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Updated: June 22, 2025
The deepest despair began to overcast the faces of his companions. The loss of the ship inevitably preceded their own deaths. "Courage, friends," said Penellan. "Reflect that this night's disaster has opened us a path across the ice, which will enable us to bring our ship to the bay for wintering! And, stop! I am not mistaken. There is the 'Jeune-Hardie, a mile nearer to us!"
They were Jocki and Herming, the only two sailors of the crew of the Norwegian schooner who were left. "My friends, we are saved!" said Louis. "My father! Marie! You have exposed yourselves to so many perils!" "We do not regret it, my Louis," replied the father. "Your brig, the 'Jeune-Hardie, is securely anchored in the ice sixty leagues from here. We will rejoin her all together."
The "Jeune-Hardie", drawn by the currents in those parts, was in danger of being engulfed by the Maëlstrom. She was obliged to fly before the wind. For several days she hovered near the place of the disaster, but in vain. The long-boat, the schooner, Captain Louis, and the two sailors did not reappear.
Penellan, though he said nothing, narrowly watched every action of André Vasling. This man was Dutch by birth, came from no one knew whither, but was at least a good sailor, having made two voyages on board the "Jeune-Hardie". Penellan would not as yet accuse him of anything, unless it was that he kept near Marie too constantly, but he did not let him out of his sight.
But at the instant when the block was not more than half a cable's length from the "Jeune-Hardie," a dull sound was heard, and a veritable waterspout fell upon the bow of the vessel, which then rose on the back of an enormous billow.
"This 26th April, on board the 'Froöern, after being accosted by the long-boat of the 'Jeune-Hardie, we were drawn by the currents towards the ice. God have pity on us!" Jean Cornbutte's first impulse was to thank Heaven. He thought himself on his son's track. The "Froöern" was a Norwegian sloop of which there had been no news, but which had evidently been drawn northward.
Not a day was to be lost. The "Jeune-Hardie" was at once put in condition to brave the perils of the polar seas. Fidèle Misonne, the carpenter, carefully examined her, and assured himself that her solid construction might resist the shock of the ice-masses.
These watches were to last only two hours, for in those cold regions a man's strength is diminished one-half. Though the "Jeune-Hardie" was not yet beyond the 63rd degree of latitude, the thermometer already stood at nine degrees centigrade below zero. Rain and snow often fell abundantly.
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