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Read Ebook: The Abandoned Country; or Frank Reade Jr. Exploring a New Continent. by Senarens Luis
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Ebook has 1185 lines and 32377 words, and 24 pages
"At length we came to clear, open places in the river. Water was visible. There were bare patches of shore and hillside.
"The soil was auriferous, and we found slight evidences of minerals. Now a warm breeze relaxed our stiffened muscles and removed the tension from our lungs. We pressed on.
"A few days later we left the ice region behind us entirely, and came upon the wonderful Polar country. I couldn't begin to describe it all to ye mates, but it was unlike any other part of the earth.
"Well, we wandered around for six months. It was easy to live there, for there was plenty of game. In the valleys were cities and towns, and at a distance we saw the Polar people. These are not to be classed with the Esquimaux, and seemed quite equal to the Europeans of the lower class.
"But we were not sure of a warm reception, so we did not venture to make their acquaintance. We kept out of sight in the hills.
"Well, we lived a year in the Polar country. We liked the life, but after awhile we tired of it as sailors will. Jim Welch wanted to go back to his wife in Salem: Rod Smith had a sweetheart in Buzzards' Bay, and Jack Olson had promised his mother to stay at home with her after this voyage.
"So we figured out our position. We knew that in April the ice-fields would move north. Many of the big bergs would drift nearly to the Equator. We decided to make our way to one and take our chances on being picked up by a ship.
"So we made us suits of fur. Then we traveled down the river to the coast again.
"Here we found a big berg in a good position and made us a camp on it. We dug a deep cache and filled it with frozen meat and fowls. We dipped fresh water from small wooden troughs set in the top of the berg, which filled with water the first rain.
"When the proper time came the berg began to drift out to sea. Then we got into the Equatorial drift. It was a rough and strange experience.
"For months we lived on the berg, watching every day for a sail. Day by day the warm waters licked the ice away until all that was left of the big ice structure was about an acre in area. Then we knew that a great danger threatened us.
"One day Jim Welch, with a white face, came out, and said:
"'Did ye feel that shiver in the berg a moment ago, lads? I tell ye she'll turn turtle before two days!'
"You know that all bergs, after melting to a certain point, will grow top-heavy and turn over. That would settle our ease. And yet no sail.
"But the next morning at sunrise a Venezuelan schooner lay off our lee. The Gringo skipper answered our hail and took us off. He carried us to Caracas and we then shipped for New York.
"We were glad to get home, and none of us wanted to go back. But we could say that we had visited a part of the world that was never explored.
"And in that light we felt as big as Columbus, for there's no telling what may some day come out of the discovery when trade is opened up. And that, mates, is the whole of my story!"
With this the sailor arose, touched his cap, and started for the door. But Frank, who had listened with the most intense interest, said:
"Wait! do not go yet, Jack. I may want to ask you some questions."
"At your service, skipper."
"Well," said Randall, triumphantly, "what do you think of it now, Frank?"
"I own that I am much interested." replied the young inventor. "It is a remarkable tale, and a valuable discovery."
"So I believe," cried Randall. "Here is evidence of the existence of a new and undiscovered continent. What better field could a man want?"
"How is it, Wendel?" asked the young inventor, turning to the sailor, "could my Electric Scorcher travel easily through that region?"
"Ay, sir, I believe it could, after ye left the ice behind," replied the sailor.
Frank knit his brows.
"How great a distance would we have to travel over the ice fields?" he asked.
"Not over one hundred miles."
"I have a plan," said the young inventor. "I can attach my new skate shoes with the ice-crank to the wheels. That would enable us to cross the ice, and we can remove them when we strike land."
An ecstatic cry escaped Randall's lips.
"Oh, then you really think of going?" he cried. "That is splendid, Frank. It will be a wonderful experience."
"Ah, but I have not promised absolutely," said the young inventor, quickly. "But I will say this, that I will think the matter over seriously."
"Only think of the glory of the thing!"
"And failed. But you see, Frank, I had not the resources which you have--the fertile brain for devising expedients, and the Electric Scorcher."
Frank turned and pressed a small call-bell. The door opened and a negro, black as soot, appeared.
"Pomp," said Frank, "where is Barney?"
"Dat I'shman, sah? He am jes' outside, sah," replied the coon, with a duck of the head.
"Call him in. I want to see both of you."
"All right, sah."
A moment later a shock-headed native of the Emerald Isle appeared with the darky. These two men were Frank Reade, Jr.'s most faithful colleagues and companions in many a wonderful voyage.
"Wud yez loike to see me, sor?" asked Barney, with a scrape.
"I want to ask you if you have put the supplies aboard the Scorcher yet?"
Both bowed.
"Shure an' we have, sor."
"It am all ready, Marse Frank."
"Good enough," said Frank, in a pleased tone. "I have news for you. Mr. Randall and his friend have told me of a wonderful country beyond the Antarctic Circle which I think of paying a visit to. In that case it will not be long before we shall leave Readestown upon a new and wonderful voyage."
Barney gave a cry of delight and turned a flip-flap. Pomp cut a pigeon wing.
"Golly, golly, dat am jes' fine!"
"Bejabers, I'm glad of it!"
"Now, be off, both of you," commanded Frank, "and get the machine all ready for the start."
Away scurried the two jokers, and Frank turned to his companions, with a smile.
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