Part, Chapter
1 I, XVIII| explorers state that at Melville Island the temperature fell to
2 I, XVIII| Felix to 65°.”~“But Melville Island and Port Felix are some
3 I, XIX | returning from Melbourne Island, on the eastern coast of
4 II, I | and it was now a floating island, at the mercy of the winds
5 II, I | The position of the new island with regard to the rising
6 II, I | their position, had the island turned round, the Lieutenant,
7 II, I | change; but in its course the island had thus far followed a
8 II, I | ascertain the limits of their island home.~All were deeply moved
9 II, I | peninsula of Victoria, now an island, which we thought firm ground
10 II, I | the peninsula became an island free from all control, it
11 II, I | peninsula into a floating island, and this explains why the
12 II, I | course of the wandering island, and there was no means
13 II, II | the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being
14 II, II | Ocean then occupied by their island.~The party did not, however,
15 II, II | Two dangers threatened the island floating along the coast
16 II, II | latter contingency, Victoria Island, driven by the currents
17 II, II | of Russian America if the island remained in the east, or
18 II, II | control over our floating island. Having no sail to hoist,
19 II, II | winter would solder Victoria Island to the vast ice-field, and
20 II, II | the Arctic Ocean, Victoria Island might be dragged too far
21 II, II | can to avoid being on the island when the ice breaks up,
22 II, II | latitudes. Our wandering island would run a risk of never
23 II, II | ways. When they meet, the island must necessarily become
24 II, II | not?”~“Because if Victoria Island were in an eddy, it would
25 II, II | Lieutenant about his floating island being perhaps, after all,
26 II, II | s opinion that Victoria Island was drifting to the west
27 II, II | mean to make a tour of our island as soon as possible?”~“Yes,
28 II, II | peninsula has become an island.”~“A strange destiny is
29 II, II | in which they were.~The island was then in 157° 37’ longitude
30 II, II | arrived at.~The wandering island was moving in a westerly
31 II, II | then imminent, if Victoria Island did not again touch the
32 II, II | then, how many miles the island has drifted since it left
33 II, II | conclude that Victoria Island has been moving along with
34 II, II | course of this wandering island.”~
35 II, III | CHAPTER III.~ A TOUR OF THE ISLAND.~From that day, July 18th,
36 II, III | operation possible. Was not the island, in fact, a disabled ship,
37 II, III | without change of latitude the island had advanced several miles
38 II, III | his excursion round the island in which he and his comrades
39 II, III | of which the soil of the island was composed.~But in the
40 II, III | fearful gale, but the floating island was of too vast a bulk to
41 II, III | sea and cannot quit the island,” observed Hobson.~“They
42 II, III | alteration in the extent of the island. It was, however, to be
43 II, III | them the whole of Victoria Island, for nothing now connects
44 II, III | Fauna were imprisoned on the island, and there was every reason
45 II, III | having disappeared. Victoria Island ended in an abrupt angle
46 II, III | the southern side of the island, which was once the connecting-link
47 II, III | and to launch Victoria Island upon the wide ocean.~At
48 II, IV | the sea everywhere.~The island on this side ended in a
49 II, IV | been broken off from their island. The action of the warm
50 II, IV | the southern edge of the island. There would be plenty of
51 II, IV | by the coast-line of the island, and which was once its
52 II, IV | Michael. This side of the island did not appear to have suffered
53 II, IV | the southwest angle of the island, whilst Mrs Barnett rested
54 II, IV | of ice which formed the island, to ascertain, if possible,
55 II, IV | support the upper soil of the island.~This layer of ice was not
56 II, IV | the foundation of Victoria Island had been formed in calm
57 II, IV | the general level of the island would sink in proportion.~
58 II, IV | different declivities of the island, the little hills and rising
59 II, IV | supposed that the wandering island was not immersed more than
60 II, IV | the foundation of their island, and establish a means of
61 II, IV | construction of Victoria Island rendered him very uneasy.
62 II, IV | prevent them. The wandering Island might at any moment settle
63 II, IV | should have slipped under the island like a fool, and that would
64 II, IV | happen in other parts of the island, which was anything but
65 II, IV | We feel no motion. Our island has exactly the same speed
66 II, IV | park, &c.? A wandering island, with a solid insubmersible
67 II, IV | little effort as Victoria Island moved. And was she not right?
68 II, V | subsequently appeared, the island had floated one degree of
69 II, V | the Arctic Ocean, but the island continued to advance, and,
70 II, V | of the exploration of the island. She explained to her the
71 II, V | morses to be hunted on the island.~It must not be supposed
72 II, V | that he was convinced the island would hold together until
73 II, V | of his new dominions. The island measured more than forty
74 II, V | we may say that Victoria Island was rather larger than St
75 II, V | miles, and what was Victoria Island compared to it?~Its size
76 II, V | last did so, the floating island had sunk six inches.~“We
77 II, V | imagining, as he did, Victoria Island to be a peninsula, and knowing
78 II, V | Polar night, if Victoria Island should halt far from the
79 II, V | visited different parts of the island, and was reassured by finding
80 II, V | the 16th August Victoria Island was situated in 167° 27’
81 II, V | distance traversed by the island since the fracture of the
82 II, VI | Arctic Ocean there is not an island, an islet, or even a rock
83 II, VI | cannot see. Let’s hope the island will not fall to pieces
84 II, VI | for if, as he hoped, the island held together, it must be
85 II, VI | could happen to the floating island.~For a quarter of an hour
86 II, VI | did not grow on Victoria Island. Christopher Columbus’ delight
87 II, VI | about the stability of the island itself, rather than that
88 II, VI | issue was simply:—Would the island last until it was flung
89 II, VI | much as a trembling of the island, which appeared as firm
90 II, VI | ascertain whether Victoria Island, driven by the north-west
91 II, VI | the exact position of the island could not be determined.
92 II, VI | The position of Victoria Island with regard to the cardinal
93 II, VI | evident that if Victoria Island should come alongside of
94 II, VI | the position of Victoria Island, and above all whether this
95 II, VI | down to the south of the island.”~“I am ready, sir.”~“I
96 II, VI | examination of the south of the island must be made at once, and
97 II, VII | over the devoted little island.~Hobson could not help wondering
98 II, VII | It is a fracture of the island!” cried Hobson, as both
99 II, VII | towards the centre of the island. For about ten minutes they
100 II, VII | communication with the south of the island would be found to be cut
101 II, VII | for that portion of the island on which they were was evidently
102 II, VII | Could he now hope that the island would hold together until
103 II, VII | degrees farther south, on the island of Sitka, rises New-Archangel,
104 II, VII | reasonably hope that Victoria Island had been driven towards
105 II, VII | although I know that the island is very flat, and there
106 II, VII | whole of the coast of their island there was not a single stone,
107 II, VII | mainland by a fire on our island!”~Of course neither Hobson
108 II, VIII | would drive the wandering island farther from the continent,
109 II, VIII | that a ship had passed the island during the night, that the
110 II, VIII | We must remain upon our island,” replied the Lieutenant,
111 II, VIII | we must remain on our island and wait for winter; it
112 II, VIII | naturally afraid that the island might have separated into
113 II, VIII | of ice separate from the island and float away!~“Ah!” murmured
114 II, VIII | the night, and that the island had not approached the American
115 II, VIII | violence of the hurricane, the island had remained in much the
116 II, VIII | dangerous than ever, as the island was daily getting nearer
117 II, VIII | have quite deserted the island after the earthquake; and
118 II, VIII | were alike prisoners on the island, and a common danger bound
119 II, VIII | evident that parts of the island were now only on a level
120 II, VIII | that the level of the whole island is gradually becoming lower.
121 II, VIII | time from the dangerous island were a few wolves, savage
122 II, VIII | warm, are eating away our island above and below at the same
123 II, VIII | the fort, and we are on an island, remember. You must be mistaken,
124 II, VIII | safety for any upon the island, doomed sooner or later
125 II, VIII | sea.~A large piece of the island had broken away, and a huge
126 II, VIII | gained the shores of the island. With a great exertion of
127 II, VIII | reached the surface of the island he quietly laid down the
128 II, VIII | towards the centre of the island, without once looking behind
129 II, VIII | the wild animals on the island.~Mrs Barnett was soon bending
130 II, IX | Kalumah on the floating island, two hundred miles from
131 II, IX | voluntarily sought the floating island, and did she expect to find
132 II, IX | she managed to reach the island, two hundred miles from
133 II, IX | she had come to Victoria Island.~The following is a brief
134 II, IX | was floating away as an island, no one knew whither!~Kalumah’
135 II, IX | Icy Cape and on Victoria Island, and, as the Lieutenant
136 II, IX | the young native on the island.~During the first days of
137 II, IX | she called the floating island, was about to escape her,
138 II, IX | could see the wandering island more distinctly, and had
139 II, IX | kayak than of the floating island!~In vain she struggled to
140 II, IX | coasts of Alaska and the island she had wished to reach,
141 II, IX | wind which was driving the island before it at a rapid pace,
142 II, IX | left to do. To get to the island by keeping in the same current
143 II, IX | seemed to be approaching the island, although those on it could
144 II, IX | continent or on the floating island, which she had so bravely
145 II, IX | that portion of Victoria Island which was formerly the upper
146 II, IX | storm, when the wandering island had neared the American
147 II, IX | about the situation of the island. She would naturally be
148 II, X | daily observations Victoria Island had run aground somewhere
149 II, X | hurricane had driven the island out of the current. The
150 II, X | for another hour Victoria Island would have struck against
151 II, X | terrible wind had driven the island away from the mainland back
152 II, X | forming the foundation of the island was breaking up. What had
153 II, X | the position of Victoria Island had not sensibly changed
154 II, X | the situation of Victoria Island; and Hobson, finding that
155 II, X | ocean began to desert the island. They knew full well that
156 II, X | position of the wandering island, and the names of its inhabitants.
157 II, X | doubtless tried to leave the island, but, turned back by the
158 II, X | the position of Victoria Island. The large eddy between
159 II, X | displacement of Victoria Island. Only a slight displacement,
160 II, X | Hobson was in dismay; the island was finally in the grasp
161 II, X | said Mrs Barnett, “the island may stop even yet. Perhaps
162 II, X | more noticeable. Victoria Island was drifting at a rate of
163 II, X | solitudes the wandering island was drifting.~The only hope
164 II, X | strengthen the foundations of the island. But if the danger of being
165 II, X | 16th September Victoria Island was between seventy-three
166 II, X | therefore expected that Victoria Island would shortly be arrested
167 II, X | and if the speed of the island slackened during the darkness
168 II, X | next twelve hours, and the island was carried rapidly along
169 II, X | with any rigour Victoria Island was now nearly a degree
170 II, X | the cardinal points of the island. Cape Bathurst no longer
171 II, X | From that date Victoria Island drifted at the rate of a
172 II, X | formed on every side, the island in its advance continually
173 II, X | was found that Victoria Island had not moved since the
174 II, X | Sergeant Long’s expression, the island had “cast anchor,” and was
175 II, X | arrested the fatal march of the island to the north. It would throw
176 II, X | ice-field encircling the island, in order to ascertain its
177 II, X | of abandoning it on this island. It has been built at the
178 II, X | sea froze all round the island, it is true, but not in
179 II, X | animals imprisoned in the island, the furred animals, reindeer,
180 II, X | c., would have left the island had it been possible to
181 II, X | nearly enough. Victoria Island was wrapped in damp fogs,
182 II, X | the latitude of Victoria Island then and now.~The disappearance
183 II, X | they ought to leave the island as soon as possible.~“For,”
184 II, X | predicament than we are on our island.”~“But,” said Mrs Barnett, “
185 II, X | Our peninsula is but an island of ice, a wandering island”——~
186 II, X | island of ice, a wandering island”——~At this moment Marbre
187 II, XII | animals remaining on the island after winter had set in,
188 II, XII | had been thrown upon the island in the storm, and they were
189 II, XII | round Cape Bathurst into an island. He told how, when the sea
190 II, XII | ice in the spring, the new island had been drifted more than
191 II, XII | enumerated the changes the island had undergone, explaining
192 II, XII | stating that the wandering island had finally stopped on the
193 II, XII | position occupied by the island—six hundred miles from all
194 II, XII | extremely dangerous, that the island would inevitably be crushed
195 II, XII | exploring the south of the island together on the 10th November, “
196 II, XII | round Cape Bathurst into an island. He told how, when the sea
197 II, XII | ice in the spring, the new island had been drifted more than
198 II, XII | enumerated the changes the island had undergone, explaining
199 II, XII | stating that the wandering island had finally stopped on the
200 II, XII | position occupied by the island—six hundred miles from all
201 II, XII | extremely dangerous, that the island would inevitably be crushed
202 II, XII | exploring the south of the island together on the 10th November, “
203 II, XII | anxious to fly from the doomed island. The ice gave way beneath
204 II, XII | the only one still on the island. But what is he doing here?”~“
205 II, XII | escape from this doomed island, and he cannot do so! He
206 II, XII | animal had tried to leave the island and to get to the continent,
207 II, XII | were possible to leave the island. Nothing was neglected to
208 II, XII | to get back to Victoria Island across the ever-changing,
209 II, XII | went to the south of the island every day, and every day
210 II, XIII | to delay leaving Victoria Island, and on the morning of the
211 II, XIII | colony was ready to leave the island, which was now firmly welded
212 II, XIII | where they would quit the island, properly so called, for
213 II, XIII | great, for the ground of the island was smooth compared to the
214 II, XIII | twenty miles from Victoria Island, the party found themselves
215 II, XIII | then have taken Victoria Island, either yet farther north
216 II, XIII | is Mac-Nab’s on Victoria Island, and for it at least we
217 II, XIII | last.~“Return to Victoria Island.”~“Let us return then, and
218 II, XIII | impossible to get back to the island, now our only refuge. If
219 II, XIII | nights to get back to the island. Several teams of dogs with
220 II, XIII | winter on the wandering island to the unfortunate colonists!~
221 II, XIV | north and east of Victoria Island. This was the ice-wall,
222 II, XIV | feet. Two-thirds of the island were hemmed in by this mighty
223 II, XIV | latitude and longitude of the island by means of stellar observations,
224 II, XIV | All along the south of the island the ice-field was very compact,
225 II, XIV | squeezed it against the island.~Although she saw no crevasses
226 II, XIV | that the sea round Victoria Island was never frozen hard. Fissures
227 II, XIV | The situation of Victoria Island had not changed in the least,
228 II, XV | will be to wait until our island has leached the narrowest
229 II, XV | appeared probable that the island would be drifted to the
230 II, XV | foundations of Victoria Island had been thickened and strengthened
231 II, XV | up on the shores of the island. There really seemed to
232 II, XV | the position of Victoria Island, at the opening of a narrow
233 II, XV | had drawn nearer to the island. In some parts it was not
234 II, XV | the Lieutenant hoped, the island were drifted to Behring
235 II, XV | two or three miles of the island to cross after leaving the
236 II, XV | sir, the position of the island with regard to the ice-wall,
237 II, XV | inland!”~“What, away from the island!” exclaimed the Lieutenant,
238 II, XV | icebergs, we must come to the island we left there.”~Marbre,
239 II, XV | was to be seen of Victoria Island, which ought to have been
240 II, XV | opposite to them.~Yes!—The island, which on this side had
241 II, XV | other in amazement.~“The island ought to be there!” cried
242 II, XV | was too dark to see if the island was there, but they were
243 II, XV | poor fellows left on the island had been in a terrible state
244 II, XV | immense ice-field and the island had turned half round, and
245 II, XV | formerly on the west of the island. Kalumah, to whom this phenomenon
246 II, XV | The position of Victoria Island with regard to the cardinal
247 II, XV | loose from the mainland the island—and not only the island,
248 II, XV | island—and not only the island, but the vast ice field
249 II, XV | the position of Victoria Island.~No incident occurred between
250 II, XV | which had deserted the island in the beginning of the
251 II, XV | latitude and longitude of the island. It was still doubtful to
252 II, XV | Current might sweep the island to the north before it could
253 II, XV | falling to pieces of the island in the warm waters of the
254 II, XV | change in the position of the island was noticed. The bearings
255 II, XV | give up all claim on the island to us”——~Mrs Barnett could
256 II, XV | slightest movements of the island.~It was on the night of
257 II, XV | motion? Would the floating island take the same direction?
258 II, XV | was, however, evident, the island was not yet moving, at least
259 II, XV | immediately surrounding the island still remained stationary.~
260 II, XV | that in following it the island must approach the American
261 II, XV | field opened all round the island with a deafening crash.
262 II, XV | coast on that part of the island overlooked by Cape Bathurst,
263 II, XV | going to the north, but our island is going to the south!”~
264 II, XV | apparent, and that Victoria Island, dragged along with the
265 II, XV | last, when the wandering island was to leave the spot in
266 II, XV | exact position of Victoria Island was then: Latitude, 69°
267 II, XV | Kalumah was right, Victoria Island, in the grasp of the Behring
268 II, XVII | the displacement of the island, and to estimate the speed
269 II, XVII | were maintained, Victoria Island would reach the Arctic Circle,
270 II, XVII | probable that, when the island reached the narrowest portion
271 II, XVII | and the inhabitants of the island waited with greater patience
272 II, XVII | made to the interior of the island and along the coast. Everywhere
273 II, XVII | was a fresh proof that the island was no longer stationary.~
274 II, XVII | change had taken place on the island at Cape Esquimaux, Cape
275 II, XVII | scudding across parts of the island. Of all the animals these
276 II, XVII | ascertained that the wandering island was still drifting to the
277 II, XVII | the general level of the island did not appear to have risen
278 II, XVII | getting away from the fragile island, which would rapidly break
279 II, XVII | April the bearing of the island was again changed, the whole
280 II, XVII | the exact position of the island, and consequently of the
281 II, XVII | arrest the course of the island if it should deviate in
282 II, XVII | constant readiness to leave the island. Thomas Black had already
283 II, XVII | observation showed that Victoria Island had a tendency to drift
284 II, XVII | announced that Victoria Island had just crossed the Arctic
285 II, XVII | During the 7th May the island turned round to the extent
286 II, XVII | American continent. The island had gradually turned completely
287 II, XVII | 8th May showed that the island had become stationary near
288 II, XVII | fallen upon the coast of the island. Cape Bathurst no longer
289 II, XVII | taking possession of the island.~The boat which had been
290 II, XVIII| flung upon the wandering island, the volume below the water
291 II, XVIII| fallen bodily upon Victoria Island, which, driven along by
292 II, XVIII| they had slept, and the island was bearing all its inhabitants
293 II, XVIII| two hundred feet above the island. The force with which the
294 II, XVIII| there was a danger that the island would sink beneath the weight
295 II, XVIII| current, and was driving the island along with it to the south,
296 II, XVIII| thus borne along upon the island were not fully conscious
297 II, XVIII| forma the foundation of the island. It has not been crushed,
298 II, XVIII| forming the foundation of the island had given way under such
299 II, XVIII| which overlooked the whole island, she murmured in a changed
300 II, XVIII| encircled the wandering island, the sea was open at last,
301 II, XIX | CHAPTER XIX.~ BEHRING SEA.~The island, driven by the ice-wall,
302 II, XIX | through the soil of the island. They knew that the crust
303 II, XIX | convinced Mrs Barnett that the island was drifting to the south.
304 II, XIX | over and fallen upon the island, and concluded that the
305 II, XIX | submerged base was driving the island to the south.~The instruments
306 II, XIX | on the 12th May. Victoria Island was then situated in longitude
307 II, XIX | Nunivak, St Paul, George island, &c. The wandering island
308 II, XIX | island, &c. The wandering island was in fact at that moment
309 II, XIX | they got so far, Victoria Island, worn away by the warm sea-waves,
310 II, XIX | dissolution of Victoria Island. The waters of Behring Sea
311 II, XIX | would float when Victoria Island was engulfed.~But first
312 II, XIX | homeless inhabitants of the island. The simple plan appeared
313 II, XIX | hope of drifting on to the island of St Lawrence had to be
314 II, XIX | distance to the east of that island; and, as Hobson was well
315 II, XIX | latitude, might stop the island if it ever got so far. But,
316 II, XIX | the conclusion that the island could certainly never reach
317 II, XIX | the raft. 2. When Victoria Island melted, the raft would already
318 II, XIX | warm latitudes, passed the island on their way to the north.~
319 II, XIX | together on that part of the island between the former Cape
320 II, XIX | the northern part of the island; but even these were rapidly
321 II, XIX | was the aspect of Victoria Island. But for their terrible
322 II, XIX | completely transformed, for the island was now beneath the same
323 II, XIX | gone, when the wandering island passed outside the St Matthew
324 II, XX | IN THE OFFING.~Victoria Island was now floating in the
325 II, XX | could be reached.~Could the island last so long? Might it not
326 II, XX | general configuration of the island. Reconaissances were taken
327 II, XX | diminution in the base of the island could be estimated every
328 II, XX | unfortunate fact that the island was drifting into warmer
329 II, XX | fearful storm broke over the island, accompanied by flash after
330 II, XX | waves broke over the doomed island, making it tremble ominously.
331 II, XX | the ice-crust beneath the island; but now the sea had evidently
332 II, XX | which had slid under the island, were seen floating about
333 II, XX | compromise the solidity of the island yet more, as the waves would
334 II, XX | on the 25th May, Victoria Island was in latitude 56° 13’,
335 II, XX | continued Hobson, “that if our island had followed the hundred
336 II, XX | seemed likely to drag the island away from all land, even
337 II, XX | spot then occupied by the island.~The map was made on a large
338 II, XX | the point representing the island looked but a speck upon
339 II, XX | back the route by which the island had come to its present
340 II, XX | Could not the course of the island be controlled? Eight days
341 II, XX | would bring us to the last island of the Aleutian group.”~“
342 II, XX | be unwise to abandon the island before they were obliged.
343 II, XX | at half the pace of the island, still driven towards the
344 II, XX | then, always wait; for the island was drifting rapidly towards
345 II, XX | speed were maintained, the island would either stop at the
346 II, XX | the orientation of the island changed once more; and this
347 II, XX | were extremely serious. The island turned half round, and the
348 II, XX | till then had driven the island before them. The southern
349 II, XX | now float away from the island, with which they were no
350 II, XX | before instead of behind the island, would soon leave it, and
351 II, XX | current, whilst Victoria Island, not deep enough in the
352 II, XX | Yes! Kellet was right; the island would then be like a vessel
353 II, XXI | CHAPTER XXI.~ THE ISLAND BECOMES AN ISLET.~Three
354 II, XXI | disappeared, proving that the island now remained stationary,
355 II, XXI | was found that Victoria Island had not advanced one mile.~
356 II, XXI | either whilst still on the island, or after they had taken
357 II, XXI | taken to their raft.~The island was now in 54° 33’ latitude,
358 II, XXI | they should remain on the island until it broke up, as it
359 II, XXI | of animals still on the island, and the abundant shrubs
360 II, XXI | would have to abandon their island home, or, to speak more
361 II, XXI | for service on land. Their island was fragile, it is true,
362 II, XXI | become attached to Victoria Island, on which they had lived
363 II, XXI | always melt a piece of our island, and,” he added, with a
364 II, XXI | proved that the base of the island was rapidly melting. At
365 II, XXI | food for these birds on the island,” observed Mrs Barnett, “
366 II, XXI | slight comfort that the island would not now be broken
367 II, XXI | changed position of the island, would probably cover the
368 II, XXII | shock of horror that their island was now nothing more than
369 II, XXII | disappeared with the mass of the island now engulfed; not a tree
370 II, XXII | superficial area of the island, only twenty remained.~Hobson
371 II, XXII | disappeared with the rest of the island, amongst them many of the
372 II, XXII | up with the rest of the island. The bear no longer wandered
373 II, XXIII| that was left of Victoria Island, rose and sank without change
374 II, XXIII| the thickest part of the island, and this will explain its
375 II, XXIII| instruments the bearings of the island could not be taken. It was
376 II, XXIII| south-east, twelve miles from the island.~“More sail! more sail!”
377 II, XXIV | CONCLUSION.~It was on the island of Blejinie, the last of
378 II, XXIV | converted into a wandering island, when that island became
379 II, XXIV | wandering island, when that island became an islet, and the
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