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The next morning at daybreak I bade adieu to the Green Cormorant, and went down to the port, with my kind-hearted host, who insisted on accompanying me to the ship, partly in order to make his mind easy respecting the sincerity of the captain’s repentance, and partly that he might take leave of him, and also of Hurliguerly. A boat was waiting at the quay, and we reached the ship in a few minutes.
Hurliguerly himself was obliged to acknowledge the last fortunate chance upon which he had counted failed us. On the 6th of April we were at the end of our resources; the sea began to threaten, the boat seemed likely to be swallowed up in the angry waves.
He has got out of one bad scrape; he will get out of a second!” I let Hurliguerly have his say, knowing well why the half-breed kept out of the way. That night none of us, I am sure, could sleep. We were smothered in the tents, for lack of oxygen.
“I believe you,” added Drap, “and these derelicts are more dangerous than a rock, for they are now here and again there, and there’s no avoiding them.” Hurliguerly came up at this moment and planted his elbows on the bulwark, alongside of mine. “What do you think of it, boatswain?” I asked. “It is my opinion, Mr.
Hurrah, Dirk, hurrah!” shouted Hurliguerly, and Endicott echoed his exultant cheer. The half-breed had, in fact, reached the boat and raised himself alongside half out of the water. His big, strong hand grasped the side, and at the risk of causing the boat to capsize, he hoisted himself up to the side, stepped over it, and sat down to draw his breath. Almost instantly a shout reached our cars.
On the east the land was prolonged out of sight. Each one of us took in the position. It depended on the current-whether it would carry the iceberg into an eddy which might drive it on the coast, or continue to drift it towards the north. Which was the more admissible hypothesis? Captain Len Guy, West, Hurliguerly, and I talked over the matter, while the crew discussed it among themselves.
When Captain Len Guy, West, and the old sailors of the crew learned that the schooner had cleared the sixty-sixth parallel of latitude, their rough and sunburnt faces shone with satisfaction. The next day, Hurliguerly accosted me on the deck with a broad smile and a cheerful manner. “So then, Mr. Jeorling,” said he, “we’ve left the famous ‘Circle’ behind us!”
It was a pity that his bad instincts had induced him to play such a part, for his strength, skill, and cleverness made him a very valuable man, and he had never proved more useful than under these circumstances. Was he changed for the better? Did he understand that general good feeling was necessary for the safety of all? I know not, but I had no confidence in him, neither had Hurliguerly!
Hurliguerly bore witness that Hunt, for all his awkward and clumsy build, was in himself worth three men. “A famous recruit,” said he. “Yes, indeed,” I replied, “and gained just at the last moment.” “Very true, Mr. Jeorling! But what a face and head he has, that Hunt!”
“And you should have been rewarded by a baptism, Mr. Jeorling. Yes, indeed, but without any big fuss no drum and trumpet about it, and leaving out old Father Neptune with his masquerade. If you would permit me to baptize you ” “So be it, Hurliguerly,” said I, putting my hand into my pocket. “Baptize as you please. Here is something to drink my health with at the nearest tavern.”
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