On the 15th of October, our schooner cast anchor in Port Egmont, on the north of West Falkland. The group is composed of two islands, one the above-named, the other Soledad or East Falkland. Captain Len Guy gave twelve hours' leave to the whole crew. The next day the proceedings were to begin by a careful and minute inspection of the vessel's hull and keel, in view of the contemplated prolonged navigation of the Antarctic seas. That day Captain Len Guy went ashore, to confer with the Governor of the group on the subject of the immediate re-victualling of the schooner. He did not intend to make expense a consideration, because the whole adventure might be wrecked by an unwise economy. Besides I was ready to aid with my purse, as I told him, and I intended that we should be partners in tile cost of this expedition. James West remained on board all day, according to his custom in the absence of the captain, and was engaged until evening in the inspection of the hold. I did not wish to go ashore until the next day. I should have ample time while we remained in port to explore Port Egmont and its surroundings, and to study the geology and mineralogy of the island. Hurliguerly regarded the opportunity as highly favourable for the renewal of talk with me, and availed himself of it accordingly. He accosted me as follows: "Accept my sincere compliments, Mr. Jeorling." "And wherefore, boatswain?" "On account of what I have just heard--that you are to come with us to the far end of the Antarctic seas." "Oh! not so far, I imagine, and if it is not a matter of going beyond the eighty-fourth parallel--" "Who can tell," replied the boatswain, "at all events the _Halbrane_ will make more degrees of latitude than any other ship before her." "We shall see." "And does that not alarm you, Mr. Jeorling?" "Not in the very least." "Nor us, rest assured. No, no! You see, Mr. Jeorling, our captain is a good one, although he is no talker. You only need to take him the right way! First he gives you the passage to Tristan d'Acunha that he refused you at first, and now he extends it to the pole." "The pole is not the question, boatswain." "Ah! it will be reached at last, some day." "The thing has not yet been done. And, besides, I don't take much interest in the pole, and have no ambition to conquer it. In any case it is only to Tsalal Island--" "Tsalal Island, of course. Nevertheless, you will acknowledge that our captain has been very accommodating to you, and--" "And therefore I am much obliged to him, boatswain, and," I hastened to add, "to you also; since it is to your influence I owe my passage."