“I believe there has been but one noteworthy accident,” the other returned. “An immense ice-floe caused Station No. 5 to slip her cable, and run away—an easy matter for her, as her propellers give her a speed of about five miles an hour. Of course her cable was lost; but she was saved, and was picked up and reset by the lipthalener which continuously plies along the line.”
It was now nearly 23 dial, and Cobb arose, and consulted the speed dial of the Orion.
“Hugh,” he said, “please have the course changed to due north; we are nearly on the fortieth meridian, and should now make direct for Cape Farewell.”
The other passed up to the pilot’s house.
CHAPTER XXII
The cold was increasing, and the snug, warm cabin of the Orion was a most acceptable substitute for the frost-covered deck of the vessel. At 7 dial breakfast was laid, and the three officers partook of a hearty meal; then lighting their cigars—the necessity for fires aboard the vessel being removed by the substitution of meteorlene for hydrogen—they lay back and enjoyed the hour.
“Why did you bring so much meteorite and acid?” suddenly asked Lester.
“Because,” answered Cobb, “I wished to have enough to meet all emergencies which may arise. I have enough to fully inflate the balloon four times.”
“Do you intend to make direct for the pole from Cape Farewell?” broke in Hugh.