Ilatsiak - 13

The black hulls and yellow weatherworks were easy to spot. The white masts and canvas winter covers on the other hand blended almost perfectly into the white snowy background. The whole gave the impression that the hulls with their broad beams and bluff bows were somehow floating in the snow covered landscape. David was a little shaken by the sight, even though the whole party had been travelling for several hours now in the overcast conditions which had produced the white-out in the first place. Knowing that the body on the sled he walked beside was dead didn’t help make the scene any more comforting.
Private Braine had been one of David’s better friends among the Marines on board. They had enjoyed their first kayaking adventure together in Greenland when out with Mr Goodsir. He had helped as well when some of the crew took some unwelcome interest in him earlier in the Fall. While Braines had not been that well during the winter, David was shocked when news of his death came from the exploring party which had gone on a mapping trip along the Devon Island shore only a week earlier. David went out with the party of Marines to bring back his body. He was shocked to see how thin he had become. Like the others, he was concerned about why he had died. The members of the party claimed Braines had just suddenly become weak and within a day became delerious and then just as suddenly died.
Once the sled party came down off the island and began making its way across the fairly smooth sea ice towards the Erebus, the ships took on their more normal, and familiar appearance. They passed the flattened area on the ice where the crews had competed in cricket games whenever the weather was decent, passed the fire-hole next to the ship which Franklin has insisted they keep open so that water would be available all winter. As they came around to the starboard side where the access stairs had been built, their presence was acknowledged by those on deck duty. Lt Fairholme came part way down the steps to welcome them back and to instruct them to bring the body to the forward hatch where it would be placed directly in the surgery where Stanley and Goodsir would examine the body and prepare it for burial. David mounted the stairs and opened the door for Fairholme. Then they both entered the winter cover.
“What did you find out?” inquired Fairholme of David.
“He just seemed to go weak suddenly. Then he died within the day... It was so quick. No one had heard him say anything, complain of being ill or anything. He just began to feel numbness and finally was unable to breathe.” David’s voice trailed off. He was still shaken by the quickness of the whole thing.
“How did the others seem?” continued Fairholme.
“All right, I guess, but they are wondering if they’ll get sick too.” said David. “I thought after the two died at the New Year, that we would be safe. I didn’t want anyone else to die.”
“Yes, well, life can be harsh in these regions, we must accept that, boy. Some of these men aren’t very fit. Look at the bunch we shipped home on the Baretto. Odd though how we seem to all be suffering our aches and pains so much. Like all our old ailments have returned to haunt us. At the least, the days are sunnier now, the worst of the winter is over. In a couple of months we’ll be away from here and on our way through the passage and then home via the sunny seas. You’ll be complaining of the heat, next!”
“I’m looking forward to being under sail again, sir.”
“Yes, I am as well. Now...report to Mr. Franklin that the party have returned. He asked to be told immediately. Then go forward and see if you can assist Mr Stanley and Mr Goodsir.”
“Yes, sir!” replied David and turning, headed down the hatchway amidships and then towards the passageway leading to Sir John’s great cabin in the aft part of the Erebus. He didn't have a good feeling about any of this business. Something was wrong, very wrong, but what?