An Antarctic Mystery | Page 8

the captain.
"And now," I resumed, "the United States is again making an attempt
with Wilkes's fleet, the Vancouver, the Peacock, the Flying Fish, and
others."
"The United States, Mr. Jeorling? Do you mean to say that an
expedition has been sent by the Federal Government to the Antarctic
seas?"
"The fact is certain, and last year, before I left America, I learned that
the vessels had sailed. That was a year ago, and it is very possible that
Wilkes has gone farther than any of the preceding explorers."
Captain Len Guy had relapsed into silence, and came out of his
inexplicable musing only to say abruptly--
"You come from Connecticut, sir?"
"From Connecticut."
"And more specially?"
"From Providence."2
"Do you know Nantucket Island?"3
"I have visited it several times."

"You know, I think," said the captain, looking straight into my eyes,
"that Nantucket Island was the birthplace of Arthur Gordon Pym, the
hero of your famous romance-writer Edgar Poe."
"Yes. I remember that Poe's romance starts from Nantucket."
"Romance, you say? That was the word you used?"
"Undoubtedly, captain."
"Yes, and that is what everybody says! But, pardon me, I cannot stay
any longer. I regret that I cannot alter my mind with respect to your
proposal. But, at any rate, you will only have a few days to wait. The
season is about to open. Trading ships and whalers will put in at
Christmas Harbour, and you will be able to make a choice, with the
certainty of going to the port you want to reach. I am very sorry, sir,
and I salute you."
With these words Captain Len Guy walked quickly away, and the
interview ended differently from what I had expected, that is to say in
formal, although polite, fashion.
As there is no use in contending with the impossible, I gave up the
hope of a passage on the Halbrane, but continued to feel angry with her
intractable captain. And why should I not confess that my curiosity was
aroused? I felt that there was something mysterious about this sullen
mariner, and I should have liked to find out what it was.
That day, Atkins wanted to know whether Captain Len Guy had made
himself less disagreeable. I had to acknowledge that I had been no more
fortunate in my negotiations than my host himself, and the avowal
surprised him not a little. He could not understand the captain's
obstinate refusal. And--a fact which touched him more nearly--the
Green Cormorant had not been visited by either Len Guy or his crew
since the arrival of the Hafbrane. The men were evidently acting upon
orders. So far as Hurliguerly was concerned, it was easy to understand
that after his imprudent advance he did not care to keep up useless
relations with me. I knew not whether he had attempted to shake the

resolution of his chief; but I was certain of one thing; if he had made
any such effort it had failed.
During the three following days, the loth, 11th, and 12th of August, the
work of repairing and re-victualling the schooner went on briskly; but
all this was done with regularity, and without such noise and
quarrelling as seamen at anchor usually indulge in. The Halbrane was
evidently well commanded, her crew well kept in hand, discipline
strictly maintained.
The schooner was to sail on the 15th of August, and on the eve of that
day I had no reason to think that Captain Len Guy had repented him of
his categorical refusal. Indeed, I had made up my mind to the
disappointment, and had no longer any angry feeling about it. When
Captain Len Guy and myself met on the quay, we took no notice of
each other; nevertheless, I fancied there was some hesitation in his
manner; as though he would have liked to speak to me. He did not do
so, however, and I was not disposed to seek a further explanation.
At seven o'clock in the evening of the 14th of August, the island being
already wrapped in darkness, I was walking on the port after I had
dined, walking briskly too, for it was cold, although dry weather. The
sky was studded with stars and the air was very keen. I could not stay
out long, and was returning to mine inn, when a man crossed my path,
paused, came back, and stopped in front of me. It was the captain of the
Halbrane.
"Mr. Jeorling," he began, "the Halbrane sails tomorrow morning, with
the ebb tide."
"What is the good of telling me that," I replied, "since you refuse--"
"Sir, I have thought over it, and if you have not changed your mind,
come on board at seven o'clock."
"Really, captain," I replied, "I did not expect this relenting