five years of my life," said Hatteras, in a rage, "to
be up north. I know no more dangerous passage. To add to the difficulty,
the compass is no guide at this distance from the magnetic pole: the
needle is constantly shifting its direction."

"I acknowledge," answered the doctor, "that navigation is difficult,
but we knew what we had to expect when we began our enterprise, and
we ought not to be surprised at it."

"Ah, doctor, my crew is no longer what it was; the officers are
spoiling the men. I could make them do what I want by offering them
a pecuniary reward, but I am not seconded by my officers, but they
shall pay dearly for it!"

"You are exaggerating, Hatteras."

"No, I am not. Do you think the crew is sorry for the obstacles that
I meet with? On the contrary, they hope they will make me abandon
my projects. They do not complain now, and they won't as long as the
_Forward_ is making for the south. The fools! They think they are
getting nearer England! But once let me go north and you'll see how
they'll change! I swear, though, that no living being will make me
deviate from my line of conduct. Only let me find a passage, that's
all!"

One of the captain's wishes was fulfilled soon enough. There was a
sudden change during the evening; under some influence of the wind,
the current, or the temperature, the ice-fields were separated; the
_Forward_ went along boldly, breaking up the ice with her steel prow;
she sailed along all night, and the next morning about six cleared
Bellot Strait. But that was all; the northern passage was completely
obstructed--to the great disgust of Hatteras. However, he had
sufficient strength of character to hide his disappointment, and as
if the only passage open was the one he preferred, he let the _Forward_
sail down Franklin Strait again; not being able to get up Peel Strait,
he resolved to go round Prince of Wales's Land to get into McClintock
Channel. But he felt he could not deceive Shandon and Wall as to the
extent of his disappointment. The day of the 6th of June was
uneventful; the sky was full of snow, and the prognostics of the halo
were fulfilled.

During thirty-six hours the _Forward_ followed the windings of
Boothia Land, unable to approach Prince of Wales's Land; the captain
counted upon getting supplies at Beechey Island; he arrived on the
Thursday at the extremity of Franklin Strait, where he again found
the road to the north blocked up. It was enough to make him d