Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1910-04-01
CHAPTER III.-(Continued.)

foe.
Inc beast was very fat, and weigh
ed 1000 pounds. The hunters were SO
famished that they had hardly patience
to cut up the carcass and carry home
ehe flesh to be cooked. 1t needed all
the Doctors persuasion to prevent
them eating It raw.
On entering the hut. they were
struck with the coldness of the atmos-
phere. The fire was out. The excit-
ing business Of the morning had made
Johnson neglect his accustomed duty.
The doctor got the tinder and asked
johnson for the steel.
The sailor went through his pockets
and searched tie hut. The steel was
gone.
Not got the steel!" the doctor re-
peated. shuddering. Look again"
But 1t was gone.
This Is serious business, DOCTOR"
said Hatteras. gravely.
Each sat looking at the other. and
a. death. 1t was serious. Then the
doctor sprang to his feet
An idea has occurred to me-"
'What?" said Hatteras
Let us make lens"
'How?"
with Ice"
We'll try 1t. Bring your hatchet
Johnson
goodsized piece was soon cut off,
about foot in diameter, and the doc
tor set to work. He chopped 1t into
rough shape with the hatchet, then
with his knife, making as smooth a
surface as possible He finished the
polishing process with his fingers, rub
bing away until he had obtained lens
as transparent as crystal.
The sun was shining. the tinder was
held beneath the Ice lens to catch the
rays. In few seconds it took fire, to
-Johnson's rapturous delight
He danced about like an idiot, almost
beside himself with Joy, and shouted,
"Hurrah! hurrah!" while Clawbonny
hurried back into the hut and rekin-
died the fire. 1t was soon roaring, and
1t was not many minutes before the
eavory odor Of broiled bear steak rous-
ed Bell from his torpor.
What feast this meal was to the
poor starving men may be Imagined.
The doctor, however, counseled moder-
alton in eating, and set the example
himself.
This is glad day for u.s." he said,
and we have no fear of wanting food
all the rest of our journey. Still, we
must not forget we have further to go
yet, and I think the sooner we start
the better"
I'VE cannot be far of now" said AL
lamont, who could speak almost per-
dectly again; I'VE must be within for
ty-eight hours march Of the Porpoise." {"
Il hope we'll find something there to
make a fire with" said the rector,
smiling. MY lens needs the sun, and
there are plenty Of days when it does
not make its appearance here, within
less than four degrees Of the pole"
Less than four degrees!" repeated
Altamont' with sigh; yes, my ship
went further than any other has ever
ventured."
ut Is time we started" said Halter
as, abruptly.
On the way the doctor asked Alta
mont what had brought him so far
north. The American made only eva
sive replies. Clawbonny whispered to
Johnson: We've got two men that
need looking after"
You are right" said Johnson.
''Hatteras doesn't talk to this Amer
lean, and l must say the man has not
shown himself very grateful"
II don't like the expression of his
face" said Johnson.
II think he suspects Hatteras' plan"
"Then you think that Altamont-"
His ship was certainly on the road
to the north pole"
"But don't Altamont say that he
had been caught among the ice. and
dragged there irresistibly?"
HE said so, but there was a strange
smile on his lips"
Next day. after a hearty breakfast
off bears meat, the little party contin-
ued the route.
At last about o'clock in the after
noon. Altamont started up with a
shout. Pointing to white mass that
no eye but his distinguished from the
surrounding icebergs, he exclaimed in
loud. ringing voice:
THE Porpoise!"
The Porpoise was completely buried
under the snow Masts and rigging
had been destroyed in the shipwreck,
and she was lying on bed Of rocks so
entirely on her side that the hull was
uppermost.
Never mind" said Hatteras, I'VE
will H1 1t up and make ourselves COM
Portable there"
BY night Bell had managed to make
q tolerably level floor with planks and
spars. Altamont was helped on board
without much trouble sigh of sat-
isfaction escaped him. as II he felt
himself once more at home-a sigh
which to Johnsons ear boded no good.
CHAPTER Nv.
The Porpoise had been thoroughly
equipped and provisioned for a long
voyage, They found 6150 pounds Of