ir journey northward.

The heavens were magnificent, the air was very clear, the temperature
very low; when the sun appeared above the horizon it appeared like an
elongated ellipse; its horizontal diameter appeared, in consequence of
refraction, to be double its vertical diameter. It sent forth its
clear, cold rays over the vast icy plain. This return to light, if not
to heat, rejoiced them all.

[Illustration]

The doctor, gun in hand, walked off for a mile or two, braving the
cold and solitude; before going he measured the supply carefully; only
four charges of powder were left, and three balls; that was a small
supply when one remembers that a strong animal like the polar bear
often falls only after receiving ten or twelve shots. Hence the doctor
did not go in search of so fierce game; a few hares or two or three
foxes would have satisfied him and given him plenty of provisions. But
during that day, if he saw one, or could not approach one, or if he
were deceived by refraction, he would lose his shot; and this day, as
it was, cost him a charge of powder and a ball. His companions, who
trembled with hope at the report of his gun, saw him returning with
downcast looks; they did not say anything; that evening they went to
sleep as usual, after putting aside two quarter-rations reserved for
the two following days. The next day their journey seemed more
laborious; they hardly walked, they rather dragged along; the dogs had
eaten even the entrails of the seal, and they were beginning to gnaw
their harness.

A few foxes passed at some distance from the sledge, and the doctor,
having missed another shot as he chased them, did not dare to risk his
last ball and his last charge save one of powder.

That evening they halted early, unable to set one foot before the
other, and, although their way was lighted by a brilliant aurora, they
could not go on. This last meal, eaten Sunday evening under their icy
tent, was very melancholy. If Heaven did not come to their aid, they
were lost. Hatteras did not speak, Bell did not even think, Johnson
reflected in silence, but the doctor did not yet despair.

Johnson thought of setting some traps that night; but since he had no
bait, he had very little hope of success, and in the morning he found,
as he expected, that, although a great many foxes had left their marks
around, yet not one had been caught. He was returning much
disappointed, when he saw an enormous bear sniffing the air a