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The Land's End of Two Worlds。
The Arctic Ocean encircles with a belt of eternal ice the desert confines
of Siberia and North Americathe uttermost limits of the Old and New
worlds； separated by the narrow； channel； known as Behring's Straits。
The last days of September have arrived。
The equinox has brought with it darkness and Northern storms； and night
will quickly close the short and dismal polar day。 The sky of a dull
and leaden blue is faintly lighted by a sun without warmth； whose white
disk； scarcely seen above the horizon； pales before the dazzling；
brilliancy of the snow that covers； as far as the eyes can reach； the
boundless steppes。
To the North； this desert is bounded by a ragged coast； bristling with
huge black rocks。
At the base of this Titanic mass lied enchained the petrified ocean；
whose spell…bound waves appear fired as vast ranges of ice mountains；
their blue peaks fading away in the far…off frost smoke； or snow vapor。
Between the twin…peaks of Cape East； the termination of Siberia； the
sullen sea is seen to drive tall icebergs across a streak of dead green。
There lies Behring's Straits。
Opposite； and towering over the channel； rise the granite masses of Cape
Prince of Wales； the headland of North America。
These lonely latitudes do not belong to the habitable world； for the
piercing cold shivers the stones； splits the trees； and causes the earth
to burst asunder； which； throwing forth showers of icy spangles seems
capable of enduring this solitude of frost and tempest； of famine and
death。
And yet； strange to say； footprints may be traced on the snow； covering
these headlands on either side of Behring's Straits。
On the American shore； the footprints are small and light； thus betraying
the passage of a woman。
She has been hastening up the rocky peak； whence the drifts of Siberia
are visible。
On the latter ground； footprints larger and deeper betoken the passing of
a man。 He also was on his way to the Straits。
It would seem that this man and woman had arrived here from opposite
directions； in hope of catching a glimpse of one another； across the arm
of the sea dividing the two worldsthe Old and the New。
More strange still！ the man and the woman have crossed the solitudes
during a terrific storm！ Black pines； the growth of centuries； pointing
their bent heads in different parts of the solitude like crosses in a
churchyard； have been uprooted； rent； and hurled aside by the blasts！
Yet the two travellers face this furious tempest； which has plucked up
trees； and pounded the frozen masses into splinters； with the roar of
thunder。
They face it； without for one single instant deviating from the straight
line hitherto followed by them。
Who then are these two beings who advance thus calmly amidst the storms
and convulsions of nature？
Is it by chance； or design； or destiny； that the seven nails in the sole
of the man's shoe form a crossthus：
*
***
*
*
*
Everywhere he leaves this impress behind him。
On the smooth and polished snow； these footmarks seem imprinted by a foot
of brass on a marble floor。
Night without twilight has soon succeeded daya night of foreboding
gloom。
The brilliant reflection of the snow renders the white steppes still
visible beneath the azure darkness of the sky； and the pale stars glimmer
on the obscure and frozen dome。
Solemn silence reigns。
But； towards the Straits； a faint light appears。
At first； a gentle； bluish light； such as precedes moonrise； it increases
in brightness； and assumes a ruddy hue。
Darkness thickens in every other direction； the white wilds of the desert
are now scarcely visible under the black vault of the firmament。
Strange and confused noises are heard amidst this obscurity。
They sound like the flight of large nightbirdsnow flapping now
heavily skimming over the steppes…now descending。
But no cry is heard。
This silent terror heralds the approach of one of those imposing
phenomena that awe alike the most ferocious and the most harmless； of
animated beings。 An Aurora Borealis （magnificent sight！） common in the
polar regions； suddenly beams forth。
A half circle of dazzling whiteness becomes visible in the horizon。
Immense columns of light stream forth from this dazzling centre； rising
to a great height； illuminating earth； sea； and sky。 Then a brilliant
reflection； like the blaze of a conflagration； steals over the snow of
the desert； purples the summits of the mountains of ice； and imparts a
dark red hue to the black rocks of both continents。
After attaining this magnificent brilliancy； the Northern Lights fade
away gradually； and their vivid glow is lost in a luminous fog。
Just then； by a wondrous mirage an effect very common in high latitudes；
the American Coast； though separated from Siberia by a broad arm of the
sea； loomed so close that a bridge might seemingly be thrown from one
world to other。
Then human forms appeared in the transparent azure haze overspreading
both forelands。
On the Siberian Cape； a man on his knees； stretched his arms towards
America； with an expression of inconceivable despair。
On the American promontory； a young and handsome woman replied to the
man's despairing gesture by pointing to heaven。
For some seconds； these two tall figures stood out； pale and shadowy； in
the farewell gleams of the Aurora。
But the fog thickens； and all is lost in the darkness。
Whence came the two beings； who met thus amidst polar glaciers； at the
extremities of the Old and New worlds？
Who were the two creatures； brought near for a moment by a deceitful
mirage； but who seemed eternally separated？
CHAPTER I。
MOROK。
The month of October； 1831； draws to its close。
Though it is still day； a brass lamp； with four burners； illumines the
cracked walls of a large loft； whose solitary window is closed against
outer light。 A ladder； with its top rungs coming up through an open trap
leads to it。
Here and there at random on the floor lie iron chains； spiked collars；
saw…toothed snaffles； muzzles bristling with nails； and long iron rods
set in wooden handles。 In one corner stands a portable furnace； such as
tinkers use to melt their spelter； charcoal and dry chips fill it； so
that a spark would suffice to kindle this furnace in a minute。
Not far from this collection of ugly instruments； putting one in mind of
a torturer's kit of tools； there are some articles of defence and offence
of a bygone age。 A coat of mail； with links so flexible； close； and
light； that it resembles steel tissue； hangs from a box beside iron
cuishes and arm…pieces； in good condition； even to being properly fitted
with straps。 A mace； and two long three…cornered…headed pikes； with ash
handles； strong； and light at the same time； spotted with lately…shed
blood； complete the armory； modernized somewhat by the presence of two
Tyrolese rifles； loaded and primed。
Along with this arsenal of murderous weapons and ou