| "These castaways looked at themselves as colonists who had reached their destination." |
"Well," said the doctor, stretching his arms, "it's something not to have to wonder where one will sleep to-night and what one will have to eat to-morrow."
"Let us first make an inventory of the ship," answered Johnson.
The Porpoise had been carefully equipped for a long voyage.
The inventory, when complete, indicated the following supplies:—
| 6,150 | lbs. of flour, fat and raisins for puddings; |
| 2,000 | " " beef and salt pork; |
| 1,500 | " " pemmican; |
| 700 | " " sugar; |
| 700 | " " chocolate; |
| 500 | " " rice; |
| 1½ | chests of tea, weighing 87 lbs; |
many barrels of canned fruits and vegetables, lime-juice in abundance, cochlearia, sorrel and water-cresses, and three hundred gallons of rum and brandy; in the hold there was a large supply of ammunition; there was plenty of coal and wood. The doctor collected carefully the nautical instruments, and he also found a Bunsen's Pile, which had been carried for electrical tests and experiments. In short, they had supplies enough to keep five men on whole rations for two years; all fear of starving or freezing to death was hence wholly removed.
"Our means of living are certain," said the doctor to the captain, "and there is nothing to prevent our reaching the Pole."
"The Pole!" answered Hatteras, trembling with excitement.