entangled in the paddles, and they were so hard that all the
strength of the machine was not sufficient to break them; it was then
necessary to back the engine and send men to clear the screws with
their handspikes. All this delayed the brig; it lasted thirteen days.
The _Forward_ dragged herself painfully along Penny Strait; the crew
grumbled, but obeyed: the men saw now that it was impossible to go
back. Keeping north was less dangerous than retreating south. They
were obliged to think about wintering. The sailors talked together
about their present position, and one day they mentioned it to Richard
Shandon, who, they knew, was on their side. The second officer forgot
his duty as an officer, and allowed them to discuss the authority
of the captain before him.

"You say, then, Mr. Shandon, that we can't go back now?" said Gripper.

"No, it's too late now," answered Shandon.

"Then we must think about wintering," said another sailor.

"It's the only thing we can do. They wouldn't believe me."

"Another time," said Pen, who had been released, "we shall believe
you."

"But as I am not the master----" replied Shandon.

"Who says you mayn't be?" answered Pen. "John Hatteras may go as far
as he likes, but we aren't obliged to follow him."

"You all know what became of the crew that did follow him in his first
cruise to Baffin's Sea?" said Gripper.

"And the cruise of the _Farewell_ under him that got lost in the
Spitzbergen seas!" said Clifton.

"He was the only man that came back," continued Gripper.

"He and his dog," answered Clifton.

"We won't die for his pleasure," added Pen.

"Nor lose the bounty we've been at so much trouble to earn," cried
Clifton. "When we've passed the 78th degree--and we aren't far off
it, I know--that will make just the 375 pounds each."

"But," answered Gripper, "shan't we lose it if we go back without
the captain?"

"Not if we prove that we were obliged to," answered Clifton.

"But it's the captain----"

"You never mind, Gripper," answered Pen; "we'll have a captain and
a good one--that Mr. Shandon knows. When one commander goes mad, folks
have done with him, and they take another; don't they, Mr. Shandon?"

Shandon answered evasively that they could reckon upon him, but that
they must wait to see what turned up. Difficulties were getting thick
round Hatteras, but he was as firm, calm, energetic, and confident
as ever. After all, he had done in five months what other navi