CHAPTER XXXI
THE RETURN TO THE "FORWARD"
About six in the morning, the wind suddenly shifted north, and became calm. The sky cleared, and the first glimmer of twilight silvered the horizon, to be succeeded in a few days by the golden rays of the sun.
Hatteras went up to his dejected companions, and said in a gentle, sad voice:
"My friends, we are more than sixty miles still from the spot mentioned by Belcher. We have just barely enough food to last us back to the ship. To go farther would be to expose ourselves to certain death, without profit to anyone. We will retrace our steps."
"You have come to a good resolution, Hatteras, I think," said the Doctor. "I would have followed you wherever you had chosen to go: but our strength is diminishing day by day, and we can scarcely drag one leg after the other. I heartily approve of your decision."
"And you are of the same mind, Bell?" asked Hatteras.
"Yes, captain I am," was the reply.
"Very well, then," return Hatteras, "we will give ourselves two days' rest. That is not too much. The sledge is in great need of repair. I think our best plan will be to make a snow-hut, to shelter us till we are ready to begin our journey back."
This point settled, all three set to work with ardor, and soon built up a hut at the bottom of the ravine where they had last halted.
It must have cost Hatteras a tremendous struggle to relinquish his project. All this toil and trouble wasted, and one man's life into the bargain! And how would he be received by the crew, returning thus empty handed? But Hatteras felt he could not hold out longer.
He gave all his attention now to the thorough repair of the sledge. It had not more than 200 lbs. weight to carry, and was soon brought into working trim. The worn-out, tattered garments were mended, and new snow shoes and moccasins replaced the old ones, which were no longer wearable. These necessary occupations took up one entire day and the morning of another, the poor fellows resting themselves at the same time after their sore fatigues, and trying to get up their strength for the weary march back.
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