The 'Dudley Docker' had one lump of ice
weighing about ten pounds, and this was shared out among all hands. We
sucked small pieces and got a little relief from thirst engendered by
the salt spray, but at the same time we reduced our bodily heat. The
condition of most of the men was pitiable. All of us had swollen
mouths and we could hardly touch the food. I longed intensely for the
dawn. I called out to the other boats at intervals during the night,
asking how things were with them. The men always managed to reply
cheerfully. One of the people on the 'Stancomb Wills' shouted, "We are
doing all right, but I would like some dry mitts." The jest brought a
smile to cracked lips. He might as well have asked for the moon. The
only dry things aboard the boats were swollen mouths and burning
tongues. Thirst is one of the troubles that confront the traveller in
polar regions. Ice may be plentiful on every hand, but it does not
become drinkable until it is melted, and the amount that may be
dissolved in the mouth is limited. We had been thirsty during the days
of heavy pulling in the pack, and our condition was aggravated quickly
by the salt spray. Our sleeping-bags would have given us some warmth,
but they were not within our reach. They were packed under the tents
in the bows, where a mail-like coating of ice enclosed them, and we
were so cramped that we could not pull them out.
Pages:
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242