"Eighty-nine and two tenths," echoed Miskin, jotting down the figures.
Our navigator lowered the astrolabe through which he had been peering and folded up his artificial horizon. He then figured for a few moments on the edge of the taffrail, scrupulously erasing the calculation with a combination of saliva and sleeve before he announced in his usual formula:
"She proves. Key-rect as hell."
I piped down the engines and ordered the company abaft. We were working through an open lead at the time.
The moment had come for another important announcement. These were of almost daily occurrence at this time, each stage of our journey having been marked by the establishment of a record for ship travel. It had therefore become my custom to call the men together as soon as our position had been officially announced, at which time we held a sort of business "causerie," chatted over what had been accomplished, discussed the future plans and policy of the expedition and so on, much as is done today in business organizations whose lack of business gives them ample time for such recreations.
THE AVOWAL
It was not to be expected that the temperamental Swank would long remain proof against the attractions of the beguiling Klinka maidens and here we have evidence of him running true to form, the form in this case being that of Klipitok, the youngest of the Mrs. Makuiks. The scene is the sub-polar apartment of the Kryptok hunter, hewn from the ageless ice.
Obviously a tender passage is in progress. The jaunty Swank, holding in his hand a bunch of lapland-larkspurs, which, it should be remarked, were completely out of season at the time, is not only saying it with flowers but with all the practised ardor of a grade A Romeo.
"You are the sweetest thing in the world," he whispers. "I have never met anyone like you in all my life."
The child hears and believes.
"You are so original!" she murmurs, bending her seal-like ear.
"And you so aboriginal!"
"More!" she sighs passionately.
"Have you ever been to Niagara Falls?"
At this point, due to the rising temperature, great drops of water began to fall from the ice-roof and a harsh command from Makuik drove the lovers into the open air.
In justice to Mr. Swank it should be stated that all wife-wooing was conducted with the full knowledge and consent of the husband. Makuik's ulterior motive, doubtless, was to secure additional hunters for his tribe. Alas, for Swank's romantically planned honeymoon, it was doomed to end as so many do, in disappointment.
The Avowal
Today, more than ever, I felt the responsibility of my position. Having gained in assurance and poise by reason of experience at previous meetings, my words were terse and well-chosen.