36 THE SIEGE OF THE NORTH POLE 



And, after a diversified series of spavined efforts, the 

 mystical number forms its triangle at the table. 



"It still stands in its simple dignity, an unclothed 

 platform of boards, with a pile of plates in the centre. 

 Near these is a virtuoso collection of cups grouped in a 

 tumulus or cairn, commencing philosophically at the base 

 with heavy stoneware, and ending with battered tin : the 

 absolute pinnacle a debased dredging-box, which makes 

 a bad goblet, being unpleasantly sharp at its rim. At 

 one end of this table, partly hid by the beer-barrel, stands 

 Petersen ; at the side, Bonsall ; and a lime-juice cask 

 opposite marks my seat. We are all standing: a 

 momentary hush is made among the sick ; and the daily 

 prayer comes with one heart : — ' Accept our gratitude, 

 and restore us to our homes. , 



"The act of devotion over, we sit down, and look — 

 not at the breakfast, but at each other. 



" It may sound absurd to those who cannot understand 

 the narrowing interest which we three availables feel in 

 our continued mutual ability, for me to say that we spend 

 the first five minutes in a detail of symptoms. The state 

 of each man's gums and shins and ankles, his elbows, loins, 

 and kidneys, is canvassed minutely and compared with his 

 yesterday's report : the recital might edify a specialist who 

 was anxious to register the Protean indications of scurvy. 

 It is sometimes ludicrous, but always sad. 



"Now for the bill of fare. 'Who cooked?'— I am 

 describing a gala-day. — ' It was Morton : he felt so much 

 better that he got up at six ; but he caved in soon after ' : — 



" First, coffee, great comforter to hard-worked men ; 

 one part of the genuine berry to three of navy -beans ; 

 next, sugar : what complex memories the word brings 

 back ! — the veritable sugar has been long ago defunct ; 

 but we have its representative molasses twice a week 

 in our tea. Third, butter ; there it is in a mutilated 



