Air Wonder Stories, May 1930 — page 20: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

~~ ~ res es fy ay EE yarn: -tmariner’s compass and one pair of the ship’s bittoculars: AIR WONDER STORIES nor could we find any-aid in the books, If we could have built ‘a-sending set, we could no: doubt haye broadcast our predica- ment: and position to the world, and have stood a good chance of being speedily rescued, Or, if we could have rigged up a receiving set, we could at least have relieved the miserable monotony of our lives by pick- ing up-programs from the supef-power stations. We reproached ourselves most bitterly for having set out on such-a yoyage without giving a thought to learning the -rudi- ments of a science that would have been of inestimable value in our emergency. Here we-had books on- chemistry, entomology, comparative anatomy, geology and various other subjects; but nothing on the one important science that we needed. | CHAPTER III The Coming of Day URING those long winter eventige we had ample time D: to disctss our predicament and lay plans for the com- ing of the brief summer. At times the consensus of opinion seemed to be that we ought to abandon ship and try to make our-way to land, and thence back to civilization, as soon as the rising sun should make sucha course possible. At other times there seemed to be a general disposition: to ~~ stick to the ship, and trust that ‘sooner or later a way would be cleared tothe open sea. We had no adequate idea of how-far it might-be to the near- est-land, or in what direction it might lie, For we were a long way from the most northern grounds that we had*intended to visit; and the charts and maps of a whaling vessel-are ordi- narily very sketchy and inadequate as~regards land- formations in partially explored districts. Ours were no exception. However, as the long period of darkness drew to a close, we laid definite plans for sending out exploring and teconnoiter- ing expeditions ; and the giant mate set to work to improvise a couple of ice sledges, while other members of the crew strove to produce various parts of the ecneeasy equipment, such as sled harness and poles. It was finally determined to divide the a into two. equal parties; one of which should: stay with the ship,. prepared -for the breaking up of the ice, or any other emergency; while the others ‘should go forth to explore on a trip calculated to take not more-than a week at-most; always making a rough chart of their route and keeping an eye open for any possibility of fish or game, At the first peep of the sum. over the southern horizon, T set off with the rest of the party; laden with provisions, guns, a Be- cause I had appeared somewhat. apt- with the pencil, I had been chosen as official rotite-charter for the expedition. T will pass over: the events of this expedition, and several similar ones: of the following weeks; because they were quite unproductive of any tarigible results, except as they revealed the fact that we were in the midst of a vast area of unbroken ice and<snow, and that there was no land-or open water within a radius of at least a hundred: miles! F the weather was too stormy, the men often suffered severely from exposure and frost-bite; and if it-was fair and clear, they ‘often suffered from snowblindness, since we had only three pairs of colored glasses and one pair of ordinary spec- tacles which we smoked, At last, near the close of the season, and after a great storm, an exploring party reported seeing a lane of open water several miles:away to the west of our position. Great excitement prevailed, and hope ran high that the lead would spread in our direction and release us from our bondage. But nothing of the sort happened. On the contrary, scouts sent to watch developments reported that the lane was growing narrower, and freezing-over again at the near end. S, Some of the men, and especially the giant mate, grew quite “desperate in the face of this disappointment; and declared for taking one of the two-small: boats’and making’a dash for the open- sea, It was evident that this was going to be the fast chance of the year, The Captain demurred ;. saying that one of the small boats could. not be expected to live out the rough seas, and besides it could not carry water -and provisions for more than two or - three days. But he-agreed that if the large whaling boat could be transported to open water, he would- consent to allow at least-a part of the men to make the attempt; although it seemed nothing short: of foolhardy. However, the distance was so great, and the boat was so heavy that it appeared like an almost impossible portage. But the giant mate, whose optimism and good nature rose superior to every obstacle, declared that the boat should go, if he had to carry it on his: shoulders. He ordered the fire started in the forge, and all the steel rod harpoon stock brought up from the hold. Then with the help of the blacksmith and the carpenter, he set to work to fashion steel-shod sleigh runners: for the bottom of the boat. He de- tailed other. men to erect: a mast. Everyone joined in the work with the desperation of hope long deferred. The Decision T the end of.twenty-four hours, during which everybody had worked frantically, the ice ship was rigged with sail and runners-and was ready for. the journey. The cook prepared a hearty meal and we prepared to turn: in, For my part, I was.so exhausted that rest seemed. impossible, Then the question arose, who should go, and who should stay ? The Captain declared that his place was with the ship; but that any inclined to brave-the hardship of a voyage in an open boat in an Arctic sea were at liberty to do so. Willard and I held-a conference, Alt day I had been un- decided whether to join the desperate party or stay with the ship on a chance of future deliverance. Willard seemed quite decided. “Let us not desert-the whale,” he said. “We might never be able to get such another giant specimen; and think what would be lost-to the -world, especially to our museum!” “This may be our last chance,” I argued, “When the whal- ing boat is gone—if indeed it does go, which I very much doubt—there will be no possibility of our leaving the ship by way of water; and we might be imprisoned here until we-die. ~ Our supplies cannot: last forever. Are you willing to-give up a chance for life just for the sake of an overgrown whale?” “Well,” he answered stoutly, “Scientists have given their lives for far less.” “All right, Willard,” I said, holding out-my hand, “we stay -with the whale.” Some half dozen of the men had gineady declared their intention of going, Although so much had been accomplished, the mate was not ready to call it a-day. He had decided to take a part of the food. supplies:and gasoline on ahead by sledge, and leave them at some point near a possible latmching place. He called for volunteers: to go with him while the rest slept, : After some hesitation, two men offered to .¢0; and shortly afterward theyset off with two sledge loads; the great mate in the lead hauling one sledge, and the two muiecs following tugging at the other Joad. OME distance away, the mate a and shouted back }-at the ship: in his bull-like voice’: “Go to sleep, boys, and ask the mercy of Hell for-wind!” We did go to sleep; and were awakened some hours later by the voice of the returning mate, G $ f alten