Chapter 29—Across the Ice-Fields
The little band made their way towards the southeast. Simpson drove the sledge. Duke aided him much, without being disturbed at the occupation of his mates. Hatteras and the doctor followed behind on foot, while Bell, who was charged with making a road, went on in advance, testing the ice with the iron point of his stick.
The rise in the thermometer foretold a fall of snow, and soon it came, beginning in large flakes. This added to the hardships of their jourpey; they kept straying from a straight line; they could not go quickly; nevertheless, they averaged three miles an hour.
The ice-field, under the pressure of the frost, presented an unequal surface; the sledge was often nearly turned over, but they succeeded in saving it.
Hatteras and his companion
