Jules Verne's Captain Hatteras - Part 2: Ice Desert

Chapter 2 - Altamont's First Words

Around 8 PM, the sky cleared up for a few moments of fog and snow; the constellations shined more alive in an atmosphere so cold.

Hatteras takes advantage of this change to calculate the height of a few stars. He went out without saying a word, taking his instruments with him. He wanted to establish his position and find out if the ice-field had somehow drifted.

After half an hour, he turned, sat in a corner of the house, and was lost in thought, in a deep stillness that had nothing to do with sleep.

The next day, the snow began to fall again, in a very large amount; the doctor congratulated himself on the search for food in the evening, as the ice field was immediately covered with a large white blanket, and any trace of the explosion disappeared beneath it.

During this day, it was impossible to leave the house; fortunately, the house was comfortable or so it seemed to these exhausted travelers. The small stove worked smoothly, except when the violent gusts pushed the smoke in; its warmth offered, among other things, hot teas and coffees, which spread a soothing well-being at these low temperatures.

Shipwrecked, for we may rightly give them such a name, they felt a good mood with which they had not been accustomed for some time; so they thought only of this present, of this warmth, of this momentary rest, forgetting and defying the near future, which threatened them with certain death.

The American was suffering less and was slowly recovering: he was opening his eyes, but he wasn't talking yet; his lips had the marks of scurvy and could not articulate any sound; however, he was able to understand, so he was made aware of the current situation. He shook his head in gratitude; he was saved from being buried in the snow, and the doctor had been wise enough not to tell him how long his death had been postponed, for in fifteen days, at most three weeks, they would be completely deprived of food.

Towards noon, Hatteras came out of his stillness; he's approaching the doctor, Johnson and Bell.

Hatteras: Friends, together we'll make a permanent choice concerning what we'll do. Before that, I'll ask Johnson to tell us in what circumstance this act of betrayal took place.

Clawbonny: For what good? The deed is clear, you don't even have to think about it.

Hatteras: On the contrary, I thought about it. But, after Johnson tells me, I won't think about it.

Johnson: So here's what happened. I did everything I could to prevent this crime...

Hatteras: I'm sure about it, Johnson, and I'd add that the intriguers planned something like this for a long time.

Clawbonny: That's what I think too.

Johnson: Me too; immediately after your departure, captain, even the next day, Shandon, against you, Shandon, extremely nervous and, besides, supported by others, took control of the ship; I resisted, but in vain. Since then, each did as he was beheaded; Shandon left them alone; he wanted to demonstrate that the time of fatigue and lack passed. So that no type of economy was made; a big fire was made in the boiler; even the ship burned. Supplies were left at the people's discretion, the drinks - also, and for some people that were deprived of alcohol so bitter weather you can realize what abuse they were capable of! They kept at it from 7 to 15 January.

Hatteras: So, Shandon was the one who pushed the crew to revolt?

Johnson: Yes, captain.

Hatteras: Let's not speak of him. Continue, Johnson.

Johnson: Through 24 or 25 January they began talking about abandoning the ship. They decided to head towards the occidental coast of Baffin Sea; from there, by boat, they had to go in search of whalers or even reach the Greenland settlements on the east coast. Supplies were plentiful; the sick, stimulated by the hope of return, felt better. So the preparations for departure began; a sledge was built to transport food, fuel and the boat; people had to harness it. All this happened until 15 February. I was hoping to see you coming, captain, and yet I was afraid of your presence; you wouldn't have obtained anything from the crew, who would have been able to kill you rather than stay on board. They seemed mad at the thought of freedom. I took them one by one, I spoke to them, I urged them, I made them understand the dangers of such an expedition and, at the same time, I explained to them the degree of cowardice they showed by leaving the ship. I managed to get absolutely nothing, not even from the best! The departure was set for 22 February. Shandon was very impatient. They piled on the sleigh and in the boat as many provisions and drinks as they could carry; they also loaded a large quantity of wood; the starboard wall was already torn down to the waterline. Finally, the last day was dedicated to the orgy; they robbed, plundered, and in the midst of drunkenness Pen and two or three more set fire to the ship. I fought with them, I fought, they pushed me and hit me; then these wretches, led by Shandon, took her east and disappeared from my sight! I was left alone; what could I do against this fire that engulfed the whole ship? The water pit had been covered in ice; I didn't have a drop of water. The ship "Forward" was burned by the flames for two days. You know the rest.