It seems an attractive road among this chaos of ice-heaps." "I'm no sure o' that," objected Saunders; "yonder's a pretty clear road away to the west, maybe they took that." "Perhaps they did, but as Fred said they had gone far out on the ice _to the north_, I think it likely they've gone in _that_ direction." "Maybe ye're right, sir, and maybe ye're wrang," answered Saunders, as they returned to the party.

As this was the second mate's method of intimating that he _felt_ that he ought to give in (though he didn't give in, and never would give in _absolutely_), the captain felt more confidence in his own opinion.
"Now, Meetuck, keep your eyes open," he added, as they resumed their rapid march.
After journeying on for a considerable distance, the men were ordered to spread out over the neighbouring ice-fields, in order to multiply the chances of discovering tracks; but there seemed to be some irresistible power of attraction which drew them gradually together again, however earnestly they might try to keep separate.

In fact, they were beginning to be affected by the long-continued march and the extremity of the cold.
This last was so great that constant motion was absolutely necessary in order to prevent them from freezing.

There was no time allowed for rest--life and death were in the scale.

Their only hope lay in a continuous and rapid advance, so as to reach the lost men ere they should freeze or die of starvation.
"Holo! look 'eer!" shouted Meetuck, as he halted and went down on his knees to examine some marks on the snow.
"These are tracks!" cried Captain Guy eagerly.