The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-09-20
SECOND INsTALLMENT. J

off, and fixed the 22d of Febru-
airy for starting. The sledge and
the boat were packed as closely
las possible with provisions and
lspirits, and heaps of wood, to OBJ
tain which they had hewed the
brig down to her water line. The
last day the men ran riot. They
completely sacked the ship, and
in a drunken paroxysm Pen and
two or three others set it on fire.
| fought and struggled against
them, but they threw me down
and assailed me with blows, and
then the wretches, headed by
Shandon, went off towards the
east, and were soon out of
sight.
/ found myself alone on the
burning ship, and what could l
do? The fire hole was completely
blocked up with ice. I had not a
single drop of water! For two
days the Forward struggled with
the flames, and you know the
rest"
A long silence followed the
gloomy recital, broken at length
by Hatteras, who said:
johnson, l thank you; you did
all you could to save my ship, but
single-handed you could not re-
sist. Again 1 thank you, and
now let the subject be dropped.
Let us unite efforts for our COM
mon salvation. There are four of
us. four companions, four
friends, and all our lives are
equally precious.
I'VE are all devoted to you"
said the doctor; land your words
come from our hearts. But what
do you think we should do?"
MY opinion might appear in
terested," said Hatteras, sadly.
LET me hear all yours first"
Captain" said Johnson, "be-
fore pronouncing on such an i'm
portant matter, wish to ask you
"a question"
ASK it, then, Johnson"
You went out yesterday to
ascertain our exact position; we'll,
is the field drifting or station
ary?"
A discussion opened at once
about what to do. Hatteras want
ed still to try to reach the pole.
as retreat seemed equally impos-
|sible.
I'VE may find rich hunting
grounds" he urged. 1--WE know
the route back is barren"
The other three wouldn't listen
to such a proposal, and Hatteras
was declaring he would start for
the pole alone. when he felt a
light touch on his arm. It was
Altamount. the American, who
had crawled out of bed and
managed to get on his knees. He
was trying to speak, but his swol-
len lips could scarcely make a
sound. Hatteras went towards
him, and watched him so atten-
lively that in a few minutes he
made out a word that sounded
like Porpoise. STOPPING over him
he asked:
is. it the Porpoise?"
Altamount made a sign in the
affirmative, and Hatteras went
on with his queries, now that he
had found a clew.
'In these seas?"
The affirmative gesture was re-
peated.
"Is she in the north?"
"Yes."
do you know her position?" =
yes"
"Exactly?"
eyes"
For minute or so nothing
more was said, and the onlook-
ers waited with palpitating
hearts.
Then Hatteras spoke again.
Listen to me. We must know
the exact position of our vessel.
will count the degrees aloud, and
you will stop me when 1 come to
the right one."
The American assented by a
motion Of the head, and Hatteras
began:
We'll take the longitude first.
One hundred and five degrees.
No? LOG degrees, 107 degrees?
1t is to the west. / suppose7"
YES" replied Altamont.
Let US go on, them 100 de-
grees, ITO degrees, 112 degrees,
ia degrees, 116 degrees, 11S de-
grees, 120 degrees"
"Ys." interrupted the sick man.
zone hundred and twenty de-
grees Of longitude, and how many
minutes? ! will count"
Hatteras began at No. /, and
when he got to 10. Altamont made
a sign to stop.
Very good" said Hatteras;
now for the latitude. Are you lis
teningf Eighty degrees. 81 de-