Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-10-26

ions, Toad yoVr guns, in case our assail-
ants are not killed. Stand beside Johnson,
nd the moment the explosion is over rush
out"
IAN right said Altamont.
I'VE have done all we can to help
ourselves. May heaven help u.s."
Hatteras, Altamont and Bell repaired
to the powder magazine. while the doctor
remained alone beside the pile.
Soon he heard Johnson's voice In the
distance calling out Ready!
IAN rightr' was the reply.
johnson pulled the rope that brought
the body Of the box on top the ice. The
next minute the bears had eagerly rush
ed to seize the booty
''Firer' called out Johnson, and at once
the electric spark was sent along the
lines right into the key Of powder. y
formidable explosion ensued; the house
was shaken as If by an earthquake, and
the walls cracked asunder. Hateras, Al
lamont and Bell hurried out with the
guns. But four Of the bears lay dead,
and tine fifth. half roasted, though alive.
was scampering away in terror, as fas:
as his legs could carry him.
''Hurrahi Three cheers for Clawbon-
n.y." they shouted, and overwhelmed the
doctor with plaudits and thanks.
Next morning there was singular rise
! in the temperature, the Thermometer go
| ing up to Is degrees above zero.
This comparative heat lasted several
days. In sheltered spots the glass rose
as high as 81 degrees. and symptoms OF
thaw appeared.
The ice began to crack here and there,
and Jets of salt water we're thrown up.
like fountains in an English park A few
DAYS later the rain fell in torrents.
For about a fortnight hunting was the
principal occupation There was an
abundant supply Of fresh meat TO be had.
They shot partridges, ptarmlgans and
snow ortolans, which are delicious eat
ing.
'@Do you think we shall have a long
spell OF this weather, Mr.. Clawbonny?"
asked Johnson
'sNo, my friend, I don't; it is a last
blow from the cold. You see these are
his doninions, and he won't be driven
out without making some resistance.
What is the reason7"
Because generally there is a period
icaI frost in the month OF May, and 1t Is
coolest from the 18th to the 18th. That is
the fact"
The doctor was right, for the cold last
ed till the end of the monrn, and put an
end TO an their hunting expeditions The
old monotonous life indoor recommended.
During this compulsory leisure, Claw
bonny determined to have a talk with
the captain on an important matter
the building OF a sloop out Of the planks
Of the PoTpoise-
The doctor hardly knew how to begin,
as Hatteras had declared so vehemen!ly
that he would never consent to use
morsel OF American wood; yet 1t was
high time he were brought to reason, as
Juno was ar hand. the only season for
distant expeditions, and they could not
start without ship.
'sHatteras, do you believe I'm your
friend?' ..
Most certainly do" replied the cap
only friend"
And If I give you piece of advice
without your asking, will you consider
my motive Is perfectly disinterested?'
Yes, for 1 know you have never been
actuated by self-interest-- But what are
you driving at?'
Wait, Hatteras; I have one thing
more to ask. Do you look on me as
true-hearted Englishman like yourself.
anxious for his country's glory?'
Hatteras looked surprised, but simply
said:
Il do"
you desire to reach the north pole"
the doctor went on, land / understand
ana YOUR aAuDllAOu- DAN " 0SAACfS
your object you must employ the right
means"
well, and have I not sacrificed every
thing for it?''
No, Hatteras, you have not sacrificed
your personal antipathies. Even at this
very moment 1 know you are in the
mood to refuse the indispensable condi-
! tons of reaching the pole
"Ah! it is the boat you want to talk
about. and that NAM
'Hatteras, let US discuss the question
calmly, and examine the case on all
sides. The coast on which we find our
selves at present may terminate abrupt
Iy; we have no proof that IL stretches
away to the pole; indeed, II your present
information prove correct, we ought to
come to an open sea during the summer
months. Well, supposing we reach this
arctic ocean and find 1t free from ice
and easy to navigate, what shall we do
If we have no ship?'
HAtteras made no reply.
Tell me, now, would you like to find
yourself only a few miles from the pole
and not be able to get TO it?''
Hatteras still said nothing, but buried
his head in his hands.
Besides" continued the doctor, "look
az the question in its moral aspect. Here
is an Englishman who sacrifices his fort
une and even his wife, to win fresh
glory for his country, but because the
boat which bears him across an unknown
ocean, or touches the new shore, hap
pens to be made of the planks of an
American vessel-a castaway wreck os
no use to anyone-win that lessen the
honor of the discovery? If you yourself
had found the hull of some wrecked YES
sci lying deserted on the shore, would
you have hesitated to make use of It;
and must not a sloop built by four Eng
lishmen and manned by four English
men be English from keel to 'gunwhale?'
Hatteras was still silent.
NO" continued Clawbonny, 'the real
truth is It is not the sloop you care
about: it is the man.
"4es, doctor, yes" replied the captain.
1T is the American l detest hate him
with a thorough English hatred. Fate
has thrown him in my path
ITO save your
ITO ruin me. He seems to defy me,
and speaks as If he were ford and mas
ter He thinks he has my destiny in his
hands, and knows all my projects. Didn't
we see the man in his true cofors when
we were giving names 10 the different
coasts? Has he ever avowed his object
in coming so far north? You will never
| get out of my head that this man is
not the leader of some expedition sent
out by the American government"