et to less cold regions so prematurely."

"Oh! prematurely, Mr. Jeorling."

"Yes, boatswain; do we not know that navigators have always been
able to frequent the Antarctic waters until the month of March?"

"Not at such a latitude. Besides, there are precocious winters as
well as precocious summers. The fine season this year was full two
months in advance, and it is to ba feared the bad season may come
sooner than usual."

"That is very likely," I replied. "After all, it does not
signity to us, since our campaign will certainly be over in three
weeks."

"If some obstacle does not arise beforehand, Mr. Jeorling."

"And what obstacle?"

"For instance, a continent stretching to the south and barring our
way."

"A continent, Hurliguerly!"

"I should not be at all surprised."

"And, in fact, there would be nothing surprising in it."

"As for the lands seen by Dirk Peters," said the boatswain,
"where the men of the _Jane_ might have landed on one or another of
them, I don't believe in them."

"Why?"

"Because William Guy, who can only have had a small craft at his
disposal, could not have got so far into these seas."

"I do not feel quite so sure of that. Nevertheless, Mr.
Jeorling--"

"What would there be so surprising in William Guy's being
carried to land somewhere by the action of the currents? He did not
remain on board his boat for eight months, I suppose. His companions
and he may have been able to land on an island, or even on a
continent, and that is a sufficient motive for us to pursue our
search."

"No doubt--but all are not of your opinion," replied
Hurliguerly, shaking his head.

"I know," said I, "and that is what makes me most anxious. Is
the ill-feeling increasing?"

"I fear so, Mr. Jeorling. The satisfaction of having gained
several hundreds of dollars is already lessened, and the prospect of
gaining a few more hundreds does not put a stop to disputes. And yet
the prize is tempting! From Tsalal Island to the pole, admitting
that we might get there, is six degrees. Now six degrees at two
thousand dollars each makes twelve thousand dollars for thirty men,
that is four hundred dollars a head A nice little sum to slip into
one's pocket on the return of the _Halbrane_; but, notwithstanding,
that fellow Hearne works so wickedly upon his comrades that I
believe they are ready to 'bout ship in spite of anybody."

"I can believe that of the recruits, boatswain, but the old
crew--"

"H--m