Страница 439 из 483

On hearing this information I suffered a temporary access of

despair. He had escaped me, and I must commence a destructive and

almost endless journey across the mountainous ices of the ocean,

amidst cold that few of the inhabitants could long endure and

which I, the native of a genial and sunny climate, could not hope

to survive. Yet at the idea that the fiend should live and be

triumphant, my rage and vengeance returned, and like a mighty

tide, overwhelmed every other feeling. After a slight repose,

during which the spirits of the dead hovered round and instigated

me to toil and revenge, I prepared for my journey.

I exchanged my land-sledge for one fashioned for the inequalities

of the Frozen Ocean, and purchasing a plentiful stock of

provisions, I departed from land.