oceed.

It was supposed both on the Dipsey and at Sardis that Mr. Gibbs would
assume the honor of this act of taking possession, but that gentleman
declined to do so. He considered that he would no more discover the
pole, if they should reach it, than would his companions; and he also
believed that, from a broad point of view, Mr. Roland Clewe was the real
discoverer. Consequently he considered that the direct representative
of the interests of Mr. Clewe should take possession, and it was decided
that Samuel Block should add the north pole to the territory of his
native land.

When this had been settled, a very great change came over the mind of
Sarah Block. That her husband should be the man to do this great thing
filled her with pride and alert enthusiasm.

"Sammy," she exclaimed, "when you are doin' that, you will be
the greatest man in this world, and you will stand at the top of
everything."

"Suppose there should be a feller standin' on the south pole," said
Sammy, "wouldn't he have the same right to say that he was on top of
everything?"

"No," said Sarah, sharply. "The way I look at it, the north pole is
above and the south pole is below; but there ain't any other feller down
there, so we needn't talk about it. And now, Sammy, if you are goin' to
take possession of the pole, you ought to put on your best clothes. For
one thing, you should wear a pair of those new red flannel socks
that you haven't had on yet; it will be a good way to christen 'em.
Everything on you ought to be perfectly fresh and clean, and just as
nice as you've got. This will be the first time that anybody ever took
possession of a pole, and you ought to look your very best. I would ask
you to shave, because you would look better that way, but I suppose if
you took off your beard you would take cold in your jaws. And I want you
to stand up straight, and talk as long about it as you can. You are too
much given to cuttin' off ceremonies mighty short, as I remember was the
case when you were statin' your 'pinions about our weddin'; but I had
my way then, and I want to have it now. You are goin' to be a big man,
Sammy, and your name will go all over the world, so you must screw
yourself up to as much eminence as you think you can stand."

Sammy laughed. "Well, I will do what I can," said he; "that is,
providin' our chickens are hatched."

"Oh, they'll come out all right," said Sarah. "I haven't the least doubt
of it, now that you are to b