Chapter XXII. In Camp

           Alittleafternoon,theicebergwaswithinamileoftheland.

           Aftertheirdinner,thecrewclimbeduptothetopmostblock,onwhichDirkPeterswasstationed.Onourapproachthehalf-breeddescendedtheoppositeslopeandwhenIreachedthetophewasnolongertobeseen.

           Thelandonthenorthevidentlyformedacontinentorislandofconsiderableextent.Onthewesttherewasasharplyprojectingcape,surmountedbyaslopingheightwhichresembledanenormousseal’sheadonthesideview;thenbeyondthatwasawidestretchofsea.Ontheeastthelandwasprolongedoutofsight.

           Eachoneofustookintheposition.Itdependedonthecurrent—whetheritwouldcarrytheicebergintoaneddywhichmightdriveitonthecoast,orcontinuetodriftittowardsthenorth.Whichwasthemoreadmissiblehypothesis?

           CaptainLenGuy,West,Hurliguerly,andItalkedoverthematter,whilethecrewdiscusseditamongthemselves.Finally,itwasagreedthatthecurrenttendedrathertocarrytheicebergtowardsthenorthernpointofland.

           “Afterall,”saidCaptainLenGuy,“ifitishabitableduringthemonthsofthesummerseason,itdoesnotlooklikebeinginhabited,sincewecannotdescryahumanbeingontheshore.”

           “Letusbearinmind,captain,”saidI,“thattheicebergisnotcalculatedtoattractattentionastheHalbranewouldhavedone.”

           “Evidently,Mr.Jeorling;andthenatives,iftherewereany,wouldhavebeencollectedonthebeachtoseetheHalbranealready.