human
We must make up our minds what to do, but I must request Johnson to tell me first all the particulars of the mutiny on the brig, and how this final act of baseness came about.
gpt
What good will that do? said the Doctor.
human
The fact is certain, and it is no use thinking over it.
gpt
I differ from your opinion, rejoined Hatteras.
human
Let me hear the whole affair from Johnson, and then I will banish it from my thoughts.
gpt
Well, said the boatswain,
human
I am sure of that, Johnson; and what's more, I have no doubt the ringleaders had been hatching their plans for some time.
gpt
That's my belief too,
human
And this was Shandon's doing?
gpt
Yes, captain.
human
Never mention his name to me again! Go on, Johnson.
gpt
It was about the 24th or 25th of January, that they resolved to abandon the ship. Their plan was to reach the west coast of Baffin's Bay, and from thence to embark in the boat and follow the track of the whalers, or to get to some of the Greenland settlements on the eastern side. Provisions were abundant, and the sick men were so excited by the hope of return that they were almost well. They began their preparations for departure by making a sledge which they were to draw themselves, as they had no dogs. This was not ready till the 15th of February, and I was always hoping for your arrival, though I half dreaded it too, for you could have done nothing with the men, and they would have massacred you rather than remain on board. I tried my influence on each one separately, remonstrating and reasoning with them, and pointing out the dangers they would encounter, and also the cowardice of leaving you, but it was a mere waste of words; not even the best among them would listen to me. Shandon was impatient to be off, and fixed the 22nd of February for starting. The sledge and the boat were packed as closely as possible with provisions 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 completely sacked the ship, and in a drunken paroxysm Pen and two or three others set it on fire. I fought and struggled against them, but they threw me down and assailed me with blows, and then the wretches, headed by Shandon, went off towards the east and were soon out of sight. I found myself alone on the burning ship, and what could I do? The fire-hole was completely blocked up with ice. I had not a single drop of water! For two days the Forward struggled with the flames, and you know the rest.
human
Johnson, I thank you; you did all you could to save my ship, but single-handed you could not resist. Again I 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. Let each give his opinion on the best course for us to pursue.
gpt
You ask us then, Hatteras, said the Doctor,
human
That would be little use, said Hatteras, sadly;
gpt
Captain, said Johnson,
human
Ask it, then, Johnson.
gpt
You went out yesterday to ascertain our exact position; well, is the field drifting or stationary?
human
Perfectly stationary. It had not moved since the last reckoning was made. I find we are just where we were before we left, in 80° 15 lat. and 97° 35
gpt
And what distance are we from the nearest sea to the west?
human
About six hundred miles.
gpt
And that sea is----?
human
Smith's Sound,
gpt
The same that we could not get through last April?
human
The same.
gpt
Well, captain, now we know our actual situation, we are in a better position to determine our course of action.
human
Speak your minds, then,
gpt
What do you say, Bell?
human
It strikes me the case doesn't need long thinking over, said the carpenter.
gpt
We must get back at once without losing a single day or even a single hour, either to the south or west, and make our way to the nearest coast, even if we are two months doing it!
human
We have only food for three weeks,
gpt
Very well, said Johnson,
human
This part of the Arctic Continent is unexplored. We may have to encounter difficulties. Mountains and glaciers may bar our progress,
gpt
I don't see that's any sufficient reason for not attempting it. We shall have to endure sufferings, no doubt, and perhaps many. We shall have to limit ourselves to the barest quantities of food, unless our guns should procure us anything.
human
There is only about half a pound of powder left,
gpt
Come now, Hatteras, I know the full weight of your objections, and I am not deluding myself with vain hopes. But I think I can read your motive. Have you any practical suggestion to offer?
human
No,
gpt
You don't doubt our courage, continued the Doctor.
human
We would follow you to the last--you know that. But must we not, meantime, give up all hope of reaching the Pole? Your plans have been defeated by treachery. Natural difficulties you might have overcome, but you have been outmatched by perfidy and human weakness. You have done all that man could do, and you would have succeeded I am certain; but situated as we are now, are you not obliged to relinquish your projects for the present, and is not a return to England even positively necessary before you could continue them?
gpt
Well, captain?
human
You think yourselves quite certain then of reaching the Sound, exhausted though you are, and almost without food?
gpt
No, replied the Doctor,
human
Besides, isn't there the chance of falling in with some ship that is wintering here?
gpt
Even supposing the Sound is blocked up, couldn't we get across to some Greenland or Danish settlement? At any rate, Hatteras, we can get nothing by remaining here. The route to England is towards the south, not the north.
human
Yes, said Bell,
gpt
Mr. Clawbonny is right. We must start, and start at once. We have been forgetting our country too long already.
human
Is this your advice, Johnson?
gpt
Yes, captain.
human
And yours, Doctor?
gpt
Yes, Hatteras.