An Antarctic Mystery

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 contemp

ht be wrecked by an unwise economy. Besides I was ready to aid with my purse, as I

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

ere compliments

efore, bo

rd-that you are to come with us to

if it is not a matter of going b

ll events the Halbrane will make more degree

hall

not alarm you

the very

h he is no talker. You only need to take him the right way! First he gives you the passa

ot the questio

e reached at l

take much interest in the pole, and have no ambition t

you will acknowledge that our captain h

wain, and," I hastened to add, "to you also; s

to persevere in his patronage of me. And, indeed, his conversation could not be otherwise than profitable to me, for he was thoroughly acquainted with the Falkland Islands.

ench geographer, as "ideal"-was discovered. Port Stanley is sheltered at ev

ve puzzled how to answer the question. For here were coasts forming deep creeks, the steep hills with peaked sides, and the coast-ledges faced with grey rock. Even the seaside climate, exempt from great extremes of cold and heat, is commo

xplorations of the first few days? Nothing but the signs of a sickly vegetation, nowhere arborescent. Here and there a few shrubs grew, in place of the flourishing firs of the Norwegian mountains, and the surface of a spon

sea elephants, wolves, and lions, of proportions no less gigantic. The uproar made by these animals, by the females and their young especially, surpasses description. One would think that herds of cattle were bellowing on the beach. Neither difficulty nor danger attends the capture, or at least the slaughter of the marine beasts. The sealers kill them

d of braying, sufficient to deafen one, I as

e asses a

se are not asses that y

rsued my investigations some way to the west of the bay. West Falkland is more extensive than its neighbour,

Fuel. On the other hand, the representatives of the ovine and bovine races were to be counted by tens of thousands. More than five hundred thousand sheep yield over four hundred thousand dollars' worth of wool yearly. There are also horned cattle bred on th

abundance of that savoury grass, the tussock, does nature lavish on animals there! Australia, thoug

roups are of real importance to navigators making for the Strait of Magellan

the masts and the rigging, with the assistance of Martin Holt,

ensure the success of our enterprise. Everything that can be foreseen has been foreseen, and if the Halbrane is to p

and her crew are worthy of confidence. But, supposing the exped

shall be of good quality. Port Egmont has proved c

tion, if you

r. Jeorlin

ppose you find you have to attack or to defend in the Antarctic waters? Let us not forget that, according to Arthur P

was protected by her guns. To tell the truth, the crew we have would not be sufficie

t be di

he Governor has pr

recruits will have to be

ing, and the whole cre

sirous to contribute to the expenses of the expedi

ul to you. The main point is to complete our armament with the

g-ships to offer their services, for which they were very well paid in general. If it had been only for a fishing campaign on the borders of the Polar Circle, between the Sandwich Islands and New Georgia, Captain Len Guy would have merely had to

boatswain, the cook and myself, we were thirteen on board. Now, thirty-two or thirty-four men woul

was offered, Captain Len Guy procured his full tale of seamen. Nine recruits signed articles for the du

m I bespeak especial attention. On the eve of our departure, Captain Len Guy was accosted at the angl

in a rough and hardl

ve to make a p

t is

u still

a sai

a sai

and

it y

if the man

you ta

re a s

the sea for twe

he

Southe

ar

far,

ur

-four

are at Po

there three years

to get on a pass

N

were you

id not think of g

y seek a

ooner is going on was spread. I desire, yes, I des

nown at Po

ve incurred no reproa

captain. "I will make

you say yes, my bag shall

is you

un

you a

Amer

ike an Indian's, his body clumsy, his head very large, his legs were bowed, his whole frame denoted exceptio

keenness of his small eyes, his almost lipless mouth, which stretched from ear to ear, and his long teeth, which were dazzling

from whence this was derived. He was singularly uncommunicative, and passed his time in fishing,

of his Herculean strength. Concerning his past nothing was known, but undoubtedly he had been a sailor. He had said more to Len Guy than he had ever said to anybody; but he kept silence respecting the family to w

s anchor was lifted, the last good wishes and the final adieus were exchanged, and the schooner t

brave men, who were driven by a sentiment of humanity t