But before Hatteras began his preparations for the journey, he wished to be exactly certain of the Forward's position. He was obliged to be mathematically accurate as to her whereabouts, because of finding her again. His task was very difficult; he went upon deck and took at different moments several lunar distances and the meridian heights of the principal stars. These observations were hard to make, for the glass and mirrors of the instrument were covered with ice from Hatteras's breath; he burnt his eyelashes more than once by touching the brass of the glasses. However, he obtained exact bases for his calculations, and came down to make them in the room. When his work was over, he raised his head in astonishment, took his map, pricked it, and looked at the doctor.
"What is it?" asked the latter.
"In what latitude were we at the beginning of our wintering?"
"We were in latitude 78° 15', by longitude 95° 35'; exactly at the Frozen Pole."
"Well," said Hatteras, in a low tone, "our ice-field has been drifting! We are two degrees farther north and farther west, and three hundred miles at least from your store of coal!"
"And those poor fellows don't know," said the doctor.
"Hush!" said Hatteras, putting his finger on his lips.
CHAPTER XXVIII
PREPARATIONS FOR DEPARTURE