Chapter 15 Chapter Fifteen Miles from Bathurst Point

It's early September.Even with the best luck, after three weeks, the project would have to be interrupted.So speed up.Fortunately, new buildings were quickly planned.Master Mike Knapp and his men work wonders. The "Dog House" is just one last hammer away.Palisade walls have been erected almost entirely around the fort.So, the beginning of construction leading to the inner courtyard is the door.The wall was made of thick pickets, fifteen feet high, with a half-moon in front.However, in order to make the defense system of the fort more complete, a watchtower had to be built on Bathurst Point to control the position condescendingly.Lieutenant Jasper Hobson is seen to have accepted a system of continuous walls and widespread fortresses.This is a great advance in the art of engineering.Until the watchtowers on the headland were built, however, the palisade walls were sufficient to keep the new house safe from beasts, if not men.

On September 4, Jasper Hobson decided to spend the day hunting amphibians along the coast.Indeed, this is to prepare enough fuel and lighting oil before winter comes. The seal territory was about fifteen miles away, and Jasper Hobson suggested that Paulina Barnett follow.The female traveler agreed.Not that the systematic killing itself is alluring, but looking at the area, examining the perimeter of Bathurst Point, to be precise the seafront surrounded by high cliffs, it really sparks her curiosity. Sergeant Long and privates Peterson, Hope, and Gloria were appointed by the lieutenant to accompany him.

People set off at 8 o'clock in the morning.Two sledges, each drawn by six dogs, followed the small party to drag the amphibians back to the fort. Now that the sledge was empty, the Lieutenant, Mrs Pauline Barnett, and their companions got into it.The weather is fine, and the mist in the distance makes the sun look very soft.At this time of year, the yellowish disc of the sun has been out of sight for several hours at night. The coastal area west of Bathurst Point is extremely flat, rising only a few meters above the surface of the Arctic Ocean.The terrain, therefore, attracted Lieutenant Hobson's attention.Let's talk about the reasons below.

The tides in the Arctic Ocean are considerable, or at least it's believed to be.Many navigators have observed this, such as Parry, Franklin, Uncle Ross, Mike Kluer, and Mike Clintock. During the spring tide, they saw that the sea rose 20% higher than the average level. to 25 feet.If this observation is correct--and there is no reason to doubt its veracity--Lieutenant Hobson will ask why the rising tide of the sea under the influence of the moon has not flooded this coastal area which is not much higher than sea level?And there are no obstacles, neither sand dunes nor other raised soil bags to block it!Why did this tidal phenomenon not cause the submersion of the whole region up to the horizon, and the connection of the waters of the lake with the Arctic Ocean?However, it is clear that this phenomenon did not occur then and has never occurred.

So Jasper Hobson voiced this opinion, and his lady companion replied that, despite what people said, perhaps the tides in the Arctic Ocean were not so spectacular. "On the contrary, ma'am," replied Jasper Hobson. "All the reports of navigators agree that the ebb and flow of the Arctic Ocean is very obvious, and it is absolutely unacceptable to observe wrong views." "Then, Mr. Hobson," continued Mrs. Paulina Barnett, "please explain why the waves of the Arctic Ocean do not cover this place, since it is only ten feet above sea level at ebb tide?"

"Oh, ma'am," answered Jasper Hobson, "that's what puzzles me, and I don't know how to explain it. I've noticed several times since we've been on this coast a month The sea level rises only about a foot, which is in normal times, and I am almost certain that in a fortnight, at the autumnal equinox, September 22, when the tidal phenomenon will be at its highest, the coast of Bathurst Point will There won't be more than a foot-and-a-half of water up the sides. We'll see." "And finally an explanation, Mr. Hobson, an explanation for this, because everything in the world can be explained, isn't it?"

"Yes, ma'am," replied the Lieutenant, "it must be one of two things: or the navigators were wrong in their observations—which I cannot accept, since Franklin, Parry, Ross, and the like are involved. ,—or the power of the tide is so weak here on the coast of America, perhaps for the same reason that some inland seas, such as the Mediterranean, are connected with the coastal lands and have narrow straits which make the tides of the Atlantic less pronounced. The water flow is not so smooth." "Let us accept the hypothesis, Mr. Jasper," replied Mrs. Paulina Barnett.

"That's the only way," the lieutenant replied with a nod. "However, this assumption does not satisfy me. I think there is some kind of strange phenomenon of nature here, which I have not been able to observe yet." At 9 o'clock, the two sleds reached the bay where the seals usually live, along the flat and sandy shore.The sledges were left behind so as not to disturb the animals here, it was important to sneak up on the coast. How different this place is from the environs of Bathurst Point! Where the hunters stopped, the randomly sunken, eroded margins, and the strange crumpling of the whole stretch of the coastal strip showed a very distinct origin of formation, which is related to the characteristic sedimentary structure around Bathurst Point. obvious difference.Apparently, fire over geological time, not water, created the zone.The lack of stone at Bathurst Point--a curious phenomenon which, incidentally, is no more easily explained than the absence of the tide--appears here in the form of gravel and rock formations deeply sunken in the soil.Here and there on the light black sand, among the bubbly lava rocks, there are scattered small alum-bearing silicate stones, which belong to the feldspar group, and the presence of these stones shows irrefutably that this coastal area is just a piece of land. crystallization zone.There are countless labradorite rocks and various pebbles shining on the ground, with dazzling reflections and changing colors, including blue, red, green, and sometimes pumice and obsidian.Behind them are towering cliffs, rising two hundred feet above the sea.

Jasper Hobson decided to climb to the top of the cliff to check out the eastern part of the area.There was still time, for the season had not yet come for seal hunting.People only see a few pairs of seals playing on the shore. The most suitable time is to wait for them to gather in large groups, and then attack suddenly when they are taking a nap or when the midday sun makes these mammals in the sea drowsy. , and the Lieutenant also noticed that the amphibians were not real seals, as his men had told him.These mammals belong to the order Pinniped; however, it is these seahorses and manatees that make up the zoological vocabulary of walruses, recognizable by their large canines hanging out of their mouths.

At this time, the hunters rounded the bay, which these animals seemed to prefer, so they named it "Walrus Bay"-climbing to the seaside cliffs.Peterson, Hope and Kelley remained on a small headland to keep an eye on the walruses while Lady Paulina Barnett, Jasper Hobson and Sergeant climbed to the top of the cliff, at a distance of 150 feet to The 200-foot elevation overlooks the surrounding area.They should always keep an eye on the three companions, and if there are too many walruses, they will signal to the people above. Within a quarter of an hour the lieutenant, his lady companion, and the sergeant had climbed to the top.Here, they can freely observe the entire field in front of them.

At their feet, the boundless sea stretched northward to the horizon.No earth, no floating water, no icebergs.As far as the eye can see, there is no trace of ice on the sea. At this latitude, this part of the Arctic Ocean can be sailed all the way to the Bering Strait.Thus, during the summer, the company's ships could easily dock at Bathurst Point by this passage, bringing in the necessities of the trading post, and taking away the fur products here. Turning west, Jasper Hobson found a new place, and he knew why the coast was full of volcanic remains. At about mile 10, tiers of volcanic hills can be seen, truncated in shape, not found at Bathurst Point because the cliffs hide them behind.The volcano's outline appears rather blurred on the horizon, like a dotted line drawn by a shaking hand.Jasper Hobson, after observing it carefully for a while, pointed it out to the sergeant and Mrs Pauline Barnet without saying a word; then he turned his gaze opposite. To the east is the long coastline, without irregularity or relief, extending as far as Bathurst Point.Armed with a good telescope, observers will be able to see Fort Hope, and even see the pale blue smoke rising from Madame Jolliff's fire at this moment. Behind, the place showed two different aspects.To the east and south are broad plains bounded by headlands, some several hundred square miles in size.Behind the cliffs, on the contrary, from Walrus Bay to the volcanoes, the earth is extremely folded, clearly showing that it was formed by the uplift of the land by volcanic eruptions. The lieutenant, observing such a marked contrast between the two regions, found it almost "strange" to him, it must be admitted. "Do you think, Mr. Hobson," said Sergeant Long at this moment, "that those mountains in the sky on the west coast are volcanoes?" "Undoubtedly, Sergeant," replied Jasper Hobson, "it is these volcanoes that have thrown pumice, obsidian, and countless labradorites here, and we can walk no more than three miles with our feet. Step on lava and ashes." "Do you think, Lieutenant, these volcanoes are still active?" asked the sergeant. "I can't answer that, Sergeant." "However, we don't see any smoke coming out of the summit at this time." "That's not an excuse, Sergeant Long. Are you always smoking a cigarette?" "No, Mr. Hobson." "Well, Lang, the volcano is exactly the same, it's not always smoking." "I see, Lieutenant Hobson," Sergeant Long replied. "But what I don't quite understand is how there are volcanoes in the Arctic." "Not too much," said Lady Polina Barnett. "Not much, ma'am," replied the lieutenant, "but you can still see some: in Jean Main, the Aleutian Islands, Kamchatka, Russian America, Iceland; There are regions too. These volcanoes are just the chimneys of the great chemical factory of the earth, and I think the Creator has chimneys everywhere where it is needed." "I'm afraid so, Mr. Hobson," replied the sergeant, "but in the Arctic, in this icy climate! . . . " "What does it matter, Sergeant, it doesn't matter whether it's at the poles or at the equator. I'd even say there should be more of these vents around the poles than anywhere else on Earth." "Why, Mr. Hobson?" asked the sergeant, surprised at the certainty. "Because, under the pressure of the gases inside, the valves open, which should happen where the Earth's crust is thinnest. Also, since the Earth's poles are flat, it seems natural to think.... However, I see Gloria The signal has been sent," said the lieutenant, breaking off his remark. "Would you like to go with us, madam?" "I'll wait for you here, Mr. Hobson," replied the traveller. "There's nothing appealing to me about this walrus hunt!" "It's settled, ma'am," replied Jasper Hobson, "please come and meet us in an hour, and we'll be on our way back to the fort." So Lady Paulina Barnett remained on the top of the cliff, gazing at such a different scene before her. A quarter of an hour later, Jasper Hobson and Sergeant Long reached the shore. At this time, many walruses have gathered.I can count about a hundred or so.A few swaying short webbed feet crawled on the sand.But most of the families sleep there.One or two of the largest male walruses are about three meters long, and their fur is not too thick, brownish red, like sentinels, as if they are standing sentinel for other walruses. The hunters had to approach cautiously, taking advantage of the rocks and the undulations of the terrain to hide themselves, to surround the walrus pack and cut off their escape route to the sea.Indeed, on land, these animals are cumbersome and limited in mobility.They can only walk with small jumps or crawl forward with their spines, but in the water, they become flexible big fish, formidable swimmers, and often capsize fishing boats that follow them. However, the big male was alert.They sensed the approaching danger.They raised their heads and looked around.But before they could raise the alarm, Hobson and Kelley from one side, and Sergeant, Peterson and Hope from the other, jumped on them and shot down five walruses before stabbing them to death with their spears, while the rest They all fled into the sea. Victory comes easily.All five amphibians are large.Their tusks, though rough, appear to be of first-class quality; but what the Lieutenant appreciates most is their thick, fat bodies that provide a good supply of oil.The walruses were hastily put on the sleds, and the dog-drawn cart returned with a full load. It was one o'clock.Lady Polina Barnett met her companions, and together they set out along the coast for the road back to Fort Hope. It is needless to say that everyone walked back, for the sledge was full.There was only a dozen miles to go, and it was a straight line.However, "the road is longest without turning," says the English proverb, and with good reason. Therefore, in order to relieve the boredom on the road, the hunters chatted away.Mrs Pauline Barnett frequently interjected into their conversation, and learned and benefited greatly from these brave men.But, in general, the walk is not fast.A walrus weighing several thousand pounds is a heavy load for a harness dog, and the sled doesn't slide well.On solid ice, a sled could run the distance from Walrus Bay to Fort Hope in less than two hours. Several times Lieutenant Hobson was obliged to stop to give the exhausted dogs a rest. This led Sergeant Long to say: "These walruses should have chosen to camp closer to us for our benefit." "I'm afraid they won't find a favorable site," replied the lieutenant, shaking his head. "Why is that, Mr. Hobson?" asked Mrs. Pauline Barnet, who was astonished at the answer. "Because these amphibians only visit coasts with gentle slopes, so that they can climb up when they come out of the sea." "What about the coast of the headland? . . . " "The coast of the headland," answered Jasper Hobson, "is as steep as a parapet. There is no slope on the coast, as if it had been cut by a knife. That, madam, is one of the inexplicable oddities of the district." thing. When our men go to the shore to fish, the line cannot be shorter than three hundred! Why is this so? I do not know, but I am inclined to think that centuries ago, the sudden rupture caused by the volcanic eruption separated the coast from the A piece of land is split off, and this piece is now submerged in the Arctic Ocean!"

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