, in fact, he who
over-persuaded Captain William Guy, urging him "to profit by so
tempting an opportunity of solving the great problem relating to the
Antarctic Continent." And, besides, while accepting that
responsibility, did he not congratulate himself on having been the
instrument of a great discovery, and having aided in some degree to
reveal to science one of the most marvellous secrets which had ever
claimed its attention?

At six o'clock the sun disappeared behind a thick curtain of mist.
After midnight the breeze freshened, and the _Halbrane's_ progress
marked a dozen additional miles.

On the morrow the good ship was less than the third of a degree,
that is to say less than twenty miles, from Tsalal Island.

Unfortunately, just after mid-day, the wind fell. Nevertheless,
thanks to the current, the Island of Tsalal was signalled at
forty-five minutes past six in the evening.

The anchor was cast, a watch was set, with loaded firearms within
hand-reach, and boarding-nets ready. The _Halbrane_ ran no risk of
being surprised. Too eyes were watching on board--especially those
of Hunt, whose gaze never quitted the horizon of that southern zone
for an instant.

CHAPTER XVI,
TSALAL ISLAND.

The night passed without alarm. No boat had put off from the island,
nor had a native shown himself upon the beach. The _Halbrane_, then,
had not been observed on her arrival; this was all the better.

We had cast anchor in ten fathoms, at three miles from the coast.

When the _Jane_ appeared in these waters, the people of Tsalal beheld
a ship for the first time, and they took it for an enormous animal,
regarding its masts as limbs, and its sails as garments. Now, they
ought to be better informed on this subject, and if they did not
attempt to visit us, to what motive were we to assign such conduct?

Captain Len Guy gave orders for the lowering of the ship's largest
boat, in a voice which betrayed his impatience.

The order was executed, and the captain, addressing West, said--

"Send eight men down with Martin Holt; send Hunt to the helm.
Remain yourself at the moorings, and keep a look-out landwards as
well as to sea."

"Aye, aye, sir; don't be uneasy."

"We are going ashore, and we shall try to gain the village of
Klock-Klock. If any difficulty should arise on sea, give us warning
by firing three shots."

"All right," replied West--"at a minute's interval."

"If we should not return before evening, sen