“We have been going in a wrong direction,” said Jack that night. “The party that left the ship went around to the northeast.”
“Then we must retrace our way?” asked Hugo.
“Yes, by following them as closely as possible we shall learn their fate or reach the place of safety they have gained.”
It was decided to prepare for a long journey.
Jack built a better sled and selected various articles of food which he made into compact packages.
They were two days on the ship when some startling incidents occurred to hasten their journey from the place.
Tracks of various animals had been seen in the snow, and the boys had been allowed to visit the shore.
Will had constructed a trap out of two iron hoops found in the hold of the ship, and had set it at a spot where these tracks in the snow were most numerous.
It was the ensuing morning that he and Tom, visiting the vicinity, to their delight [saw some kind of an animal struggling in the trap] they had set.
