But would they find aught save a few fragments of the "Viking" in case the vessel had been crushed by some enormous iceberg?
Could they hope to effect the rescue of any survivors?
This was more than doubtful, and the professor on putting the question perceived that the more competent could not, or would not, reply.
Still, this was no cause for inaction--they were all agreed upon that point--but action must be taken without delay.
There are always several government vessels at Bergen, and one of the three dispatch-boats charged with the surveillance of the western coast of Norway is attached to this port.

As good luck would have it, that very boat was now riding at anchor in the bay.
After making a note of the various suggestions advanced by the most experienced seamen who had assembled at the office of Help, Junior, Sylvius Hogg went aboard the dispatch-boat "Telegraph," and apprised the commander of the special mission intrusted to him by the government.
The commander received him very cordially, and declared his willingness to render all the assistance in his power.

He had become familiar with the navigation of the locality specified during several long and dangerous voyages from the Loffoden Islands and Finmark to the Iceland and Newfoundland fisheries; so he would have experience to aid him in the humane work he was about to undertake, as he fully agreed with the seamen already consulted that it was in the waters between Iceland and Greenland that they must look for the survivors, or at least for some trace of the "Viking." If he did not succeed there, he would, however, explore the neighboring shores, and perhaps the eastern part of Baffin's Bay.
"I am all ready to start, sir," he added.

"My coal and provisions are on board, my crew has been selected, and I can set sail this very day." "Thank you, captain," replied the professor, "not only for your promptness, but for the very kind reception you have given me.

But one question more: Can you tell me how long it will take you to reach the shores of Greenland ?" "My vessel makes about eleven knots an hour, and as the distance from Bergen to Greenland is only about twenty degrees, I can count upon arriving there in less than a week." "Make all possible haste, captain," replied Sylvius Hogg.