"It's a pity," said the doctor, "that we are too few to organize any system of distractions."
"Do you mean it would be easier for us to combat idleness if there were more of us?" asked the American.
"Yes; when whole crews have wintered in boreal regions, they have found out the way to avoid idleness."
"To tell the truth," said Altamont, "I should like to know how they did; they must have been very ingenious to get any fun out of these surroundings. They didn't ask one another riddles, I suppose?"
"No," answered the doctor, "but they introduced into these lands two great means of amusement, the press and the theatre."
"What! did they have a newspaper?" asked the American.
"Did they act plays?" asked Bell.
"Yes, and with much amusement. While he was wintering at Melville Island, Captain Parry offered his crews these two entertainments, and they enjoyed them very much."
"Well," said Johnson, "I should have liked to be there; it must have been funny enough."
"Funny indeed; Lieutenant Beecher was manager of the theatre, and Captain Sabine editor of the 'Winter Chronicle, or Gazette of North Georgia.'"