Yonder was contentment unalloyed.
And there was sunshine over all; it glimmered in the sea in radiance sublime, it spangled the snow and seemed to turn it into diamonds, it filled earth and air, and best of all it filled the hearts of the lonely beholders, till they were fain to smile at their recent gloom.
“A glorious scene, Curtis!”
“A glorious scene, Ingomar! That is our last look at the sea for a time, but not for ever. Oh, no, not for ever!”
Then down they came from the mount, with faces a-shine in the gladsome air.
* * * * *
That day’s journey was scarcely so long. The sun was resplendent, and at the evening meal every one was happy and cheerful. Nay, but hopeful in the extreme.
“I drink your healths in coffee, gentlemen, and may the united British and American flags float in the future over every land and sea in all the world. We’re bound for the end of the world, the place where people jump off, you know, and I am not so very sure we shan’t eventually reach it. But we mean to return without jumping off.”
And every one only spoke the feelings that were within him.
Coffee generally makes people wakeful. It does not if taken in the Arctic or Antarctic. It makes one contented and happy, and even if drunk last thing at night in this pure life-giving air, you get sleepy as soon as you have wriggled into your bag, and doze off almost, though not quite, before you have said your prayers. Still you have no fear. Somehow there seems to be a protecting Power around you.