The great ball buoy, with its tall pole and weathervane, floated proudly over the northern end of the earth's axis.

The little telegraph-house was all in order, and made as secure as possible, and under it the Dipsey people made a "cache" of provisions, leaving a note in several languages to show what they had done.
"If the whale wants to come ashore to get somethin' to eat and send a message, why, here's his chance!" said Sammy; "but it strikes me that if any human beings ever reach this pole again, they won't come the way we came, and they'll not see this little house, for it won't take many snow-storms--even if they are no worse than some of those we have seen--to cover it up out o' sight." "I don't believe the slightest good will ever result on account of leaving this instrument here," said Mr.Gibbs; "but it seemed the right thing to do, and I would not be satisfied to go away and leave the useless end of the cable in these regions.

We will set up the highest rod we have by the little house, and then we can do no more." When the Dipsey started, everybody on board looked over the stern to see if they could catch a glimpse of their old companion, the whale.

Nearly all of them were sorry that it was necessary to go away and desert this living being in his lonely solitude.

They had not entered the canal when they saw the whale.