The instruments which Curtis loaded up were few enough, however, to make observations. But the most important one was the camera, for by turning this twice or thrice daily back upon the scenery they had passed through, they would be enabled to have a pictorial guide back again. The light is not very good in these regions, but it would serve anyhow to give them the outlines, and these would be enough.
“Good-bye, boys. Good-bye. It won’t be for long.”
They went away seemingly with light hearts. Yet Charlie and Walter gazed sadly after them, as long as they could be seen.
Then slowly, and in silence, with Nick and Nora by their sides, they returned to camp.
CHAPTER VII
MARVELS OF THE ANTARCTIC
We find our Expedition to South Polar regions now cut up into four divisions, though I know, as if by instinct, that the hearts of my readers are in the highlands of the far interior with my chief heroes.
We are at liberty to have a look, however, at the doings of the ships themselves, just for a minute or two, before wrapping our furs still closer around us, and returning to Ingomar and Curtis, or our people in camp.
It must not be thought, therefore, that the officers of the Walrus and Sea Elephant were otherwise than busy.
While the weather was still open, therefore, and the sea and shores free, in a measure, from ice, Captain Mayne Brace came out of his creek, or harbour, and commenced a scientific voyage once more along the shores of Victoria Land; while Captain Bell, with Milton, the old mate of the Walrus, was first to explore Ross’s sea to the south and east, and afterwards make the best of his way to New Zealand, taking with him the few invalids there were, and the letters. He was to return with extra provisions, extra stores, and more coals.