The party did not arrive at Fort Hope until the 28th, after a most arduous1 journey. They had now nothing to depend on but the boat, and that they could not use until the sea was open, which would not be for six months.
Preparations for another winter were therefore made. The sledges2 were unloaded, the provisions put back in the pantry, and the clothes, arms, furs, &c., in the magazines. The dogs returned to their dog-house, and the reindeer3 to their stable.
Great was the despair of Thomas Black at this return to seclusion4. The poor astronomer5 carried his instruments, his books, and his MSS. back to his room, and more angry than ever with “the evil fate which pursued him,” he held himself aloof6 from everything which went on in the factory.
All were again settled at their usual winter avocations7 the day after their arrival, and the monotonous8 winter life once more commenced. Needlework, mending the clothes, taking care of the furs, some of which might yet be saved, the observation of the weather, the examination of the ice-field, and reading aloud, were the daily occupations. Mrs Barnett was, as before, the leader in everything, and her influence was everywhere felt. If, as sometimes happened, now that all were uneasy about the future, a slight disagreement occurred between any of the soldiers, a few words from Mrs Barnett soon set matters straight, for she had acquired wonderful power over the little world in which she moved, and she always used it for the good of the community.
Kalumah had become a great favourite with everybody, for she was always pleasant and obliging. Mrs Barnett had undertaken her education, and she got on quickly, for she was both intelligent and eager to learn. She improved her English speaking, and also taught her to read and write in that language. There were, however, twelve masters for Kalumah, all eager to assist in this branch of her education, as the soldiers had all been taught reading, writing, and arithmetic either in England or in English colonies.
The building of the boat proceeded rapidly, and it was to be planked and decked before the end of the month. Mac-Nab and some of his men worked hard in the darkness outside, with no light but the flames of burning resin9, whilst others were busy making the rigging in the magazines of the factory. Although the season was now far advanced, the weather still remained very undecided. The cold was sometimes intense, but owing to the prevalence of west winds it never lasted long.
Thus passed the whole of December, rain and intermittent10 falls of snow succeeded each other, the temperature meanwhile varying from 26° to 34° Fahrenheit11. The consumption of fuel was moderate, although there was no need to economise it, the reserves being considerable. It was otherwise with the oil, upon which they depended for light, for the stock was getting so low that the Lieutenant12 could at last only allow the lamps to be lit for a few hours every day. He tried using reindeer fat for lighting13 the house, but the smell of it was so unbearable14 that every one preferred being in the dark. All work had of course to be given up for the time, and very tedious did the long dark hours appear.
Some Auror? Borealis and two or three lunar halos appeared at full moon, and Thomas Black might now have minutely observed all these phenomenon, and have made precise calculations on their intensity15, their coloration, connection with the electric state of the atmosphere, and their influence upon the magnetic needle, &c. But the astronomer did not even leave his room. His spirit was completely crushed.
On the 30th December the light of the moon revealed a long circular line of icebergs16 shutting in the horizon on the north and east of Victoria Island. This was the ice-wall, the frozen masses of which were piled up to a height of some three or four hundred feet. Two-thirds of the island were hemmed17 in by this mighty18 barrier, and it seemed probable that the blockade would become yet more complete.
The sky was clear for the first week of January. The new year, 1861, opened with very cold weather, and the column of mercury fell to 8° Fahrenheit. It was the lowest temperature that had yet been experienced in this singular winter, although it was anything but low for such a high latitude19.
The Lieutenant felt it his duty once more to take the latitude and longitude20 of the island by means of stellar observations, and found that its position had not changed at all.
About this time, in spite of all their economy, the oil seemed likely to fail altogether. The sun would not appear above the horizon before early in February, so that there was a month to wait, during which there was a danger of the colonists21 having to remain in complete darkness. Thanks to the young Esquimaux, however, a fresh supply of oil for the lamps was obtained.
On the 3rd January Kalumah walked to Cape22 Bathurst to examine the state of the ice. All along the south of the island the ice-field was very compact, the icicles of which it was composed were more firmly welded together, there were no liquid spaces between them, and the surface of the floe23, though rough, was perfectly24 firm everywhere. This was no doubt caused by the pressure of the chain of icebergs on the horizon, which drove the ice towards the north, and squeezed it against the island.
Although she saw no crevasses25 or rents, the young native noticed many circular holes neatly26 cut in the ice, the use of which she knew perfectly well. They were the holes kept open by seals imprisoned27 beneath the solid crust of ice, and by which they came to the surface to breathe and look for mosses28 under the snow on the coast.
Kalumah knew that in the winter bears will crouch30 patiently near these holes, and watching for the moment when the seal comes out of the water, they rush upon it, hug it to death in their paws, and carry it off. She knew, too, that the Esquimaux, not less patient than the bears, also watch for the appearance of these animals, and throwing a running noose31 over their heads when they push them up, drag them to the surface.
What bears and Esquimaux could do might certainly also be done by skilful32 hunters, and Kalumah hastened back to the fort to tell the Lieutenant of what she had seen, feeling sure that where these holes were seals were not far off.
Hobson sent for the hunters, and the young native described to them the way in which the Esquimaux capture these animals in the winter, and begged them to try.
She had not finished speaking before Sabine had a strong rope with a running noose ready in his hand and accompanied by Hobson, Mrs Barnett, Kalumah, and two or three soldiers, the hunters hurried to Cape Bathurst, and whilst the women remained on the beach, the men made their way to the holes pointed33 out by Kalumah. Each one was provided with a rope, and stationed himself at a different hole.
A long time of waiting ensued — no sign of the seals, but at last the water in the hole Marbre had chosen began to bubble, and a head with long tusks34 appeared. It was that of a walrus35. Marbre flung his running noose skilfully36 over its neck and pulled it tightly. His comrades rushed to his assistance, and with some difficulty the huge beast was dragged upon the ice, and despatched with hatchets37.
It was a great success, and the colonists were delighted with this novel fishing. Other walruses38 were taken in the same way, and furnished plenty of oil, which, though not strictly39 of the right sort, did very well for the lamps, and there was no longer any lack of light in any of the rooms of Fort Hope.
The cold was even now not very severe, and had the colonists been on the American mainland they could only have rejoiced in the mildness of the winter. They were sheltered by the chain of icebergs from the north and west winds, and the month of January passed on with the thermometer never many degrees below freezing point, so that the sea round Victoria Island was never frozen hard. Fissures40 of more or less extent broke the regularity41 of the surface in the offing, as was proved by the continued presence of the ruminants and furred animals near the factory, all of which had become strangely tame, forming in fact part of the menagerie of the colony.
According to Hobson’s orders, all these creatures were unmolested. It would have been useless to kill them, and a reindeer was only occasionally slaughtered42 to obtain a fresh supply of venison. Some of the furred animals even ventured into the enceinte, and they were not driven away. The martens and foxes were in all the splendour of their winter clothing, and under ordinary circumstances would have been of immense value. These rodents43 found plenty of moss29 under the snow, thanks to the mildness of the season, and did not therefore live upon the reserves of the factory.
It was with some apprehensions44 for the future that the end of the winter was awaited, but Mrs Barnett did all in her power to brighten the monotonous existence of her companions in exile.
Only one incident occurred in the month of January, and that one was distressing45 enough. On the 7th, Michael Mac-Nab was taken ill — severe headache, great thirst and alternations of shivering and fever, soon reduced the poor little fellow to a sad state. His mother and father, and indeed all his friends, were in very great trouble. No one knew what to do, as it was impossible to say what his illness was, but Madge, who retained her senses about her, advised cooling drinks and poultices. Kalumah was indefatigable46, remaining day and night by her favourite’s bedside, and refusing to take any rest.
About the third day there was no longer any doubt as to the nature of the malady47. A rash came out all over the child’s body, and it was evident that he had malignant48 scarlatina, which would certainly produce internal inflammation.
Children of a year old are rarely attacked with this terrible disease, but cases do occasionally occur. The medicine-chest of the factory was necessarily insufficiently49 stocked, but Madge, who had nursed several patients through scarlet50 lever, remembered that tincture of belladonna was recommended, and administered one or two drops to the little invalid51 every day. The greatest care was taken lest he should catch cold; he was at once removed to his parents’ room, and the rash soon came out freely. Tiny red points appeared on his tongue, his lips, and even on the globes of his eyes. Two days later his skin assumed a violet hue52, then it became white and fell off in scales.
It was now that double care was required to combat the great internal inflammation, which proved the severity of the attack, Nothing was neglected, the boy was, in fact, admirably nursed, and on the 20th January, twelve days after he was taken ill, he was pronounced out of danger.
Great was the joy in the factory. The baby was the child of the fort, of the regiment53! He was born in the terrible northern latitudes54, in the colony itself, he had been named Michael Hope, and he had come to be regarded as a kind of talisman55 in the dangers and difficulties around, and all felt sure that God would not take him from them.
Poor Kalumah would certainly not have survived him had he died, but he gradually recovered, and fresh hope seemed to come back when he was restored to the little circle.
The 23d of January was now reached, after all these distressing alternations of hope and fear. The situation of Victoria Island had not changed in the least, and it was still wrapped in the gloom of the apparently56 interminable Polar night. Snow fell abundantly for some days, and was piled up on the ground to the height of two feet.
On the 27th a somewhat alarming visit was received at the fort. The soldiers Belcher and Pond, when on guard in front of the enceinte in the morning, saw a huge bear quietly advancing towards the fort. They hurried into the large room, and told Mrs Barnett of the approach of the formidable carnivorous beast.
“Perhaps it is only our bear again,” observed Mrs Barnett to Hobson, and accompanied by him, and followed by the Sergeant57, Sabine, and some soldiers provided with guns,— he fearlessly walked to the postern.
The bear was now about two hundred paces off, and was walking along without hesitation58, as if he had some settled plan in view.
“I know him!” cried Mrs Barnett, “it is your bear, Kalumah, your preserver!”
“Oh, don’t kill my bear!” exclaimed the young Esquimaux.
“He shall not be killed,” said the Lieutenant, “don’t injure him, my good fellows,” he added to the men, “he will probably return as he came.”
“But suppose he intends coming into the enceinte?” said Long, who had his doubts as to the friendly propensities59 of Polar bears.
“Let him come, Sergeant,” said Mrs Barnett, “he is a prisoner like ourselves, and you know prisoners”—
“Don’t eat each other,” added Hobson. “True, but only when they belong to the same species For your sake, however, we will spare this fellow-sufferer, and only defend ourselves if he attack us. I think, however, it will be as prudent60 to go back to the House. We must not put too strong a temptation in the way of our carnivorous friend!”
This was certainly good advice, and all returned to the large room, the windows were closed, but not the shutters61.
Through the panes62 the movements of the visitor were watched. The bear, finding the postern unfastened, quietly pushed open the door, looked in, carefully examined the premises63, and finally entered the enceinte. Having reached the centre, he examined the buildings around him, went towards the reindeer stable and dog-house, listened for a moment to the howlings of the dogs and the uneasy noises made by the reindeer, then continued his walk round the palisade, and at last came and leant his great head against one of the windows of the large room.
To own the truth everybody started back, several of the soldiers seized their guns, and Sergeant Long began to fear he had let the joke go too far.
But Kalumah came forward, and looked through the thin partition with her sweet eyes. The bear seemed to recognise her, at least so she thought, and doubtless satisfied with his inspection64, he gave a hearty65 growl66, and turning away left the enceinte, as Hobson had prophesied67, as he entered it.
This was the bear’s first and last visit to the fort, and on his departure everything went on as quietly as before.
The little boy’s recovery progressed favourably68, and at the end of the month he was as rosy69 and as bright as ever.
At noon on the 3rd of February, the northern horizon was touched with a faint glimmer70 of light which did not fade away for an hour, and the yellow disc of the sun appeared for an instant for the first time since the commencement of the long Polar night.
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1
arduous
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| adj.艰苦的，费力的，陡峭的 | |
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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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reindeer
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| n.驯鹿 | |
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seclusion
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| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
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astronomer
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| n.天文学家 | |
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aloof
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| adj.远离的；冷淡的，漠不关心的 | |
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avocations
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| n.业余爱好，嗜好( avocation的名词复数 )；职业 | |
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monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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resin
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| n.树脂，松香，树脂制品；vt.涂树脂 | |
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intermittent
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| adj.间歇的，断断续续的 | |
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Fahrenheit
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| n./adj.华氏温度；华氏温度计(的) | |
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lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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unbearable
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| adj.不能容忍的；忍受不住的 | |
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intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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icebergs
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| n.冰山，流冰( iceberg的名词复数 ) | |
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hemmed
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| 缝…的褶边( hem的过去式和过去分词 )； 包围 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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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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longitude
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| n.经线，经度 | |
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colonists
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| n.殖民地开拓者，移民，殖民地居民( colonist的名词复数 ) | |
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cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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floe
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| n.大片浮冰 | |
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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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crevasses
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| n.破口，崩溃处，裂缝( crevasse的名词复数 ) | |
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neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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mosses
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| n. 藓类, 苔藓植物 名词moss的复数形式 | |
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moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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crouch
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| v.蹲伏，蜷缩，低头弯腰；n.蹲伏 | |
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noose
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| n.绳套，绞索（刑）；v.用套索捉；使落入圈套；处以绞刑 | |
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skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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tusks
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| n.（象等动物的）长牙( tusk的名词复数 )；獠牙；尖形物；尖头 | |
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walrus
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| n.海象 | |
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skilfully
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| adv. (美skillfully)熟练地 | |
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hatchets
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| n.短柄小斧( hatchet的名词复数 )；恶毒攻击；诽谤；休战 | |
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walruses
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| n.海象( walrus的名词复数 ) | |
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strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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fissures
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| n.狭长裂缝或裂隙( fissure的名词复数 )；裂伤；分歧；分裂v.裂开( fissure的第三人称单数 ) | |
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regularity
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| n.规律性，规则性；匀称，整齐 | |
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42
slaughtered
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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rodents
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| n.啮齿目动物( rodent的名词复数 ) | |
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apprehensions
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| 疑惧 | |
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distressing
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| a.使人痛苦的 | |
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indefatigable
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| adj.不知疲倦的，不屈不挠的 | |
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47
malady
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| n.病，疾病(通常做比喻) | |
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48
malignant
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| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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49
insufficiently
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| adv.不够地，不能胜任地 | |
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50
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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invalid
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| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
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hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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53
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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54
latitudes
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| 纬度 | |
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55
talisman
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| n.避邪物，护身符 | |
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56
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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57
sergeant
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| n.警官，中士 | |
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58
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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propensities
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| n.倾向，习性( propensity的名词复数 ) | |
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prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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61
shutters
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| 百叶窗( shutter的名词复数 )； （照相机的）快门 | |
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panes
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| 窗玻璃( pane的名词复数 ) | |
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premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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prophesied
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| v.预告，预言( prophesy的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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68
favourably
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| adv. 善意地，赞成地 =favorably | |
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69
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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glimmer
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| v.发出闪烁的微光；n.微光，微弱的闪光 | |
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