After that he sethimself down for two long days to
read the weekly papers for thepast year. They had with them food at theutmost for
seven days and petroleum for a little longer.
Stannix was coldly polite, andhis haggard face was
set hard.
Iexpect you to draw on me for all you want. And
leave our bones there, said Falconet. He had lost the power ofself-restraint, and
there was no companionship to be got out ofhim. That meeting in Falconets flat
hadfate behind it. He looked at food withdistaste, and he began to suffer from
blinding headaches.
Once the sledgetoppled into a voe, and Falconets
diaries were only rescued by amiracle.
Next morning Adams bleared eyes studied the
map.
Not more than half a dozen peoplerealised that Adam
was back from the wilds.
This meant that each had to carry a load,and
stumble painfully along the boulder-strewn shore.
The sharpness of the hunger-pangs had gone, but
both menwere half-delirious. Days and nights were alike dark, for they could
affordlittle light.
He is very clever and is making a great deal
ofmoney, and he also lives the life of pleasure. They rarely spoke to each other,
and neverconversed.
Once the sledgetoppled into a voe, and Falconets
diaries were only rescued by amiracle. Please dont thank me, said Shaston when they
parted.
Well, you will not meet him just yet, for he swims
in adifferent pool. The advent of spring hadworked a miracle with
Falconet.
Thats a queer thing, for he wants to meet YOU. For
before you follow youwill have to create your leader.
The yacht touched at Liverpool, where Falconet
turned a flinty faceto enquiring journalists. Close to the land the icewas smooth
and bare, and it was possible to hoist a sail and travelfast. Adams feeble hands
uncovered the food box, which wasintact. He was a youngman who might be thirty, but
no more. They decidedto push on to the next cache.
As he passed the other hestopped for a moment to
watch him.
They slept ill that night and nextmorning reduced
their rations to a pound a day.
But thats idiocy, said Falconet fiercely.