Hatteras is pushed
by this mania of going forward, of reaching the inaccessible Pole, and
he doesn't care for such a detail. Whether the wind is fair or foul,
he goes on under steam; and if he goes on we run a risk of being very
much embarrassed, if not lost."

"Is that so, Shandon? That is serious!"

"You are right, Wall, it is; not only would the engine be of no use to
us if we got into a tight place, but what are we to do in the winter?
We ought to take some precautions against the cold in a country where
the mercury often freezes in the thermometer."

"But if I'm not mistaken, Shandon, the captain intends getting a new
supply at Beechey Island; they say there is a great quantity there."

"Can any one choose where he'll go in these seas, Wall? Can one count
on finding such or such a channel free of ice? And if he misses
Beechey Island, or can't reach it, what is to become of us?"

"You are right, Shandon; Hatteras seems to me unwise; but why don't
you say something of this sort to him?"

"No, Wall," answered Shandon, with ill-disguised bitterness, "I have
made up my mind not to say a word; I am not responsible any longer for
the ship; I shall await events; if I receive any commands, I obey, and
I don't proclaim my opinions."

"Let me tell you you are wrong, Shandon; for the well-being of all is
at stake, and the captain's imprudence may cost us all dear."

"And if I were to speak, Wall, would he listen to me?"

Wall did not dare say he would.

"But," he added, "he would perhaps listen to remonstrances of the
crew."

"The crew," said Shandon, shrugging his shoulders; "but, my dear Wall,
haven't you noticed that they care for everything else more than for
their safety? They know they're getting near latitude 72 degrees, and
that a thousand pounds is paid for every degree of latitude beyond
which is reached."

"You are right, Shandon," answered Wall, "and the captain has taken
the surest means of securing his men."

"Without doubt," answered Shandon; "for the present, at least."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that all will go very well in the absence of all dangers and
fatigues, in an open sea; Hatteras has caught them by his money; but
what is done for pay is ill done. But once let hardships, dangers,
discomfort, sickness, melancholy, and fierce cold stare them in the
face,--and we are flying towards them now,--and you will see whether
they remember the pay they are to get."

"So, in your opinion,