enty of food and fuel, this hull
does not seem inhabitable."

"Well, we must build a snow-house," answered Hatteras, "and make
ourselves as comfortable as possible on the mainland."

"Without doubt," continued the doctor; "but don't let us hurry; let us
do things carefully; if need be we can fit out some quarters in the
ship; meanwhile we can build a strong house, capable of protecting us
against the cold and wild beasts. I am willing to be the architect,
and you'll see what I can do."

"I don't doubt your skill, Doctor," answered Johnson; "we'll make
ourselves as comfortable as possible here, and we'll make an inventory
of all that the ship contains; unfortunately, I don't see any launch,
or boat, and these ruins are in too bad a state to permit of our
making a small boat."

"Who can say?" answered the doctor. "With time and thought a great
deal can be done; now we have not to trouble ourselves about
navigation, but about a house to live in; I propose not to form any
other plans, and to let everything have its turn."

"That is wise," answered Hatteras; "let us begin with the beginning."

The three companions left the ship, returned to the sledge, and
announced their determination to Bell and the American; Bell said he
was ready to work; the American shook his head, on learning that
nothing could be done with his ship; but since all discussion would
have been idle, they determined at first to take refuge in the
_Porpoise_, and to build a large building on the shore.

At four o'clock in the afternoon the five travellers were installed as
comfortably as possible between decks; by means of spars and fragments
of masts, Bell had made a nearly level floor; there they placed
coverings stiffened by the frost, which the heat of the stove soon
brought back to their natural state; Altamont, leaning on the doctor,
was able to make his way to the corner which had been set aside for
him; on setting foot on his ship, he had sighed with a feeling of
relief, which did not encourage the boatswain.

"He feels at home," the old sailor thought, "and one would say that he
had invited us here."

The rest of the day was devoted to repose; the weather threatened to
change under the influence of the westerly winds; the thermometer
outside stood at -26 degrees. In fact, the _Porpoise_ lay beyond the
pole of cold, at a latitude relatively less severe, though farther to
the north. On that day they finished the bear, with some biscuits t