hich possibly there might be no escape, yet the bare possibility of
returning to tell the world of our tremendous discovery created a
desire to explore still further the abyss into which we had entered. I
confess that my first feeling of terror was rapidly giving way to a
passion for discovery. What fearful secrets might not be held in the
darkness toward which we undoubtedly travelled! Would it be our
fortune to pierce the darkness and silence of a polar cavern? When I
thought of the natural terror of the sailors, I dared not think of our
sailing further than mid-day, in case we had really entered an abyss.

"Commander," said Professor Starbottle, "this is the most important
day, or rather night, of the voyage. I propose we stay on deck and
enjoy the sunlight as long as we can."

One glance at the sun sufficed to tell us the truth; he was rapidly
falling from the sky. At midnight he was 20 degrees and at 1 A.M.
only 18 degrees above the waste of waters.

This proved we were as rapidly taking leave of the glorious orb, on an
expedition fraught with the greatest peril and unknown possibilities
of science, conquest, and commerce.

By a tacit consent we turned our attention to the scene around us. The
water was very free from ice, only here and there icebergs floated.
The diminished radiation of light produced a weird effect, growing
more spectral as the sun sank in the heavens.

Professor Goldrock pointed out a flock of geese actually flying ahead
of us into the gulf, if gulf indeed it were. We considered this a good
omen and took heart accordingly.

The captain pointed out a strange apparition in the north, but which
was really south of the pole, and discoverable with the glass. It
appeared to be the limb of some rising planet between us and the sun
that seemed faintly illuminated by moonlight. Professor Starbottle
said it was the opposite edge of the polar gulf that was about to
envelop us. It was illuminated by the earth-light reflected from the
same ocean on which the _Polar King_ floated.

The sun, as he swung round to the south, fell rapidly to the horizon,
and at eight o'clock disappeared below the water. Was there ever a day
in human experience as portentous as that? When did the sun set at 8
A.M.in the Arctic summer, leaving the earth in darkness? We knew
then that Professor Starbottle's theory of a polar gulf was a truth
beyond question. It was a fearful fact!

But the grandest spectacle we had yet seen