Ледяной сфинкс
Chapter XI. From the Sandwich Islands to the Polar Circle
Jeorling?Whatisthereunreasonableinadmittingtheinterventionofasupernaturalpowerinthemostordinarycircumstancesoflife?Andwe,whosailtheHalbrane,shouldweventuretodoubtit?RecalltoyourmindourmeetingwiththeunfortunatePattersononourship’scourse,thefragmentoficecarriedintothewaterswherewewere,anddissolvedimmediatelyafterwards.Werenotthesefactsprovidential?Nay,Igofartherstill,andamsurethat,afterhavingdonesomuchtoguideustowardsourcompatriots,Godwillnotabandonus—”
“Ithinkasyouthink,captain.No,Hisinterventionisnottobedenied,andIdonotbelievethatchanceplaysthepartassignedtoitbysuperficialmindsuponthestageofhumanlife.Allthefactsareunitedbyamysteriouschain.”
“Achain,Mr.Jeorling,whosefirstlink,sofarasweareconcerned,isPatterson’sice-block,andwhoselastwillbeTsalalIsland.Ah!Mybrother!mypoorbrother!Leftthereforelevenyears,withhiscompanionsinmisery,withoutbeingabletoentertainthehopethatsuccourevercouldreachthem!AndPattersoncarriedfarawayfromthem,underweknownotwhatconditions,theynotknowingwhathadbecomeofhim!IfmyheartissickwhenIthinkofthesecatastrophes,Mr.Jeorling,atleastitwillnotfailmeunlessitbeatthemomentwhenmybrotherthrowshimselfintomyarms.”
SothenwetwowereagreedinourtrustinProvidence.IthadbeenmadeplaintousinamanifestfashionthatGodhadentrusteduswithamission,andwewoulddoallthatmightbehumanlypossibletoaccomplishit.
