Scott and Co., who will settle
with you. I particularly recommend you the choice of the _Forward's_
crew; it will be composed of a captain, myself, of a second, you,
of a third officer, a boatswain, two engineers, an ice pilot, eight
sailors, and two others, eighteen men in all, comprising Dr. Clawbonny,
of this town, who will introduce himself to you when necessary. The
_Forward's_ crew must be composed of Englishmen without incumbrance;
they should be all bachelors and sober--for no spirits, nor even beer,
will be allowed on board--ready to undertake anything, and to bear
with anything. You will give the preference to men of a sanguine
constitution, as they carry a greater amount of animal heat. Offer
them five times the usual pay, with an increase of one-tenth for each
year of service. At the end of the voyage five hundred pounds will
be placed at the disposition of each, and two thousand at yours. These
funds will be placed with Messrs. Marcuart and Co. The voyage will
be long and difficult, but honourable, so you need not hesitate to
accept my conditions. Be good enough to send your answer to K. Z.,
Poste Restante, Goteborg, Sweden.

"P.S.--On the 15th of February next you will receive a large Danish
dog, with hanging lips, and tawny coat with black stripes. You will
take it on board and have it fed with oaten bread, mixed with tallow
grease. You will acknowledge the reception of the said dog to me under
the same initials as above, Poste Restante, Leghorn, Italy.

"The captain of the _Forward_ will introduce himself to you when
necessary. When you are ready to start you will receive further
instructions.

"THE CAPTAIN OF THE 'FORWARD,'

"K. Z."

CHAPTER III

DR. CLAWBONNY

Richard Shandon was a good sailor; he had been commander of whalers
in the Arctic seas for many years, and had a wide reputation for skill.
He might well be astonished at such a letter, and so he was, but
astonished like a man used to astonishments. He fulfilled, too, all
the required conditions: he had no wife, children, or relations; he
was as free as a man could be. Having no one to consult, he went straight
to Messrs. Marcuart's bank.

"If the money is there," he said to himself, "I'll undertake the rest."

He was received by the firm with all the attention due to a man with
sixteen thousand pounds in their safes. Sure of that fact, Shan