The supposition is that Walton has met with a ship above Finland at the end of the
common sea-route out of the Russian port of Archangelsk. Here, at the top of Scandinavia,
as Walton continues his northern voyage, the other ship prepares to curve in a southerly
direction toward England. With its departure Walton loses his last contact with his
domestic circle: from now on he must prepare himself to be in isolation.