Works of Jules Verne/Adventures of Captain Hatteras/The English at the North Pole/Chapter 2
CHAPTER II
THE UNEXPECTED LETTER
Eight months prior to the time when our story commences, Richard Shandon had received the following letter:
"Sir,—This letter is to inform you that a sum of £16,000 sterling has been placed in the hands of Messrs. Marcuart & Co., bankers, Liverpool. I also enclose checks signed by me, which you can draw on the said bankers up to the above-mentioned amount.
"You do not know me. It matters not. I know you. That is the most important thing.
"I offer you the place of chief officer on board the brig Forward, bound for an expedition which may be long and perilous.
"If you refuse, that is all about it; if you accept, your salary will be £500, to be raised one-tenth each year you are away.
"The brig Forward has at present no existence. You will have to get her built, and ready to go to sea by the beginning of April at the latest.
"I subjoin a detailed plan and a draft, to which you will scrupulously adhere. The ship is to be constructed by Messrs. Scott & Co., who will arrange matters with you.
"I beg you will pay special attention to the selection of the crew of the Forward. This will consist of the captain, myself, the chief officer, yourself, a second mate, a boatswain, two engineers, an ice-master, eight sailors, and two stokers—eighteen men altogether, including Dr. Clawbonny, of your city, who will introduce himself to you at the right time.
"It is necessary that all the men chosen for the expedition of the Forward shall be English, unencumbered by family ties, unmarried, sober, as neither beer nor spirits are allowed on board, and ready for any enterprise and any suffering. Give the preference to those of sanguine temperament, who possess a great amount of animal heat.
"You will offer them five times as much as the ordinary wages, with an increase of one-tenth each year of service. At the close of the expedition £500 is guaranteed to each man and £2,000 to yourself. These deposits will be left with Messrs. Marcuart & Co., the aforesaid bankers.
"The campaign will be long and arduous, but honorable. You need have no hesitation about it, Mr. Shandon. Reply to me by letter, addressed to K. Z., Poste restante, Gotteborg, Sweden.
"P. S.—On the 15th of February next you will be forwarded a large Danish stag-hound with loose hanging lips, very dark in color, and striped with black. You will take him on board, and order him to be fed with barley bread mixed with boiled greaves. You will notify his safe arrival to me at Leghorn, Italy, addressed to the same initials.
"The captain of the Forward will present himself, and make himself known when he is required. You will receive further instructions just before you sail.
"To Mr. Richard Shandon, Liverpool."