dozen after dozen
Then , all around would be seen valleys and pasturages that could form the feeding-grounds of thousands of animals ; then would appear virgin forests , gigantic trees-birches , beeches , ash-trees , cypresses , tree-ferns -- and broad plains overrun by herds of guanacos , vicunas , and ostriches . Now there were armies of penguins and myriads of birds ; and , when the `` Albatross '' turned on her electric lamps the guillemots , ducks , and geese came crowding on board enough to fill Tapage 's larder a hundred times and more . Here was work for the cook , who knew how to bring out the flavor of the game and keep down its peculiar oiliness . And here was work for Frycollin in plucking dozen after dozen of such interesting feathered friends . That day , as the sun was setting about three o'clock in the afternoon , there appeared in sight a large lake framed in a border of superb forest . The lake was completely frozen over , and a few natives with long snowshoes on their feet were swiftly gliding over it . At the sight of the `` Albatross , '' the Fuegians , overwhelmed with terror -- scattered in all directions , and when they could not get away they hid themselves , taking , like the animals , to the holes in the ground .