This from the baronet. The others expressed their full coincidence in this opinion. "Very well, then," continued Sir Reginald; "my proposal is that, as the days are now at their longest, and this is therefore the most favourable time for such an expedition--and as, moreover, the _Flying Fish's_ stores have as yet been barely broached--we make the best of our way forthwith _to the North Pole_, there to enjoy a little of the choice sport which we may reasonably hope to find among animals that have never yet seen the face of man." "A most admirable proposal, and one which we are especially well adapted to successfully carry out," exclaimed the professor enthusiastically. The colonel and Mildmay also gave their cordial assent to the plan. "Very well, then; that is settled," remarked von Schalckenberg. "Now, to revert for a moment to the subject of the wreck. You have not been on board her, as I have; but, even with the comparatively distant view you have had of her, I think you must have seen that she is injured beyond all possibility of repair; to say nothing of the fact that she is lying in a spot from which it would be difficult--quite impossible, indeed, without our assistance--to recover her. Now, it has occurred to me that, all things taken into consideration, it would be a good deed to destroy her. What say you, gentlemen? It would afford us an excellent opportunity for making trial of one of our shells." "Destroy her, by all means," said the baronet. "I can see no possible objection," observed the colonel. "Nor I," remarked Mildmay. "As to assisting in her recovery, I would not stir so much as my little finger to do it; she has already drowned some five hundred human beings, which is quite enough mischief for one ship." "Quite so," coincided the professor. "Then we will do the deed after dinner."