I shall not be anxious,
knowing you are where I cannot be. You must have wood, Johnson, I
know, but, as far as possible, spare my poor ship. Do you understand
me, Johnson?"

"Yes, sir," answered the old sailor, "I'll stop if you wish."

"Thank you," said Hatteras, shaking his boatswain's hand; "and if
we don't come back, wait for the next breaking-up time, and try to
push forward towards the Pole. But if the others won't go, don't mind
us, and take the _Forward_ back to England."

"Are those your last commands, captain?"

"Yes, my express commands," answered Hatteras.

"Very well, sir, they shall be carried out," said Johnson simply.

The doctor regretted his friend, but he thought Hatteras had acted
wisely in leaving him. Their other two travelling companions were
Bell the carpenter and Simpson. The former was in good health, brave
and devoted, and was the right man to render service during the
encampments on the snow; Simpson was not so sure, but he accepted
a share in the expedition, and his hunting and fishing capabilities
might be of the greatest use. The expedition consisted, therefore,
of four men, Hatteras, Clawbonny, Bell, and Simpson, and seven dogs.
The provisions had been calculated in consequence. During the first
days of January the temperature kept at an average of 33 degrees below
zero. Hatteras was very anxious for the weather to change; he often
consulted the barometer, but it is of little use in such high latitudes.
A clear sky in these regions does not always bring cold, and the snow
does not make the temperature rise; the barometer is uncertain; it
goes down with the north and east winds; low, it brought fine weather;
high, snow or rain. Its indications could not, therefore, be relied
upon.

At last, on January 5th, the mercury rose to 18 degrees below zero,
and Hatteras resolved to start the next day; he could not bear to
see his ship burnt piece by piece before his eyes; all the poop had
gone into the stove. On the 6th, then, in the midst of whirlwinds
of snow, the order for departure was given. The doctor gave his last
orders about the sick; Bell and Simpson shook hands silently with
their companions. Hatteras wished to say his good-byes aloud, but
he saw himself surrounded by evil looks and thought he saw Shandon
smile ironically. He was silent, and perhaps hesitated for an instant
about leaving the _Forward_, but it was too late to turn back; the
loaded sledge, with the dogs harnessed