Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-10-12
Continued From Last Week

Continued From Last Week
The doctor calculated with three-quar-
ter rations to each man and full rations
to the dogs, they might hold out for
three weeks.
BY three in the afternoon everything
was ready for the start
1t was almost dark, for, though the
sun had reappeared above the horizon
since the thirty-first of January, its light
was feeble and of short duration. The
moon would rise about half-past six.
The days wore on. Progress was slow.
Binding snow storms held them back
Moreover, the men, in spite of their iron
will, began to show signs of fatigue.
Hats became more frequeuv, and Yet
every hour was precious. for the provis-
ions were rapidly coming to an end.
On the. 14th of March, after 16 days
march. the little party found them
selves only yet in the eighty-second lat
itude. Their strength was exhausted.
and they had hundred miles more to
go. Rations had to be still further re-
duced. Each man must be content with
fourth part, to allow the dogs their
full quantity.
Worst of all there were only seven
charges of powder left, and six balls.
A little game was shot, but quick
ly devoured. The weary men could
hardly drag themselves along by now
The dogs had begun to gnaw their
traces.
Their last meal on the Sunday even
Ing was very sad one-unless help
cane, their doom was sealed.
The next morning Johnson saw bear
of huge dimensions. The old sailor
took it into his head that heaven had
sent this bear specially for him TO Kill;
and without waking his comrades, he
seized the DOCTORS gun, and was soon In
pursuit,
On reaching the right distance he
took aim; but, just as his finger touched
the trigger, he felt his arm tremole.
His thick gloves hampered him. he
threw them of But what a cry Of
agony escaped him! The skin of his
fingers stuck to the gun as II 1t had
been red-hot, and he was forced to let II
drop. The sudden fall made it go on
and the ball was discharged In the
air.
1t was the last bullet.
DR. Clawbonny came out and saw
what had happened. He dragged the
moor fellow into the tent, where ne mace
him plunge his hands into bowl OF
water. Johnson's hands had haroIy
touched 1t before 1t froze immediately.
"You are Just in time; / should nave
had 10 amputate soon." said the doctor.
That morning they had no breakfast
Pemnican and salt beef were both gone
Not a crumb of biscuit remained. They
vera obliged to content themselves win
half a cup Of hot coffee, and start on
again. 80.
They scarcely went three miles before
they were compelled to give up for the
day They had no supper but conee' ana
the dogs were go ravenous that tney
were almost devouring each other
Another days. hours since they had
RI sted food. Yet they continued their
march sustained by their superhuman
energy of purpose. They had to push the
sledge themselves, for the dogs could no
longer draw 1t.
Then Johnson grew haggaro' eyed ana
wild. He caught the doctors arm that
night.
"That bear is following us" he cried
hoarsely
"a bear following us?"
Yes. for the last two daysP
Have you seen him?"
Eyes. about a mile to leeward."
Terrible. And we haven't single
ball to send after him. said the doc
tor.
He is reckoning on good feed of hu-
man fesh!" cried Johnson, his brain CIV
ing way. HE is sure enough Of his meal!'
continued the poor fellow. %He must be
hungry and 1 don't see why we should
keep him waiting"
johnson, calm yourseif!'
mo. Mr.. Clawbonny, since we must
die. why prolong the sufferings Of the
moor beast? He is famished like our
selves. There are no seals for him to
eat, and heaven sends him men! So much
the better for him, that's all!'
johnson was fast going mad. The stu
alton was desperate, johnson" said the
doctor, IT shall kill that bear tomor-
row.
Tomorrow said Johnson, as If WAX
ing up from some bad dream.
Yes, tomorrow"
you have no bullets"
'Ill make one"
you have no lead"
mo. but 1 have mercury"
So saying he took the thermometer,
which stood at so degrees above zero,
went outside and laid in on a block Of ice.
At dawn they rushed out to look at it. All
the mercury had frozen into hard piece
of metal ready for use
Just then Hatteras made his appear
ance, and the doctor told him his project.
and showed him the mercury.
The captain grasped his hand silently,
and tho three went off in quest of their
game.
They soon sighted him. about 300 yards
distant.
Friends, this is no idle sport" said
Hatteras. 1--WE must act prudently."
"Yes," replied the doctor, 1--WE have but
the one shot. We must not miss. He
| would. outstrip a hare in feetness!"
1--WE must go right up to him." said
Hatteras. 'I have a plan"
What is it?'' asked the doctor.
''Well, you kept the skin of the seal
you killed, didn't your
eft is on the sledge."
"Au right Wen get it. Leave John
son here to watch"