devote
it to fitting out a private expedition with no less an object than to
discover the North Pole myself. Of course I knew the undertaking was
extremely hazardous and doubtful of success. It could hardly be
possible that any private individual, however wealthy and daring,
could hope to succeed where all the resources of mighty nations had
failed.

Still, these same difficulties had a tremendous power of attracting
fresh exploits on that fatal field. Who could say that even I alone
might not stumble upon success? In a word, I had made up my mind to
set forth in a vessel strong and swift and manned by sailors
experienced in Arctic voyages, under my direct command. The expedition
would be kept a profound secret; I would leave New York ostensibly for
Australia, then, doubling Cape Horn, would make direct for Behring
Sea. If I failed, none would be the wiser; if I succeeded, what fame
would be mine!

CHAPTER III.

BEGINNING THE VOYAGE.

I determined to build a vessel of such strength and equipment as could
not fail, with ordinary good fortune, to carry us through the greatest
dangers in Arctic navigation. Short of being absolutely frozen in the
ice, I hoped to reach the pole itself, if there should be sufficient
water to float us. The vessel, which I named the _Polar King_,
although small in size was very strong and compact. Her length was 150
feet and her width amidships 50 feet. Her frames and planking were
made of well-seasoned oak. The outer planking was sheathed in steel
plates from four to six inches in thickness. This would protect us
from the edges of the ancient ice that might otherwise cut into the
planking and so destroy the vessel.

The ship was armed as follows: A colossal terrorite gun that stood in
the centre of the deck, whose 250-pound shell of explosive terrorite
was fired by a charge of gunpowder without exploding the terrorite
while leaving the gun. This was to destroy icebergs and heavy
pack-ice. A battery of twelve 100-pounder terrorite guns, with shells
also fired with powder. All shells would explode by percussion in
striking the object aimed at. A battery of six guns of the Gatling
type, to repel boarding parties in case we reached a hostile country.
There was also an armory of magazine rifles, revolvers, cutlasses,
etc., as well as 50 tons of gunpowder, terrorite, and revolver-rifle
cartridges.

The ship was driven by steam, the triple-expansion engine being
500-horse power and