An Antarctic Mystery · Chapter
From the Sandwich Islands to the Polar Circle explained
The Halbrane sails from the Sandwich Islands to the New South Orkneys, then heads south along the forty-third meridian.
What happens
The Halbrane sails from the Sandwich Islands to the New South Orkneys, then heads south along the forty-third meridian. The crew searches for signs of the Jane's sailors but finds none. Captain Len Guy and Jeorling discuss their trust in Providence and the supernatural guidance they believe has led them. The boatswain Hurliguerly speculates about Hunt's mysterious past and his intense focus on the south. After a confrontation with Hearne over whaling, the Halbrane crosses the Antarctic Polar Circle on November 30.
Themes in this chapter
The Supernatural and Providence
Captain Len Guy and Jeorling discuss the providential nature of Patterson's ice-block and their belief in divine guidance for the expedition.
Exploration and Discovery
The Halbrane navigates through the South Orkneys and crosses the Antarctic Polar Circle, following the routes of Weddell and William Guy.
Characters to notice
- Captain Len Guy
Expresses faith in Providence and discusses the mission to find his brother and the Jane's crew.
- Mr. Jeorling
Shares the captain's superstitious belief in divine intervention and notes the favorable winds.
- Hurliguerly
Praises Endicott's cooking of penguin and speculates about Hunt's past in the southern seas.
- Hunt
Described as silent, with falcon-like eyes always fixed southward; an exceptional helmsman.
- Hearne
Complains about missing whaling opportunities and is ordered to the maintop by Captain Len Guy.
- Endicott
The sea-cook who prepares penguin for the crew.
Key passages
“Their flesh is just as good as chicken, Mr. Jeorling. Did you not eat penguin at the Kerguelens? Very well, then; it will be cooked by Endicott here, and you will not know the difference.”
Hurliguerly assures Jeorling that penguin meat tastes like chicken, especially when cooked by Endicott.
The crew enjoys fresh penguin meat during the voyage.
“In less than a month I hope to have found the iceless sea which Weddell and Arthur Pym describe so fully, beyond the ice-wall, and thenceforth we need only sail on under ordinary conditions to Bennet Island in the first place, and afterwards to Tsalal Island.”
Captain Len Guy expects to reach the open polar sea within a month, then proceed to Bennet Island and Tsalal Island.
The captain outlines the expedition's immediate goals.
“Recall to your mind our meeting with the unfortunate Patterson on our ship's course, the fragment of ice carried into the waters where we were, and dissolved immediately afterwards. Were not these facts providential?”
Captain Len Guy reminds Jeorling of the discovery of Patterson's body on an ice fragment as evidence of divine intervention.
The captain sees Patterson's ice-block as a providential sign.