he Franklin expeditions have already cost England more than seven
hundred and sixty thousand pounds without producing any practical
result. Who the devil means to risk his fortune in such an enterprise?"

"We are reasoning now on a simple hypothesis," said Shandon. "I don't
know if we are really going to the Northern or Southern Seas. Perhaps
we are going on a voyage of discovery. We shall know more when Dr.
Clawbonny comes; I daresay he will tell us all about it."

"There's nothing for it but to wait," answered Johnson; "I'll go and
hunt up some solid subjects, captain; and as to their animal heat,
I guarantee beforehand you can trust me for that."

Johnson was a valuable acquisition; he understood the navigation of
these high latitudes. He was quartermaster on board the _Phoenix_,
one of the vessels of the Franklin expedition of 1853. He was witness
of the death of the French lieutenant Bellot, whom he had accompanied
in his expedition across the ice. Johnson knew the maritime population
of Liverpool, and started at once on his recruiting expedition.
Shandon, Wall, and he did their work so well that the crew was complete
in the beginning of December. It had been a difficult task; many,
tempted by the high pay, felt frightened at the risk, and more than
one enlisted boldly who came afterwards to take back his word and
enlistment money, dissuaded by his friends from undertaking such an
enterprise. All of them tried to pierce the mystery, and worried
Shandon with questions; he sent them to Johnson.

"I can't tell you what I don't know," he answered invariably; "you'll
be in good company, that's all I can tell you. You can take it or
leave it alone."

And the greater number took it.

"I have only to choose," added the boatswain; "such salary has never
been heard of in the memory of sailors, and then the certainty of
finding a handsome capital when we come back. Only think: it's
tempting enough."

"The fact is," answered the sailor, "it is tempting; enough to live
on till the end of one's days."

"I don't hide from you," continued Johnson, "that the cruise will
be long, painful, and perilous; that is formally stated in our
instructions, and you ought to know what you undertake; you will very
likely be required to attempt all that it is possible for human beings
to do, and perhaps more. If you are the least bit frightened, if you
don't think you may just as well finish yonder as here, you'd better
not enlist, but