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Chapter VII. 



and any other ship would have been crushed flat long- 

 ago.' But for all that he would not be afraid, he said, to 

 leave her, when he saw all the contrivances, such as 

 these new kayaks, we had been getting- ready. He was 

 sure no former expedition had ever had such con- 

 trivances, or been so equipped against all possible 

 emergencies as we. But, after all, he would prefer to 

 return home on the Frani." Then we talked about 

 what we should do when we did get home. 



" 'Oh, for your part, no doubt you'll be off to the South 

 Pole,' he said. 



"'And you?' I replied. 'Will you tuck up your 

 sleeves and begin again at the old work ? ' 



" ' Oh, very likely ! but on my word I ought to have a 

 week's holiday first. After such a trip I should want it, 

 before buckling to at the sledge hammer again.' 



