208 THE FUR COUNTRY. " We shall see well enough to recognise America, if we get any- where near it," said Mrs Barnett. " Whatever land we approach will be welcome. It will most likely be some part of Russian America — probably Western Alaska." " You are right, madam," said Hobson ; " for, unfortunately, in the whole Arctic Ocean there is not an island, an islet, or even a rock to which we could fasten our vessel ! " " Well/* rejoined Mrs Barnett, " why should not our conveyance take us straight to the coasts of Asia? Might not the currents carry us past the opening of Behring Strait and land us on the shores of Siberia 'i " " No, madam, no," replied Hobson ; " our ice-field would soon meet the Kamtchatka current, and be carried by it to the north- west. It is more likely, however, that this wind will drive us towards the shores of Russian America." "We must keep watch, then," said Mrs Barnett, "and ascertain our position as soon as possible." '* We shall indeed keep watch," replied Hobson, " although this fog is very much against us. If we should be driven on to the coast, the shock will be felt even if we cannot see. Let 's hope the island will not fall to pieces in this storm ! That is at present our principal danger. Well, when it comes we shall see what there is to be done, and meanwhile we must wait patiently." Of course this conversation was not held in the public room, where the soldiers and women worked together. It was in her own room, with the window looking out on the court, that Mrs Barnett received visitors. It was almost impossible to see indoors even in the daytime, and the wind could be heard rushing by out- side like an avalanche. Fortunately, Cape Bathurst protected the house from the north-east winds, but the sand and earth from its summit were hurled down upon the roof with a noise like the pattering of hail. Mac-Nab began to feel fresh uneasiness about his chimneys, which it was absolutely necessary to keep in good order. With the roaring of the wind was mingled that of the sea, as its huge waves broke upon the beach. The storm had become a hurricane. In spite of the fury of the gale, Hobson determined on the morning of the 28th of August to climb to the summit of Cape Bathurst, in order to examine the state of the horizon, the sea, and
