he main point is that we are quite sure my brother and five of his
sailors were living less than four months ago on some part of Tsalal
Island. There is now no question of a romance signed 'Edgar
Poe,' but of a veracious narrative signed 'Patterson.'"

"Captain," said I, "will you let me be one of your company
until the end of the campaign of the _Halbrane_ in the Antarctic
seas?"

Captain Len Guy looked at me with a glance as penetrating as a keen
blade. Otherwise hedid not appear surprised by the proposal I had
made; perhaps he had been expecting it--and he uttered only the
single word:

"Willingly."

CHAPTER IX.
FITTING OUT THE _HALBRANE_

On the 15th of October, our schooner cast anchor in Port Egmont, on
the north of West Falkland. The group is composed of two islands,
one the above-named, the other Soledad or East Falkland. Captain Len
Guy gave twelve hours' leave to the whole crew. The next day the
proceedings were to begin by a careful and minute inspection of the
vessel's hull and keel, in view of the contemplated prolonged
navigation of the Antarctic seas. That day Captain Len Guy went
ashore, to confer with the Governor of the group on the subject of
the immediate re-victualling of the schooner. He did not intend to
make expense a consideration, because the whole adventure might be
wrecked by an unwise economy. Besides I was ready to aid with my
purse, as I told him, and I intended that we should be partners in
tile cost of this expedition.

James West remained on board all day, according to his custom in the
absence of the captain, and was engaged until evening in the
inspection of the hold. I did not wish to go ashore until the next
day. I should have ample time while we remained in port to explore
Port Egmont and its surroundings, and to study the geology and
mineralogy of the island. Hurliguerly regarded the opportunity as
highly favourable for the renewal of talk with me, and availed
himself of it accordingly. He accosted me as follows:

"Accept my sincere compliments, Mr. Jeorling?"

"And wherefore, boatswain?"

"On account of what I have just heard--that you are to come with
us to the far end of the Antarctic seas."

"Oh! not so far, I imagine, and if it is not a matter of going
beyond the eighty-fourth parallel--"

"Who can tell," replied the boatswain, "at all events the
_Halbrane_ will make more degrees of latitude than any other ship
before her."

"We shall see."

"And do