Frank had chartered the Pearl and crew for one year, paying them a liberal bonus, for the voyage was a more arduous one than the ordinary.
There were eighteen men in the crew, all plucky and hardy fellows, who were ready to fight at command.
Captain Ward was intensely interested in the project of exploring the Antarctic Continent, and more than once hinted at a desire to leave his ship and accompany the Scorcher’s party.
But our adventurers took great pains not to encourage such a thing, for there were already enough in the party.
As is usually the case, the forecastle also got hold of the matter and the result was that a pretty yarn was soon going the rounds.
This was to the effect that there were fabulous gold mines back of the great ice-belt, and that the voyagers were bound thither to work the newly discovered mines.
Now, if there is one thing which will inflame the minds of lawless men it is the yellow metal.
At once a thrill of excitement ran through the ship.
The fever was on, and it had a lamentable and disastrous effect upon the sailors.
They neglected their duties and crowded in secret knots about the ship. Look into the eyes of any one of them and there you would see the demon of avarice, the haunting, restless spirit of gain and greed.