Roger went down upon the shore and called the Esquimaux all to him.
Then in a speech in their tongue, which he had mastered, he expressed to them his regrets at leaving them.
They seemed deeply affected.
But Roger finally succeeded in parting from them, and with Frank and Pomp started for the Explorer.
As they passed through the defile upon the island, the last of the Matrodas were retreating to the farther shore.
Roger Harmon acted like one in a trance.
“Indeed!” he said, sincerely, “I can hardly believe my good luck. I had given up all hope of ever seeing my native land again.”
Very soon now the open sea came again in view.
The Explorer could be seen lying in the midst of the pack ice.
Roger looked astonished.