THE PLAN DISCLOSED 129 



make our preparations for departure. The engineers 

 had replaced the propeller and tested it; all supplies 

 were on board, and the chronometers had been checked. 

 All that remained was to get rid of the importunate 

 bumboat-men who swarmed round the vessel in their 

 little craft, each looking like a small floating shop. 

 These obtrusive fellows were quickly sent off down the 

 gangway : besides ourselves only my brother was left on 

 board. Now that we were thus completely isolated 

 from the outer world, the long-expected moment had 

 arrived when I could proceed to inform all my comrades 

 of my decision, now a year old, to make for the South. 

 I believe all who were on board will long remember that 

 sultry afternoon in Funchal Roads. All hands were 

 called on deck: what they thought of I do not know, 

 but it was hardly Antarctica and the South Pole. 

 Lieutenant Nilsen carried a big rolled-up chart ; I could 

 see that this chart was the object of many interrogative 

 glances. 



Not many words were needed before everyone could 

 see where the wind lay, and what course we should steer 

 henceforward. The second in command unrolled his 

 big chart of the southern hemisphere, and I briefly ex- 

 plained the extended plan, as well as my reasons for 

 keeping it secret until this time. Now and again I had 

 to glance at their faces. At first, as might be expected, 

 they showed the most unmistakable signs of surprise; 

 but this expression swiftly changed, and before I had 



VOL. 9 



