Page:Works of Jules Verne - Parke - Vol 2.djvu/361

 being buried in snow five feet thick for twelve hours. They had wrapped themselves in their deerskins and lain down, letting the hurricane sweep over their heads till they were almost frozen, and could hardly get back to their quarters. The Doctor had great difficulty in restoring the circulation.

The storm raged for eight days without ceasing; no one stirred out.

During this compulsory leisure each man lived apart, as it were, some sleeping, others smoking, and certain individuals talking together in a low voice, but breaking off the conversation if Johnson or the Doctor came near; there was no bond of union among them. They never assembled together for anything but evening prayers, and on the Sundays for divine service.

Clifton was perfectly aware of the fact, that now that the 78th parallel was passed, his share of the prize-money had risen to £375. This was quite enough to satisfy his ambition. The others thought so too, and contented themselves now with indulging in day-dreams of enjoying the fortune won at such a price.

Hatteras remained almost invisible; he neither took part in hunting nor walking; he showed no interest in any of the meteorological phenomena which so excited the wondering admiration of the Doctor. He lived for one single idea; three words will tell it—the North Pole. He was only thinking of the time when the Forward would be released from her imprisonment, and able to resume her adventurous voyage.

The Doctor employed himself in arranging his notes, of which this narrative is the reproduction. He was never idle, and his even temper never failed him; but for all that he was glad enough when the storm was over, and he could resume hunting as usual.

On the 3rd of November he set out with Johnson and Bell about six in the morning. The ice-fields were smooth, and the snow, which lay so thick on them, was firm and hard beneath their tread. The weather was cold and dry; the moon shone with incomparable brilliancy, irradiating every object with wondrous luster.

The Doctor had brought his friend Duk with him; he was much more serviceable in hunting than the Greenland dogs,