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Read Ebook: The Field of Ice Part II of the Adventures of Captain Hatteras by Verne Jules
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Ebook has 1622 lines and 47679 words, and 33 pages
THE FIELD OF ICE
"Altamont had already swung his hatchet to strike, when he was arrested by a well known voice"
"The tired-out dogs were harnessed sorely against their will, and before long bringing the few but precious treasures found among the d?bris of the brig"
Johnson's Story
"The poor fellows felt like colonists safely arrived at their destination."
"'I dispute the claim,' said the Englishman, restraining himself by a powerful effort."
"Clambering up the steep, rocky wall he succeeded, though with considerable difficulty, in reaching the top."
"Soon they were walking in a bright luminous track, leaving their shadows behind them on the spotless snow."
"Hatteras could only manage to keep off his pursuers by flinging down one article after another."
"The carpenter began his task immediately."
"The Doctor did not allow him to proceed, for he really feared the two antagonists might come to blows."
"It was a strange and touching spectacle to see the pretty creatures--they flew on Clawbonny's shoulders, etc."
"Dealt him such a blow on the head with his hatchet that the skull was completely split open."
"The poor seal struggled desperately, but could not free himself from the grasp of his enemy."
"On the 29th Bell killed a fox and Altamont a musk-ox."
"At Bell's suggestion, torches were contrived."
Three hours afterwards, they arrived at the coast and shouted simultaneously "The sea, the sea!"
"And the doctor, leaning over the side of the vessel, could see the whales and the dolphins and all the rest of the monsters of the deep."
"It is a volcano, he explained."
"Mast and sail were torn off and went flying away through the darkness like some large, white bird."
"Altamont speedily discovered a grotto composed of rocks."
"There he was, standing on a rock, gazing fixedly at the top of the mountain."
"Hatteras did not even turn once to look back, but marched straight on, carrying his country's flag attached to his staff."
"Two hours later, after unheard-of exertions, the survivors of the Forward were picked up by the Hans Christian."
THE FIELD OF ICE.
THE DOCTOR'S INVENTORY.
It was a bold project of Hatteras to push his way to the North Pole, and gain for his country the honour and glory of its discovery. But he had done all that lay in human power now, and, after having struggled for nine months against currents and tempests, shattering icebergs and breaking through almost insurmountable barriers, amid the cold of an unprecedented winter, after having outdistanced all his predecessors and accomplished half his task, he suddenly saw all his hopes blasted. The treachery, or rather the despondency, of his worn-out crew, and the criminal folly of one or two leading spirits among them had left him and his little band of men in a terrible situation--helpless in an icy desert, two thousand five hundred miles away from their native land, and without even a ship to shelter them.
However, the courage of Hatteras was still undaunted. The three men which were left him were the
best on board his brig, and while they remained he might venture to hope.
After the cheerful, manly words of the captain, the Doctor felt the best thing to be done was to look their prospects fairly in the face, and know the exact state of things. Accordingly, leaving his companions, he stole away alone down to the scene of the explosion.
Of the Forward, the brig that had been so carefully built and had become so dear, not a vestige remained. Shapeless blackened fragments, twisted bars of iron,
cable ends still smouldering, and here and there in the distance spiral wreaths of smoke, met his eye on all sides. His cabin and all his precious treasures were gone, his books, and instruments, and collections reduced to ashes. As he stood thinking mournfully of his irreparable loss, he was joined by Johnson, who grasped his offered hand in speechless sorrow.
"What's to become of us?" asked the Doctor.
"Who can tell!" was the old sailor's reply.
"Anyhow," said Clawbonny, "do not let us despair! Let us be men!"
"Yes, Mr. Clawbonny, you are right. Now is the time to show our mettle. We are in a bad plight, and how to get out of it, that is the question."
"Poor old brig!" exclaimed the Doctor. "I had grown so attached to her. I loved her as one loves a house where he has spent a life-time."
"Ay! it's strange what a hold those planks and beams get on a fellow's heart."
"And the long-boat--is that burnt?" asked the Doctor.
"No, Mr. Clawbonny. Shandon and his gang have carried it off."
"And the pirogue?"
"Shivered into a thousand pieces? Stop. Do you see those bits of sheet-iron? That is all that remains of it."
"Then we have nothing but the Halkett-boat?"
"Yes, we have that still, thanks to your idea of taking it with you."
"That isn't much," said the Doctor.
"Oh, those base traitors!" exclaimed Johnson. "Heaven punish them as they deserve!"
"Johnson," returned the Doctor, gently, "we must not forget how sorely they have been tried. Only the best remain good in the evil day; few can stand trouble. Let us pity our fellow-sufferers, and not curse them."
For the next few minutes both were silent, and then Johnson asked what had become of the sledge.
"We left it about a mile off," was the reply.
"In charge of Simpson?"
"No, Simpson is dead, poor fellow!"
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