The sailor on watch opened the outer door.

There, plodding over the ghastly white snow, were the officers of the _Wanderer_ approaching the hut.

There, scattered under the merciless black sky, were the crew, with the dogs and the sledges, waiting the word which was to start them on their perilous and doubtful journey.
Captain Helding of the _Wanderer_, accompanied by his officers, entered the hut, in high spirits at the prospect of a change.

Behind them, lounging in slowly by himself, was a dark, sullen, heavy-browed man.

He neither spoke, nor offered his hand to anybody: he was the one person present who seemed to be perfectly indifferent to the fate in store for him.