188 A FRUITLESS SEARCH. 



mation than what he has already communicated. But 

 nevertheless, I cannot disabuse my mind of the im- 

 pression that Hans is really at the bottom of this bad 

 business ; and I have dismissed him from my cabin 

 with the assurance that if I find him guilty of treach- 

 ery toward Peter I will hang him to the yard-arm with- 

 out hesitation. This he is quite competent to under- 

 stand, and he declares that he will follow up Peter's 

 tracks and bring the unhappy boy on board. Here, 

 for the present, this painful episode in our quiet life 

 must rest. 



November 20th. 



Hans, accompanied by one of the sailors, has been 

 out for several hours trying to follow Peter's trail ; 

 but a strong wind had drifted the snow, and not a ves- 

 tige of his footsteps remained. Hans came back evi- 

 dently a little doubtful as to his fate ; but he looked 

 the picture of innocence itself, and did not appear to 

 have upon his mind any other thought than that of 

 sorrow for Peter's unhappy condition. 



Where has the fugitive gone ? Is he trying to 

 reach the Whale Sound Esquimaux ? From Hans's 

 account, there are probably none nearer than North- 

 umberland Island, a hundred miles away ; and perhaps 

 the nearest may be still fifty miles further, on the south 

 side of the Sound. Possibly some hunters may tem- 

 porarily reside on the north side, in which case only is 

 there any chance of safety to the fugitive, should his 

 purpose lie in that direction. It is not at all improb- 

 able that Hans has told him positively that Esquimaux 

 are living at Sorfalik, which is not above thirty miles 

 distant, and which place might be readily reached by 

 him, but, without dogs, the journey further south is 

 impracticable. It may be, however, that Hans is en- 



