ng vessels were
delighted to know that the _Polar King_ was not only safe, but had
discovered Atvatabar, and that its commander was at present king of
the realm. This was the substance of the despatches sent me by Captain
Adams and Commander Forbes, and addressed, "To Lexington White, Esq.,
Commander of the _Polar King_." Captain Adams stated that Boatswain
Dunbar was on board his vessel as pilot, accompanied by Seaman
Henderson.

Owing to the waterlogged condition of the _Polar King_, we could only
wait the arrival of the vessels. When near at hand, a simultaneous
salute of guns reverberated upon the sea, which must have been heard
in all Atvatabar. Amid the smoke and noise of the roaring guns, steam
launches had put off from the _Mercury_ and _Aurora Borealis_, and in
a very short time the commanders of both vessels stood upon the deck
of the _Polar King_, accompanied by their respective officers. I
embraced Captain Adams and Commander Forbes, and introduced the
strangers to Rear-Admiral Wallace, Rear-Admiral Gerolio and staff, who
were no less delighted and surprised than myself to receive visitors
from the outer world. When the commanders reached the deck of the
_Polar King_ the cheers of the American and British sailors, mingled
with the shouts of our fletyemings, made a soul-stirring scene.

In fact, I was already beginning to think the outer world a more or
less mythical place, and thought the doctrine of reincarnation had an
illustration or proof in myself. After all, the outer world really
existed, and, strange as it seemed to the Atvatabarese, there was
really an outer sun and live beings like themselves, only physically
more vigorous.

It was necessary to set out at once for Kioram, as the _Polar King_
was in a sinking condition.

Every man had been either killed or wounded. We made a total loss of
sixty men, including the ten who left the ship in the Polar Gulf, thus
making the entire company of the _Polar King_ but fifty souls.

As for the ship, her plating was burst apart in many places and full
of started bolts, caused by missiles of the enemy. The central
compartment was filled with water, and the masts, sails, smoke-stack
and hurricane-deck were practically destroyed.

Many of the guns were not struck once in the entire fight, and were
ready for active service any moment. The terrorite battery was
partially submerged, but still in good condition.

Captain Adams and Sir John Forbes both craved t