Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1909-11-19
CHAPTER II.

eved the 22d of February for
-0-.,rg The sledge and the boat were
".,,od as closely as possible with pro-
p' n and spirits, and heaps of wood,
obtain which they had hewed the
,,,- down to her water line. The last
..r the men ran riot. They complete
" sacked the ship, and In drunken
s noroxvsm Pen and two or three others
81 II m fire. 1 fought and struggled
.aoinst them, but they threw me down
.Ud assailed me with blows, and then
Tho witches, headed by Shandon, went
If towards the east, and were soon
out Of sight.
q found myself alone on the burning
,bin and what could 1 do? The fire
hole was completely blocked up with
ice I had not 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, I thank you; you did all
YOU could to save my ship, but single
handed you could not resist. Again l
thank you, and now let the subject be
dropped. Let US unite efforts for our
common salvation There are four of
u.s. four companions, four friends, and
all our lives are equally precious.
we are all devoted to you," said
the doctor; and your words come from
our hearts. But what do you think we
should do?"
My opinion might appear interest
ed" said Hatteras, sadly. Let me
hear all yours first"
Captain said Johnson, before pro-
nOuncing on such an important matter,
wish to ask you a question"
ASK it, then, Johnson"
You went out yesterday to ascer-
tain our exact position; well, is the
field drifting or stationary"
Perfectly stationary. 1t had not
moved since the last reckoning was
made
A discussion opened at once about
what to do. Hatteras wanted still to
try 10 reach the pole, as retreat seemed
equally impossible.
We may find rich hunting grounds"
he urged we know the route back is
barren
The other three wouldn't listen to
such a proposal and Hatteras was de-
claring he would start for the pole
alone, when he felt light touch on his
arm. 1t was Altamont, the American,
who had crawled out of bed and man
aged to yet on his knees. He was try
i
scarcely make a sound. Hatteras went
towards him. and watched him so at
tentively that in a few minutes he
made out a word that sounded like
PorpOise. STOPPING over him he asked:
Is it the Porpoise?"
Altamont made a sign in the affirm
alive, and Hatteras went on with his
queries, now that he had found clew.
In these seas?"
The affirmative gesture was repeated.
is she In the north?"
Yes"
DO you know her position?"
Yes"
'ExactIy?"
Yes"
For minute or so nothing more was
said, and the onlookers waited with
palptating hearts.
Then Hatteras spoke again.
Listen to me. We must know the
exact position of our vessel. I will
count the degrees aloud, and you will
stop me when I come to the right one"
The American assented by motion
OF the head, and Hatteras began:
Wen take the longitude first One
hundred and five degrees, No? 1O6 de-
gTees, lo7 degrees? 1t is to the west, I
Suppose?"
Yes, replied Altamont
Let US go on, then: 100 degrees, 10
degrees, 112 degrees, ia degrees, 116
degrees, us degrees, 100 degrees"
Yes, Interrupted the sick man.
one hundred and twenty degrees of
longitude, and how many minutes? 1
will count"
Hatteras began at No. /, and when
NE Sot to 10, Altamont made a sign to
stop.
Very good" said Hatteras; now
.or the latitude. Are you listening?
Elshty degrees, 81 degrees, 80 degrees,
So degrees"
Again the sign to stop was made.
Now for the minutes: Five minutes,
II minutes, Is minutes, 20 minutes, 25
minutes, 80 minutes, So minutes"
Aitamont stopped him once more,
and smiled feebIy.
You say, then, that the Porpoise is
&" longitude 120 degrees Is minutes,
ana latitude So degrees and 35 min
utes?"
1eS,' sighed the American, and fell
Y"eA mouonless in the doctors arms,
[Sompietely overpowered by the effort
ne had made.
Friends!" exclaimed Hatteras; you
see was right. Our salvation lies in
w Teeu IN the north, always In the north.
we shall be saved!"
nut the joyous, exulting words had
"1uiy escaped his lipsh before a sud-
change.
H., Inc serpent of jealousy had stung
I..' Tor his stranger was an American.
..u he had reached three degrees near
"e pole than the Inflated Forward.
DS further patient questioning after
rest the doctor soon ascertained that
n 'e Forpoise was a three-mast Ameri-
~l snip, from New York. wrecked on