Chapter 52—Footprints on the Snow
July 4th a dense fog prevailed. They were only able with the greatest difficulty to keep a straight path; they had to consult the compass every moment. Fortunately there was no accident in the darkness, except that Bell lost his snow-shoes, which were broken against a projecting rock.
“Well, really,” said Johnson, “I thought, after seeing the Mersey and the Thames, that I knew all about fogs, but I see I was mistaken.”
“We ought,” answered Bell, “to light torches as is done at London and Liverpool.”
“Why not?” asked the doctor; “that’s a good idea; it would n’t light up the road much, but we could see the guide, and follow him more easily.”
“But what shall we do for torches?”
“By lighting tow dipped in alcohol, and fastening to the end of walking-sti
