Japan had been in his mind.

And now here he was headed straight for the north pole--the Arctic Ocean.

It was enough to make him want to laugh.

Enough to make any sane person laugh.
Even now, only half a mile from Thoreau's cabin, his knees were beginning to ache and his ankles were growing heavy.

It was ridiculous.
Inconceivable, as the Frenchman had said to Marie.