"But that happened to the Fox, and not far from here. Bah!" said the doctor; "we shall get through with a little philosophy. You will see that is worth all the machinery in the world."
"I must say," answered Shandon, "this year does not begin very well."
"True, Shandon, and I notice also that Baffin's Bay seems to be returning to the state it was in before 1817."
"Don't you think, Doctor, it has always been as it is now?"
"No, my dear Shandon, from time to time there have been great breakings of the ice which no one can explain; so, up to 1817 this sea was continually full, when an enormous sort of inundation took place, which cast the icebergs into the ocean, most of which reached the banks of Newfoundland. From that day Baffin's Bay was nearly free, and was visited by whalers."
"So," asked Shandon, "from that time voyages to the North became easier?"
"Incomparably; but for some years it has been noticed that the bay seems to be resuming its old ways and threatens to become closed, possibly for a long time, to sailors. An additional reason, by the way, for pushing on as far as possible. And yet it must be said, we look like people who are pushing on in unknown ways, with the doors forever closing behind us."
"Would you advise me to go back?" asked Shandon, trying to read into the depths of the doctor's eyes.
"I! I have never retreated yet, and, even if we should never get back, I say go on. Still, I want to make it clear that if we act imprudently, we do it with our eyes open."
"And you, Garry, what do you think about it?" asked Shandon of the sailor.