Ледяной сфинкс
Chapter X. The Outset of the Enterprise
HerecognizedafterwardsthattheSandwichesonlyformedanArchipelago,but,nevertheless,hisbeliefthatapolarcontinentfarthersouthexists,remainedfirmandunchanged.”
“Iknowthatisso,Mr.Jeorling,”repliedthecaptain,“butifsuchacontinentexists,wemustconcludethatthereisagreatgapinitscoast,andthatWeddellandmybrothereachgotinbythatgapatsixyears’interval.Thatourgreatnavigatorhadnotthelucktodiscoverthispassageiseasytoexplain;hestoppedattheseventy-firstparallel!ButothersfounditafterCaptainCook,andotherswillfinditagain.”
“Andweshallbeofthenumber,captain.”
“Yes—withthehelpofGod!Cookdidnothesitatetoassertthatnoonewouldeverventurefartherthanhehadgone,andthattheAntarcticlands,ifanysuchexisted,wouldneverbeseen,butthefuturewillprovethathewasmistaken.Theyhavebeenseensofarastheeighty-fourthdegreeoflatitude—”
“Andwhoknows,”saidI,“perhapsbeyondthat,byArthurPym.”
“Perhaps,Mr.Jeorling.ItistruethatwehavenottotroubleourselvesaboutArthurPym,sincehe,atleast,andDirkPetersalso,returnedtoAmerica.”
“But—supposinghedidnotreturn?”
“Iconsiderthatwehavenottofacethateventuality,”repliedCaptainLenGuy.
