Trapped in Ice by Eric Walters Page B

muscles.
    â€œA cramp?” asked Jonnie.
    I nodded.
    â€œBe sure ta get lots of water inta ya. Best t’ing fer cramps is water. Ya better start on the sled an’ I’ll take ta my skis.”
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    J UST MINUTES BEFORE  we reached the igloo, the wind picked up tremendously. As soon as the dogs weresecurely staked outside the entrance, we took shelter where it was snug. The six of us set up our sleeping areas squeezed together in the igloo. I made my bed atop two large wooden crates which contained packages and cans of food that had been brought earlier by other teams. As well as the food there were extra blankets and canisters of kerosene and alcohol. The smell of the kerosene filled the space and made it seem even smaller.
    When the lantern was extinguished, the igloo was thrown into complete darkness. I held up my hand and couldn’t even make out its outline. I was suddenly overwhelmed by a wave of fear. I knew there were six of us all crammed together inside the shelter, but I felt completely alone. I listened for the sound of breathing, because it had always been reassuring in the cabin to hear Michael and Mother beside me at night. I couldn’t hear anything except the sound of the wind. I felt my stomach start to crowd up into my throat and a sense of panic began to overtake me. My lower lip started to quiver and I bit down on it hard to stop myself from calling out. I knew I wasn’t alone ... I knew it would be okay ... or did I? We were alone on the ice, separated from safety by hundreds of miles of shifting ice and open sea.
    I couldn’t contain myself and a whimper escaped my lips. Had anybody heard it? What would they think of me for crying?
    â€œIt’s all goin’ ta be all right,” Captain Bartlett said, his voice cutting through the lonely darkness. “It’s all goin’ ta be all right ... just put your mind someplace else ... think of a warm an’ happy place ... an’ let yourself go visitin’ there ... it’ll be fine in the end ... just fine.”I didn’t have to strain to think of a place. I closed my eyes and I was sitting on the bed in my old room, propped up on pillows, reading a book, with a cup of tea on the bedside table. I surrendered to the dream.

 
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    Chapter Fourteen
    â€œ ... A N’ KNEW HER NOT TILL she had brought forth her firstborn son; an’ he called his name Jesus.” The Captain paused. “An’ that is our Bible readin’ from Matthew, Chapter 1, verses 18 ta 25. Could we all bow our heads in prayer fer the birth of the baby Jesus that took place on this day, in Bethlehem.”
    I lowered my head. There was silence save for the roar of the wind. I tried to pray, but my mind was caught by the distance and differences between the place of Christ’s birth and the place where I stood.
    â€œAmen,” Captain Bartlett said loudly and echoes of “amen” came from every corner of the packed galley. Almost instantly people started filing out through the door. There was hardly a word spoken. Looking into the solemn faces of the men I could see a few close to tears.
    I followed Michael and Mother. When we reached our cabin, we quickly prepared for bed. Even Michael didn’t seem to have anything to say as he readied himself.
    This was so different from any other Christmas I had ever experienced. The Captain had tried to fill us with the Christmas spirit. He’d organized the church service, carol singing, and even had Cookie prepare a special Christmas feast, but there was nothing that could drive away thefeeling of loneliness or the sound of the wind outside the walls of the ship.
    My thoughts went back to the last Christmas we’d spent together as a family. Father had been sick for months but he seemed to be much better. He was still very thin and stooped over but he was happier. He’d gone out with Michael and cut down the biggest tree that could fit in the room.