Of all the changes that constantly vary the face of nature, the calm that succeeds a storm is one of the most beautiful, and the most agreeable, perhaps, to the feelings of man. Few conditions of nature convey to the mind more thoroughly3 the idea of complete repose4—of deep rest after mortal strife5, of sleep after exhausting toil6; and those who have passed through the violence of the storm and done battle with its dangers are, by the physical rest which they enjoy after it is over, the more fitted to appreciate and sympathise with the repose which reigns7 around them.
When the sun rose, on the morning after the storm, it shone upon a scene so calm and beautiful, so utterly8 unconnected with anything like the sin of a fallen world, and so typical, in its deep tranquillity9, of the mind of Him who created it, that it seemed almost possible for a moment to fancy that the promised land was gained at last, and that all the dark clouds, the storms and dangers, the weary journeyings and the troubles of the wilderness10, were past and gone for ever. So glorious was the scene that when Edith, rising from her rude couch and stepping over the prostrate11 forms of her still slumbering12 companions, issued from the shelter of the canoe and cast her eyes abroad upon the glassy sea, she could not restrain her feelings, and uttered a thrilling shout of joy that floated over the waters and reverberated13 among the glittering crags of the surrounding icebergs14.
The island on which the travellers had been cast was a mere16 knoll17 of sand, not more than a few hundred yards in circumference18, that scarcely raised its rounded summit above the level of the water, and at full tide was reduced to a mere speck19, utterly destitute20 of vegetation. The sea around it was now smooth and clear as glass, though undulated by a long, regular swell21, which rolled, at slow, solemn intervals22, in majestic23 waves towards the sand-bank, where they hovered24 for a moment in curved walls of dark-green water, then, lipping over, at their crests25, fell in a roar of foam26 that hissed27 a deep sigh on the pebbles28 of the beach, and left the silence greater than before. Masses of ice floated here and there on the surface of the deep, the edges and fantastic points of which were tipped with light. Not far from the northern extremity29 of the sand-bank a large iceberg15 had grounded, from the sides of which several pinnacles30 had been hurled31 by the shock and now lay stranded32 on the beach.
The shout with which Edith had welcomed the morning roused the whole party, and in a few minutes they were all assembled outside of their little hut, some admiring the scene, others—of a less enthusiastic and more practical turn—examining the circumstances of their position, and considering the best course that should be pursued in their difficulty.
Mr Stanley, Dick Prince, and Massan, as was their wont33, held a council upon the existing state of things, and after much gazing round at the sea and up at the sky, and considerable grunting34 of his deep voice and rubbing of his capacious chin, on the part of the latter, he turned to Dick Prince, as if appealing to his superior sagacity, and said—
“Well, ye see, my ’pinion’s jist this: yonder’s the mainland there” (pointing to the eastward35, where, about ten miles distant, the rocks and trees were seen distorted and faintly looming36 through a tremulous haze), “an’ there’s our canoes there” (jerking his thumb over his shoulder in the direction of the large canoes, whose torn sides and damaged ribs37, as they lay exposed on the sand, bore sad testimony38 to the violence of the previous night’s storm), “and there’s the little canoe yonder,” (glancing towards the craft in question, which lay on the beach a hopelessly-destroyed mass of splinters and shreds39 of bark that projected and bristled40 in all directions, as in uncontrollable amazement41 at the suddenness and entirety of its own destruction). “Now, that bein’ the case, an’ the baggage all wet, an’ the day parfitly beautiful, an’ the sun about hot enough to bile the sea, we can’t do better nor stay where we are, an’ mend the canoes, dry the goods, an’ start fair to-morrow mornin’.”
Stanley looked at Prince, as if expecting a remark from him; but the grave countenance42 of the silent bowman indicated that he was absorbed in contemplation.
“’Tis quite evident, Massan,” said Stanley, “that we must repair the canoes; but a few hours could do that, and I don’t like the idea of staying another night on a strip of sand like this, which, I verily believe, another stiff nor’-wester would blow away altogether.—But what say you, Prince? Do you advise our remaining?”
“Yes,” replied Dick, “I do. Ye see there’s no fear of another storm soon. ’Tis a good chance for dryin’ the goods, so I vote for stoppin’.”
“Well, then, we shall stay,” replied Stanley. “To say truth, I agreed with you at first, Massan, but it’s always advisable to look at both sides of a question—”
“Yes, and ‘in the multitude of counsellors there is wisdom,’” said Frank Morton, coming up at the moment, and tapping his friend on the shoulder. “If you will include me in your confabulation, you shall have the benefit of deep experience and far-sighted sagacity.”
“Come, then, Master Frank,” replied Stanley, “what does your sagacity advise on the point of our staying on this sandbank? Shall we spend another night on it in order to dry the goods, or shall we up and away to terra firma as soon as the canoes are seaworthy?”
“Stay, of course,” said Frank. “As to the sand-bank, ’tis firm enough, to my mind, after resisting the shock of the wave that dashed me ashore43 last night. Then we have everything we need—shelter and food, and even fuel.” As Frank mentioned the last word, he glanced round with a rueful countenance and pointed44 to the bark and timbers of his broken canoe.
“True, Frank, we have wherewith to boil the kettle, and as the water-cask was full when we started yesterday morning, there will be enough at least for one or two days.”
“By the way, that reminds me that Eda and your wife are particularly desirous of having breakfast,” said Frank. “In fact they sent me specially45 to lay their melancholy46 case before you; and I have great fears that Eda will lay violent hands on the raw pork if her morning meal is delayed much longer. As for Chimo, he is rushing about the island in a state of ravenous47 despair; so pray let us be going.”
“Be it so, Frank,” said Stanley, taking his friend’s arm, and sauntering towards the canoe, while Massan and Prince went to inform their comrades of the determination of their leader.
In an hour after the above discourse48 breakfast was over, and the men, under Stanley’s inspection49, arranged and examined the baggage, which, considering that it had been rolled about by the surf for a considerable time, was not so much soaked as might have been expected. The two kegs of gunpowder50 were first inspected, being the most valuable part of the cargo51, as on them depended much of their future livelihood52. They were found to be quite dry, except a small portion of powder at the seams of the staves, which, having caked with the moisture, had saved the rest from damage. Some of the bales, however, containing knives and other hardware, were very wet, and had to be opened out and their contents wiped and spread out to dry. Blankets, too, and other woollen garments that had suffered, were also spread out on the sand, so that in a short time the little island was quite covered with a strange assortment53 of miscellaneous articles, that gave to it the appearance of a crowded store. The entire wealth of the fur-traders was now exposed to view, and it may perhaps be interesting to enumerate54 the different articles, in order to give some idea of the outfit55 deemed necessary on such an expedition.
And, first, there were two kegs of gunpowder, as before mentioned, containing each thirty pounds, with four bags of ball and three of shot of various sizes—in all, about 250 pounds of lead. Six nets of four and a half inch mesh56. A large quantity of twine57 for making nets—most of the men being able to construct these useful articles. A small bag of gun-flints. Sixty pounds of roll tobacco. Twelve large axes. Six augers. Seven dozen scalping-knives. Six pounds of variously-coloured beads59. Two dozen fire-steels, and a pretty large assortment of awls, needles, thread, nails, and such like small articles, which, though extremely useful, were too numerous and comparatively insignificant61 to mention in detail. Besides these, there was a small bale containing gaudy62 ornaments63 and attractive articles, which were intended as propitiatory64 presents to the Esquimaux when they should be met with. Then there were two runlets of salt pork, containing about ninety pounds each, and in the centre of each runlet were two hams. A barrel of flour and a barrel of oatmeal constituted all their provision, if we except a small cask of hard biscuit, and a little tea and sugar, which were the private property of Stanley and Frank Morton. There was also a large deerskin tent, capable of holding from twenty to thirty men, which was intended to be used while they were engaged in building their winter residence at Ungava. As to arms, each man had one of the long single-barrelled fowling-pieces that are supplied by the Fur Company to the natives, and are styled Indian guns. Stanley had a double-barrelled flint fowling-piece; and Frank had a rifle, besides a single gun of a description somewhat finer than that supplied to the Indians. Of course each man carried a scalping-knife and an axe58 in his belt, not for the purpose of self-defence, but for carving65 their food and cutting their fuel.
It may be well to remark here that the goods and provisions which we have detailed above were merely intended as a supply for their immediate66 necessities, and to enable them to commence active operations at once on arriving at their destination, while the heavy stores and goods necessary for the year’s trade were to be forwarded in a small sloop67 from the depot68 direct through Hudson’s Straits to Ungava Bay.
When the work of unpacking69 and exposing the things to dry in the sun was accomplished70, it was long past noon, and high time for dinner; so a fire was lighted by Bryan, who cut up another portion of Frank’s canoe for the purpose. A rasher of pork and a flour cake were disposed of by each of the party in a surprisingly short time, and then the men bestirred themselves in mending the canoes. This was a more troublesome job than they expected, but being accustomed not only to mend but to make canoes, they worked with a degree of skill and diligence that speedily put all to rights. In Massan’s canoe there was a hole large enough, as Bryan remarked, to stick his head through, though it was a “big wan71, an’ no mistake.” Taking up a roll of bark, which was carried with them for the purpose, Massan cut from it a square patch, which he sewed over the hole, using an awl60 for a needle and the fibrous roots of the pine tree, called wattape, for thread. After it was firmly sewed on, the seams were covered with melted gum, and the broken spot was as tight and strong as ever. There were next found several long slits72, one of them fully73 three feet, which were more easily managed, as they merely required to be sewed and covered with gum. Several broken ribs, however, were not so easily repaired. Had there been any wood on the island, Massan’s quick knife would have soon fashioned new ribs; as it was, he had to make the best job he could, by splicing74 the old ones with several pieces abstracted from Frank’s little canoe.
It was sunset before all was put in complete order, the goods repacked, and placed in readiness for a start at daybreak on the following morning. After all was done, the remains75 of the small canoe were converted into a bonfire, round which the tired and hungry travellers assembled to smoke and chat, while supper was being prepared by the indefatigable76 Bryan and his friend La Roche. As the day faded away the stars came out, one by one, until they glittered in millions in the sky, while the glare of the fire became every moment more and more intense as the darkness deepened. It was a strange, wild scene,—especially when viewed from the extremity of the little sand-bank, which was so low as to be almost indiscernible in the dark night, and seemed scarce a sufficient foundation for the little busy group of human beings who stood radiant in the red light of their camp-fire, like a blazing gem1 cast upon the surface of the great, cold sea.
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1
gem
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| n.宝石，珠宝；受爱戴的人 [同]jewel | |
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2
detailed
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| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
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3
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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4
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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6
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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7
reigns
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| n.君主的统治( reign的名词复数 )；君主统治时期；任期；当政期 | |
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8
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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10
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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12
slumbering
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| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的现在分词形式） | |
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13
reverberated
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| 回响，回荡( reverberate的过去式和过去分词 )； 使反响，使回荡，使反射 | |
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14
icebergs
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| n.冰山，流冰( iceberg的名词复数 ) | |
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15
iceberg
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| n.冰山，流冰，冷冰冰的人 | |
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16
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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knoll
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| n.小山，小丘 | |
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circumference
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| n.圆周，周长，圆周线 | |
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19
speck
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| n.微粒，小污点，小斑点 | |
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destitute
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| adj.缺乏的；穷困的 | |
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21
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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23
majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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hovered
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| 鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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crests
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| v.到达山顶（或浪峰）( crest的第三人称单数 )；到达洪峰，达到顶点 | |
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foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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hissed
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| 发嘶嘶声( hiss的过去式和过去分词 )； 发嘘声表示反对 | |
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28
pebbles
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| [复数]鹅卵石； 沙砾； 卵石，小圆石( pebble的名词复数 ) | |
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extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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pinnacles
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| 顶峰( pinnacle的名词复数 )； 顶点； 尖顶； 小尖塔 | |
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hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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32
stranded
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| a.搁浅的，进退两难的 | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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grunting
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| 咕哝的，呼噜的 | |
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eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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looming
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| n.上现蜃景（光通过低层大气发生异常折射形成的一种海市蜃楼）v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的现在分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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ribs
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| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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38
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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shreds
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| v.撕碎，切碎( shred的第三人称单数 )；用撕毁机撕毁（文件） | |
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40
bristled
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| adj. 直立的，多刺毛的 动词bristle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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41
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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42
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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43
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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46
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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ravenous
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| adj.极饿的，贪婪的 | |
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48
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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49
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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50
gunpowder
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| n.火药 | |
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51
cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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52
livelihood
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| n.生计，谋生之道 | |
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53
assortment
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| n.分类，各色俱备之物，聚集 | |
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54
enumerate
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| v.列举，计算，枚举，数 | |
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55
outfit
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| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
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56
mesh
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| n.网孔，网丝，陷阱；vt.以网捕捉，啮合，匹配；vi.适合； [计算机]网络 | |
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57
twine
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| v.搓，织，编饰；（使）缠绕 | |
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58
axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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59
beads
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| n.（空心）小珠子( bead的名词复数 )；水珠；珠子项链 | |
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awl
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| n.尖钻 | |
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61
insignificant
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| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
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gaudy
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| adj.华而不实的；俗丽的 | |
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ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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64
propitiatory
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| adj.劝解的；抚慰的；谋求好感的；哄人息怒的 | |
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carving
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| n.雕刻品，雕花 | |
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66
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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sloop
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| n.单桅帆船 | |
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68
depot
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| n.仓库，储藏处；公共汽车站；火车站 | |
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69
unpacking
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| n.取出货物，拆包[箱]v.从（包裹等）中取出（所装的东西），打开行李取出( unpack的现在分词 )；拆包；解除…的负担；吐露（心事等） | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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71
wan
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| (wide area network)广域网 | |
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72
slits
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| n.狭长的口子，裂缝( slit的名词复数 )v.切开，撕开( slit的第三人称单数 )；在…上开狭长口子 | |
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73
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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74
splicing
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| n.编接（绳）；插接；捻接；叠接v.绞接( splice的现在分词 )；捻接（两段绳子）；胶接；粘接（胶片、磁带等） | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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indefatigable
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| adj.不知疲倦的，不屈不挠的 | |
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