264 THE FUR COUNTRY. and America after travelling five or six hundred miles out qf our way. Yes, before going farther, I must make quite sure of the state of the ice-field, and that is what I am about to do." And without another word Hobson stripped himself, plunged into the half-frozen water, and being a powerful swimmer a few strokes soon brought him to the other side of the crevasse, when he disappeared amongst the icebergs. A few hours later the Lieutenant reached the encampment, to which Long had already returned, in an exhausted condition. He took Mrs Barnett and the Sergeant aside, and told them that the ice-field was impracticable, adding — " Perhaps one man on foot without a sledge or any encumbrances might get across, but for a caravan it is impossible. The crevasses increase towards the east, and a boat would really be of more use than a sledge if we wish to reach the American coast." " Well," said Long, " if one man could cross, ought not one of us to attempt it, and go and seek assistance for the rest."
- ' I thought of trying it myself," replied Hobson.
" You, Lieutenant ! " " You, sir ! " cried Mrs Barnett and Long in one breath. These two exclamations showed Hobson how unexpected and inopportune his proposal appeared. How could he, the chief of the expedition, think of deserting those confided to him, even although it was in their interests and at great risk to himself. It was quite impossible, and the Lieutenant did not insist upon it. " Yes," he said, " I understand how it appears to you, my friends, and I will not abandon you. It would, indeed, be quite useless for any one to attempt the passage ; he would not succeed, he would fall by the way, and find a watery grave when the thaw sets in. And even suppose he reached New Archangel, how could he come to our rescue % Would he charter a vessel to seek for us % Suppose he did, it could not start until after the thaw. And who can tell where the currents will then have taken Victoria Island, either yet farther north or to the Behring Sea ! " Yes, Lieutenant, you are right," replied Long ; " let us remain together, and if we are to be saved in a boat, there is Mac-Nab*s on Victoria Island, and for it at least we shall not have to wait ! " Mrs Barnett had listened without saying a word, but she under- stood that the ice-field being impassable, they had now nothing to
