Page:Works of Jules Verne - Parke - Vol 2.djvu/377

 even and rugged, and the dogs were constantly stumbling, at great risk of overturning the sledge.

Hatteras and his companions wrapped themselves closely in their skin clothing, of rude Greenland make, and certainly somewhat unshapely, but admirably adapted to the necessities of the climate. The hoods were drawn right over head and face, and nothing left exposed but eyes, nose, and mouth.

They walked along over the monotonous plain almost in silence, for it was torture to open the mouth: sharp crystals formed immediately between the lips, which even the warm breath was powerless to melt.

Numerous traces of bears and foxes were met with, but not a solitary animal was perceived during the whole of the first day. It did not matter much, for it would have been both useless and dangerous to hunt them, since the sledge was heavily enough loaded already.

It is customary generally with exploring parties to lighten the sledges by depositing stores on the way at intervals, which are taken up on returning; but this was impracticable on ice-fields, which might drift off at any moment.

At mid-day Hatteras made a halt for breakfast, which consisted of pemmican and hot tea, and glad enough were the poor travelers of the reviving beverage.

After resting an hour, the march was resumed, and by night they had gone about twenty miles. Men and dogs were tired out: but in spite of fatigue, a snow-hut must be built before they could lie down to sleep. This was an hour and a half's work. Bell showed great skill in cutting the blocks and laying one above another in a circular dome-like form. The snow served for mortar to fill up all interstices, and became so hard that the whole hut soon appeared as if made of one solid piece. The only entrance was a narrow opening, into which they had to crawl on all-fours. The Doctor squeezed in somehow, though it was rather a tight fit, and the others followed. The portable kitchen was lighted, and supper speedily prepared.

When the repast was over, the mackintosh was spread on the ground, and shoes and socks put to dry by the little spirit stove, and then three of the party wrapped themselves in their warm blankets and went to sleep, leaving the fourth man to keep watch and prevent the opening from getting