But all the stores, the rich equipment and luxuries of the Scorcher were left behind with it. They were never seen again.
To many, Frank’s course might have seemed heroic, but it was at least justifiable.
The long Antarctic winter is against human life. As Frank had predicted, few of the party would have lived to see the spring.
But the serious part of the undertaking was not over yet, by any means.
To climb the ice barrier with all their effects was no light task. Four trips were made over it.
But at length they were enabled to set out for the ship. Fortunately the weather yet held moderate.
But at any moment the grim old tyrant of winter was apt to descend with pitiless, blasting breath and lock up every channel and basin of open water.
So our voyagers journeyed on without rest.
Luck was with them. They reached the ship and got aboard. The Pearl was anchored in the middle of the basin.
But the boat in which Captain Ward had come off was yet in a cleft in the ice. In it all were safely transported to the ship’s deck.