Крижаний сфінкс
Chapter XIX. Land?
Jeorling,andweshallbringbackamassofinformationaboutthisportionofthesouthernseawhichwillproveusefultonavigators.”
“Ifeveranyventuretocomesofarsouth,captain!Wehavepenetratedsofar,thankstothehelpofparticularcircumstances,theearlinessofthesummerseason,anabnormaltemperatureandarapidthaw.Suchconditionsmayonlyoccuronceintwentyorfiftyyears!”
“Wherefore,Mr.Jeorling,IthankProvidenceforthis,andhoperevivesinmetosomeextent.Astheweatherhasbeenconstantlyfine,whatistheretomakeitimpossibleformybrotherandmyfellow-countrymentohavelandedonthiscoast,whitherthewindandthetideborethem?Whatourschoonerhasdone,theirboatmayhavedone!Theysurelydidnotstartonavoyagewhichmightbeprolongedtoanindefinitetimewithoutapropersupplyofprovisions!WhyshouldtheynothavefoundtheresourcesasthoseaffordedtothembytheislandofTsalalduringmanylongyears?Theyhadammunitionandarmselsewhere.Fishaboundinthesewaters,water-fowlalso.Ohyes!myheartisfullofhope,andIwishIwereafewhoursolder!”
WithoutbeingquitesosanguineasLenGuy,Iwasgladtoseehehadregainedhishopefulmood.Perhaps,ifhisinvestigationsweresuccessful,ImightbeabletohavethemcontinuedinArthurPym’sinterest—evenintotheheartofthisstrangelandwhichwewereapproaching.
TheHalbranewasgoingalongslowlyontheseclearwaters,whichswarmedwithfishbelongingtothesamespeciesaswehadalreadymet.
