self, or was there any land which might
arrest our progress? This was another question, and I discussed it
with the boatswain.

"Nobody knows, Mr. Jeorling," was Hurliguerly's reply. "If
the current goes to the pole, we shall go there; and if it
doesn't, we shan't. An iceberg isn't a ship, and as it has
neither sails nor helm, it goes as the drift takes it."

"That's true, boatswain. And therefore I had the idea that if
two or three of us were to embark in the boat--"

"Ah! you still hold to your notion of the boat--"

"Certainly, for, if there is land somewhere, is it not possible
that the people of the _Jane_--"

"Have come upon it, Mr. Jeorling--at four thousand miles from
Tsalal Island."

"Who knows, boatswain?"

"That may be, but allow me to say that your argument will be
reasonable when the land comes in sight, if it ever does so. Our
captain will see what ought to be done, and he will remember that
time presses. We cannot delay in these waters, and, after all, the
one thing of real importance to us is to get out of the polar circle
before the winter makes it impassable."

There was good sense in Hurliguerly's words; I could not deny the
fact.

During that day the greater part of the cargo was placed in the
interior of a vast cave-like fissure in the side of the iceberg,
where, even in case of a second collision, casks and barrels would
be in safety. Our men then assisted Endicott to set up his
cooking-stove between two blocks, so that it was firmly fixed, and
they heaped up a great mass of coals close to it.

No murmurs, no recrimination disturbed these labours. It was evident
that silence was deliberately maintained. The crew obeyed the
captain and West because they gave no orders but such as were of
urgent necessity. But, afterwards, would these men allow the
authority of their leaders to be uncontested? How long would the
recruits from the Falklands, who were already exasperated by the
disasters of our enterprise, resist their desire to seize upon the
boat and escape?

I did not think they would make the attempt, however, so long as our
iceberg should continue to drift, for the boat could not outstrip
its progress; but, if it were to run aground once more, to strike
upon the coast of an island or a continent, what would not these
unfortunate creatures do to escape the horrors of wintering under
such conditions?

In the afternoon, during the hour of rest allowed to the crew, I had
a second co