Stanley’s forebodings and Massan’s prognostications proved partly incorrect on the following morning. The mouth of the river, and the sea beyond, were quite full of ice; but it was loose, and intersected in all directions by lanes of open water. Moreover, there was no wind.
The gray light of early morning brightened into dawn, and the first clear ray of the rising sun swept over a scene more beautiful than ever filled the fancy of the most imaginative poet of the Temperate1 Zones. The sky was perfectly2 unclouded, and the surface of the sea was completely covered with masses of ice, whose tops were pure white like snow, and their sides a delicate greenish-blue, their dull, frosted appearance forming a striking contrast to the surrounding water, which shone, when the sun glanced upon it, like burnished3 silver. The masses of ice varied4 endlessly in form and size, some being flat and large like fields, others square and cornered like bastions or towers—here a miniature temple with spires5 and minarets6, there a crystal fortress7 with embrasures and battlements; and, in the midst of these, thousands of broken fragments, having all the varied outlines of the larger masses, appearing like the smaller houses, cottages, and villas8 of this floating city of ice.
“Oh how beautiful!” exclaimed little Edith, as her father led her and Mrs Stanley towards the canoes, which floated lightly in the water, while the men stood in a picturesque9 group beside them, leaning on their bright red paddles.
“It is indeed, my pet,” replied Stanley, a smile almost of sadness playing around his lips.
“Come, George, don’t let evil forebodings assail10 you to-day,” said Mrs Stanley in a low tone. “It does not become the leader of a forlorn hope to cast a shade over the spirits of his men at the very outset.” She smiled as she said this, and pressed his arm; but despite herself, there was more of sadness in the smile and in the pressure than she intended to convey.
Stanley’s countenance11 assumed its usual firm but cheerful expression while she spoke12. “True, Jessie, I must not damp the men; but when I look at you and our darling Eda, I may be forgiven for betraying a passing glance of anxiety. May the Almighty13 protect you!”
“Is the country we are going to like this, papa?” inquired Eda, whose intense admiration14 of the fairy-like scene rendered her oblivious15 of all else.
“Yes, dear, more like this than anything else you have ever seen; but the sun does not always shine so brightly as it does just now, and sometimes there are terrible snow-storms. But we will build you a nice house, Eda, with a very large fireplace, so that we won’t feel the cold.”
The entire population of Moose Fort was assembled on the beach to witness the departure of the expedition. The party consisted of fifteen souls. As we shall follow them to the icy regions of Ungava, it may be worth while to rehearse their names in order as follows:—
Mr and Mrs Stanley and Edith.
Frank Morton.
Massan, the guide.
Dick Prince, principal hunter to the party.
La Roche, Stanley’s servant and cook.
Bryan, the blacksmith.
François, the carpenter.
Oolibuck, Augustus, and Moses, Esquimau
interpreters.
Gaspard, labourer and fisherman.
Oostesimow and Ma-istequan, Indian guides
and hunters.
The craft in which these were about to embark16 were three canoes, two of which were large and one small. They were made of birch bark, a substance which is tough, light, and buoyant, and therefore admirably adapted for the construction of craft that have not only to battle against strong and sometimes shallow currents, but have frequently to be carried on the shoulders of their crews over rocks and mountains. The largest canoe was sixteen feet long by five feet broad in the middle, narrowing gradually towards the bow and stern to a sharp edge. Its loading consisted of bales, kegs, casks, and bundles of goods and provisions; each bale or cask weighed exactly 90 pounds, and was called a piece. There were fifteen pieces in the canoe, besides the crew of six men, and Mr Stanley and his family, who occupied the centre, where their bedding, tied up in flat bundles and covered with oiled cloth, formed a comfortable couch. Notwithstanding the size and capacity of this craft, it had been carried down to the beach on the shoulders of Massan and Dick Prince, who now stood at its bow and stern, preventing it with their paddles from rubbing its frail17 sides against the wharf18; for although the bark is tough, and will stand a great deal of tossing in water and plunging19 among rapids, it cannot sustain the slightest blow from a rock or other hard substance without being cracked, or having the gum which covers the seams scraped off. To those who are unacquainted with travelling in the wild regions of the north it would seem impossible that a long journey could be accomplished20 in such tender boats; but a little experience proves that, by judicious21 treatment and careful management, voyages of great length may be safely accomplished in them—that they are well adapted for the necessities of the country, and can be taken with greater ease through a rough, broken, and mountainous region than ordinary wooden boats, even of smaller size, could be.
The second canoe was in all respects similar to the one we have described, excepting that it was a few inches shorter. The third was much smaller—so small that it could not contain more than three men, with their provisions and a few bales, and so light that it could with the greatest ease be carried on the shoulders of one man. It was intended to serve as a sort of pioneer and hunting craft, which should lead the way, dart22 hither and thither23 in pursuit of game, and warn the main body of any danger that should threaten them ahead. It was manned by the two Indian guides, Oostesimow and Ma-istequan, and by Frank Morton, who being acknowledged one of the best shots of the party, was by tacit understanding regarded as commissary-general. It might have been said that Frank was the best shot, were it not for the fact that the aim of Dick Prince was perfect, and it is generally admitted that perfection cannot be excelled.
Although differing widely in their dispositions24 and appearance, the men of the expedition were similar at least in one respect—they were all first-rate, and had been selected as being individually superior to their comrades at Moose Fort. And a noble set of fellows they looked, as they stood beside their respective canoes, leaning on their little, brilliantly coloured paddles, awaiting the embarkation25 of their leaders. They all wore new suits of clothes, which were sufficiently26 similar to give the effect of a uniform, yet so far varied in detail as to divest27 them of monotony, and relieve the eye by agreeable contrast of bright colours. All of them wore light-blue cloth capotes with hoods28 hanging down behind, all had corduroy trousers gartered below the knee, and all wore moccasins, and had fire-bags stuck in their belts, in which were contained the materials for producing fire, tobacco, and pipes. So far they were alike, but the worsted belts of some were scarlet29, of others crimson30, and of others striped. Some gartered their trousers with thongs31 of leather, others used elegant bands of bead-work—the gifts, probably, of sorrowing sweethearts, sisters, or mothers—while the fire-bags, besides being composed some of blue, some of scarlet cloth, were ornamented32 more or less with flowers and fanciful devices elegantly wrought33 in the gaily-dyed quills34 of the porcupine35.
On seeing Stanley and his wife and child approaching, Massan gave the order to embark. In a moment every man divested36 himself of his capote, which he folded up and placed on the seat he was to occupy; then, shaking hands all round for the last time, they stepped lightly and carefully into their places.
“All ready, I see, Massan,” said Stanley, as he came up, “and the ice seems pretty open. How say you? shall we make a good day of it?”
Massan smiled dubiously37 as he presented his thick shoulder as a support to Mrs Stanley, while she stepped into her place. He remembered the conversation of the previous evening, and determined38 that, whatever should happen, he at least would not cast the shadow of a doubt on their prospects39. But in his own mind he suspected that their progress would be interrupted ere long, as the wind, although very light—almost imperceptible—was coming from the north-west.
“It’ll be full flood in less nor half an hour,” he replied, “and—(take care, Miss Edith, give me your little hand; there, now, jump light)—and we’ll be past the p’int by that time, and git the good o’ the ebb40 till sun-down.”
“I fear,” said Frank Morton, approaching, “that the ice is rather thick for us; but it don’t much matter, it will only delay us a bit—and at any rate we’ll make good way as far as the point.”
“True, true,” said Stanley; “and it’s a great matter to get fairly started. Once off we must go forward. All ready, lads?”
“Ay, ay, sir.”
“Now, Frank, into your canoe and show us the way; mind we trust to your guidance to keep us clear of blind alleys41 among these lanes of water in the ice.”
At this moment Edith—who had been for the last few minutes occupied in alternately drying her eyes and kissing her hands to a group of little children who had been her play-fellows during her sojourn42 at the fort—uttered a loud exclamation43.
“Oh! oh! papa, mamma—Chimo!—we’ve forgot Chimo! Oh me! don’t go away yet!”
“So we have!” said her father; “dear me, how stupid to forget our old friend!—Hallo! Frank, Frank, we’ve forgot the dog,” shouted Stanley to his young comrade, who was on the point of starting.
On hearing this, Frank gave a long, shrill44 whistle. “That’ll bring him if he’s within ear-shot.”
When the well-known sound broke upon Chimo’s ear, he was lying coiled up in front of the kitchen fire, being privileged to do so in consequence of his position as Edith’s favourite. The cook, having gone out a few minutes previously45, had left Chimo to enjoy his slumbers46 in solitude47, so that, when he started suddenly to his feet on hearing Frank’s whistle, he found himself a prisoner. But Chimo was a peculiarly strong-minded and strong-bodied dog, and was possessed49 of an iron will! He was of the Esquimau breed, and bore some resemblance to the Newfoundland, but was rather shorter in the legs, longer in the body, and more powerfully made. Moreover, he was more shaggy, and had a stout50, blunt, straightforward51 appearance, which conveyed to the beholder52 the idea that he scorned flattery, and would not consent to be petted on any consideration. Indeed this was the case, for he always turned away with quiet contempt from any of the men who attempted to fondle him. He made an exception, however, of little Edith, whom he not only permitted to clap him to any extent, but deliberately53 invited her to do so by laying his great head in her lap, rubbing himself against her, and wagging his bushy tail, as if to say, “Now, little girl, do what you will with me!” And Eda never refused the animal’s dumb-show request. When she was very young and had not much sense—at which time Chimo was young too, but possessed of a great deal of sense—she formed a strong affection for the Esquimau dog, an affection which she displayed by putting her little arms round his neck and hugging him until he felt a tendency to suffocation54; she also pulled his ears and tail, and stuffed her fat little hands into his eyes and mouth,—all of which dreadful actions she seemed to think, in her childish ignorance, must be very pleasant to Chimo, and all of which the dog appeared really to enjoy. At all events, whether he liked it or not, he came regularly to have himself thus treated every day. As Eda grew older she left off choking her favourite and poking55 out his eyes, and contented56 herself with caressing57 him. Chimo also evinced a partiality for Mr Stanley and Frank Morton, and often accompanied the latter on his hunting excursions; but he always comported58 himself towards them with dignified59 hauteur60, accepting their caresses61 with a slight wag of acknowledgment, but never courting their favour.
On jumping up, as we have already said, and observing that the door was shut, the dog looked slowly and calmly round the apartment, as if to decide on what was best to be done; for Chimo was a dog of great energy of character, and was never placed in any circumstances in which he did not pursue some decided62 course of action. On the present occasion there was not a hole, except the key-hole, by which he could hope to make his escape. Yes, by-the-bye, there was a hole in the window, which was made of parchment; but as that was merely the bullet-hole through which the animal that had given his skin for a window had been shot, and was not larger than a shilling, it did not afford much hope. Nevertheless Chimo regarded it with a steady gaze for a minute or two, then he turned to the fire, and having satisfied himself that the chimney was impracticable, being full of flames and smoke, he faced the window once more, and showed his teeth, as if in chagrin63.
“Whew-ew! Chimo-o-o!” came Frank’s voice, floating faintly from afar. Chimo took aim at the bullet-hole. One vigorous bound—a horrible crash, that nearly caused the returning cook to faint—and the dog was free.
“Ah, here he comes!—good dog!” cried Frank, as the animal came bounding over intervening obstacles towards the canoes. Chimo made straight for the small canoe, in answer to his master’s call; but, like many dogs and not a few men, he owned a higher power than that of a master. The voice of his little mistress sounded sweetly in his ear, like the sound of a silver bell. “O Chimo, Chimo! my darling pet! come here—here.” It was a soft, tiny voice at the loudest, and was quite drowned amid the talking and laughter of the men, but Chimo heard it. Turning at a sharp angle from his course, he swept past the light canoe, and bounding into that of Mr Stanley, lay down beside Eda and placed his head in her lap, where it was immediately smothered64 in the caresses of its young mistress.
Mr Stanley smiled and patted his little girl on the shoulder, as he said, “That’s right, Eda; the love of a faithful dog is worth having and cherishing.” Then turning towards the stern of the canoe, where Massan stood erect65, with his steering66 paddle ready for action, he said to that worthy—
“Now, Massan, all ready; give the word.”
“Ho, ho, boys; forward!”
The paddles dipped simultaneously67 in the water with a loud, gurgling sound; the two large canoes shot out into the stream abreast68 of each other, preceded by the light one, which, urged forward by the powerful arms of Frank and the two Indians, led the way among the floating fields of ice. The people on shore took off their caps and waved a last farewell. Dick Prince, who possessed a deep, loud, sonorous69 voice, began one of those beautiful and wild yet plaintive70 songs peculiar48 to the voyageurs of the wilderness71. The men joined, with a full, rich swell72, in the chorus, as they darted73 forward with arrow-like speed—and the voyage began.
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1
temperate
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| adj.温和的，温带的，自我克制的，不过分的 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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3
burnished
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| adj.抛光的，光亮的v.擦亮（金属等），磨光( burnish的过去式和过去分词 )；被擦亮，磨光 | |
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4
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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spires
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| n.（教堂的） 塔尖，尖顶( spire的名词复数 ) | |
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6
minarets
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| n.（清真寺旁由报告祈祷时刻的人使用的）光塔( minaret的名词复数 ) | |
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7
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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villas
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| 别墅，公馆( villa的名词复数 )； （城郊）住宅 | |
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picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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10
assail
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| v.猛烈攻击，抨击，痛斥 | |
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11
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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12
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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13
almighty
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| adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的 | |
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14
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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15
oblivious
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| adj.易忘的，遗忘的，忘却的，健忘的 | |
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16
embark
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| vi.乘船，着手，从事，上飞机 | |
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frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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18
wharf
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| n.码头，停泊处 | |
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19
plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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20
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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judicious
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| adj.明智的，明断的，能作出明智决定的 | |
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dart
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| v.猛冲，投掷；n.飞镖，猛冲 | |
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23
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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24
dispositions
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| 安排( disposition的名词复数 )； 倾向； （财产、金钱的）处置； 气质 | |
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25
embarkation
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| n. 乘船, 搭机, 开船 | |
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26
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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27
divest
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| v.脱去，剥除 | |
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28
hoods
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| n.兜帽( hood的名词复数 )；头巾；（汽车、童车等的）折合式车篷；汽车发动机罩v.兜帽( hood的第三人称单数 )；头巾；（汽车、童车等的）折合式车篷；汽车发动机罩 | |
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29
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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31
thongs
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| 的东西 | |
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ornamented
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| adj.花式字体的v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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quills
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| n.（刺猬或豪猪的）刺( quill的名词复数 )；羽毛管；翮；纡管 | |
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35
porcupine
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| n.豪猪， 箭猪 | |
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divested
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| v.剥夺( divest的过去式和过去分词 )；脱去（衣服）；2。从…取去…；1。（给某人）脱衣服 | |
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37
dubiously
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| adv.可疑地，怀疑地 | |
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38
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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40
ebb
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| vi.衰退，减退；n.处于低潮，处于衰退状态 | |
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41
alleys
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| 胡同，小巷( alley的名词复数 )； 小径 | |
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42
sojourn
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| v./n.旅居，寄居；逗留 | |
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43
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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44
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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45
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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46
slumbers
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| 睡眠，安眠( slumber的名词复数 ) | |
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47
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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48
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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49
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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51
straightforward
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| adj.正直的，坦率的；易懂的，简单的 | |
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52
beholder
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| n.观看者，旁观者 | |
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53
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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54
suffocation
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| n.窒息 | |
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55
poking
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| n. 刺，戳，袋 vt. 拨开，刺，戳 vi. 戳，刺，捅，搜索，伸出，行动散慢 | |
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56
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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57
caressing
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| 爱抚的，表现爱情的，亲切的 | |
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58
comported
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| v.表现( comport的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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59
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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hauteur
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| n.傲慢 | |
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caresses
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| 爱抚，抚摸( caress的名词复数 ) | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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chagrin
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| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
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64
smothered
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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65
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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66
steering
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| n.操舵装置 | |
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simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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abreast
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| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
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sonorous
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| adj.响亮的，回响的；adv.圆润低沉地；感人地；n.感人，堂皇 | |
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70
plaintive
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| adj.可怜的，伤心的 | |
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71
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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72
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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73
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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