These icebergs must have broken off from the solid base of a continent or an island.

Now, since the thaw begins at this season of the year, the drift will last for only a short time.

Behind them we must meet the coast on which they were formed.
In another twenty-four hours, or forty-eight at the most, if the land does not appear, Captain Len Guy will steer to the north again!" Had I convinced the crew, or ought I to take advantage of Hearne's absence and of the fact that he could not communicate with them to make them understand that they were being deccived, and to repeat to them that it would endanger the schooner if our course were now to be reversed.
The boatswain came to my help, and in a good-humoured voice exclaimed,-- "Very well reasoned, and for my part I accept Mr.Jeorling's opinion.

Assuredly, land is near! If we seek it beyond those icebergs, we shall discover it without much hard work, or great danger! What is one degree farther south, when it is a question of putting a hundred additional dollars into one's pocket?
And let us not forget that if they are acceptable when they go in, they are none the less so when they come out!" Upon this, Endicott, the cook, came to the aid of his friend the boatswain.
"Yes, very good things indeed are dollars!" cried he, showing two rows of shining white teeth.
Did the crew intend to yield to Hurliguerly's argument, or would they try to resist if the _Halbrane_ went on in the direction of the icebergs?
Captain Len Guy took up his telescope again, and turned it upon these moving masses; he observed them with much attention, and cried out in a loud voice,-- "Steer south-sou'-west!" West gave orders to execute the manoeuvres.

The sailors hesitated an instant.