Then came Indo-China and the Siberian country. The Steppes were passed over and finally the shores of the Arctic were reached in the vicinity of the delta of the Lena river.
Here it was deemed best to make a descent, as the engines of the Dart had been running so long at such pressure that they really needed attention.
So a descent was made at the verge of a small plateau, which was thickly covered with Arctic firs.
“From here,” said Frank, “we shall proceed directly over the Arctic Ocean and locate the North Pole inside of a month. Then we can go home.”
“After a most successful trip!” declared Professor Gaston, enthusiastically.
“Do not say that as yet,” said Frank. “We have not reached the end of our journey as yet.”
“Still you do not apprehend any serious times in locating the North Pole, do you? Are not all of the natives friendly?”
“Possibly,” replied Frank, “but there are very many perils to consider. At any moment some accident might happen to the airship and we would then be in a bad fix.”
“Ugh! don’t speak of it!” said the professor, shrugging his shoulders. “I don’t like to think of it.”
Barney and Pomp were for a time very busy in overhauling the machinery of the Dart.