He assured me I might count upon him to his uttermost keel.
My Viking secured, I felt more at ease; and thoughtfully considered how the enterprise might best be accomplished.
There was no time to be lost.

Every hour was carrying us farther and farther from the parallel most desirable for us to follow in our route to the westward.

So, with all possible dispatch, I matured my plans, and communicated them to Jarl, who gave several old hints--having ulterior probabilities in view--which were not neglected.
Strange to relate, it was not till my Viking, with a rueful face, reminded me of the fact, that I bethought me of a circumstance somewhat alarming at the first blush.

We must push off without chart or quadrant; though, as will shortly be seen, a compass was by no means out of the question.

The chart, to be sure, I did not so much lay to heart; but a quadrant was more than desirable.