On the fourth of July there was such an exceedingly dense fog, that it was very difficult to keep the straight course for the north. No misadventure, however, befel the party during the darkness, except the loss of Bell's snow-shoes. At Bell's suggestion, which fired the Doctor's inventive genius, torches were contrived, made of tow steeped in spirits-of-wine and fastened on the end of a stick, and these served somewhat to help them on, though they made but small progress; for, on the sixth, after the fog had cleared off, the Doctor took their bearings, and found that they had only been marching at the rate of eight miles a day.
Determined to make up for lost time, they rose next morning very early and started off, Bell and Altamont as usual going ahead of the rest and acting as scouts. Johnson and the others kept beside the sledge, and were soon nearly two miles behind the guides; but the weather was so dry and clear that all their movements could be distinctly observed.
"What now? " said Clawbonny, as he saw them make a sudden halt, and stoop down as if examining the ground.
"I was just wondering what they are about, myself," replied old Johnson.
"Perhaps they have come on the tracks of animals," suggested Hatteras.
"No," said Clawbonny, "it can't be that."
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"Why not?"
"Because Duk would bark."
"Well, it is quite evident they are examining some sort of marks."