“Why, how is that?”

“Because, if the ‘Vega’ has not perished she is inclosed in the ice, and she will not be able, at the best, to extricate herself before June or July.”

“That is true,” answered Mr. Bredejord.

“What conclusion do you draw from this reasoning?” asked the doctor, disturbed by the sad tone of Erik’s voice as he made the announcement.

“The conclusion that it is impossible to wait so long before solving a question which is of such great importance to me.”

“What do you want to do?  We must submit to what is inevitable.”

“Perhaps it only appears to be so,” answered Erik.  “The letters which have reached us have come across the Arctic Ocean by the way of Irkutsk.  Why could I not follow the same route?  I would keep close to the coast of Siberia.  I would endeavor to communicate with the people of that country, and find out whether any foreign vessel had been shipwrecked, or was held prisoner among the icebergs.  Perhaps I might succeed in finding Nordenskiold, and Patrick O’Donoghan.  It is an enterprise worth undertaking.”

“In the middle of winter?”

“Why not?  It is the most favorable season for traveling in sleighs in that latitude.”

“Yes; but you forget that you are not there yet, and that it will be spring before you could get there.”

“That is true,” said Erik, who was compelled to recognize the force of this argument.  He sat with his eyes fixed on the floor, absorbed in thought.

“No, matter,” said he suddenly; “Nordenskiold must be found, and with him Patrick O’Donoghan.  They shall be, or it will not be my fault.”

Erik’s plan was a very simple one.  He proposed to write an anonymous letter to the leading newspapers of Stockholm, and thus proclaim his fears as to the fate of the “Vega.”  Had she been shipwrecked, or was she held a prisoner by icebergs, and he concluded his communication by representing how important it was that some vessel should be sent to her assistance in the latter case.

The truth of his reasoning was so apparent, and the interest in the expedition so general, that the young student of Upsal was certain that the question would be warmly discussed in scientific circles.

But the effect of his letter was beyond his highest expectations.  All the newspapers without exception expressed their approval of his proposition while commenting upon his communication.

Public opinion was unanimously in favor of fitting out a relief expedition.  Commercial men, manufacturers, the members of schools and colleges, the judicial corps—­in fact, all classes voluntarily contributed to the enterprise.  A rich ship-owner offered to equip a vessel at his own expense, to go to the relief of the “Vega;” and he named it the “Nordenskiold.”

The enthusiasm increased as days passed without bringing any intelligence of the “Vega.”  By the end of December, the subscription had reached a considerable sum.  Dr. Sehwaryencrona and Mr. Bredejord had headed the list with a subscription of ten thousand kroners each.  They were members of the committee who had chosen Erik for their secretary.