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Updated: June 27, 2025
Land, which was probably thirty miles west, could alone offer him secure shelter, and he resolved to attempt to reach it. He set out on the 12th of September, accompanied by André Vasling, Penellan, and the two sailors Gradlin and Turquiette.
He went down into the steward's room for some salt meat, which he wished to soak in the boiling water. When he returned, he found André Vasling in his place, cooking some pieces of grease in a basin. "I was there before you," said Penellan roughly; "why have you taken my place?" "For the same reason that you claim it," returned Vasling: "because I want to cook my supper."
"Sooner or later, we must have expected a visit from them. Let us give them a good reception." Penellan, armed with a gun, lightly crossed the ledge which sheltered them. The darkness was very dense; he could discover nothing; but a new incident soon showed him that the cause of the noise did not proceed from around them.
The deepest despair began to overcast the faces of his companions. The loss of the ship inevitably preceded their own deaths. "Courage, friends," said Penellan. "Reflect that this night's disaster has opened us a path across the ice, which will enable us to bring our ship to the bay for wintering! And, stop! I am not mistaken. There is the 'Jeune-Hardie, a mile nearer to us!"
From this moment a vigilant watch was ordered to the look-out men, for it was important not to come into collision with these enormous masses. The crew was divided into two watches. The first was composed of Fidèle Misonne, Gradlin, and Gervique; and the second of Andre Vasling, Aupic, and Penellan.
They climbed upon the block of ice in which the hut was hollowed, and could perceive nothing but the white immensity which encompassed them on all sides. Already the cold was beginning to stiffen their limbs, and the damp of their garments was being transformed into icicles which hung about them. Just as Penellan was about to descend, he looked towards André.
Penellan rose to light the fire, but in getting up, his head struck against the ice ceiling. He was horrified, for on the evening before he could still stand upright. The chafing-dish being lighted up by the dim rays of the spirit, he perceived that the ceiling was a foot lower than before. Penellan resumed work with desperation.
It was necessary, before all, to dry their clothing, which was done with the chafing-dish. The thermometer, held for an instant in the air, descended to thirty degrees below zero. An hour after, Vasling and Penellan resolved to venture outside. They wrapped themselves up in their still wet garments, and went out by the opening, the sides of which had become as hard as a rock.
"Help! help! Herming!" cried the mate. "Help! Penellan!" cried Louis. Steps were heard on the stairs.
"There still remains a way " said Penellan, "to burn what we can of the brig, from the barricading to the water-line; and we can even, if need be, demolish her entirely, and rebuild a smaller craft." "That is an extreme means," replied Louis, "which it will be full time to employ when our men are well.
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