far as the Pole. I wish to know your opinion about this
enterprise. Shandon, what do you think about it?"

"It is not for me to think, captain," coldly replied Shandon; "I have
only to obey."

Hatteras was not surprised at the answer.

"Richard Shandon," continued he, not less coldly, "I beg you will
say what you think about our chance of success."

"Very well, captain," answered Shandon, "facts are there, and answer
for me; attempts of the same kind up till now have always failed;
I hope we shall be more fortunate."

"We shall be. What do you think, gentlemen?"

"As far as I am concerned," replied the doctor, "I consider your plan
practicable, as it is certain that some day navigators will attain
the boreal Pole. I don't see why the honour should not fall to our
lot."

"There are many things in our favour," answered Hatteras; "our
measures are taken in consequence, and we shall profit by the
experience of those who have gone before us. And thereupon, Shandon,
accept my thanks for the care you have taken in fitting out this ship;
there are a few evil-disposed fellows amongst the crew that I shall
have to bring to reason, but on the whole I have only praises to give
you."

Shandon bowed coldly. His position on the _Forward_, which he thought
to command, was a false one. Hatteras understood this, and did not
insist further.

"As to you, gentlemen," he continued, turning to Wall and Johnson,
"I could not have secured officers more distinguished for courage
and experience."

"Well, captain, I'm your man," answered Johnson, "and although your
enterprise seems to me rather daring, you may rely upon me till the
end."

"And on me too," said James Wall.

"As to you, doctor, I know what you are worth."

"You know more than I do, then," quickly replied the doctor.

"Now, gentlemen," continued Hatteras, "it is well you should learn
upon what undeniable facts my pretension to arrive at the Pole is
founded. In 1817 the _Neptune_ got up to the north of Spitzbergen,
as far as the eighty-second degree. In 1826 the celebrated Parry,
after his third voyage to the Polar Seas, started also from
Spitzbergen Point, and by the aid of sledge-boats went a hundred and
fifty miles northward. In 1852 Captain Inglefield penetrated into
Smith's Inlet as far as seventy-eight degrees thirty-five minutes
latitude. All these vessels were English, and Englishmen, our
countrymen, commanded them." Here Hatteras paused. "I ought to add,"