en upon the face of the globe. It is clear we should have had
no mercy had we fallen into their hands. They made a mad attempt at
following us in the fractured canoe, but, finding it useless, again
vented their rage in a series of hideous vociferations, and rushed up
into the hills.

We were thus relieved from immediate danger, but our situation was still
sufficiently gloomy. We knew that four canoes of the kind we had were
at one time in the possession of the savages, and were not aware of the
fact (afterward ascertained from our captive) that two of these had
been blown to pieces in the explosion of the _Jane Guy. _We calculated,
therefore, upon being yet pursued, as soon as our enemies could get
round to the bay (distant about three miles) where the boats were
usually laid up. Fearing this, we made every exertion to leave the
island behind us, and went rapidly through the water, forcing the
prisoner to take a paddle. In about half an hour, when we had gained
probably five or six miles to the southward, a large fleet of the
flat-bottomed canoes or rafts were seen to emerge from the bay evidently
with the design of pursuit. Presently they put back, despairing to
overtake us.

CHAPTER 25

WE now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a
latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no
provision but the three turtles. The long polar winter, too, could not
be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should
deliberate well upon the course to be pursued. There were six or seven
islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each
other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any
intention to venture. In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we
had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice-this,
however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received
notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact--experience would not
permit us to deny. To attempt, therefore, getting back would be
folly--especially at so late a period of the season. Only one course
seemed to be left open for hope. We resolved to steer boldly to the
southward, where there was at least a probability of discovering other
lands, and more than a probability of finding a still milder climate.

So far we had found the Antarctic, like the Arctic Ocean, peculiarly
free from violent storms or immoderately rough water; but our canoe