‘I am the Captain of this ship’
The noise of chatter died away as Olsen came in through the swinging doors. He had presence, Mouritzen reflected – a mysterious quality. When he required attention, it was given, without hesitation or stinting. Now...
Category: White Voyage
Extracts from The White Voyage
Abandoning ship
He heard the throb of the engines stop, and the lights winked off. It was a moment in which the full understanding came home to him that they were abandoning this stout and comfortable refuge...
Night bear
Olsen awoke during the night; his watch told him it was nearly three o’clock. About him there was the sound of steady breathing. He found his boots, slipped them on, and quietly made his way...
One never fathoms a fool
Mouritzen stood staring at the water. Olsen, scrambling down the ice, stood beside him. ‘You’re a fool,’ Olsen said. His voice was controlled, coldly bitter. ‘And one never fathoms a fool; however often you sound...
The last supper
She put her boots on and went outside. Already, in so short a time, the tent had become stuffy, and she breathed the fresh night air with relief. A brown hump showed where Katerina had...
They have not gone to Cannes
‘We have almost no food,’ Olsen said. ‘If the blizzard returns, we may have none. If we can find it, I think it is time to kill the bear.’ Mouritzen shook his head. ‘The bear...
I need you down here!
Thorsen continued to stare into the crevasse. Nadya called up: ‘It is still sinking.’ ‘We must lose no time,’ Mouritzen said. ‘I will go first. You come after me, by the same route.’ He eased...
Bear fight
This was the time to get away. Mouritzen called to Nadya: ‘This way! We will escape while they are fighting.’ But instead of coming towards him, she threw herself against the flank of the polar...
Did you think I would keep my word?
‘It is more than a week since my body was clean, and I found soap out there in the pantry.’ He helped her to put the bath down beside the stove. She looked at him....
Each time you turn your back
Nadya moved forward until she was quite close to Mary. She was smiling slightly. She said softly: ‘Are you not grateful? I brought you food. And I brought you back your man.’ ‘You can keep...
