192 HUNTING IN THE ARCTIC 



in a despondent voice. A glance at the chart showed that 

 the Sea Lion Rocks lay just off the northeast coast of 

 Afognak Island. Ed Born had lost his usually cheerful 

 disposition and was serious. 



All day long the wind blew a three-quarter gale and 

 not once could we see farther than a quarter mile through 

 the flying haze, while the ''Abler" beat back and forth 

 on long tacks, striving to hold her own and yet losing, 

 as we all knew she must lose, on every tack. Slowly 

 but surely we must be driven to leeward and then, perhaps 

 without warning, crash upon the rocks. 



"Don't call me if she strikes," said the mate with a 

 grim smile, as the captain relieved him and he prepared 

 to go below to sleep. "I want to be nice and warm in 

 bed when the finish comes." 



"If we come in sight of a rock or an island there won't 

 be time to turn around before we hit it," replied the 

 captain, "to say nothing of bothering to call you." 



We spent much of the day lying in our bunks waiting 

 to see what would happen. 



It caused considerable amusement, however, when 

 Kleinschmidt went to Dr. Young and said, "Papa, you 

 had better get your clothes on; we may strike a rock at 

 any minute," and the old gentleman got all dressed to be 

 ready. 



No lunch was served, except a few cold dishes that we 

 discovered for ourselves. During the day a large wave 

 came over the bow and happened to catch Martin, 

 the sailor who had tried to leave us at Nome. It crushed 

 him against the windlass and broke two of his ribs. 

 This effectively prevented Martin from deserting the 

 ship at Seward and earned him the distinction of being 

 the only deck-hand who went with the "Abler" on the 

 entire trip from Seattle to the Arctic and back again. 



