of Mr. Gibbs. He had come upon this perilous voyage with the
earnest intention of doing his duty in all respects, while
endeavoring to make the great discovery of the age; and if that
discovery should be made, he believed that his country should
share in the glory and in the material advantage, whatever that
might be, of the achievement. Consequently it was his opinion
that if the pole should be discovered, the discoverers should
take possession of it in the name of their country. Every one on
board--except Sarah Block, who had something to say about the old
proverb concerning the counting of chickens before they are
hatched--thought this a good idea, and when the plan was
submitted to Mr. Clewe and Mrs. Raleigh, they heartily approved.

Preparations were now made to take possession of the pole if they
should reach it on the water. On the after-part of the deck a
ring about three feet in diameter was marked, and it was arranged
that when they had ascertained, by the most accurate observations
and calculations, the exact position of the pole, they would so
guide their vessel that this ring should be as nearly as possible
directly over it. Then one of the party should step inside of
the ring and take possession of the pole. After this the buoy
would be anchored, and their intended scientific observations and
explorations would proceed.

It was supposed both on the Dipsey and at Sardis that Mr. Gibbs
would assume the honor of this act of taking possession, but that
gentleman declined to do so. He considered that he would no more
discover the pole, if they should reach it, than would his
companions; and he also believed that, from a broad point of
view, Mr. Roland Clewe was the real discoverer. Consequently he