Doubtless this was an effect produced by weariness and mental overstrain.

Still, there it was, very real and tangible, one that I did not attempt to combat.
So next morning at the dawn I headed north by west, laying my course for that white patch and for the first time breaking the straight line of our advance.

Captain Robertson, whose temper had not been bettered by prolonged and frightful anxiety, or I may add, by his unaccustomed abstinence, asked me rather roughly why I was altering the course.
"Look here, Captain," I answered, "if we were at sea and you did something of the sort, I should not put such a question to you, and if by any chance I did, I should not expect you to answer.

Well, by your own wish I am in command here and I think that the same argument holds." "Yes," he replied.

"I suppose you have studied your chart, if there is any of this God-forsaken country, and at any rate discipline is discipline.