Free Trapped in Ice by Eric Walters Page A

stood up and ran out the door, along the short strip of corridor, flung open the door of my cabin and threw myself onto my bed sobbing.
    â€œHelen, what’s wrong?”
    I turned and saw Mother, sitting on the edge of her bunk. I hadn’t noticed her as I ran into the cabin. Quickly she crossed the distance between our two bunks and placed both her arms around me. I tried to speak but instead I felt my whole body convulse with the power of the sobs. I threw my arms around her and buried my face into her chest. She started stroking my head with one hand, still holding me tight with the other arm, and madesoft cooing sounds that I didn’t understand but somehow were calming and soothing. She hadn’t held me like this for so long. I tightened my grip. I didn’t want to let her go.
    As the tears started to subside, I pulled away and looked up into Mother’s eyes.
    â€œFeeling better?” she asked.
    I nodded. Her holding me had made things better.
    â€œNow tell me ... what happened?”
    I felt another swell of tears just below the surface, and bit my lip to keep them in check. “It’s Mr. Stefansson ... ” I started to say and my voice broke.
    â€œWe’ll do just fine without him, dear.”
    I pulled slightly back. “Without him? How did you know—”
    â€œHe wasn’t coming back?” she interrupted, reading my mind and completing my sentence. I nodded. “I thought as much from the day he left. Why would he take so many supplies with him?”
    â€œI didn’t even know you’d seen everything,” I said.
    â€œI was taking a break and saw the goings-on from up there by the rail.”
    â€œBut what will happen to us? What will we do if the ship sinks? I’m so afraid that we’ll—”
    Mother brought a hand up to my face and pushed a finger against my lips to silence me. “Captain Bartlett will take care of things,” she said quietly.
    â€œCaptain Bartlett! I don’t want him to take care of things! He hardly talks to us and he’s so mean!”
    â€œHelen, don’t mistake hard for mean. A man has to be hard to survive in this land, and he’s survived time and time again.”
    â€œBut he didn’t even want us to come along on the trip, and—”
    Once again my mother interrupted me. “And I should have listened to him. This is no place for children, and if I had listened my children would be safe!”
    â€œBut you couldn’t have just left us!” I objected.
    â€œI could have, and I should have. I was so desperate to get the money to secure the future for you and your brother that I forgot about the present! I should never have allowed my children to be placed in such danger! I should have found somebody to take care of you.”
    â€œNo, you shouldn’t have. We have to be with you. You can’t ever leave us. Ever!”
    As she started to answer, there was a knock on the door. Before either of us could rise, it opened slowly, and Captain Bartlett peered into the room.
    â€œExcuse me, ladies,” he said apologetically. “I was just wantin’ ta make sure Helen was okay.” He paused. “An’ now that I see she’s with her mama, I knows ya won’t be needin’ me, so I’ll just be goin’.” He started to close the door.
    â€œWait!” Mother called out, and he stopped. “Please, Captain, could you step in for a minute.”
    â€œYes, ma’am,” he answered and came into the room. He took his hat off and held it in front of him. She motioned for him to take a seat at the table and he followed her directions. Mother released me and as she stood up she straightened her dress.
    â€œCaptain, if I am to understand correctly, it appears Mr. Stefansson will not be rejoining our expedition. Is that right, sir?”
    â€œYes, ma’am.”
    â€œIf it was possible to leave the ship and make for land at