The sun was fiercely hot, and they were yet able to realize that they were in the tropics. But they knew that every hour now brought them nearer to their destination.
On the deck a canopy had been erected, and under this all were fond of reclining.
The principal pastime was of discussing the probable results of the trip and the peculiarities of the Antarctic land.
As near as Frank could figure, the fiord or river outlet, by means of which Wendel and his companions had entered the Antarctic country, was off the coast of Graham Land.
In that case a course due south from Cape Horn would be pretty sure to bring them into the right locality. So the brig held that course.
The arrangement was that Captain Ward should land them as near the Antarctic coast as possible on the icefield.
Then he would return to Montevideo and remain four months, after which he would come back to the edge of the icefield and cruise about for a month.
Finding no signs of the voyagers then he would go back to Montevideo for two months more, thence returning to the ice-pack for a month.
After three such attempts, consuming about a year in time, he would then be assured that the adventurers would not come out alive, and he could go wherever his fancy dictated.
This was the plan.