"It was agreed between the nations that each should contribute a third of the cost ($12,000,000), and that salvage for person and property, at a fixed and just rate, should be demanded from every nation whose flag may be succored by one of these stations; and further, that should war intervene between any of the nations contracting, the line of stations should remain unmolested, and should not be used for purposes of war." Cobb dropped the pamphlet by his side, and pondered over the great invention of which he had just read, and which he had seen. "And have no accidents ever happened to these stations from ice-floes, collisions, or faulty construction?" he finally asked, turning toward Hugh. "I believe there has been but one noteworthy accident," the other returned. "An immense ice-floe caused Station No. 5 to slip her cable, and run away--an easy matter for her, as her propellers give her a speed of about five miles an hour. Of course her cable was lost; but she was saved, and was picked up and reset by the lipthalener which continuously plies along the line." It was now nearly 23 dial, and Cobb arose, and consulted the speed dial of the Orion. "Hugh," he said, "please have the course changed to due north; we are nearly on the fortieth meridian, and should now make direct for Cape Farewell." The other passed up to the pilot's house. CHAPTER XXII The cold was increasing, and the snug, warm cabin of the Orion was a most acceptable substitute for the frost-covered deck of the vessel. At 7 dial breakfast was laid, and the three officers partook of a hearty meal; then lighting their cigars--the necessity for fires aboard the vessel being removed by the substitution of meteorlene for hydrogen--they lay back and enjoyed the hour. "Why did you bring so much meteorite and acid?" suddenly asked Lester. "Because," answered Cobb, "I wished to have enough to meet all emergencies which may arise. I have enough to fully inflate the balloon four times." "Do you intend to make direct for the pole from Cape Farewell?" broke in Hugh. "No. I wish to satisfy myself about the northern extremity of Smith's Sound first. I shall pass west when on the eightieth parallel of latitude." "Can you explain why it is that the pole has never been reached by land parties?" inquired Lester. "My opinion," replied Cobb, "is that they have never proceeded upon the proper course. I think that Smith's Sound leads the waters of an immense polar ocean into Baffin's Bay; that the sea is a moving sea of ice, and that any northward progress upon it would be more than counterbalanced by its southward movement. I have long believed that the only route lay along the backbone of Greenland." "Well," with satisfaction, "we can soon ascertain the truth or fallacy of your hypothesis," exclaimed Hugh.