Jean Cornbutte’s plan was naturally traced out. He counted on stopping at the Fero? Islands, whither the north wind might have carried the castaways; then, if he was convinced that they had not been received in any of the ports of that locality, he would continue his search beyond the Northern Ocean, ransack5 the whole western coast of Norway as far as Bodo?, the place nearest the scene of the shipwreck; and, if necessary, farther still.
André Vasling thought, contrary to the captain’s opinion, that the coast of Iceland should be explored; but Penellan observed that, at the time of the catastrophe6, the gale7 came from the west; which, while it gave hope that the unfortunates had not been forced towards the gulf8 of the Ma?lstrom, gave ground for supposing that they might have been thrown on the Norwegian coast.
It was determined9, then, that this coast should be followed as closely as possible, so as to recognize any traces of them that might appear.
The day after sailing, Jean Cornbutte, intent upon a map, was absorbed in reflection, when a small hand touched his shoulder, and a soft voice said in his ear —
“Have good courage, uncle.”
He turned, and was stupefied. Marie embraced him.
“Marie, my daughter, on board!” he cried.
“The wife may well go in search of her husband, when the father embarks10 to save his child.”
“Unhappy Marie! How wilt11 thou support our fatigues12! Dost thou know that thy presence may be injurious to our search?”
“No, uncle, for I am strong.”
“Who knows whither we shall be forced to go, Marie? Look at this map. We are approaching places dangerous even for us sailors, hardened though we are to the difficulties of the sea. And thou, frail13 child?”
“But, uncle, I come from a family of sailors. I am used to stories of combats and tempests. I am with you and my old friend Penellan!”
“Penellan! It was he who concealed14 you on board?”
“Yes, uncle; but only when he saw that I was determined to come without his help.”
“Penellan!” cried Jean.
Penellan entered.
“It is not possible to undo15 what you have done, Penellan; but remember that you are responsible for Marie’s life.”
“Rest easy, captain,” replied Penellan. “The little one has force and courage, and will be our guardian16 angel. And then, captain, you know it is my theory, that all in this world happens for the best.”
The young girl was installed in a cabin, which the sailors soon got ready for her, and which they made as comfortable as possible.
A week later the “Jeune–Hardie” stopped at the Fero? Islands, but the most minute search was fruitless. Mo wreck4, or fragments of a ship had come upon these coasts. Even the news of the event was quite unknown. The brig resumed its voyage, after a stay of ten days, about the 10th of June. The sea was calm, and the winds were favourable. The ship sped rapidly towards the Norwegian coast, which it explored without better result.
Jean Cornbutte determined to proceed to Bodo?. Perhaps he would there learn the name of the shipwrecked schooner17 to succour which Louis and the sailors had sacrificed themselves.
On the 30th of June the brig cast anchor in that port.
The authorities of Bodo? gave Jean Cornbutte a bottle found on the coast, which contained a document bearing these words:—
“This 26th April, on board the ‘Fro?ern,’ after being accosted18 by the long-boat of the ‘Jeune–Hardie,’ we were drawn19 by the currents towards the ice. God have pity on us!”
Jean Cornbutte’s first impulse was to thank Heaven. He thought himself on his son’s track. The “Fro?ern” was a Norwegian sloop20 of which there had been no news, but which had evidently been drawn northward21.
Not a day was to be lost. The “Jeune–Hardie” was at once put in condition to brave the perils22 of the polar seas. Fidèle Misonne, the carpenter, carefully examined her, and assured himself that her solid construction might resist the shock of the ice-masses.
Penellan, who had already engaged in whale-fishing in the arctic waters, took care that woollen and fur coverings, many sealskin moccassins, and wood for the making of sledges23 with which to cross the ice-fields were put on board. The amount of provisions was increased, and spirits and charcoal24 were added; for it might be that they would have to winter at some point on the Greenland coast. They also procured25, with much difficulty and at a high price, a quantity of lemons, for preventing or curing the scurvy27, that terrible disease which decimates crews in the icy regions. The ship’s hold was filled with salt meat, biscuits, brandy, &c., as the steward’s room no longer sufficed. They provided themselves, moreover, with a large quantity of “pemmican,” an Indian preparation which concentrates a great deal of nutrition within a small volume.
By order of the captain, some saws were put on board for cutting the ice-fields, as well as picks and wedges for separating them. The captain determined to procure26 some dogs for drawing the sledges on the Greenland coast.
The whole crew was engaged in these preparations, and displayed great activity. The sailors Aupic, Gervique, and Gradlin zealously28 obeyed Penellan’s orders; and he admonished29 them not to accustom30 themselves to woollen garments, though the temperature in this latitude31, situated32 just beyond the polar circle, was very low.
Penellan, though he said nothing, narrowly watched every action of André Vasling. This man was Dutch by birth, came from no one knew whither, but was at least a good sailor, having made two voyages on board the “Jeune–Hardie”. Penellan would not as yet accuse him of anything, unless it was that he kept near Marie too constantly, but he did not let him out of his sight.
Thanks to the energy of the crew, the brig was equipped by the 16th of July, a fortnight after its arrival at Bodo?. It was then the favourable season for attempting explorations in the Arctic Seas. The thaw33 had been going on for two months, and the search might be carried farther north. The “Jeune–Hardie” set sail, and directed her way towards Cape34 Brewster, on the eastern coast of Greenland, near the 70th degree of latitude.
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1
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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shipwreck
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| n.船舶失事，海难 | |
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wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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ransack
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| v.彻底搜索，洗劫 | |
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catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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gulf
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| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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embarks
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| 乘船( embark的第三人称单数 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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fatigues
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| n.疲劳( fatigue的名词复数 )；杂役；厌倦；（士兵穿的）工作服 | |
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frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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undo
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| vt.解开，松开；取消，撤销 | |
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guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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schooner
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| n.纵帆船 | |
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accosted
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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sloop
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| n.单桅帆船 | |
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northward
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| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
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perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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sledges
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| n.雪橇，雪车( sledge的名词复数 )v.乘雪橇( sledge的第三人称单数 )；用雪橇运载 | |
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charcoal
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| n.炭，木炭，生物炭 | |
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procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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scurvy
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| adj.下流的，卑鄙的，无礼的；n.坏血病 | |
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zealously
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| adv.热心地；热情地；积极地；狂热地 | |
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admonished
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| v.劝告( admonish的过去式和过去分词 )；训诫；（温和地）责备；轻责 | |
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accustom
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| vt.使适应，使习惯 | |
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31
latitude
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| n.纬度，行动或言论的自由(范围)，(pl.)地区 | |
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32
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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thaw
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| v.（使）融化，（使）变得友善；n.融化，缓和 | |
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cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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