Chapter Four

December 15, 1907

   I’m beginning to fear a mutiny now more than ever. It seems that I was in error in my haste to bring fruit as the bulk of the food stored for this voyage. I have studied my supplies and found the fruit has begun to rot faster than I anticipated. At this rate, I fear we may be without food in less than a month and a half. While, I’m sure that we’ll have enough to reach Antarctica, I fear for the return voyage.
   I feel that it is imperative that we head for Africa to restock. However, another problem has come to my attention. My compass is no longer working. No matter which direction I turn, the compass spins. Considering how long we have been at sea, I can’t help but wonder if we’re even going the right direction.
   I have yet to tell the crew about either of these things, but I think they know. However, why they don’t come to me with these issues, I have no idea. Perhaps I was too hasty in my decision to start punishing insubordination with the whip. Perhaps my crew is too scared to voice their opinions.
   At the same time, I get the odd feeling that they are conspiring behind me. Sometimes, when I enter the Crew Quarters, I see various members of the crew go silent, almost as if they are keeping something from me.

   Maybe I should have chosen a new First Mate. A mate’s job includes managing the crew, a duty that Erick performed to perfection. However, looking over what’s left of my crew, I do not see any man that I feel would be suitable for this position. Don’t misunderstand me. My crew is the best at what it does. I just don’t feel any member shows any sort of leadership qualities that I look for in a First Mate.
   Still, with the recent rumblings and feelings of gloom that I’m receiving when I watch my crew work, I can’t help but feel that appointing one of them could pacify all of this. That settles it. Tomorrow, I will choose a new First Mate.

   Despite any misgivings I have, I still feel like we should press on. I can feel the unexplored wasteland at the tip of my fingers. It’s out there and it’s close. It’s just waiting for me to find it and make it my own.
   However, my food situation certainly worries me. Perhaps, when I select my new First Mate, I will confide my problems and see if he can figure out any solutions. Perhaps, he has a compass himself that would help us find our way either South or East. By now, I feel that either direction would be a Godsend.

Sincerely,
Capt. Edmund M. Hogglesforth