ands. Duke
continued barking furiously. The limestones were firmly fastened
together by the ice; but a few blows scattered them on the ground.

"There's something there, evidently," said the doctor.

"I think so," answered Bell.

They rapidly destroyed the cairn. Soon they found a bundle and in it a
damp paper. The doctor took it with a beating heart. Hatteras ran
forward, seized the paper, and read:--

"Altam..., _Porpoise_, December 13, 1860, longitude 12.. degrees,
latitude 8.. degrees 35 minutes."

"The _Porpoise_?" said the doctor.

"The _Porpoise_!" replied Hatteras. "I never heard of a ship of this
name in these seas."

"It is clear," resumed the doctor, "that travellers, perhaps
shipwrecked sailors, have been here within two months."

"That is sure," said Bell.

"What are we going to do?" asked the doctor.

"Push on," answered Hatteras, coldly. "I don't know anything about any
ship called the _Porpoise_, but I know that the brig _Forward_ is
waiting for our return."

CHAPTER XXXI.
THE DEATH OF SIMPSON.

They resumed their journey; the mind of every one was filled with new
and unexpected ideas, for to meet any one in these regions is about
the most remarkable event that can happen. Hatteras frowned uneasily.

"The _Porpoise_!" he kept saying to himself; "what ship is that? And
what is it doing so near the Pole?"

At the thought, he shuddered. The doctor and Bell only thought of the
two results which might follow the discovery of this document, that
they might be of service in saving some one, or, possibly, that they
might be saved by them. But the difficulties, obstacles, and dangers
soon returned, and they could only think of their perilous position.

[Illustration: "They could only think of their perilous position."]

Simpson's condition grew worse; the doctor could not be mistaken about
the symptoms of a speedy death. He could do nothing; he was himself
suffering from a painful ophthalmia, which might be accompanied by
deafness if he did not take care. The twilight at that time gave light
enough, and this light, reflected by the snow, was bad for the eyes;
it was hard to protect them from the reflection, for glasses would be
soon covered with a layer of ice which rendered them useless. Hence
they had to guard carefully against accident by the way, and they had
to run the risk of ophthalmia; still, the doctor and Bell covered
their eyes and took turns in guiding the sledge. It ran f