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

siedge put together again. All the parts
were in good condition, so the next day
the dogs were harnessed and they start
ed of along the coast to reach the ice
field.
At last. on the gath. they set foot on
North Devon.
Now" said Clawbonny, I'VE have only
to cross this, and get to Cape Warender
at the entrance to Lancaster sound
But the weather became frightful, and
very cold. The snow storms and tenn
pests returned with winter violence, and
the travellers felt too weak to contend
with them. Their stock of provisions was
ALMOST exhausted, and rations had to be
reduced now to third, that the dogs
might have food enough to keep them
In working condition.
The nature of the ground added greatly
to the fatigue North Devon is extreme
ly wild and rugged, and the path across
the Trauter mountains is through diff
cult gorges. The whole party-Tnen and
dogs, and sledge alike-were frequently
/ forced to stop, for they could not strug-
sic on against the fury of the elements.
More than once despair crept over the
brave little band, hardy as they were,
and used to polar sufferings. Though
scarcely aware OF IL themselves, they
we're completely worn out. physically and
mentally.
1t was not till the sOth of August that
| thew emerged from those wild mountains
into plain, which seemed to have been
upturned and convulsed by volcanic ac-
ton at some distant period.
Here it was absolutely necessary to
take few days rest, for the travellers
couid not drag one foot after the other,
and two OF the dogs had died from ex-
haustion. None of the party felt equal
1 n mt fhn fa1,F AL el1a Ik
behind an iceberg.
Provisions were now so reduced that,
Notwithstanding their scanty rations.
! there was only enough left for one week.
Starvation stared them in the face.
Altamont, who had displayed great I'M
selfishness and devotion to the others,
reused his sinking energies, and deter
mined to go out and find food for his
comrades.
He took his gun, called Duke and went
off almost unnoticed by the rest
He had been absent about an hour.
and only once during that time had they
heard the report of his gun; and now he
was coming back empty-handed. but run
ming as IL terrified.
What is the matter?" asked the doc
tor.
Down there under the snow!" cried
Altamont, speaking as If scared, and
pOlilllu6 III QlTeCLlOns
WHAT"
"a whole party men,"
"Alive?"
"Dead-frozen-and even"
He did not finish the sentence, but a
look Of unspeakahle horror came over his
face
The doctor and the others were so
reused by this incident, that they manag-
ed to get up and drag themselves after
Altamont toward the place he indicated.
They soon arrived at a narrow part Of
the bottom of a ravine, and what a spec
tacle met their gaze! Dead bodies, already
stiff, lay half buried in a winding sheet
of snow. A leg visible here, an arm there,
and yonder shrunken hands and rigid
faces, stamped with the expression of
rage and despair.
The doctor stopped down to look at
them more closely, but instantly started
back, pale and agitated, while Duke bark
ed ominously.
Horrible, horrible!' he said.
What is it?" asked Johnson.
Don't you recognize them2'
What do you mean7''
It was evident this ravine had been but
recently the scene Of a fearful struggle
that the poor wretches had been feeding
on human flesh, perhaps while still warm.
And among them the doctor recognized
Shandon, Pen and others Of the Inflated
crew Of the Forward
Their strength had failed; provisions
had come to an end; their boat had been
broken, perhaps by an avalanche or in
quilted in some abyss, so that they could
not take advantage of the open sea, or
perhaps they had lost their way in wan
dering over these unknown continents.
Come awayi come awayv' cried the
doctor, dragging his companions from the
scene. Horror gave them momentary
strength, and they resumed their march
without stopping minute longer.
Even the men themselves were never
able to give any detailed narrative of the
events which occurred during the next
week. However. on SEPTEMBER 9, by super
human exertlons, they arrived at last
at Cape Horsburg, the extreme point Of
North Devon.
They were absolutely starving. For ,4S
hours they had tasted nothing. and their
last meal had been of the flesh of their
last Eskimo dog. Bell could go no further
and Johnson felt himself dying.
They were on the shore of Baf1ns bay.
now half frozen over; that is to say, on
the road to Europe, and three miles off
the waves were dashing noiselessly on
the sharp edges of the ice-f1eld.
Here they must wait their chance of q
whaler appearing; and for how long?
But heaven pitied the poor fellows, for
the very next day Altamont perceived a
sail on the horizon.
Everyone knows the torturing suspense
that follows such an appearance, and the
agonizing dread lest it should prove a
false hope. The vessel seems alternately
to approach and recede, and too often,
just at the very moment when the poor
castaways think they are saved, the sail
begins to disappear, and is soon out of
sight
The doctor and his companions went
through all these experiences. They had
succeeded IN reaching the western bound
airy OF the ice-field by carrying and push
ing each other along and they watched
the ship gradually fade away from view
without observing them, in spite Of their
loud cries for help.
Just then a happy inspiration came to
the doctor. His fertile genius, which had
served him many a time in such good
stead, supplied him with one last idea
A foe, driven by the current, struck
against the ice-field, and Clawbonny ex-
claimed. pointing to It:
This foe!"
His companions could not understand
what he meant.
Let US embark on It'll let us embark
on itT'
"Oh! Mr.. Clawbonny, Mr.. Clawbonny,"
aaid I0huaOn OrAaafOp hts hand