The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1910-03-30
CHAPTER. II.

CHAPTER II.
"Shandon was impatient to be off,
and fixed the 22d OF February for
starting. The sledge and the boat were
packed as closely as possible with pro-
visions and spirits and heaps of wood.
to obtain which they had hewed the
brig down to her water line. The last
day the men ran riot. They compiete-
ly sacked the ship, and in drunken
paroxysm Pen and two or three others
set 1t on fire. fought and struggled
| against them, but they threw me down
and assailed me with blows. and then
the writches. headed by Shandon. went
Off towards the east, and were soon
| out of sight.
Il found myself alone on the burning
ship. and what could I do? The nre
hole was completely blocked up with
Ice. had not a single drop of waterf
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
thank you. and now let the subject be
dropped. Let us unite efforts for our
common salvation There are four OF
us. four companions, four friends. and
all our lives are equally precious.
I'VE are all devoted to you." said
the doctor; 'and your words come from
our hearts, But what do you think we
should dor"
my opinion might appear interest
3D." said Hatteras. sadly. Let me
hear all yours first"
Captain" said Johnson. before pro-
nouncing on such an important matter
wish to ask you question"
"Ask It, then, Johnson"
you went out yesterday to ascer-
tain our exact position; well. Is the
Aeld drifting or stationary"
Perfectly stationary. It had not
moved since the last reckoning was
made"
A discussion opened at once about
what to do. Hatteras wanted still to
. try to reach the pole. as retreat seemed
equally impossible.
! I'VE may find rich hunting grounds"
he urged. I'VE 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. II was Altamont. the American.
who had crawled out Of bed and man
: lged to yet on his knees. He was try
/ ing to speak, but his swollen lips could
} scarcely make q sound. Hatteras went
towards him, and watched him SO at
lentively that in few minutes he
made out word that sounded like
Porpoise. STOPPING over him he asked:
"Is It the Porpoise?"
Altamont made sign in the affirm
alive. and Hatteras went on with his
queries. now that he had found clew
Tn these seas?"
. The affirmative gesture was repeated
: lis she In the north?"
"Yes"
-Do you know her position7"
4 Yes"
' "Exactlyf"
sYes."
For q minute or SO nothing more wal
I said. and the onlookers waited will
: paipitating hearts.
Then Hatteras spoke again.
'sListen to me. We must know tn
exact position of our vessel. will
r count the degrees aloud. and you will
stop me when come to the right one.
The American assented by q motiol
of the head. and Hatteras began:
n wen take the longitude first. On
t hundred and five degrees. Nor log de
f grees, lot degrees1 It 10 to the west.
; supposer''
II "Yes." replied Altamont.
LET US go on. then: 100 degrees, II
! degrees, l12 degrees. 11S degrees, II
! degrees, 11s degrees. 12o degrees"
r YES" interrupted the sick man.
"One hundred and twenty degrees Q
e longitude, and how many minutesf
r will count"
It Hatteras began at No. I. and whe
II he got to Is. Altamont made sign (
stop.
every good" said Hatteras; mo,
for the latitude. Are you listening
Eighty degrees. 81 degrees. 80 degrees
IS degrees-"
l. Again the sign to stop was made.
Is .sNow for the minutes; Five minutes
ID 10 minutes, Is minutes. 20 minutes, Z
, minutes, 50 minutes. 81 minutea"
d Aitamont stopped him once NOR
le and smiled feebly.
r you say. then. that the Porpoise
, In longitude 12o degrees Is minute
10 and latitude 50 degrees and IS min
!. utesf'
70 .Yes,~ sighed the American. and fe
hack motionless In the doctors arm
completely overpowered by the effol
he had made.
T. ~Friendsi. exclaimed Hatteras; 20
N see I was right. Our salvation lies IN
r deed In the north. always In the mort
Is We shall be savodl~
,e But the joyous. exulting words ha
w hardly escaped his iipsh before q sud
"a DEN thought made his countsnans
change
The serpent Of jealousy had stun
him. for his stranger was an America
ma he had reached three degrees neal
= sr the pole than the Inflated Fcrwar
w BY further patient questioning AFT
ht | a rest, the doctor soon ascertainsd tn
he the Porpoise was thrss-mast Amer
can ship. from Nsw York. wrseksa I