"Who, I?" asked the professor, in mild surprise. "Oh, no, my dear boy.
I will get a penguin yet, even if I have to fight a regiment of them.
I'll get one, never fear, and tame him to eat out of my hand."
"I hope so, I'm sure," said Frank, with a smile at the odd old man's enthusiasm.
"Hullo, what's that?" cried Billy, suddenly pointing.
"What?" chorused the boys.
"Why that creature off there on the ice flapping about,—it seems to be in distress."
"There is certainly something the matter with it," agreed Frank.
What seemed to be a huge bird was struggling and flapping about on the floes at no great distance from them.
"Other birds are attacking it!" cried Billy.
It was so, indeed. Numerous albatrosses and other large sea birds and gulls were hovering above the struggling creature, from time to time diving and pecking it.
"What in the world can it be?" cried Frank.