“My soul!” exclaimed Frank. “They have not returned. Then the flood overtook them. This is the plain result of avarice.”
For a time all were silent. The four sailors looked wretched enough.
“We are nigh dead from starvation,” Mains said, finally.
“Then come with me,” said Frank, moving down the mountain side. “This is a terrible affair!”
“God bless you, sir,” cried one of the sailors. “We will die for you—only take us back to America.”
“Humph!” exclaimed Frank. “It looks mighty doubtful now whether any of us get back or not.”
Back to the Scorcher they went, and Pomp gave the surviving sailors food and drink.
Then the folly of Captain Ward’s move was dilated upon. The result was a disappointment to Frank.
“I had intended remaining here for the waters to fall,” he said, “but now all depends upon our reaching the Pearl before the ice-pack breaks up. If we do not reach the ship in that time, we may give ourselves up for lost.”
“And go to swell the number of explorers who have invaded this accursed land never to return!” declared Randall.