Hitherto these countless dwellers in the polar regions had not thought proper to accompany us on our moving island; we had not seen even one, either at the foot of the iceberg or on the drifting packs.
There could be no doubt that they were there in thousands, for the music was unmistakably that of a multitude of performers.

Now those birds frequent by choice the edges of the coasts of islands and continents in high latitudes, or the ice-fields in their neighbourhood.

Was not their presence an indication that land was near?
I asked Captain Len Guy what he thought of the presence of these birds.
"I think what you think, Mr.Jeorling," he replied.

"Since we have been drifting, none of them have taken refuge on the iceberg, and here they are now in crowds, if we may judge by their deafening cries.

From whence do they come?
No doubt from land, which is probably near." "Is this West's opinion ?" "Yes, Mr.Jeorling, and you know he is not given to vain imaginations." "Certainly not." "And then another thing has struck both him and me, which has apparently escaped your attention.