Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-11-05


row we will get to sea-"
The day passed in profound detection.
The insanity of the captain was a bad
omen, and when they began to talk over
the return voyage their hearts failed
them for fear. They missed the intrepid
spirit OF their leader
However, like brave men, they prepar-
ed to battle anew with the elements.
Next morning they made all ready to
sail, and brought the tent and all its be-
longings on board
But before leaving these rocks, never
to return, the doctor, carrying out the
intentions Of Hatteras, had a cairn erect
ed on the very spot where the poor fellow
had jumped ashore. 1t was made OF
great blocks placed one on the top of
the other, so as to be landmark per-
fectly visible while the eruptions of the
volcano left IL undisturbed. On one OF
the side stones Bell chisled the simple
inscription
JOHN HATTBRAs.
The duplicate of the document attesting
the discovery OF the north pole was in
closed in a timed iron cylinder, and de-
posted in the cairn. to remain silent
witness among those desert rocks.
This done, the four men and the cap
tain, a poor body without a soul, set out
, on the return voyage, accompanied BY
! the faithful Duke, who had become sad
and downcast. A new sail was manufac-
tured out of the tent, and about 10
o'clock the little sloop sailed out before
the wind.
She made a quick passage, finding
abundance OF open water. 1t was GER
tainly easier to get away from the pole
than to get to 1t.
But Hatteras knew nothing that was
passing around him. He lay full length
in the boat, perfectly silent, with hfeless
eye and folded arms, with Duke at his
feet. Clawbonny frequently addressed
him, but could get no reply.
On the 18th they sighted Altamont har-
Dor, but as the sea was open all along
the coast, they determined to so round
to Victoria bay by water instead OF
crossing New America in the sfedge.
The voyage was easy and rapid, In a
week they accomplished what had taken
a fortnight in the sledge, and on the 23rd
they cast anchor in Victoria bay.
AS soon as the sloop was made fast.
they all FASTENED to Fort Providence.
But what a scene Of devastation met
their eyes! Doctors house, stores, pow
der magazine, Notifications, all had melt
ed away, and the provisions had been
ransacked by devouring animals.
The navigators had almost come to the
end of their supplies and had been reck-
On1nR on FeDlenlSLnUS LnGlE at EOA
Providence. The impossibility of winter
ing there now was evident, and they de-
cided to get to Baffins bay by the short"
est route.
I'VE have no alternative" said Claw
horny. ''Bafhn's bay is not more than
600 miles distant. We can sail as long
as there is water enough under our sloop
and get to Jones sound. and then on to
the Danish settlements
Yes" said Altamont; '1et US collect
what food remains, ana be off at once"
After a thorough search. a rev cases of
pemmican were found scattered here and
there and two barrels of preserved meat,
altogether enough for six weeks, and a
good supply of powder on board and the
remainder of the day was employed in
callxing the sloop and putting her in
good trim.
Next morning they put out once more
to sea. The voyage presented no great
difficulties, the drift ice being easily
avoided; but still the doctor thought
it advisable in case of possible delays,
to limit the rations to |le-half. This
was no great hardship, as there was
not much work for anyone to do, and
all were in perfect health.
Besides, they found a little shooting,
and brought down ducks, and geese, and
guillemots. or sea turtledoves. Water
! they were able to supply themselves
with an abundance from the fresh
water icebergs they constantly fell in
with. as they kept near the coast, not
daring to venture out in the open sea
in so frail a bark
At that time Of the year, the Their
mometer was already constantly below
freezing point The frequent rains
changed to snow, and the weather be-
came gloomy. Each day the sun dip
ped lower below the horizon, and on
the sOth. for a few minutes, he was
out Of sight altogether.
However, the little sloop sailed
steadily on without stopping an in
slant. They knew what fatigues and
obstacles a land journey involved, If
they should be forced to adopt IT, and
no time was to be lost, for soon the
open water would harden to firm
ground. Already the young ice had
begun to form. In these high lati-
! tudes there is neither spring nor au-
tumn; winter follows close on the heels
of summer.
On the 31st the first stars glimmer-
ed overh cad, and from that time for
ward there was continual fog, which
considerably impeded navigation.
The doctor became very uneasy at
these multiplied indications OF APP
preaching winter. He knew the diff
culties Sir John Ross had to contend
with after he left his ship to try and
| reach Baffins bay, and how, after all,
he was compelled to return and pass a
fourth winter on board. It was bad
enough with shelter and food and fuel,
but If any such calamity befel the
survivors of the Forward. If they were
obliged to Stop OF return, they were
lost.
The doctor said nothing of his anx-
ieties to his companions. but only urged
them to get as far east as possible.
At last, after 80 days tolerably quick
sailing, and after battling for As hours
against the increasing drift ice, and risk
ing the frail sloop hundred times, the
navigators saw themselves blocked In on
all sides. Further progress was impossi-
BILE, for the sea was frozen in every d.
| rection, and the thermometer was only
Is degrees above zero.
Altamont made a reckoning with
scrupulous precision. and found they were
in n degrees 10 minutes latitude and So
| degrees 2 minutes longitude.
This is our exact position, them" said
the doctor 1--WE are in South Lincoln,
Just at Cape Eden, and are entering
Jones sound. With a little more good
| luck we should have found open water
right to Bafins bay. But we must not
grumble If my poor Hatteras had found
| as navigable q sea at first, he would
have soon reached the pole. His men
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