Symzonia: Voyage of DiscoverySeaborn, Adam, Captain
Science
Symzonia: Voyage of Discovery
Seaborn, Adam, Captain
Science fiction; Voyages, Imaginary
On the passage to Token Island I had very interesting employment
in examining my Symzonian literary treasures, and in extracting and
translating some of the most remarkable articles. The volumes which
I had been permitted to bring away comprised a full account of all
the science and useful knowledge of Symzonia; and in consequence of
having this copious fountain to draw from, at pleasure, I had less
occasion to depend on my written memoranda of the many curious and
interesting facts and circumstances which fell under my observation
whilst on shore.
These manuscripts were the only articles that I brought away from
Symzonia, except the handful of pearls given to me by the pearl-wash
maker, which, being concealed in my breeches pocket, and the fact
of my possessing them being known only to the workman, I thought I
might venture to smuggle, notwithstanding the Best Man's confidential
reliance on my integrity. This deviation from what was expected of me,
will, I trust, be excused by my external friends, when they remember
that I have been much addicted to commerce, and consider the force
of habit, and the security with which the operation could be performed.
Soon after our arrival at Token Island, the sun was visible for a short
interval at noon, nearly over head. The remainder of the twenty-four
hours we had a very bright light from the reflection of the sun
and moon from the rim of the polar opening. Both those luminaries
being now in the equator, their rays fell perpendicularly upon the
rim of the opening, and being bent in by refraction, were visible at
Token Island at noon. This direct and constant influence of the sun,
the reflected rays being very powerful, rendered it very hot, early
as it was in the season. Therefore, as I was eager and impatient
to rejoin Mr. Boneto and his party, and to ascertain what success
he had had in sealing, as well as to have several months of light,
that my whole crew might, if necessary, be employed to complete a
lading for the ship, we stayed but twenty days at Token Island. In
this time we procured a considerable quantity of tortoise shell,
and then proceeded direct for Seaborn's Land.
It was so early in the season that the temperature of the air changed
rapidly, as we issued from the internal cavity, and approached
the polar region of the external world. On the first of October, we
experienced cold disagreeable weather, with slight falls of sleet and
snow; but the sun was constantly above the horizon, and we pursued
our course without delay. October 2d, we saw World's-end Cape, to
the great joy of all on board, and especially of Mr. Slim, who could
scarcely express his ecstacies. The following day we anchored in the
harbour off Mr. Boneto's station, which, out of compliment to him,
I named Boneto's Harbour.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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