The storm lasted for ten hours, and the weary travellers anxiously watched for the morning. About daybreak its fury seemed to have spent itself, and Hatteras, accompanied by Bell and Altamont, ventured to leave the tent. They climbed a hill about three hundred feet high, which commanded a wide view. But what a metamorphosed region met their gaze! All the ice had completely vanished, the storm had chased away the winter, and stripped the soil everywhere of its snow covering.
[Illustration: Three hours afterwards they arrived at the coast, and shouted simultaneously, "The sea! the sea!"-P.206]
But Hatteras scarcely bestowed a glance on surrounding objects; his eager gaze was bent on the northern horizon, which appeared shrouded in black mist.
"That may very likely be caused by the ocean," suggested Clawbonny.
"You are right. The sea must be there," was the reply.
"That tint is what we call the blink of open water," said Johnson.
"Come on, then, to the sledge at once, and let us get to this unknown ocean," exclaimed Hatteras.
Their few preparations were soon made, and the march resumed. Three hours afterwards they arrived at the coast, and shouted simultaneously, "The sea! the sea!"
"Ay, and open sea!" added Hatteras.
And so it was. The storm had opened wide the Polar Basin, and the loosened packs were drifting in all directions. The icebergs had weighed anchor, and were sailing out into the open sea.