84 HUNTING IN THE ARCTIC 



and the outlook was not reassuring. A dense fog flew by 

 on the wings of the storm, seemingly from an unlimited 

 source. Should we be able to ride out the blow, or 

 would it carry us ashore on the low bleak coast of Cape 

 Prince of Wales on the Alaskan side? The test came 

 soon. 



At midnight we heard a repeated knocking, aft. "An 

 old iron oil drum must have broken loose below," I 

 thought at first. But the sound was right at the stern, 

 so I hastily put on some clothes and went out. The 

 Captain, the mate and a sailor were looking over the 

 stern. I went close to the Captain and yelled into his 

 ear, ''What's the matter?" 



"Our rudder's gone!" shouted the Captain. 



