Adrift in Pacific and Other Great Adventures – 17 Titles in One Volume (Illustrated Edition). Jules VerneЧитать онлайн книгу.
and store-room had to be closed against them. An invasion of beasts made fierce by hunger was a formidable affair. However, Fan gave the alarm in time, and they did not force their way into French Den.
Under these unfortunate conditions Moko was obliged to attack the provisions from the yacht, which it had been agreed to make last as long as possible. Gordon never gave his permission willingly for them to be used, and it was with disgust he saw his column of expenses lengthening while that of his receipts remained stationary. However, as there was a large stock of ducks and bustards which had been sealed in casks after being half cooked, Moko was able to make use of them, in addition to a certain quantity of salmon preserved in brine. But it should not be forgotten that French Den had fifteen mouths to satisfy, and these with appetites of from eight to fourteen years old.
Nevertheless, during this winter, there was not an entire want of fresh meat. Wilcox, who was quite an expert in trapping, kept several " figure of 4 " traps going on the river-bank with success, and with the aid of his companions he rigged up a few vertical nets on high sticks, in the meshes of which the birds flying across the stream from South Moors were often caught ; and although most of them got away, yet occasionally enough were taken to form a welcome addition to the day's two meals.
On the 9th of July, when Briant went out first thing in the morning, he found that the wind had suddenly got back to the south.
The cold had become so keen that Briant at once went into the hall, and told Gordon of the change of temperature.
" That is what I feared," said Gordon, " and I shall not be surprised if we have to put up with several months of very severe winter."
" That would show," said Briant, " that the yacht drifted much farther to the south than we supposed."
" Doubtless," said Gordon; " but our atlas has no island like this on the boundary of the Antarctic Ocean !"
" Really I do not know where we shall go if we manage to leave Charman Island."
" Leave our island ! " exclaimed Gordon. " Are you always thinking of that ? "
" Always ! " said Briant " If we could build a boat that would be seaworthy, I should not hesitate to go on a voyage of discovery."
" All right ! " said Gordon. " But there is no hurry. Wait a little till we have got our colony into order."
" Eh ! " said Briant. " You forget we have left behind us our fathers and mothers."
" Of course—of course— " said Gordon. " But we are not so badly off here I We are getting on, and I am beginning to ask myself what it is we have not got."
" Many things, Gordon," said Briant, not caring to prolong the conversation on this subject. " For instance, we are running short of fuel."
" Oh ! all the forests in the island are not yet burnt."
" No. But we ought to replenish our stock of wood, for it is nearly at an end."
" We'll see about that to-day. What does the thermometer register ? "
The thermometer in the store-room showed only 41° , although the stove was doing its best. But when the instrument had been taken outside, and exposed against the outer wall, it went down to zero.
This cold was intense, and it would certainly increase if the weather remained clear and dry for a few weeks. Already, notwithstanding the roaring of the stoves in the hall, and the cooking-range, the temperature went down in the interior of French Den.
About nine o'clock, after breakfast, it was decided to be off to Trap Woods, and bring in a stock of fuel.
When the atmosphere is calm the lowest temperature can be supported. It is during the bitter wind that hands and face are frost-bitten, and life is in danger. Fortunately, on this day the wind was extremely feeble, and the sky without a cloud, as if the air was frozen. In place of the soft snow into which the night before the legs would sink, the surface was now as hard as iron, and to avoid falling the boys had to walk as carefully as if they were on Family Lake or Zealand River, which were now entirely frozen over. With a few pairs of snow-shoes, such as are used by the natives of polar regions, or even with a sledge drawn by dogs or reindeer, the lake could have been explored from north to south in a few hours.
But no such long expedition was intended to-day. To go to the neighbouring forest to replenish the stock of fuel, that was the immediate necessity; and to bring a sufficient quantity to the cave would be arduous work, if it had to J>e transported in the arms or on the back. But Moko had an idea which he proceeded to put into execution. The big table in the store-room, strongly built, and measuring twelve feet in length by four in breadth, would that not do for a sledge if the legs were turned uppermost? Why, certainly, and that is what was done; and with four of the bigger boys dragging it by cords attached to its legs, the departure was made to Trap Woods.
The little ones, with red noses and healthy cheeks, frisked along in front, and Fan set them the example. Occasionally they caught hold of the table, not without disputes and running fights, but all in fun, and at the risk only of a fall, which could do them no harm. Their shouts resounded with extraordinary clearness in the cold, dry atmosphere. And, in truth, it was quite refreshing to see all the little colony in good humour and good health.
Everything was white as far as the eye could see between Auckland Hill and Family Lake. The trees, with their rimy branches loaded with glittering crystals, rose near and far in masses, as in a faery garden. Over the surface of the lake the birds flew in flocks. Donagan and Cross had not forgotten to bring their guns with them—a wise precaution, for footprints were noticed that must have been made by other wild animals than jackals, cougars, and jaguars.
" Perhaps they are the wild cats they call 'pajeros', " said Gordon.
" Oh! " said Costar, shrugging his shoulders, " if they are only cats—"
" And tigers are only cats," said Jenkins.
" Is it true, Service," asked Costar, " that these cats are dangerous ? "
" Quite true," said Service. " And they scrag little boys as easily as they do mice."
And the answer made Costar rather uneasy.
The half-mile between French Den and Trap Woods was soon accomplished, and the young wood-cutters got to work. The axe was only laid to such trees as were of a certain size; these were stripped of their smaller branches, so as to yield not only faggots which would blaze away in a moment, but good-sized blocks that would come in useful for the stoves and range. Then the table-sledge was heavily loaded, but it slipped
along so easily that before twelve o'clock it had made two journeys.
After a meal the work went on till four o'clock, when the day began to close in. It was tiring work, and, as there was no need to carry anything to excess, Gordon called the boys off, intending to return in the morning. And when Gordon ordered they had to obey.
Besides, as soon as they returned to French Den, they could employ themselves in sawing the blocks, splitting them, and stowing them away, and that would occupy them till it was time to go to bed.
For six days this wood-cutting went on without a break, and enough fuel was collected to last for many weeks. Of course, all this wood could not be stowed in the store-room; but there was no reason why the greater part should not remain in safety against the cliff near the door.
The 15th of July, according to the almanac, was St. Swithin's Day.
" Then," said Briant, " as it rains to-day, are we going to have forty days' rain ? "
But the rain did not continue, the wind returned to the south-east, and it became so cold that Gordon would not allow any of the little ones to set foot out of doors.
In the first week in August the thermometer sank to 14° below zero, and the breath of those who for a moment exposed themselves to the air condensed into snow. The hand could not touch a piece of metal without a sharp pain as of burning. Care had to be taken to keep the temperature indoors sufficiently high.
A most painful fortnight followed. All