ld try to make
his way from Davis Strait to Behring Strait. The expeditions in search
of Sir John Franklin have already cost England more than seven hundred
and sixty thousand pounds, without producing any practical good. Who
in the world wants to throw away his money for such a purpose?"

"In the first place, James," answered Shandon, "we are in the dark
about it all. I don't know whether we are going to the northern or the
southern seas. Perhaps there's some new discovery to be tried. At any
rate, some day or other a Dr. Clawbonny is to come aboard who will
probably know more about it and will be able to tell us. We shall
see."

"Let us wait, then," said Johnson; "as for me, I'm going to look after
some good men, and I'll answer now for their animal heat, as the
captain calls it. You can depend on me."

Johnson was an invaluable man; he was familiar with high latitudes. He
had been quartermaster aboard of the _Phoenix_, which belonged to one
of the expeditions sent out in 1853 in search of Franklin; he had been
an eye-witness of the death of the French lieutenant Bellot, whom he
had accompanied in his expedition across the ice. Johnson knew all the
sailors in Liverpool, and immediately set about engaging a crew.

[Illustration: "Johnson knew all the sailors in Liverpool, and
immediately set about engaging a crew."]

Shandon, Wall, and he succeeded in filling the number by the middle of
December, but they met with considerable difficulty; many who were
attracted by the high pay were alarmed by the danger, and more than
one who had boldly enlisted came later to say that he had changed his
mind on account of the dissuasion of his friends. They all tried to
pierce the mystery, and pursued Shandon with their questions. He used
to refer them to Johnson.

"What can I say, my man?" the boatswain used to answer; "I don't know
any more about it than you do. At any rate you will be in good
company, with men who won't shirk their work; that's something! So
don't be thinking about it all day: take it or leave it!" And the
greater number took it.

"You understand," added Johnson, sometimes, "my only trouble is in
making my choice. High pay, such as no sailor ever had before, with
the certainty of finding a round sum when we get back. That's very
tempting."

"The fact is," answered the sailors, "that it is hard to refuse. It
will support a man all the rest of his life."

"I won't hide from you," continued Johnson, "that