OVER THE ICE. 
337 
one could doubt that this was the one remaining object 
indicated on the map between them and the lofty peak 
which was their goal. 
They had caught several glimpses of the mountain, 
which did not appear so red as they drew near to it. 
A dark column of smoke hung over it continually, and 
now and then rumblings and even sharp reports could be 
heard, denoting that it was an active volcano. 
As this became evident, some new thought could be 
plainly seen to be working in the lieutenant's mind. He 
made repeated examinations of Peeschee's map, compared 
it with a small travelling-map of Alaska carried by his 
brother, and covered the backs of both with figures. 
Something perplexed and troubled him, but as yet he 
held his peace, and the others refrained from disturbing 
him with questions. 
The journey now became really perilous, as well as 
exceedingly laborious. They could only advance five or 
six miles a day after they left the glacier, for the ground 
was encumbered with underbrush and fallen trees, the 
valleys were filled with soft and treacherous mud, and 
thin layers of moss often covered a deep sub-stratum of 
slippery ice, on which the negro woman, in particular, 
floundered about like a seal. 
Besides, the air was steadily growing rarer as well as 
more chilly. By his pocket barometer, which formed a 
part of the same instrument with the thermometer, Mr. 
Button found, on the tenth day from winter-quarters. 
