Chapter 34 Chapter II Altamon's First Words

Towards eight o'clock in the evening, the snow and mist lifted for a while, and the sky became clear; the stars shone brightly in the colder sky. Hatteras used this variation to obtain the horizon latitude of several stars.He went out without a word, taking his tools.He wanted to determine the location, to know if the ice field had shifted. Half an hour later he came back, lying in a corner of the room, in a state of utter immobility, obviously not sleep. The next day the snow began to fall heavily again; the doctor was thankful that he had done some searching the night before, for the ice field was soon covered with white cloth, and under the three-foot-thick shroud there was no sign of any explosion.

On this day, it was impossible to get outside; luckily, the igloos were still comfortable, or at least for the weary travellers.The small stove had a strong fire, and it would have been better if the wind hadn't filled it with smoke at times; the heat of the stove could also provide hot tea or coffee, which was invaluable at low temperatures. Those who died, because they could really be called by that name, felt a comfort they had not been used to for a long time; Ignore the future, which threatens them with imminent death. The American suffered less and came to himself; he opened his eyes, but he could not speak; his lips still had traces of scurvy, and he could not utter a word; but he heard and understood this Condition.He nodded his thanks; he knew he had been rescued after being buried in a snow cave, and the doctor had wisely not told him that his death was postponed for a short period of time, because eventually, after two weeks, three weeks at the most, it was completely There is no food left.

At noon, Hatteras came out of his immobility and walked over to the doctor, Johnson, and Bell. My friends, he told them, we have to make the final decision together about what we do next.First, I would ask Johnson to tell me the circumstances under which this act of treachery, which has brought us down, took place. What's the use of knowing?The doctor replied, there is no doubt about the matter, don't think about it any more. On the contrary, I want to.Hatteras replied, but, after Johnson had said it, I stopped thinking about it. So it happened, replied the boatswain, I did my best to stop the crime

I believe, Johnson, and I would also say that the demagogues have been plotting for a long time. I thought so too, said the doctor. And I, said Johnson, because you have just set off, Captain, and from the next day Shandon has been against you; Shandon has become vile, and with the support of others, of course, he has taken command of the ship; I tried to object, but it didn't work.From then on, everyone pretty much did as they pleased; Sandon let himself go; he wanted to show the crew that the days of weariness and hardship were over.Likewise, there is no longer frugality in any respect; they light great fires in the furnaces; they even burn ships.Food can be enjoyed as much as you want, and so is alcohol. For those who have not drunk for a long time, you can think of how they drink too much!This is from January 7th to January 15th.

So, said Hatteras gravely, it was Sandon who incited the crew to riot? Yes, Captain. Don't talk about him anymore.Go on, Johnson. By January 24th or 25th they agreed on a plan to abandon ship and get away.They decided to go to the west coast of the Baffin Sea; from there they took small boats, looking for whalers or reaching the Greenland colonies on the east coast.Food was plentiful; the sick, encouraged by the hope of returning home, recovered.They began to make preparations for departure; a sledge was built to carry food, fuel, and boats; the sledge was to be pulled.This goes on until February 15th.I always look forward to seeing you, Captain, but I'm afraid that if you show up, you'll get nothing from the crew, and they'll kill you instead of keeping you on board.There is a kind of crazy freedom here.One by one I stopped them; I spoke to them, I persuaded them, I made them understand how dangerous it is to set off like this, and how cowardly it is to leave you alone!I got nothing and couldn't even keep the best of them!The day of departure was set for February 22nd.Shandon could not wait.In the sleds and skiffs they loaded as much food and wine as they could; they also loaded a great deal of timber; the ship's starboard wall was destroyed up to the waterline.Anyway, the last day was a carnival day; they plundered and ransacked, and Penn and two or three sailors set fire to the ship when they were drunk.I rebel against them, I fight; they throw me down, they beat me; and then these wretches, with Shandon at their head, set off eastward, and are gone before my eyes!I'm alone; how can I stop the fire that's burning the ship?The fire was blocked by icebergs; I didn't have a drop of water.For two days the Forward was in flames, and the rest you know.

After the lecture, there was a long silence in the igloo; the somber scene of the ship on fire, the loss of such a precious ship, had an even greater psychological impact on the victims; they felt faced with an impossibility; The most important thing is to go back to England.They don't have to look at each other for fear of finding an expression of utter despair on each other's faces.All they could hear was the American's rapid breathing. Finally, Hatteras spoke. Johnson, he said, I thank you for doing all you could to save my ship: but, alone, you cannot resist.I thank you again and stop talking about this disaster.Focus our energies on the salvation of all.We are four partners here, four friends, with all our hearts.Everyone has their own ideas about what to do.

Ask us, Hatteras, the doctor replied: We are all faithful, and our words speak from the heart.First, what do you think? How could I be alone, said Hatteras sadly.My thoughts seem selfish, I want to know yours first. "Captain," said Johnson, "Before we comment on this dire situation, I have an important question for you. Go ahead, Johnson. You took our position yesterday; so, is the rink still shifting, or is it still in place? It didn't move, replied Hatteras, and I found, as before we set out, that the latitude was eighty degrees fifteen minutes and the longitude ninety-seven degrees thirty-five minutes.

So, says Johnson, how far are we from the nearest ocean to the west? About six hundred nautical miles, Hatteras replied. This ocean, is it? Smith Strait. Is it the strait we failed to cross last April? That's the one. Well, Captain, our current situation is clear and we can make an informed decision. Speak, said Hatteras, putting his head in his hands. He was able to listen to his companions without looking at them. Look, Bell, said the doctor, and you see, what's the best thing to do? Thinking about the need for a long time, the carpenter replied: You should go back, don't waste a day, an hour, or go south, or west, to the nearest coast. It will take us two months to sail!

We only have food for three weeks, Hatteras replied without looking up. Well, Johnson went on, the voyage would take three weeks, since it was our only chance of rescue; shall we crawl on the ground as we approach the shore, and should start and arrive within twenty-five days. This part of the northern land is unfamiliar, Hatteras replied, and we will encounter obstacles, icebergs, and ice floes that will block our path entirely. I do not see, said the doctor, one good reason for not sailing; it is obvious that we suffer, and suffer a great deal; Only half a pound of gunpowder left, Hatteras replied.

Well, Hatteras, said the doctor again, I know all the meaning of your objection.I am not hoping in vain.But I believe I understand what you're thinking, do you have a workable plan? No, said the captain, after a moment's hesitation. You shouldn't doubt our courage, the doctor said again: We are the ones who have been with you to the end, you know, but shouldn't we give up any hope of going to the extreme at this point?Rebellion has shattered your plans, you can wrestle with the difficulties of nature and overcome them, but not with the treachery and cowardice of men; you have done everything humanly possible, and you would have succeeded, I dare you Certainly; but, in the present circumstances, shouldn't you put away your plan, and even, in order to be able to carry it out again, make every effort to return to England?

Yes, Captain!Johnson told Hatteras that the latter did not answer for a long time. Finally, the captain raised his head and said in an unnatural tone: Are you sure of reaching the shore of the strait, when you are so weary that you have little to eat? No, said the doctor, the coast will certainly not come to us; it should be.Perhaps we shall find tribes of Eskimos further south, with whom we can easily get in touch. And, Johnson added, won't we encounter ships forced to overwinter in this strait? When necessary, replied the doctor, since the strait is blocked, can we not pass through it to the west coast of Greenland, and from there, either by the Prudeau dominion, or by Cape York, to the Danish colonies?In short, Hatteras, you won't find all this on the rink!The road to England is there, in the south, not here, not in the north! Yes, Bell said, Mr. Crowburne had a point and should go, without delay.By now we have forgotten about our country and what we hold dear! Here's your opinion, Johnson!Hatteras asked again. Yes, Captain. Your opinion, doctor? Yes, Hatteras. Still Hatteras said nothing; his face involuntarily showed all the fury of inner struggle.His whole life was bound up with the decision he was about to make; if he went back, his valiant plans would be in vain; a fourth such adventure could not be expected. The doctor, seeing that the captain was silent, went on: I would add, Hatteras, that we should not waste a moment; we should put all our food on the sledge, and bring as much wood as we can.Under these conditions, six hundred miles is a long way, I think, but not impossible; we could, or better, do twenty miles a day, and reach the coast in a month, that is to say, in nearly three around the twenty-fifth of the month But, says Hatteras, can't we just wait a few more days? What do you expect?Johnson replied. how could I know?Who can predict the future?Wait a few more days!It has barely recovered your strength!If you can't walk two stops, you will fall to the ground from exhaustion, and there is no snow house to cover you! But here, a terrible death awaits us!bell yelled. My friends, says Hatteras almost imploringly, it is not time for you to despair!It is recommended that you head north to find the road to rescue.But you don't want to follow me!Could it be that there is no Eskimo tribe in Smith Strait near the North Pole?Unimpeded oceans must exist and should submerge continents.Creation is logical in every way.It should be believed, then, that there must be a kingdom of plants, where the severe cold loses its power.Isn't the land of hope waiting for us in the north, and you are fleeing without looking back? Hatteras speaks passionately; his over-excited temperament paints a blissful scene of a region whose existence is uncertain. One more day, he repeated, one more hour! Dr. Crowburny, with his adventurous disposition and fervent imagination, was slowly stirring; he was on the point of being persuaded, but Johnson, more sensible and calm, reminded him of reason and responsibility. Let's go, Bell, he said, and hitch the sled! let's go!Bell replied. The two sailors walked towards the opening of the igloo. oh!Johnson!you!you!Hatteras shouted, well, you go, I stay!I stay! captain!Johnson said he stopped involuntarily. I stay, I tell you!let's go!Leave me like everyone else!Come on, Duck, the two of us stay! The brave dog came to his owner barking, and Johnson looked at the doctor.The latter did not know what to do; the best course of action was to calm down Hatteras and wait another day, as he thought.The doctor was about to give in when he felt someone touch his arm. He turned around.The American just got out of the quilt, he crawled on the ground, he finally got to his knees, and a staccato sound came from his sickly lips. The doctor was amazed, almost frightened, and looked at him in silence.Hatteras stepped up to the American and watched him carefully.He tried to capture what the unfortunate man was unable to say.At last, after five minutes of effort, he uttered a word: Perle Boise. The Pearl Boise!cried the captain. The American made an affirmative gesture. In this sea area?Hatteras asked, heart beating fast. The patient made the same gesture. in the north? Yes!said the unfortunate. do you know where it is Yes! Is it true? Yes!said Altamon again. He paused for a moment.People who saw this unexpected scene were very excited. Listen, Hatteras said to the patient at last, we ought to know about this ship!I'm going to say the number aloud and you stop me with your hand gestures. The American nodded in agreement. Behold, said Hatteras, longitude one hundred and five degrees I said?Not 106 degrees, 107 degrees, 108 degrees?just to the west? Yes, the Americans said. Go on.One hundred and nine degrees?One hundred and ten degrees?One hundred and twelve degrees?One hundred and fourteen degrees?One hundred and sixteen degrees?One hundred and eighteen degrees?One hundred and nineteen degrees?One hundred and twenty degrees? Yes, answered Altamon. One hundred and twenty degrees longitude?Hatteras said, how many points?I count Hatteras from the beginning.On the count of fifteen, Altamon motioned him to stop. good!Hatteras said, and look at the latitude.Did you hear me?Eighty degrees?Eighty-one degrees?Eighty-two degrees?Eighty-three degrees? The American made a gesture to stop him. good!How many points?five points?very?Twelve points?fifteen points?twenty points?twenty-five cents?thirty marks?Thirty-five points? Altamon gestured again and smiled faintly. So, said Hatteras solemnly, the Perboise was at a longitude of one hundred and twenty degrees fifteen minutes and a latitude of eighty-three degrees thirty-five minutes? right!The American said the last time he fell motionless in the doctor's arms. The effort exhausted him. My friends, cried Hatteras, you see very well that salvation is in the North, always in the North!We will be saved! But Hatteras had just finished his cheerful words when a terrible thought suddenly occurred to him.His face changed, and he felt a jealous snake biting his heart. Another man, an American, has traveled three more degrees on his way to the Pole!Why?What is the purpose?