Page:Works of Jules Verne - Parke - Vol 2.djvu/250

 tination mattered little. Shandon told him the whole story, however, from beginning to end, both to him and to a sailor named Johnson, whom he chose as boatswain.

"Not much luck to be had there," said James Wall; "But still perhaps as much there as anywhere else. Even if it is to find the North-West passage, people come back alive, right enough."

"Not always," said Johnson; "but that's no reason for not going."

"Besides, supposing we are right in our conjectures," added Shandon, "we must allow we could hardly make a voyage under more favorable circumstances. The Forward will be a first-rate ship, and her steam-engine will be a great help. All we want is eighteen men."

"Eighteen men?" replied Johnson; "that is the same number the American Dr. Kane had on board when he made his famous journey towards the Pole."

"It is singular enough, certainly," said Wall, "what can induce a private individual to cross the sea again, from Davis's Straits to Behring's Straits. The Franklin Expeditions have cost England more than £760,000, without producing any practical result. Who can be fool enough to throw away his own fortune into the bargain like this?"

"Don't forget, James, though," replied Shandon, "that we are reasoning on a mere supposition. Whether we are actually going to the North or the South Seas, I know no more than you. Perhaps, indeed, it is on some new quest altogether. Moreover, there is a Dr. Clawbonny to make his appearance some of these days, who will no doubt be commissioned to give us fuller information. We shall see all in good time."

"Ay! we must just wait," said Johnson, "And, meantime, I am going to make it my business to look after right men to go with us; and as to their having plenty of animal heat in them, I'll guarantee that before hand. You may safely leave that to me."

This Johnson was a valuable man, well acquainted with the northern latitudes. He had been quartermaster on board the Phoenix, one of the vessels despatched in search of Franklin in 1853. The brave fellow had accompanied Lieutenant Bellot in his journey across the ice, and been