“Undoubtedly.”
“No, no, boatswain; the temperature is so high that the birds can’t want to get to less cold regions so prematurely.”
“Oh! prematurely, Mr. Jeorling.”
“Yes, boatswain; do we not know that navigators have always been able to frequent the Antarctic waters until the month of March?”
“Not at such a latitude. Besides, there are precocious winters as well as precocious summers. The fine season this year was full two months in advance, and it is to be feared the bad season may come sooner than usual.”
“That is very likely,” I replied. “After all, it does not signify to us, since our campaign will certainly be over in three weeks.”
“If some obstacle does not arise beforehand, Mr. Jeorling.”
“And what obstacle?”
“For instance, a continent stretching to the south and barring our way.”
“A continent, Hurliguerly!”