"Let's get on, then," said Hatteras; and, urging forward the dogs, they rejoined their companions in about twenty minutes, and shared their surprise at finding unmistakable fresh footprints of human beings in the snow, as plain as if only made the preceding day.
"They are Esquimaux footprints," said Hatteras.
"Do you think so?" asked Altamont.
"There is no doubt of it."
"But what do you make of this, then?" returned Altamont, pointing to another footmark repeated in
[Illustration: ]
several places. "Do you believe for a minute that was made by an Esquimaux?"
It was incontestably the print of a European boot-nails, sole, and heel clearly stamped in the snow. There was no room for doubt, and Hatteras exclaimed in amazement-
"Europeans here!"
"Evidently," said Johnson.