barnett? I conclude that it is not so easy to get to Kate Pathhurst, or to Fort Hope, as we could wish. The lady looked into the Lieutenant's anxious face, struck with the melancholy and significant annotation of the word Easy. Lieutenant Hobson, she said earnestly, if you fear neither men nor animals, I must conclude that your anxiety has referenced to the elements. Madam, he replied, I do not know if my spirit be broken, or if my presentiments blind me, but there seems to me to be something uncanny about this district. If I had known it better, I should not have settled down in it. I have already called your attention to certain peculiarities, which to me appear inexplicable. The total absence of stones everywhere, and the clear-cut line of the coast, I can't make out about the primitive formation of this end of the continent. I know that the vicinity of a volcano may cause some phenomena, but you remember what I said to you on the subject of the tides. Oh yes, perfectly. Were this the art, according to the observations of explorers in these latitudes, to have risen fifteen or twenty feet? It has scarcely risen one. Yes, but that you accounted for by the irregular distribution of land and the narrowness of the straits. I tried to account for it, that is all, replied Hobson, but the day before yesterday I noticed a still more extraordinary phenomenon, which I cannot even try to explain, and I doubt if the greatest savants could do so either. Mrs. Barnett looked inquiringly at Hobson. What has happened? she exclaimed. Well, the day before yesterday, madam, when the moon was full, and according to the Almanac, the tide ought to have been very high. The sea did not even rise one foot as it did before. It did not rise at all. Perhaps you may be mistaken, observed Mrs. Barnett. I am not mistaken. I sought with my own eyes. The day before yesterday, July 4th, there was positively no tide on the coast of Kate Bathurst. And what do you conclude from that? inquired Mrs. Barnett. I conclude, madam, replied the Lieutenant, either that the laws of nature are changed, or that this district is peculiarly airily situated, or rather I conclude nothing. I explain nothing. I am puzzled. I do not understand it, and therefore I am anxious. Mrs. Barnett asked no more questions. Evidently the total absence of tides was as unnatural and inexplicable as would be the absence of the sun from the meridian at noon, unless the earthquake had so modified the conformation of the coasts of the Arctic regions as to account for it, but no, such an idea could not be entertained by anyone accustomed to note terrestrial phenomena. As for supposing that the Lieutenant could be mistaken in his observations, that was impossible, and that very day he and Mrs. Barnett, by means of beach-marks made on the beach, ascertained beyond all doubt that whereas a year before the sea rose afoot there was now no tide whatever. The matter was kept a profound secret, as Hobson was unwilling to render his companions anxious, but he might often be seen standing motionless and silent upon the summit of the Cape, gazing across the sea, which was now open, and stretched away as far as the eye could reach. During the month of July hunting the furred animals was discontinued, as the Martians, foxes, and others had already lost their winter beauty. No game was brought down, but that required for food, such as caribous, polar hairs, et cetera. Which, strange to say, instead of being scared away by the guns, continued to multiply near the fort. Mrs. Barnett did not fail to note this peculiar, and as the event proved, significant fact. No change had taken place in the situation on the fifteenth July. No news from Fort Reliance. The expected convoy did not arrive, and Hobson resolved to execute his project of sending to Captain Creventy, as Captain Creventy did not come to him. Of course none but Sergeant Long could be appointed to the command of the little troop, although the faithful fellow would rather not have been separated from his lieutenant. A considerable time must necessarily elapse before he could get back to Fort Hope. He would have to pass the winter at Fort Reliance and return the next summer, eight months at least. It is true either McNabb or Ray could have taken the sergeant's place, but then they were married, and the one being a master carpenter, and the other the only blacksmith, the colonists, could not well have dispensed with their services. Such were the grounds on which the lieutenant chose Long, and the sergeant submitted with military obedience. The four soldiers elected to accompany him were Belche, Pond, Peterson, and Calais, who declared their readiness to start. Four sledges and their teams of dogs were told off for the service. They were to take a good stock of provisions and the most valuable of the furs, foxes, earmines, martins, swans, lynxes, muskrats, gluttons, et cetera, all contributed to the precious convoy. The start was fixed for the morning of the July, the day after the eclipse. Of course Thomas Black was to accompany the sergeant, and one sledge was to convoy his precious person and instruments. The worthy savant endured agonies of suspense in the few days preceding the phenomenon which he awaited with so much impatience. He might well be anxious, for one day it was fine and another wet. Now Miss obscured the sun, or thick fogs lit it all together. And the wind veered to every point of the horizon with provoking stickleness and uncertainty. What if during the few moments of the eclipse the Queen of the Night and the Great Orb of Day should be wrapped in an opaque cloud at the critical moment, so that he, the astronomer, Thomas Black, comes so far to watch the phenomenon, should be unable to see the luminous corona or the red prominences. How terrible would be the disappointment? How many dangers? How much suffering? How much fatigue would have been gone through in vain? Two have come so far to see the moon and not to see it, he cried, in a comically piteous tone. No, he could not face the thought, and early of an evening he would climb to the summit of the cape and gaze into the heavens. The fair Phoebe was nowhere to be seen. For it being three days before new moon she was accompanying the sun in his daily course, and her light was quenched in his beams. Many a time did Thomas Black relieve his overburdened heart by pouring out his troubles to Mrs. Barnett. The good lady felt sincerely sorry for him, and one day, anxious to reassure him, she told him that the barometer showed a certain tendency to rise and reminded him that they were in the fine season. The fine season cried the poor astronomer shrugging his shoulders. Who can speak of a fine season in such a country as this? Well, but Mr. Black, said Mrs. Barnett, suppose, for the sake of argument, that you miss the eclipse by any unlucky chance. I suppose there will be another, some day. The eclipse of July 18th will not be the last of this century. No, madam, no. Return Black, there will be five more total eclipses of the sun before 1900. One on the 31st December 1861, which will be total for the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean, and the Sahara Desert. A second on the 22nd December 1870, total for the Azores, the south of Spain, Algeria, Sicily, and Turkey. A third on the 19th August 1887, total for the northeast of Germany, the south of Russia, and Central Asia. A fourth on 9th April 1896, visible in Greenland, Lapland, and Siberia. And lastly, a fifth on the 28th May 1900, which will be a total eclipse for the United States, Spain, Algeria, and Egypt. Well, Mr. Black, resumed Mrs. Barnett, if you lose the eclipse of the 18th July 1860, you can console yourself by looking forward to that of the 31st December 1861. It will only be seventeen months. I can console myself, Madam, said the astronomer gravely, by looking forward to that of 1896. I shall have to wait not seventeen months, but thirty-six years. May I ask why? Because of all the eclipse, it alone, that of the 9th August 1896, will be total for places in high latitudes such as Lapland, Siberia, or Greenland. But what is the special interest of an observation taken in these elevated latitudes? What special interest? cried Thomas Black. Why, a scientific interest of the highest importance, eclipses have very rarely been watched near the pole, where the sun, being very little above the horizon, is considerably increased in size. The disc of the moon, which is to intervene between us and the sun, is subject to a similar apparent extension, and therefore it may be that the red prominences and the luminous corona can be more thoroughly examined. This, Madam, is why I have travelled all this distance to watch the eclipse above the seventieth parallel. A similar opportunity will not occur until 1896, and who can tell if I shall be alive then? To this burst of enthusiasm there was no reply to be made, and the astronomer's anxiety and depression increased, for the inconsistent weather seemed more and more disposed to play him some ill-natured trick. It was very fine on the sixteenth of July, but the next day it was cloudy and misty, and Thomas Black became really ill. The feverous state he had been in for so long seemed likely to result in a serious illness. Mrs. Barnett and Hobson tried in vain to soothe him, and Sergeant Long and the others could not understand how it was possible to be so unhappy for love of the moon. At last, the great day, the eighteenth of July, dawned. According to the calculations of the astronomers, the total eclipse was to last four minutes thirty-seven seconds. That is to say, from forty-three minutes fifteen seconds past eleven to forty-seven minutes fifty-seven seconds past eleven a.m. What can I do? What do I ask? moaned the astronomer, tearing his hair, only one little corner of the sky free from clouds, only the small space in which the eclipse is to take place. I, and for how long? for four short minutes. After that let it snow, let it thunder, let the elements break loose in a fury I should care no more for at all, than a snail for a chronometer. It is not to be denied that Thomas Black had some grounds for his fears. It really seemed likely that observations would be impossible. At daybreak the horizon was shrouded in mists, heavy clouds were coming up from the south and covering the very portion of the sky in which the eclipse was to take place. But doubtless the patron saint of astronomers had pity on poor Black, for towards eight o'clock a slight wind arose and swept the mists and clouds from the sky, leaving it bright and clear. A cry of gratitude burst from the lips of the astronomer, and his heart beat high with newly awakened hope. The sun shone brightly and the moon so soon to darken it was as yet invisible in its glorious beams. Thomas Black's instruments were already carefully placed on the promontory, and having pointed them towards the southern horizon he awaited the event with calmness restored and the coolness necessary for taking his observation. What was there left to fear? Nothing, unless it was that the sky might fall upon his head. At nine o'clock there was not a cloud, not a vapor left upon the sky from the zenith to the horizon. Never were circumstances more favourable to an astronomical observation. The whole party were anxious to take part in the observation and all gathered round the astronomer on Cape Bathurst. Gradually the sun rose above the horizon, describing an extended arc above the vast plain, stretching away to the south. No one spoke, but awaited the eclipse in solemn silence. Towards half-past nine the eclipse commenced. The disc of the moon seemed to graze that of the sun. But the moon's shadow was not to fall completely on the earth, hiding the sun until between forty-three minutes past eleven and forty-seven minutes fifty-seven seconds past eleven. That was the time fixed in the Almanacs, and everyone knows that no error can creep into them, established, verified, and controlled as they are by the scientific men of all the observatories in the world. The astronomer had brought a good many glasses with him, and he distributed them amongst his companions that all might watch the progress of the phenomenon without injury to the eyes. The brown disc of the moon gradually advanced, and terrestrial objects began to assume a peculiar orange hue, whilst the atmosphere on the zenith completely changed colour. At a quarter-past ten half the disc of the sun was darkened, and a few dogs, which happened to be at liberty, showed signs of uneasiness and howled pideously. The wild ducks, thinkin' night had come, began to utter sleepy calls, and to seek their nests, and the mothers gathered the little ones under their wings. The hush of eventide fell upon all animated nature. At eleven o'clock two-thirds of the sun were covered, and all terrestrial objects became a kind of vineas red. A gloomy twilight set in to be succeeded during the four minutes of totality by absolute darkness. A few planets amongst others, Mercury and Venus, began to appear, and some constellations kept lay, symbol and symbol, of Taurus and symbol of Orion. The darkness deepened every moment. Thomas Black remained motionless with his eye, glued to the glass of his instrument, eagerly watching the progress of the phenomenon. At forty-three minutes past eleven the discs of the two luminaries ought to be exactly opposite to each other, that of the moon completely hiding that of the sun. Forty-three minutes past eleven announced Hobson, who was attentively watching, the minute hand of his chronometer. Thomas Black remained motionless, stooping over his instrument. Half a minute passed, and then the astronomer drew himself up, with eyes distended and eager. Once more he bent over the telescope, and cried in a choked voice. "'She is going! She is going! The moon! The moon is going! She is disappearing, running away!' True enough the disc of the moon was gliding away from that of the sun, without having completely covered it. The astronomer had fallen backwards, completely overcome. The four minutes were past. The luminous corona had not occurred. "'What is the matter?' inquired Hobson. "'The matter is,' screamed the poor astronomer, "'that the eclipse was not total. Not total for this portion of the globe to hear. It was not total. I say, not total.' "'Then all your almanacs are incorrect.' "'Incorrect. Don't tell that to me, if you please, Lieutenant Hobson.' "'But what, then?' said Hobson, suddenly changing countenance. "'Why?' said Black. "'We are not, after all, on the seventieth parallel.' "'Only fancy!' cried Mrs. Barnett. "'We can soon prove it.' "'We can soon prove it,' said the astronomer, whose eyes flashed with rage and disappointment. "'The sun will pass the meridian in a few minutes. My sextant, quick, make haste!' One of the soldiers rushed to the house and fetched the instrument required. The astronomer pointed it upon the sun. He watched the orb of day pass the meridian, and rapidly noted down a few calculations. "'What was the situation of Cape Bathurst a year ago when we took the latitude?' he inquired. "'Seventy degrees, forty-four minutes, and thirty-seven seconds,' replied Hobson. "'Well, sir, it is now seventy-three degrees, seven minutes and twenty seconds. You see, we are not under the seventieth parallel. Or rather, we are no longer there,' muttered Hobson. A sudden light had broken in upon his mind. All the phenomena hitherto so inexplicable were now explained. Cape Bathurst had drifted three degrees for the north since the arrival of the lieutenant and his companions. End of chapter twenty-three. And end of part one. Part two, chapter one of the fur country. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Fur Country by Jules Verne. Part two, chapter one. A Floating Fort. And so Fort Hope, founded by Lieutenant Hobson on the borders of the Polar Sea, had drifted. Was the courageous agent of the company to blame for this? No, any one might have been deceived as he had been. No human pre-vision could have foreseen such a calamity. He meant to build upon a rock, and he had not even built upon sand. The peninsula of Victoria, which the best maps of English America joined to the American continent, had been torn suddenly away from it. This peninsula was in fact nothing but an immense piece of ice, five hundred square miles in extent, converted by successive deposits of sand and earth into apparently solid ground while clothed with vegetation, connected with the mainland for thousands of centuries. The earthquake of the 8th of January had dragged it away from its moorings, and it was now a floating island at the mercy of the winds and waves, and had been carried along the Arctic Ocean by powerful currents for the last three months. Yes, Fort Hope was built upon ice. Hobson at once understood the mysterious change in their latitude, the isthmus, that is to say, the neck of land which connected the peninsula of Victoria with the mainland had been snapped in two by a subterranean convulsion connected with the eruption of the volcano some months before. As long as the northern winter continued, the frozen sea maintained things as they were. But when the thaw came, when the ice fields melted beneath the rays of the sun and the huge icebergs driven out into the offing drew back to the furthest limits of the horizon, when the sea at last became open the whole peninsula drifted away with its woods, its cliffs, its promontories, its inland lagoon and its coastline under the influence of a current about which nothing was known. For months this drifting had been going on unnoticed by the colonists who even when hunting did not go far from Fort Hope. Beachmarks, if they had been made, would have been useless, for heavy mists obscured everything at a short distance. The ground remained apparently firm and motionless, and there was, in short, nothing to hint to the lieutenant and his men that they had become islanders. The position of the new island with regard to the rising and setting of the sun was the same as before. Had the cardinal points changed the position, had the island turned round, the lieutenant, the astronomer, or Mrs. Barnette would certainly have noticed and understood the change. But in its course the island had thus far followed a parallel of latitude and its motion, though rapid, had been imperceptible. Although Hobson had no doubt of the moral and physical courage and determination of his companions, he determined not to acquaint them with the truth. It would be time enough to tell them of their altered position when it had been thoroughly studied. Fortunately the good fellows, soldiers or workmen, took little notice in the astronomical observations, and not being able to see the consequences involved, they did not trouble themselves about the change of latitude just announced. The lieutenant determined to conceal his anxiety, and seeing no remedy for the misfortune, mastered his emotion by a strong effort, and tried to console Thomas Plack, who was lamenting his disappointment and tearing his hair. The astronomer had no doubt about the misfortune of which he was the victim. Not having, like the lieutenant, noticed the peculiarities of the district, he did not look beyond the one fact in which he was interested. On the day fixed, at the time named, the moon had not completely eclipsed the sun. And what could he conclude, but that, to the disgrace of observatories, the almanacs were false, and that the long-desired eclipse, his own eclipse, Thomas Plack's, which he had come so far and through so many dangers to see, had not been total for this particular district under the seventieth parallel. No, no, it was impossible to believe it. He could not face the terrible certainty, and he was overwhelmed with disappointment. He was soon to learn the truth, however. Meanwhile Hobbeson led his men, imagined that the failure of the eclipse could only interest himself and the astronomer, and they returned to their ordinary occupations. But as they were leaving, Corporal Joliffe stopped suddenly and said, touching his cap, May I ask you one question, sir? Of course, Corporal. Say on," replied the lieutenant, who was wondering what was coming. But Joliffe hesitated, and his little wife nudged his elbow. Well, Lieutenant, resumed the corporal. It's just about the seventieth degree of latitude, if we are not where we thought we were. The lieutenant frowned. Well," he replied evasively, we made a mistake in our reckoning. Our first observation was wrong. But what does that concern you? Please, sir, it's because of the pay," replied Joliffe with a scowl. You know well enough that the company promised us double pay. Hobbeson drew a sigh of relief. It will be remembered that the men had been promised higher pay if they succeeded in settling on or above the seventieth degree north latitude. And Joliffe, who always had an eye to the main chance, had looked upon the whole matter from a monetary point of view, and was afraid the bounty would be withheld. You needn't be afraid," said Hobbeson with a smile, and you can tell your brave comrades that our mistake, which is really inexplicable, will not in the least prejudice your interests. We are not below but above the seventieth parallel, and so you will get your double pay. Thank you, sir, thank you," replied Joliffe with a beaming face. It isn't that we think much about money, but that the money sticks to us. And with this sage remark the men drew off, little dreaming what a strange and fearful change had taken place in the position of the country. Sergeant Long was about to follow the others when Hobbeson stopped him with the words, Remain here, Sergeant Long. This abordinate officer turned on his heels and waited for the lieutenant to address him. All had now left the cape except Mrs. Barnett, Madge Chamas Black, and the two officers. Since the eclipse Mrs. Barnett had not uttered a word. She looked inquiringly at Hobbeson, who tried to avoid meeting her eyes. For some time not another word was spoken. All involuntarily turned towards the south, where the broken isthmus was situated. But from their position they could only see the sea horizon on the north. Had Cape Bathurst been situated a few hundred feet more above the level of the ocean they would have been able at a glance to ascertain the limits of their island home. All were deeply moved at the sight of Fort Hope and all its occupants born away from all solid ground and floating at the mercy of winds and waves. Then, Lieutenant," said Mrs. Barnett at last, all strange phenomena you observed are now explained. Yes, madam," he replied, everything is explained. The peninsula of Victoria, now an island, which we thought firm ground with an immovable foundation is nothing more than a vast sheet of ice welded for centuries to the American continent. Gradually the wind has strewn it with earth and sand and scattered over them, the seeds from which have sprung the trees and mosses with which it is clothed. Rainwater filled the lagoon and produced the little river. Vegetation transformed the appearance of the ground. But beneath the lake, beneath the soil of earth and sand, in a word beneath our feet is a foundation of ice which floats upon the water by reason of its being specifically lighter than it. Yes, it is a sheet of ice which bears us up and is carrying us away. And this is why we have not found a single flint or stone upon its surface. This is why its shores are perpendicular. This is why we found ice ten feet below the surface when we dug the reindeer pit. This in short is why the tide was not noticeable on the peninsula which rose and sank with the ebb and flow of the waves. Everything is indeed explained," said Mrs. Burnett, and your presentiments did not deceive you. But can you explain why the tides, which do not affect us at all now, were to a slight extent perceptible on our arrival? Simply because, madam, on our arrival the peninsula was still connected by means of its flexible ithness with the American continent. It offered a certain resistance to the current. And on its northern shores the tide rose two feet beyond low watermark. Instead of the twenty we reasonably expected. But from the moment when the earthquake broke the connecting link from the moment when the peninsula became an island free from all control it rose and sank with the ebb and flow of the tide. And, as we noticed together at full moon a few days ago, no sensible difference was produced on our shores. In spite of his despair Thomas Black listened attentively to Hobbson's explanations and could not but see the reasonableness of his deductions. But he was furious at such a rare, unexpected, and as he said, ridiculous phenomenon occurring just so as to make him miss the eclipse. And he said not a word, but maintained a gloomy, even haughty silence. Poor Mr. Black, said Mrs. Barnett, it must be owned that an astronomer was never more hardly used than you since the world began. In any case, however, said Hobbson, turning to her, we have neither of us anything to reproach ourselves with. No one can find fault with us. Nature alone is to blame. The earthquake cut off our communication with the mainland and converted our peninsula into a floating island. And this explains why the furred and other animals imprisoned like ourselves have become so numerous round the fort. This, too, is why the rivals you so much dreaded have not visited us, Lieutenant, exclaimed Madge. And this, added the Sergeant, accounts for the non-arrival of the convoy sent to Kate Bathurst by Captain Creventy. And this is why, said Mrs. Barnett, looking at the Lieutenant, I must give up all hope of returning to Europe this year, at least. The tone of voice in which the lady made this last remark showed that she resigned herself to her fate more readily than could have been expected. She seemed suddenly to have made up her mind to make the best of the situation, which would no doubt give her an opportunity of making a great many interesting observations. And, after all, what good would grumbling have done? Recurminations were worse than useless. They could not have altered their position, or have checked the course of the wandering island. And there was no means of reuniting it to a continent. No, God alone could decide the future of Fort Hope. They must bow to His will. End of Part 2, Chapter 1. It was necessary carefully to study the unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him. He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island, the original name being retained until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken. For the longitude the altitude of the Sun must be ascertained before and after noon, and two hours' angles must be measured. At two o'clock p.m. Hobson and Black took the height of the Sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommend the same operation the next morning towards ten o'clock a.m., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island. The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory. Madge declared she was quite resigned, and evidently thought only of her mistress, at whom she could not look without emotion. She could not bear to think of the sufferings and trials her dear girl might have to go through in the future. She was ready to lay down her life for Paulina, but what good could that do now? She knew, however, that Mrs. Barnett was not a woman to sink under her misfortunes, and indeed at present there was really no need for anyone to despair. There was no immediate danger to be dreaded, and a catastrophe might even yet be avoided. This Hobson carefully explained to his companions, two dangers threatened the island floating along the coast of North America only two. It could be drawn by the currents of the open sea to the high polar latitudes from which there is no return, or the current could take it to the south, perhaps through the Bering Strait into the Pacific Ocean. In the former contingency the colonists, shut in by ice and surrounded by impassable icebergs, would have no means of communication with their fellow creatures, and would die of cold and hunger in the solitudes of the North. In the latter contingency, Victoria Island, driven by the currents to the western waters of the Pacific, would gradually melt and go to pieces beneath the feet of its inhabitants. In either case death would await the lieutenant and his companions, and the fort erected at the cost of so much labour and suffering would be destroyed. But it was scarcely probable that either of these events would happen. The season was already considerably advanced, and in less than three months the sea would again be rendered motionless by the icy hand of the polar winter. The ocean would again be converted into an ice-field, and by means of sledges they might get to the nearest land. The coast of Russian America, if the island remained in the east, or the coast of Asia, if it were driven to the west. For, added Hobson, we have absolutely no control over our floating island, having no sail to hoist, as in a boat, we cannot guide it in the least. Where it takes us, we must go. All that Hobson said was clear, concise, and to the point. There could be no doubt that the bitter cold of winter would solder Victoria Island to the vast ice-field, and it was highly probable that it would drift neither too far north nor too far south. To have crossed a few hundred miles of ice was no such terrible prospect, for brave and resolute men accustomed to long excursions in the Arctic regions. It would be necessary, it was true, to abandon Fort Hope, the object of so many hopes, and to lose the benefit of all their exertions. But what of that? The factory, built upon a shifting soil, could be of no further use to the company. Sooner or later it would be swallowed up by the ocean. And what was the good of useless regrets? It must therefore be deserted as soon as circumstances should permit. The only thing against the safety of the colonists was, and the lieutenant dwelt long at this point, that during the eight or nine weeks of collapse before the solidification of the Arctic Ocean, Victoria Island might be dragged too far north or south. Arctic explorers had often told of pieces of ice being drifted an immense distance without any possibility of stopping them. Everything then depended on the force and direction of the currents from the opening of Bering Strait, and it would be necessary carefully to ascertain all that a chart in the Arctic Ocean could tell. Hobson had such a chart and invited all who were with him on the Cape to come to his room and look at it. But before going down to the fort he once more urged upon them the necessity of keeping their situation a secret. It is not yet desperate, he said, and it is therefore quite unnecessary to damp the spirits of our comrades who will perhaps not be able to understand as we do the chances in our favour. Would it not be prudent to build a boat large enough to hold us all and strong enough to carry us a few hundred miles over the sea? observed Mrs. Barnett. It would be prudent, certainly, said Hobson, and we will do it, I must think, of some pretext for beginning the work at once and give the necessary orders to the head carpenter. But taking to a boat can only be a forlorn hope when everything else has failed. We must try all we can to avoid being on the island when the ice breaks up, and we must make for the mainland as soon as ever the sea is frozen over. Hobson was right. It would take about three months to build a thirty or thirty-five ton vessel, and the sea would not be open when it was finished. It would be very dangerous to embark the whole party when the ice was found, and he would be well out of his difficulties if he could get across the ice to firm ground before the next thaw set in. This was why Hobson thought a boat, a forlorn hope, a desperate makeshift, and everyone agreed with him. Secrecy was once more promised, for it was felt that Hobson was the best judge of the matter, and a few minutes later the five conspirators were seated together in the large room of Fort Hope, which was then deserted, eagerly examining an excellent map of the oceanic and atmospheric currents of the Arctic Ocean, special attention being naturally given to that part of the polar sea between Cape Bathurst and Bering Strait. Two principal currents divide the dangerous latitudes comprehended between the polar circle and the imperfectly known zone called the Northwest Passage since McClure's daring discovery. At least only two have been hitherto noticed by marine surveyors. One is called the Kampchakta Current. It takes its rise in the offing outside the peninsula of that name, follows the coast of Asia, and passes through Bering Strait, touching Cape East, a promontory of Siberia. After running to North for about six hundred miles from the Strait it turns suddenly to the East, pretty nearly following the same parallel as McClure's Passage and probably doing much to keep that communication open for a few months in the warm season. The other current, called Bering Current, flows just the other way. After running from East to West at about a hundred miles at the most from the coast it comes into collision so to speak with the Kampchakta Current at the opening of the Strait. And turning to the South approaches the shores of Russian America crosses Bering Sea and finally breaks on the kind of circular dam formed by the Aleutian Islands. Hobson's map gave a very exact summary of the most recent nautical observations so that it could be relied on. The Lieutenant examined it carefully before speaking and then pressing his hand to his head as if oppressed by some sad presentiment he observed. Let us hope that the fate will not take us to remote northern latitudes. Our wandering island would run a risk of never returning. Why, Lieutenant? broke in Mrs. Barnett. Why, madam? replied Hobson. Look well at this part of the Arctic Ocean and you will readily understand why. Two currents, both dangerous for us, run opposite ways. When they meet the island must necessarily become stationary and that at a great distance from any land. At that point it will have to remain for the winter, and when the next thaw sets in it will either follow the Camp Chukta Current to the deserted regions of the northwest or it will float down with the Bering Current to be swallowed up by the Pacific Ocean. That will not happen, Lieutenant, said Madge, in a tone of earnest conviction. God would never permit that. I can't make out, said Mrs. Barnett, whereabouts in the Polar Sea we are at this moment, for I see but one current from the offing of Cape Bathurst which bears directly to the northwest, and that is the dangerous Camp Chukta Current. Are you not afraid that it has us in its fatal embrace and is carrying us with it to the shores of north Georgia? I think not, replied Hobson after a moment's reflection. Why not? Because it is a very rapid current, madam, and if we had been following it for three months we should have had some land in sight by this time, and there is none, absolutely none. Where, then, do you suppose we are? inquired Mrs. Barnett. Most likely between the Camp Chukta Current and the coast, perhaps in some vast eddy unmarked upon the map. That cannot be, Lieutenant, replied Mrs. Barnett quickly. Why not, madam? Why not? Because if Victoria Island were in an eddy it would have veered round to a certain extent, and our position with regard to the cardinal points would have changed in the last three months, which is certainly not the case. You are right, madam, you are quite right. The only explanation I can think of is that there is some other current not marked on our map. Oh, that tomorrow we're here, that I might find out our longitude. Really, this uncertainty is terrible. Tomorrow will come, observed Mag. There is nothing to do but wait. The party therefore separated all returning to their ordinary occupations. Sergeant Long informed his comrades that the departure for Fort Reliance fixed for the next day was put off. He gave his reasons that the season was too far advanced to get to the southern factory before the great cold set in. That the astronomer was anxious to complete his meteorological observations and would therefore submit to another winter in the north. That game was so plentiful. Provisions from Fort Reliance were not needed, etc., etc. But about all these matters the brave fellows cared little. Lieutenant Tobson ordered his men to spare the furred animals in future and only to kill edible game so as to lay up fresh doors for the coming winter. He also forbade them to go more than two miles from the fort, not wishing Marbra and Sabine upon a sea horizon where the isthmus connecting the peninsula of Victoria with the mainland was visible a few months before. The disappearance of the neck of land would inevitably have betrayed everything. The day appeared endless to Lieutenant Tobson. Again and again he returned to Kate Bathurst, either alone or accompanied by Mrs. Barnett. The latter, enured to danger, showed no fear. She even talked to the Lieutenant about his floating island being perhaps, after all, the proper conveyance for going to the North Pole. With favorable current might they not reach that hitherto inaccessible point of the globe. Lieutenant Tobson shook his head as he listened to his companions fancy and kept his eyes fixed upon the horizon, hoping to catch a glimpse of some land, no matter what, in the distance. But no, sea and sky were yet in an absolutely unbroken circular line confirming Hobson's opinion that Victoria Island was drifting to the West rather than in any other direction. Lieutenant, at last, said Mrs. Barnett, don't you mean to make a tour of our island as soon as possible? Yes, madam, of course, as soon as I have taken our bearings I mean to ascertain the form and extent of our dominions. It seems, however, that the fracture was made at the isthmus itself so that the whole peninsula has become an island. A strange destiny is ours, Lieutenant, said Mrs. Barnett. Others returned from their travels to add new districts to geographical maps, but we shall have to efface the supposed peninsula of Victoria. The next day, July 18th, the sky was very clear and at ten o'clock in the morning Hobson obtained a satisfactory altitude of the sun, and comparing it with that of the observation of the day before he ascertained exactly the longitude in which they were. The island was then in 157 degrees 37 minutes longitude west from Greenwich. The latitude, obtained the day before at noon almost immediately after the eclipse was, as we know, 73 degrees 7 minutes 20 seconds north. The spot was looked out on the map in the presence of Mrs. Barnett and Sergeant Long. It was indeed a most anxious moment and the following result was arrived at. The wandering island was moving in a westerly direction born along by a current unmarked on the chart and unknown to hydrographers which was evidently carrying it towards Bering Strait. All the dangers foreseen by Hobson were then imminent if Victoria Island did not again touch the mainland before the winter. But how far are we from the American continent? That is the most important point just at present," said Mrs. Barnett. Hobson took his compasses and carefully measured the narrowest part of the sea between the coast and the 70th parallel. We are actually more than 250 miles from the point Barrow, the northernmost extremity of Russian America," he replied. We ought to know then how many miles the island has drifted since it left the mainland, said Sergeant Long. Seven hundred miles at least, replied Hobson, after having again consulted the chart. And at what time do you suppose the drifting commenced? Most likely towards the end of April the ice field broke up then and everything drew back to the north. We may therefore conclude that Victoria Island has been moving along with the current parallel with the coast at an average rate of ten miles a day. No very rapid pace after all," exclaimed Mrs. Barnett. Too fast, madam, when you think where we may be taken during the two months in which the sea will remain open in this part of the Arctic Ocean. The three friends remain silent and looked fixedly at the chart of the fearful polar regions towards which they were being irresistibly drawn and which have hitherto successfully resisted all attempts to explore them. There is nothing then? Nothing to be done? Nothing to try? said Mrs. Barnett after a pause. Nothing, madam, replied Hobson, nothing whatever. We must wait. We must all pray for the speedy arrival of the Arctic winter generally so much dreaded by our sailors, but which alone can save us now. The winter will bring ice, our only anchor of salvation, the only power which can arrest the course of this wandering island. From that day, July 18th, it was decided that the bearings should be taken as on board a vessel whenever the state of the atmosphere rendered the operation possible. Was not the island, in fact, a disabled ship, tossed a boat without sails or helm. Was not the island, in fact, a disabled ship, tossed a boat without sails or helm? Was not the island, in fact, a disabled ship, tossed a boat without sails or helm? The next day, after taking the bearings, Hobson announced that without change of latitude the island had advanced several miles further west. McNabb was ordered to commence a construction of a huge boat, Hobson telling him, in explanation, that he proposed making a reconnaissance of the coast as far as Russian-American next summer. The carpenter asked no further questions, but proceeded to choose his wood and fix upon the beach at the foot of Cape Bathurst as his dark-yard, so that he might easily be able to launch his vessel. Hobson intended to set out the same day on his excursion round the island in which he and his comrades were imprisoned. Many changes might take place in the configuration of this sheet of ice, subject as it was to the influence of the variable temperature of the waves. And it was important to determine its actual form at the present time, its area, and its thickness in different parts. The point of rupture, which was most likely at the isthmus itself, ought to be examined with special care, the fracture being still fresh, it might be possible to ascertain the exact arrangement of the stratified layers of ice and earth of which the soil of the island was composed. But in the afternoon the sky clouded over suddenly, and a violent squall accompanied with thick mists swept down upon the fort. Presently torrents of rainfall and large hailstones rattled on the roof, whilst a few distant claps of thunder were heard, a phenomenon of exceedingly rare occurrence in such elevated latitudes. Hobson was obliged to put off his trip and wait until the fury of the elements abated. But during the twentieth, twenty-first, and twenty-second July, no change occurred. The storm raged, the floods of heaven were let loose, and the waves broke upon the beach with a deafening roar. Liquid avalanches were flung with such force upon Cape Bathurst that there was reason to dread that it might give way. Its stability was, in fact, somewhat problematical, as it consisted merely of an aggregation of sand and earth without any firm foundation. Vessels at sea might well be pitied in this fearful gale, but the floating island was of too vast a bulk to be affected by the agitation of the waves and remained indifferent to their fury. During the night of the twenty-second July the tempest suddenly ceased. A strong breeze from the northeast dispelled the last mist upon the horizon. The barometer rose a few degrees, and the weather appeared likely to favour Hobson's expedition. He was to be accompanied by Mrs. Barnett and Sergeant Long, and expected to be absent a day or two. The little party took some salt meat, biscuits, and a few flasks of rum with them, and there was nothing in their excursion to surprise the rest of the colonists. The days were, just then, very long. The sun only disappearing below the horizon for a few hours. There were no wild animals to be feared now. The bears seemed to have fled by instinct from the peninsula whilst it was still connected with the mainland. But to neglect no precaution each of the three explorers was provided with a gun. The lieutenant and his subordinate also carried hatches and ice-chisels which a traveller in the polar regions should never be without. During the absence of the lieutenant and the sergeant the command of the fort fell to Corpo Jolif, or rather to his little wife, and Tobson knew that he could trust her. Thomas Black could not be depended on. He would not even join the exploring-party. He promised, however, to watch the northern latitudes very carefully, and to note any change which should take place in the sea or the position of the cape during the absence of the lieutenant. Mrs. Barnett had endeavored to reason with the unfortunate astronomer, but he would listen to nothing. He felt that nature had deceived him and that he could never forgive her. After many a-herty farewell the lieutenant and his two companions left the fort by the postern gate, and, turning to the west, followed the lengthened curve of the coast between Cape's Bathurst and Eskimo. It was eight o'clock in the morning. The oblique rays of the sun struck upon the beach and it touched with many a brilliant tint. The angry billows of the sea were sinking to rest and the birds, ptarmigans, guillemots, puffins, and petrels driven away by the storm were returning by thousands. Troops of ducks were hastening back to Lake Barnett, flying close, although they knew it not, to Mrs. Joliv's saucepan. Polar hares, martins, muskrats, and ear-mines rose before the travellers and fled at their approach, but not with any great appearance of haste or terror. The animals gently felt drawn towards their old enemies by a common danger. They know well enough that they are hemmed in by the sea and cannot quit the island, observed Hobson. They are all in the habit of seeking warmer climates in the south in the winter. Are they not? inquired Mrs. Barnett. Yes, madam, but unless they are presently able to cross the ice-field they will have to remain prisoners like ourselves, and I am afraid they will die of cold or hunger. I hope they will be good enough to supply us with food for a long time, observed the sergeant, and I think it is very fortunate that they had not the sense to run away before the rupture of the isthmus. The birds will, however, leave us, added Mrs. Barnett. Oh, yes, madam, everything with wings will go. They can traverse long distances without fatigue, and, more fortunate than ourselves, they will regain terra firma. Can we not use them as messengers? asked Mrs. Barnett. A good idea, madam, a capital idea. Said Hobson, we might easily catch some hundreds of these birds and tie a paper round their necks with our exact situation written upon it. John Ross, in 1848, tried similar means to acquaint the survivors of the Franklin Expedition with the presence of his ships. The Enterprise and the Investigator of the Polar Seas. He caught some hundreds of white foxes and traps, riveted a copper collar round the neck of each, with all the necessary information engraved upon it, and then set them free in every direction. Perhaps some of the messengers may have fallen into the hands of the shipwreck wanderers. Perhaps so, replied Hobson, I know that an old fox was taken by Captain Hatteras during his voyage of discovery, wearing a collar half worn away and hidden beneath his thick white fur. What we cannot do with the quadrupeds, we will do with the birds. Chatting thus and laying plans for the future, the three explorers continued to follow the coast. They noticed no change. The abrupt cliffs covered with earth and sand showed no signs of a recent alteration in the extent of the island. It was, however, to be feared that the vast sheet of ice would be worn away at the base by the action of the warm currents, and on this point, Hobson was naturally anxious. By eleven o'clock in the morning the eight miles between Cape's Bathurst and Eskimo had been traversed. A few traces of the encampment of Kalumaha's party still remained. Of course the snow-huts had entirely disappeared, but some cinders and walrus bones marked the spot. The three explorers halted here for a short time. They intended to pass the few short hours of the night at Walrus's bay, which they hoped to reach in a few hours. They breakfasted, seated on a slightly rising ground, covered with a scanty and stunted herbage. Before their eyes lay the ocean bounded by a clearly defined sea horizon, without a sail or an iceberg to break the monotony of the vast expanse of water. Should you be very much surprised if some vessel came in sight now, Lieutenant? inquired Mrs. Barnett. I should be very agreeably surprised, madam,' replied Hobson. It is not at all uncommon for wailers to come as far north as this, especially now that the Arctic Ocean is frequented by whales and Shackulots. But you must remember that it is the twenty-third July, and the far advanced. The whole fleet of whaling-fessels is probably now, in gulf Katsubi, at the entrance to the strait. Whalers shun the sudden changes in the Arctic Ocean, and with good reason. They dread being shut in the ice, and the icebergs, avalanches, and ice-fields they avoid are very fine things for which we earnestly pray. They will come, Lieutenant,' said Long. Have patience in another two months the waves will no longer break upon the shores of Cape Eskimo. Cape Eskimo observed Mrs. Barnett with a smile. That name, like those we gave to the other parts of the peninsula, may turn out unfortunate too. We have lost Port Barnett and Paulina River. Who can tell whether Cape Eskimo and Walruses Bay may not also disappear in time? They too will disappear, madam,' replied Hobson, to them the whole of Victory Island for nothing now connects it with a continent, and it is doomed to destruction. The result is inevitable, and our choice of geographical names will be thrown away. But fortunately the Royal Society has not yet adopted them, and Sir Roderick Murchison will have nothing to efface on his maps. One name he will, exclaimed the Sergeant, which inquired Hobson. Cape Bathurst, replied Long. Ah, yes, you are right. Cape Bathurst must now be removed from maps of the polar regions. Two hours rest were all the explorers cared for, and at one o'clock they prepared to resume their journey. Before starting Hobson once more looked round to him from the summit of Cape Eskimo, but seeing nothing worthy of notice he rejoined Mrs. Barnett and Sergeant Long. Madam," he said, addressing the lady, you have not forgotten the family of natives we met here last winter. Oh, no! I have always held dear, little kalumaha, in friendly remembrance. She promised to come and see us again at Fort Hope. But she will not be able to do so. But why do you ask me about the natives now? Because I remember something to which, much to my regret, I did not at the time attach sufficient work. What was that? You remember the uneasy surprise the men manifested at finding a big factory at the foot of Cape Bathurst. Oh, yes, perfectly. You remember that I tried to make out what the natives meant, and that I could not do so. Yes, I remember. Well," added Hobson, I know why they shook their heads. From tradition, experience, or something, the Eskimo knew what the peninsula really was. They knew we had not built on firm ground. But as things had probably remained as they were for centuries, they thought there was no immediate danger, and that it was not worthwhile to explain themselves. Very likely you are right, replied Mrs. Barnett. But I feel sure that Kalumaha had no suspicion of her companion's fears, or she would have warned us. Hobson quite agreed with Mrs. Barnett and Sergeant Long observed. It really seems to have been by a kind of fatality that we settled ourselves upon this peninsula just before it was torn away from the mainland. I suppose, Lieutenant, that it had been connected for a very long time, perhaps for centuries. You might say, for thousands and thousands of years, Sergeant, replied Hobson, remember that soil on which we are treading has been brought here by wind little by little, that the sand has accumulated grain by grain. Think of the time it must have taken for the seeds of furs, willows, and arbutus to become shrubs and trees. Perhaps the sheet of ice on which we float was welded to the continent before the creation of man. Well, cried Long, it really might have waited a few centuries longer before it drifted. How much anxiety and how many dangers we might then have been spared. Sergeant Long's most sensible remark closed the conversation and the journey was resumed. From Cape Eskimo to Walrus's Bay the coast ran almost due south following the 127th meridian. Looking behind them they could see one corner of the lagoon, its waters sparkling in the sunbeams and a little beyond the wooded heights in which it was framed. Large eagles soared above their heads, their cries and the loud flapping of their wings breaking the stillness and furred animals of many kinds martins, pole-cats, ear-minds, etc., croaching behind some rising ground or hiding amongst the stunted bushes and wellows, gazed inquiringly at the intruders. They seemed to understand that they had nothing to fear. Hobbson cut a glimpse of a few beavers wandering about, evidently ill at ease, and puzzled at the disappearance of the little river with no ledges to shelter them and no stream by which to build a new home. They were doomed to die of cold when the severe frost set in. Sergeant Long also saw a troop of wolves crossing the plain. It was evident that specimens of the whole Arctic fauna were imprisoned on the island and there was every reason to fear that when famished with hunger all the coniferous beasts would be formidable enemies of the occupants of Fort Hope. Fortunately, however, one race of animals appeared to be quite unrepresented. Not a single white bear was seen. Once the sergeant thought he saw an enormous white mass moving about on the other side of a clump of willows, but on close examination decided that he was mistaken. The coast near Wallace's Bay was, on the whole, heavily elevated above the sea level and in the distance the waves broke into running foam as they do upon a sloping beach. It was to be feared that the soil had little stability, but there was no means of judging of the modifications which had taken place since their last visit and Hobson much regretted that he had not made benchmarks upon Cape Bathurst before he left that he might judge of the amount of sinking or depression which took place. He determined, however, to take this precaution on his return. It will be understood that, under the circumstances, the party did not advance very rapidly. A pause was often made to examine the soil or to see if there were any sign of an approaching fracture on the coast. And sometimes the explorers wandered inland for half a mile. Here and there the sergeant planted branches in the lower birch to serve as landmarks for the future, especially wherever undermining seemed to be going on rapidly and the solidity of the ground was doubtful. By this means it would be easy to ascertain the changes which might take place. They did advance, however, and at three o'clock in the afternoon they were only three miles from Walrus's Bay and Hobson called Mrs. Barnett's attention to the important changes predicted by the rupture of the Ithmus. Formerly the southwestern horizon was shut in by a long, slightly curved coastline formed by the shores of Liverpool Bay. Now a sea-line bounded the view, the continent having disappeared. Victoria Island ended in an abrupt ankle where it had broken off and all felt sure that on turning round that ankle the ocean would be spread out before them and that its waves would bathe the whole of the southern side of the island which was once the connecting link between Walrus's Bay and Washburn Bay. Mrs. Barnett could not look at the changed aspect of the scene without emotion. She had expected it and yet her heart beat almost audibly. She gazed across the sea for the missing continent which was now left several hundred miles behind and it rushed upon her mind with a fresh stock that she would never set foot on America again. Her agitation was indeed excusable and it was shared by the lieutenant and the sergeant. All quickening their steps eager to reach the abrupt ankle in the south the ground rose slightly as they advanced and the layers of earth and sand became thicker. This, of course, was explained by the former proximity of this part of the coast to the true continent. The thickness of the crust of ice and of the layer of earth at the point of junction increasing, as it probably did, every century explained the long resistance of the isthmus which nothing but some extraordinary convulsion could have overcome. Such a convulsion was the earthquake of the 8th January which, although it had only affected the continent of North America had suffice to break the connecting link and to launch Victoria Island upon the wide ocean. At four o'clock p.m. the angle was reached. Walrus's bay formed by an indentation of the firm ground had disappeared. It had remained behind with the continent. By my faith, madam, explained the sergeant, it's lucky for you we didn't call it Paulina Barnett Bay. replied the lady. I begin to think I am an unlucky godmother for newly discovered places.