62 THE SIEGE OF THE NORTH POLE 



and speechless. Assisting him into the hut with all 

 possible dispatch, Hans states that he removed the wet 

 and frozen clothing, and placed Sonntag in the sleeping- 

 bag. He next gave him some brandy which he found 

 in a flask on the sledge ; and, having tightly closed the 

 hut, he lighted the alcohol lamp, for the double purpose 

 of elevating the temperature and making some coffee ; 

 but all his efforts were unavailing, and, after remaining 

 for nearly a day unconscious, Sonntag died. He did 

 not speak after reaching the hut, and left no message of 

 any kind. ,, 



Hayes was not altogether satisfied with the explanation 

 given by Hans. He wrote : " Although I have no good 

 reason for doubting the truth of his narrative, yet I 

 cannot quite reconcile my mind to the fact that Sonntag, 

 with so much experience to govern him, should have 

 undertaken to travel 5 miles in wet clothing, especially 

 as he was accompanied by a native hunter who was 

 familiar with all of the expedients for safety upon the 

 ice-fields, and to whom falling in the water is no unusual 

 circumstance. The sledge and the canvas apron which 

 enclosed the cargo furnished the means for constructing 

 a temporary shelter from the wind, and the sleeping-bag 

 would have insured against freezing while Hans got 

 ready the dry clothing, of which Sonntag carried a com- 

 plete change. Nor can I understand how he should have 

 lived so long and have given Hans no message for me, 

 nor have spoken a word after coming out of the water, 

 further than to have ordered his driver to hasten back to 

 the snow-hut. However, it is idle to speculate about 

 the matter ; and since Hans's interests were concerned in 

 proving faithful to the officer who, of all those in the 

 ship, cared most for him, it would be unreasonable as well 

 as unjust to suspect him of desertion."' 1 



Towards spring, Hayes had the body of Sonntag 



