The Field of Ice

e Old World, but in this desolate region what mournful silence prevailed! No willow branches her

for it promised them speedy deliverance f

rrived at the ship. The Porpoise was completely buried under the snow. All her masts and rigging had been dest

great difficulty that they managed to get on board, and made the welcome discovery that the provision stores ha

must build a snow-house, and ma

we can make shift on board; for we must build a good, substantial house, that will protect us from the bears as

up our abode here, and making an inventory of the stores we find. There does not seem a boat visible o

ught do wonders; but our first business is to build a

" said Hatteras; "so

the wreck. Bell had managed to make a tolerably level floor with planks and spars; the stiffened cushions and hammocks were placed round the stove to thaw, and were soon fit for use. Altamont

nd up with a good supper off the remains of the bear,

s about the morrow, and they might sleep as long as they pleased. The poor fellows felt like colonists safely arrived at th

ng himself and stretching his arms, "for a fellow not to need

is on board before we s

salt beef and pork, 1500 lbs. of pemmican; 700 lbs. of sugar, and the same of chocolate; a chest and a half of tea, weighing 96 lbs.; 500 lbs. of rice; several barrels of preserved fruits and

ve men for more than two years, and all fear

ive on now," said the Doctor, "and there i

!" echoed

e push our way overlan

nd; but how coul

to build a boat out of s

hip!" exclaimed the c

make no reply, and presently cha

n our house and store-rooms. We have materials enough at hand; an

; "and, as for material, there is enough

entrench themselves in fortresses against the Indians and wild beasts. That's all we need - a

it," said Johnson, "I am sure

ess is to go and choose the ground

ctor," replied the captain. "I'

work, so he remained on the ship, while the ot

nths. Towards the north, a promontory stretched out into the sea, and about three miles away was an island of moderate size. The roadstead thus formed would have afforded safe anchorage to ships, but for the difficulty of entering it. A considerable distance inland the

om its naturally fortified situation. By cutting steps in t

mmence operations forthwith, by removing the hard snow more than ten feet deep, whic

y. At last they came to hard granite close in grain, and containing garne

vided into three rooms, as all they needed was a bed-room, sitting-room and kitchen. The s

esist summer thaws. Already the house began to present an imposing appearance. There were four windows in front, made

by a strong door taken from the cabin of the Porpoise. The Doctor was highly delighted with his performance when all was finished,

ove in the sleeping room; then came chairs, tables, arm-chairs, cupboards, and benches for the sitting-room, and finally the shi

tersburgh in January, 1740, of which he had read an account. He amused his companions after work in the evening by describing its grandeur, the cannons in front, and statues of exquisite beauty, and the wonderful elephant that spouted water out of his trunk by day and flaming naphtha by night - all cut out of i

alled themselves in their new abode and after holding divine service

as the temperature was so low, that they could not work for many hours at a time. At length on the 8th of April, provisions, fuel, and ammunition were all safe on terra firma, and deposited in their

as to put a parapet right round th

be found on this unknown continent, for Hatteras, who had minutely examined the bay and the surrounding coast, had not been able to discover the least vestiges of the huts that ar