After that, there was a good deal to do for a week around the ship and up at the hut, and the days passed swiftly. Then, one clear morning, the explorer called to Andy and Chet.
“Come with me, if you want to get your last look at the sun for some months,” said he.
They left the Ice King and walked to the top of an icy cliff a mile away. Professor Jeffer was with them, and so were Dr. Slade and Mr. Camdal.
On the top of the cliff they had to wait nearly an hour before the sun showed itself. The long beams of light flashed across the ice, and then gradually grew dimmer and dimmer, and then disappeared altogether.
“Gone!” said Chet, in a low tone. All had been very silent for several minutes.
“Yes,” answered Barwell Dawson. “And you’ll not see the sun again until next February!”
“What a night!” murmured Andy, and somehow his heart seemed to sink within him.
It was a silent party that returned to the ship. Andy and Chet both began to wonder how the long spell of darkness was going to affect them.
“It won’t be so bad the first few days—or nights,” said Andy. “But after that——” He finished with a grave shake of his head.
“Let us try to occupy our minds with work and by reading,” answered Chet. “I guess it’s the only way to keep from going crazy.”