The Waif of the Cynthia | Page 4

while making
a second attempt, was shipwrecked, and perished. A captain, Stephen
Borough, who was sent in search of him, succeeded in making his way
through the strait which separates Nova Zembla from the Island of
Waigate and in penetrating into the Sea of Kara. But the fog and ice
prevented him from going any further.
"Two expeditions which were sent out in 1580 were equally
unsuccessful. The project was nevertheless revived by the Hollanders

about fifteen years later, and they fitted out, successively, three
expeditions, under the command of Barentz.
"In 1596, Barentz also perished, in the ice of Nova Zembla.
"Ten years later Henry Hudson was sent out, but also failed.
"The Danes were not more successful in 1653.
"In 1676, Captain John Wood was also shipwrecked. Since that period
the north-east passage has been considered impracticable, and
abandoned by the maritime powers."
"Has it never been attempted since that epoch?"
"It has been by Russia, to whom it would be of immense advantage, as
well as to all the northern nations, to find a direct route between her
shores and Siberia. She has sent out during a century no less than
eighteen expeditions to explore the coasts of Nova Zembla, the Sea of
Kara, and the eastern and western coasts of Siberia. But, although these
expeditions have made these places better known, they have also
demonstrated the impossibility of forcing a passage through the Arctic
Ocean. The academician Van Baer, who made the last attempt in 1837,
after Admiral Lutke and Pachtusow, declared emphatically that this
ocean is simply a glacier, as impracticable for vessels as it would be if
it were a continent."
"Must we, then, renounce all hopes of discovering a north-east
passage?"
"That seems to be the conclusion which we must arrive at, from the
failure of these numerous attempts. It is said, however, that a great
navigator, named Nordenskiold, wishes to make another attempt, after
he has prepared himself by first exploring portions of this polar sea. If
he then considers it practicable, he may get up another expedition."
Dr. Schwaryencrona was a warm admirer of Nordenskiold, and this is
why he had asked these questions about the north-east passage. He was

charmed with the clearness of these answers.
He fixed his eyes on Erik Hersebom, with an expression of the deepest
interest.
"Where did you learn all this, my dear child?" he demanded, after a
short silence.
"Here, sir," answered Erik, surprised at the question.
"You have never studied in any other school?"
"Certainly not."
"Mr. Malarius may be proud of you, then," said the doctor, turning
toward the master.
"I am very well satisfied with Erik," said the latter.
"He has been my pupil for eight years. When I first took him he was
very young, and he has always been at the head of his section."
The doctor became silent. His piercing eyes were fixed upon Erik, with
a singular intensity. He seemed to be considering some problem, which
it would not be wise to mention.
"He could not have answered my question better and I think it useless
to continue the examination," he said at last. "I will no longer delay
your holiday, my children, and since Mr. Malarius desires it, we will
stop for to-day."
At these words, the master clapped his hands. All the pupils rose at
once, collected their books, and arranged themselves in four lines, in
the empty spaces between the benches.
Mr. Malarias clapped his hands a second time. The column started, and
marched out, keeping step with military precision.
At a third signal they broke their ranks, and took to flight with joyous

cries.
In a few seconds they were scattered around the blue waters of the fiord,
where might be seen also the turf roofs of the village of Noroe.






CHAPTER II.
THE HOME OF A FISHERMAN IN NOROE.
The house of Mr. Hersebom was, like all others in Noroe, covered by a
turf roof, and built of enormous timbers of fir-trees, in the
Scandinavian fashion. The two large rooms were separated by a hall in
the center, which led to the boat-house where the canoes were kept.
Here were also to be seen the fishing-tackle and the codfish, which they
dry and sell. These two rooms were used both as living-rooms and
bedrooms. They had a sort of wooden drawer let into the wall, with its
mattress and skins, which serve for beds, and are only to be seen at
night. This arrangement for sleeping, with the bright panels, and the
large open fire-place, where a blazing fire of wood was always kept
burning, gave to the interior of the most humble homes an appearance
of neatness and domestic luxury unknown to the peasantry of Southern
Europe.
This