We found tramping across the rough ground very fatiguing, for in most
places it was soft and spongy, except where we crossed more level ridges
of bare rock. Already the grass was beginning to grow, and flowers were
opening their petals, although most of the streams were partially frozen
and we could only cross them by wading halfway up to our knees in slush.
As yet we had not got sufficiently near to any deer to give us a chance
of obtaining some venison, for which we were longing with the appetites
of half-starved men, nor had we been able to catch any birds.
"We shall have to get over to where the walruses are, and it will be
hard if we don't get enough then to fill us up to the throats," observed
Sandy, "though we may chance to find fowl rather scarce."
On we trudged, mile after mile, drawing in our belts and keeping up our
spirits, urged forward by hope. At last my brother Andrew, who was
leading, reached the top of a high rocky ledge, which lay directly
across our course, when he turned round and made a signal to us with his
hand to approach cautiously. I followed, Sandy came next. We soon
climbed up the rock, when we saw before us a low shore and lofty hills
in the distance. The ice was in great part melted. Near the shore were
countless wild fowl, assembled in large flocks,--swans, geese, ducks,
snipes, terns, and many others. Scrambling down the rock, we were soon
blazing away right and left. In a few minutes we killed a sufficient
number of birds to afford us an ample feast. The question was how to
cook them, as the stems of the largest trees were less in circumference
than our small fingers. We managed, however, to collect a sufficient
quantity of moss and twigs to make up a diminutive fire, at which we
browned, though we could not thoroughly cook, our fishy-tasting fowl.
We were, indeed, too hungry to be particular.
After we had satisfied our own hunger, we began to think of our
companions. Two of the men volunteered to return with a supply of the
birds sufficient for the crew, while the remainder of us continued our
route to the west. We had to make a wide circuit round the end of a
lake. As may be supposed, we kept a bright look-out for deer. We had
gone some distance, when we observed a couple in a small valley where
the snow had melted. To have a better chance of securing the reindeer,
we divided; Mr. Patterson, Sandy, and Ewen making their way along the
side of the hill, while my brother and I proceeded up the valley,
concealing ourselves among the rocks or in the gullies, hoping thus to
get within shot of the deer. The wind came down the valley, so that we
were to leeward, and had some prospect of getting close to the game
without being perceived. Greatly to our satisfaction we saw that the
animals were coming towards us, browsing on their way. We, therefore,
knelt down behind a rock, waiting until the deer should approach. At
length we could hear the sound they made, munching the herbage as they
tore off the moss and grass. At this Andrew rose and fired at one, and
I, imitating his example, aimed at the other. Greatly to our
disappointment, as the smoke cleared away, we could see both the deer
scampering off up the valley, but one soon fell behind the other. It
had been hit in the shoulder. Slower and slower it went; we made chase,
but it still kept a long way ahead of us. We both reloaded as we ran,
hoping to overtake it and get another shot, should it not in the
meantime come to the ground. Greatly to my delight, I saw the deer
which I had shot suddenly stop, when presently over it fell. The other
held on for some time longer, when that too rolled over. We had a long
chase, though we scarcely knew how far we had gone. On looking round we
could nowhere see our companions. I fired off my rifle to attract their
attention, as we wanted them to assist us in cutting up the deer and to
carry back the venison. Scarcely had I fired than I saw, coming out of
a hollow in the side of the hill, a huge white monster, followed by two
smaller creatures, which I at once knew must be a bear and her cubs.
Her intention was evidently to appropriate our venison, an object which
we were anxious to defeat. Andrew had seen her, and stood with his
rifle ready for an encounter. I reloaded as rapidly as I could. We had
neither of us shown ourselves first-rate shots, and I was afraid that my
brother might miss the bear, and that she might seize him before I could
go to his rescue. The animal sat upon her haunches sniffing the air;
then, once more dropping down, she approached, resolved to carry off the
deer or attack us should we attempt to prevent her. Andrew allowed her
to get within twelve paces or so, when he fired at her head. The bear,
instead of dropping as I expected, to my horror rushed towards my
brother.
"Leap out of the way," I shouted, for I dared not fire as he then stood,
lest I might hit him.
He followed my advice, when I levelled my rifle, knowing that his life,
and probably my own, might depend upon the accuracy of my aim. The
bear, growling terrifically, came on, and when about three yards from me
rose on her hind legs, stretching out her formidable paws, about to
spring and grasp me in her deadly embrace. I pulled the trigger, and as
I did so jumped back with all the agility I possessed, knowing that
should my shot fail to take effect, I might--even though she were
mortally wounded--be torn to pieces by her teeth and claws before
another minute was over. Great was my thankfulness when I saw her huge
body sink slowly to the ground, where she lay without moving a limb;
still, as I thought it possible that she might not be dead, I joined
Andrew, who was reloading a few paces off.
The bear cubs, who had followed her a short distance behind, now came
up, and began pulling away at her body, not understanding why she did
not move. We were soon convinced that she was perfectly dead. What was
now to be done with the little animals? When they found that she would
not move, they began biting at her savagely. However, they soon scented
out the deer, and, while we were employed in cutting them up, came to us
and eagerly devoured the pieces we threw to them, they not showing the
slightest fear of us, nor anger at the way we treated their mother.
We had now more meat than we could carry away, even with the assistance
of the rest of the party; and, as they did not appear, we each took a
heavy load and prepared to set off.
Andrew, who was anxious to take the little creatures on board, suggested
fastening some lines we had in our pockets round their necks to lead
them with us, but no force would compel them to budge. I tried,
however, to get them to move by putting a small piece of meat a short
distance from their noses, when they both darted forward to catch it. I
then gradually increased the distance between the pieces of meat, and
got them out of sight of their mother.
Following the traces left by the wounded deer, we were enabled to make
our way with more certainty than we should otherwise have done. At last
we caught sight of our shipmates, who were not a little astonished at
seeing our two small shaggy companions, and highly delighted at finding
that we had brought so fine a supply of meat.
On hearing of the abundance we had left behind, they wanted us to return
with them; but we, having done our duty, preferred resting in a
sheltered spot on the side of the hill, while they followed our tracks
to bring away some more venison and bear's flesh. In the meantime the
little cubs gambolled together at our feet, occasionally coming up to
get a suck at a piece of venison.
The party at length arrived, each man staggering under as much meat as
he could carry. They all sat down that we might consult in what,
direction we should proceed. Mr. Patterson wished, as we had gone thus
far, to continue on to the lee side, where he believed that a harbour
would be found into which the ship might possibly have put, for he was
certain she would not, if she could help it, approach the other side of
the island. Should such be the case, we hoped to be able to get the
boats round, either by the shore or by the ice. We had still three men
who had accompanied us, and the boats' crews would by this time be in
want of food. Mr. Patterson accordingly sent back Sandy and two of
them, each carrying a load of venison and bear's flesh. He directed the
boatswain, after provisioning the men, to search along the shore, and
ascertain if there was any possibility of getting the boat over it.
"We had better take the little bears with us," said Sandy; "they'll
amuse the men, and, if the worst comes to the worst, we can eat them."
Saying this, and adopting our plan, he threw a small piece of meat
before the noses of the little animals, who at once rushed forward to
seize it, not aware that it was part of the flesh of their parent.
"You'll be gorging yourselves, ye little gluttons," observed Sandy, and,
fastening a piece of meat to the line, he dragged it after him, whisking
it away the moment the creatures got up to it. Thus enticed, they
parted from us, their first friends, without the slightest sign of
regret, eagerly following Sandy and the men. As it was important not to
expend more powder and shot than we could help, we carried a larger
supply of meat than we should otherwise have done, so that we might have
food enough to last us for several days if necessary. Our progress was
therefore somewhat slow, and it was not until the sun had set that we
caught sight of the ocean, or rather of the fields of ice and bergs
which covered it, with here and there a line of open water, showing that
it was breaking up and being driven away from the coast. Descending
from some high ground which we had been traversing, we found ourselves
on the shores of a deep bay, on the northern side bordered by cliffs and
rocks, but with a sandy beach at the inner end. It was already
partially open, and although small floes floated about, some remained
attached to the shore.
"This is just the place I hoped to find," observed Mr. Patterson. "If
we are compelled to remain here we shall be able to obtain a supply of
fish, while it is the sort of spot walruses and seals are likely to
frequent."
We had now to look out for a sheltered nook in which we could pass the
night.
"We shall be able to have a fire too," I remarked, as I pointed to a
quantity of drift-wood, which lay above high water-mark.
"You and Ewen and Croil collect it then," he answered, "while the doctor
and I search for a sheltered spot."
While picking up the wood I was separated from my companions, and found
myself going in the direction Mr. Patterson and my brother had taken.
Passing round some rocks, I saw several dark heads in the water, which I
at once recognised as walruses. As I felt sure they would not land to
attack me, I went on without hesitation. Presently I heard a shout.
Looking round the rock I saw Mr. Patterson, with his rifle clubbed,
engaged in what seemed to me a desperate conflict with a huge walrus.
Though he was retreating, the creature, working its way on with its
flappers, pressed him so hard that it was impossible for him to turn and
fly. I immediately unslung my rifle, which I had hitherto carried at my
back, but dared not fire for fear of wounding him. I hurried on,
endeavouring to get to one side of the walrus so that I might take sure
aim, when, to my horror, the mate's foot slipped, and down he came with
great force. The next instant the huge monster was upon him, and was
about to dig its formidable tusks into his body. In another moment he
might be killed. I was still nearly twenty paces off, but there was not
a moment to be lost. Praying that my bullet might take effect, I lifted
my rifle and fired. Then, without stopping to see the result of my
shot, I dashed forward in the hopes of still being in time to drag the
mate out of the way of the monster's terrific tusks. Thankful I was to
see that the walrus was not moving, but still it might with one blow of
its tusks have killed the mate.
Shouting to Andrew, who was, I supposed, not far off, I sprang forward.
The walrus was dead, and so I feared was the mate. Not a sound did he
utter, and his eyes were closed. It was with the greatest difficulty
that I could drag him from under the body of the walrus. Again and
again I shouted, and at last Andrew appeared, his countenance expressing
no little dismay at what he beheld.
"He is still alive," he said, after he had examined the mate. "The
walrus has not wounded him with its tusks, but has well-nigh pressed the
breath out of his body, and may possibly have broken some of his ribs.
We'll carry him to a dry cave I have just found, in which we can light a
fire, and I hope he'll soon come round. Get Ewen and Croil to assist
us." I hurried along the shore and summoned them. We all four managed
to carry the mate to the cavern. While Andrew attended to him, Ewen,
Croil and I brought the drift-wood we had collected, and getting some
dry moss from the rocks to kindle a flame, we soon had a fire blazing.
Andrew reported unfavourably of the mate. Two of his ribs were broken,
and his legs fearfully crushed.
"Much turns upon his having a good constitution to enable him to get
over it," observed my brother. "He has been a temperate man, and that's
in his favour, but I wish that he was safe on board, as he requires
careful nursing, and that's more than he can obtain in this wild
region."
A restorative which the doctor always carried, at length brought the
mate somewhat round, and he was able to speak.
"Have you seen anything of the ship?" was the first question he asked.
"No, we did not expect her so soon," answered Andrew; "she will come
here in good time, I dare say!"
"Then where are the boats?" inquired the mate.
"One is very much damaged," said Andrew; "we must wait for a favourable
opportunity for bringing the other to this side of the island. In the
meantime you must try and go to sleep. In the morning we will see what
is best to be done."
The poor mate asked no further questions, but lay back in an almost
unconscious state, while Andrew sat by his side, endeavouring to
alleviate his sufferings.
The rest of us, having cooked some venison, made a hearty supper, but
the mate was unable to eat a morsel. Andrew decided on sending Ewen and
me back the next morning to obtain a cooking pot, in which he might make
some broth for the mate, as well as to bring the sail of the damaged
boat, which might assist to shelter him from the cold. Should it be
found impossible to get the boat round to the bay, he thought it would
be best to leave her there, and to let all the men come across, bringing
the gear of the two boats, and as much of the wood of the wrecked one as
they could carry. His idea was to build a hut, or to make the cavern
habitable. It was agreed that we should catch as many bears and
walruses as we could, so that we might have materials for constructing
the hut as well as for covering ourselves.
"It will be wise at once to make preparations for the winter. We must
provide shelter, food, clothing, and fuel, and this will fully occupy
all hands until the cold weather sets in," said Andrew. "Had we been
cast on shore here at the end of the summer, we should in all
probability have perished; but now I hope that we shall be able to
support existence until another spring, when we may expect the
appearance of a ship to take us off."
Our plans being arranged, Andrew told us to lie down and try and get
some sleep, saying that he would keep watch in case any prowling bear
should pay us a visit, besides which he wished to attend to the mate. I
begged him, however, to let me sit up for a couple of hours, promising
to call him, should I fancy that our injured companion required his
assistance. He at last consented. In a few minutes he and the rest of
the party were fast asleep. I carefully made up the fire, then, after
some time, feeling drowsy, I took my rifle, and went outside the cavern.
The night was tolerably light, indeed the darkness in that latitude was
of short duration. As I looked in the direction where the body of the
walrus lay, I fancied I saw two or three white objects on the rocks. At
first I thought that they were piles of snow or ice; but, watching them
attentively, I observed that they were moving, and I had no doubt they
were bears attracted by the body of the dead walrus, on which they
expected to banquet. I now regretted that we had not had time to carry
off the skin, which would of course be torn to pieces and rendered
valueless. I was much tempted to try and shoot the bears, which I might
easily have done while they were feasting, but I considered that I ought
not to leave my post, and I did not like to awake Andrew, who required
all the rest he could obtain, I therefore returned to the cave and sat
down by the fire, thankful for the warmth it afforded. When I judged I
had been on watch a couple of hours, I aroused my brother.
"You were right in not trying to shoot the bears, for even had you
killed one the others might have set upon you, and we cannot afford to
lose another of our party," he said. "Lie down now, as you have a long
journey before you; and I shall be glad if you can bring the men over
here before another night sets in." It was broad daylight when my
brother awoke me and the rest. The mate appeared somewhat better, and,
as he had no feverish symptoms, Andrew expressed his belief that he
would recover. Having breakfasted and done up a portion of the cooked
venison for provisions during our journey, Ewen and I set off, leaving
Croil to assist my brother in taking care of the mate. Andrew charged
us not to expend our powder on birds, or we might have shot as many as
we required. Every hour they were arriving in large flocks on their way
to still more northern regions, where they might enjoy the long summer
day without interruption. I will not describe the journey, which we
managed to accomplish in about six hours. Sandy, who came to meet us,
reported that the men were behaving well, thankful for the food we had
sent them; but, as far as he could judge, it would be impossible to get
the boat round for the present, either over the ice or across the land.
All hands therefore were ready to obey the directions Andrew had sent
them. While Ewen and I rested, they made up the loads each man was to
carry. As to launching the boat among the rocks which fringed that side
of the island, it was clearly impossible unless in the calmest weather,
without the risk of her being knocked to pieces; for the sea continually
rolled in huge masses of ice, which with thundering sound were shivered
into fragments. It seemed surprising that we had escaped, when we
looked at the spot where we had landed.
"We are all ready, and if you and Ewen think you can trudge back by the
way you have come, we'll set out at once," said Sandy.
"All right," we answered, springing to our feet and taking our rifles,
with a few articles--all the men would let us carry--we led the way.
The men, however, had not taken any of the shattered boat, or oars, or
spars, and it would, therefore, be necessary to make another journey to
bring them across. The other boat was turned bottom upmost, out of the
reach of the highest tide, with the things we had to leave placed under
her. We took longer to perform the journey back than we had occupied in
coming, as the men, with their heavy loads, could not proceed as fast as
Ewen and I had done. On approaching the bay we looked out for Croil,
whom we expected to see on the watch for us. He was nowhere visible.
We shouted to give notice that we were near, but no reply reached us.
"He is probably in the cave assisting the doctor," observed Ewen. "I
hope the mate is not worse."
On getting near the shore, however, we saw my brother, who had just come
out of the cave. He waved to us to hasten on.
"Thank heaven you are come!" he said. "I am very anxious about young
Croil. He went away a couple of hours ago to collect drift-wood, and
has not returned. I could not leave the mate, who still continues in a
very precarious condition, to look for him, and I fear that some
accident has happened; probably he has been attacked either by a walrus
or a bear, and, if so, I fear that he will be added to our list of
casualties."
"We must find him at all events," I answered. "Should he have been
attacked by a bear, we shall discover some traces which will show what
has happened to him."
The men, having deposited their loads, tired as they were, dispersed in
all directions. Sandy, Ewen, and I went to the northward under the
cliffs. Every moment I expected to see the mangled remains of the poor
lad, or traces of his blood, should a bear have carried him off. Of one
thing we felt sure, that he would have kept as close as he could to the
beach, where he might hope to meet with drift-wood. Before long,
however, our progress was stopped by cliffs which jutted out into the
sea, though we saw that there was a continuation of the beach farther
on. We had, therefore, to climb up and try to find a way down again to
the level of the water. It was no easy task to climb the cliff, but we
accomplished it at last. We went on for some distance, but so
precipitous were the cliffs that it seemed impossible that we should be
able to descend with any safety. Every now and then we peered over
them, and as I was doing so I thought I saw an object lying close to the
base some way on. I felt almost sure that it was a human being, while
not far from it was what looked like the wreck of a boat. That it was
poor Croil we could have little doubt, and that he had been killed by a
fall from above appeared too probable.
Sandy, who was of this opinion, told Ewen and me to wait while he
hurried back to obtain a coil of rope which he had brought from the
boat, as also the assistance of some of the other men should they have
returned. Ewen and I accordingly went on, and, carefully looking over
the cliff, to our sorrow discovered that it was indeed our poor
shipmate. That he had fallen from such a height without being killed
seemed impossible.
"Take care that we do not share his fate," I observed to Ewen, as I got
up to ascertain if there was any less precipitous part near at hand, by
which we could descend without waiting for the rope.
As far as I could discover there were no marks on the edge of the cliffs
to show from whence he had fallen. Going on a little further I found a
narrow ledge, which apparently sloped downwards. Very likely he had
attempted to make his way by this ledge to the shore. From its extreme
narrowness I felt that it would be folly to trust myself to it, and that
I should probably fall as he had done.