more engaging names, for
Farewell Cape and Desolation Cape are not names made to attract
navigators."

"I have also remarked that," replied the doctor, "but these names
have a geographical interest that we must not overlook. They describe
the adventures of those who gave them those names. Next to the names
of Davis, Baffin, Hudson, Ross, Parry, Franklin, and Bellot, if I
meet with Cape Desolation I soon find Mercy Bay; Cape Providence is
a companion to Port Anxiety; Repulsion Bay brings me back to Cape
Eden, and leaving Turnagain Point I take refuge in Refuge Bay. I have
there under my eyes an unceasing succession of perils, misfortunes,
obstacles, successes, despairs, and issues, mixed with great names
of my country, and, like a series of old-fashioned medals, that
nomenclature retraces in my mind the whole history of these seas."

"You are quite right, Mr. Clawbonny, and I hope we shall meet with
more Success Bays than Despair Capes in our voyage."

"I hope so too, Johnson; but, I say, is the crew come round a little
from its terrors?"

"Yes, a little; but since we got into the Straits they have begun
to talk about the fantastic captain; more than one of them expected
to see him appear at the extremity of Greenland; but between you and
me, doctor, doesn't it astonish you a little too?"

"It does indeed, Johnson."

"Do you believe in the captain's existence?"

"Of course I do."

"But what can be his reasons for acting in that manner?"

"If I really must tell you the whole of my thoughts, Johnson, I believe
that the captain wished to entice the crew far enough out to prevent
them being able to come back. Now if he had been on board when we
started they would all have wanted to know our destination, and he
might have been embarrassed."

"But why so?"

"Suppose he should wish to attempt some superhuman enterprise, and
to penetrate where others have never been able to reach, do you believe
if the crew knew it they would ever have enlisted? As it is, having
got so far, going farther becomes a necessity."

"That's very probable, Mr. Clawbonny. I have known more than one
intrepid adventurer whose name alone was a terror, and who would never
have found any one to accompany him in his perilous expeditions----"

"Excepting me," ventured the doctor.

"And me, after you," answered Johnson, "and to follow you; I can
venture to affirm that our captain is amongst the number of such
adventurers. No matter, we shall