But it happened in as bad a way, in fact, much worse. Professor Gaston was out upon an exploring tour.
The professor was enriching his collection of rare fossils, and was about a quarter of a mile from the airship when attacked.
Suddenly and without warning he found himself surrounded by the Esquimaux. He blew his whistle.
The professor’s Winchester was under his arm. He could have shot a couple of them, but he knew that it would mean his instant death.
“White man gib gun to Eskimo!” said the leader. “Come along! Be prisoner. Mebbe so he live, mebbe not so, he die!”
“Hold on!” said the shrewd scientist. “Just wait until I return and I will bring you some more guns.”
“No! White man stay. Mebbe no come back. Stay here!”
Gaston saw that he was in for it. Yet he did not believe for a moment that his life was as yet in special danger.
He ransacked his brain in vain for a subterfuge by which to foil the Esquimaux. But each time he was disappointed.
Finally he was led away into the fir forest. A few moments more of delay and he would have been rescued by his friends.