but destruction, and pillage, and ruin had been at work, and not a vestige remained of the vast supplies laid up for the relief of hard bestead navigators. And who had committed these depredations? Was it the wolves and bears? No, for they would only have destroyed the provisions; but not so much as the tattered remnant of a tent was left, not a morsel of wood, nor a piece of iron; and, worse still, for the Forward at any rate, not an atom of coal! It was evident that frequent intercourse with European ships had taught the Esquimaux the value of these things, for they must have been coming back and forward ever since the Fox had touched at the island, constantly pillaging, till all trace of a storehouse had disappeared in the snow.
Hatteras was dumfounded. The Doctor shook his head and gazed silently. Shandon said nothing; but a close observer might have seen a malicious smile on his lips.
Just at this moment the men came with the boat to fetch the coal. They understood all at a glance. Shandon went up to the captain and said:
"Mr. Hatteras, I don't see the use of giving way to despair. Fortunately, we are at the entrance of Barrow's Strait, which will take us straight to Baffin's Bay."
"Mr. Shandon," replied Hatteras, "fortunately we are at the entrance to Wellington Channel, which will take us straight to the north!"
"And how are we to work the ship, sir?"
"By her sails. We have still fuel for two months, and that is more than enough for our winter's sojourn."
"You will allow me to say———" began Shandon.
"I will allow you to follow me on board, sir!" interrupted Hatteras; and, turning on his heel, he walked off to the boat, and shut himself in his cabin as soon as they reached the brig.
CHAPTER XX
HEAVY WORK
On the 3rd and 4th of July the thermometer stood at 57°, and it never rose higher than this during the whole time of the expedition. But on Thursday, the 5th, the wind shifted to S. E., and became very violent, accompanied by
