PREPARATIONS FOR DEPARTURE.
Hatteras did not wish to let his crew know about this new condition of
affairs. He was right. If they had known that they were being driven
towards the north with irresistible force, they would have given way
to despair. The doctor knew this, and approved of the captain's
silence.
Hatteras had kept to himself the impressions which this discovery had
caused within him. It was his first moment of joy during these long
months of struggle with the hostile elements. He was one hundred and
fifty miles farther north; hardly eight degrees from the Pole! But he
hid his joy so well that the doctor did not even suspect it; he asked
himself why Hatteras's eye shone with so unusual a lustre; but that
was all, and the natural reply to this question did not enter his
head.
The _Forward_, as it approached the Pole, had drifted away from the
coal which had been seen by Sir Edward Belcher; instead of a hundred
miles, it would have to be sought two hundred and fifty miles farther
south. Still, after a short discussion between Hatteras and Clawbonny,
they determined to make the attempt.
If Belcher was right, and his accuracy could not be doubted, they
would find everything just at he had left it. Since 1853, no new
expedition had visited these remote continents. Few, if any, Esquimaux
are found in this latitude. The disaster which had befallen at Beechey
Island could not be repeated on the shores of North Cornwall.
Everything seemed to favor an excursion across the ice.
They estimated that they would be gone forty days at the outside, and
preparations were made by Johnson for that time of absence.
In the first place, he saw about the sledge; it was of the shape of
those used in Greenland, thirty-five inches broad and twenty-four feet
long. The Esquimaux sometimes make them fifty feet long. It was built
of long planks, bent at each end, and kept in position by two strong
cords. This shape adapted it to resist violent shocks. The sledge ran
easily upon the ice; but before the snow had hardened, it was
necessary to place two vertical frames near together, and being raised
in this way, it could run on without cutting too much into the snow.
Besides, by rubbing it with a mixture of sulphur and snow in the
Esquimaux fashion, it ran very easily.
[Illustration]
It was drawn by six dogs; they were strong in spite of their thinness,
and did not appear to be injured by the severity of the winter; the
harnesses of deerskin were in good condition; perfect reliance could
be placed on the equipment, which the Greenlanders at Upernavik had
sold in conscience. These six animals alone could draw a weight of two
thousand pounds without inordinate fatigue.
They carried with them a tent, in case it should be impossible to
build a snow-house; a large sheet of mackintosh to spread over the
snow, so that it should not melt at contact with their bodies; and,
last of all, many coverings of wool and buffalo-skin. In addition,
they carried the Halkett-boat.
Their provisions consisted of five chests of pemmican, weighing four
hundred and fifty pounds; a pound of pemmican was allotted for each
man and dog; of the latter there were seven, including Duke; there
were to be four men. They carried, besides, twelve gallons of spirits
of wine, weighing nearly a hundred and fifty pounds; tea and biscuit,
in proper amounts; a little portable kitchen, with a great many wicks;
and much tow, ammunition, and four double-barrelled guns. The men of
the party made use of Captain Parry's invention, and wore girdles of
india-rubber in which the heat of the body and the motion in walking
could keep tea, coffee, and water in a liquid state.
Johnson took special care of the preparation of snow-shoes, with their
wooden frames and leathern straps; they served as skates; on
thoroughly frozen spots deerskin moccasins could be worn with comfort;
every man carried two pairs of each.
These preparations, which were so important because the omission of a
single detail might have caused the ruin of the whole expedition,
required four whole days. Every day at noon Hatteras took an
observation of the ship's position; it was no longer drifting, and
this had to be perfectly sure in order to secure their return.
Hatteras undertook to choose the four men who were to accompany him.
It was not an easy decision to take; some it was not advisable to
take, but then the question of leaving them on board had also to be
considered. Still, the common safety demanded the success of this
trip, and the captain deemed it right to choose sure and experienced
men.
Hence Shandon was left out, but not much to his regret. James Wall was
too ill to go. The sick grew no worse; their treatment consisted of
repeated rubbing and strong doses of lemon-juice; this was easily seen
to without the presence of the doctor being essential. Hence he
enrolled himself among those who should go, and no voice was raised
against it. Johnson would have gladly gone with the captain in his
dangerous expedition; but Hatteras drew him to one side and said to
him in an affectionate, almost weeping voice,--
"Johnson, you are the only man I can trust. You are the only officer
with whom I can leave the ship. I must know that you are here to keep
an eye on Shandon and the others. They are kept to the ship by the
winter; but who can say what plans they are not capable of forming?
You shall receive my formal instructions, which shall place the
command in your hands. You shall take my place. We shall be absent
four or five weeks at the most, and I shall be at ease having you here
where I cannot be. You need wood, Johnson. I know it! But, as much as
possible, spare my ship. Do you understand, Johnson?"
"I understand, Captain," answered the old sailor, "and I will remain
if you prefer it."
"Thanks!" said Hatteras, pressing the boatswain's hand; and he added,
"In case we don't come back, Johnson, wait till the next thaw, and try
to push on to the Pole. If the rest refuse, don't think of us, but
take the _Forward_ back to England."
"That is your wish, Captain?"
"It is," answered Hatteras.
"Your orders shall be obeyed," said Johnson, quietly.
The doctor regretted that his friend was not going to accompany him,
but he was obliged to recognize the wisdom of Hatteras's plan.
His two other companions were Bell the carpenter, and Simpson. The
first, who was sturdy, brave, and devoted, would be of great service
in their camping in the snow; the other, although less resolute,
nevertheless determined to take part in this expedition in which he
might be of use as hunter and fisher.
So this detachment consisted of Hatteras, Clawbonny, Bell, Simpson,
and the faithful Duke, making in all four men and seven dogs to be
fed. A suitable amount of provisions was made ready.
During the early days of January the mean temperature was -33 degrees.
Hatteras waited impatiently for milder weather; he frequently
consulted the barometer, but no confidence could be placed in this
instrument, which in these high latitudes seems to lose some of its
customary accuracy; in these regions there are many exceptions to the
general laws of nature: for instance, a clear sky was not always
accompanied by cold, nor did a fall of snow raise the temperature; the
barometer was uncertain, as many explorers in these seas have noticed;
it used to fall when the wind was from the north or east; when low it
foretold fine weather; when high, rain or snow. Hence its indications
could hardly be relied on.
Finally, January 5th an easterly breeze brought with it a rise in the
thermometer of fifteen degrees, so that it stood at -18 degrees.
Hatteras resolved to start the next day; he could no longer endure
seeing his ship torn to pieces before his eyes; the whole quarter-deck
had been burned up.
So, January 6th, amid squalls of snow, the order to depart was given;
the doctor gave his last words of advice to the sick; Bell and Simpson
shook hands silently with their companions. Hatteras wanted to make a
farewell speech to the men, but he saw nothing but angry faces around
him. He fancied he saw an ironical smile playing about Shandon's lips.
He held his peace. Perhaps he had a momentary pang at parting as he
gazed at the _Forward_.
But it was too late for him to change his mind; the sledge, loaded and
harnessed, was waiting on the ice; Bell was the first to move; the
others followed. Johnson accompanied the travellers for a quarter of a
mile; then Hatteras asked him to return, which he did after a long
leave-taking. At that moment, Hatteras, turning for the last time
towards the brig, saw the tops of her masts disappearing in the dark
snow-clouds.