Chapter X. The Outset of the Enterprise

           HerewasI,then,launchedintoanadventurewhichseemedlikelytosurpassallmyformerexperiences.Whowouldhavebelievedsuchathingofme.ButIwasunderaspellwhichdrewmetowardstheunknown,thatunknownofthepolarworldwhosesecretssomanydaringpioneershadinvainessayedtopenetrate.Andthistime,whocouldtellbutthatthesphinxoftheAntarcticregionswouldspeakforthefirsttimetohumanears!

           Thenewcrewhadfirstlytoapplythemselvestolearningtheirseveralduties,andtheold—allfinefellows—aidedtheminthetask.AlthoughCaptainLenGuyhadnothadmuchchoice,heseemedtohavebeeninluck.Thesesailors,ofvariousnationalities,displayedzealandgoodwill.Theywereaware,also,thatthematewasamanwhomitwouldnotdotovex,forHurliguerlyhadgiventhemtounderstandthatWestwouldbreakanyman’sheadwhodidnotgostraight.Hischiefallowedhimfulllatitudeinthisrespect.

           “Alatitude,”headded,“whichisobtainedbytakingthealtitudeoftheeyewithashutfist.”

           Irecognizedmyfriendtheboatswaininthemannerofthiswarningtoallwhomitmightconcern.

           Thenewhandstooktheadmonitionseriously,andtherewasnooccasiontopunishanyofthem.AsforHunt,whileheobservedthedocilityofatruesailorinallhisduties,healwayskepthimselfapart,speakingtonone,andevensleptonthedeck,inacorner,ratherthanoccupyabunkintheforecastlewiththeothers.