"I told him to be careful and not permit himself to become the least
excited until he had gained more strength, but to content himself
with the simple statement that Jack had noticed his approach from his
observatory; and that we went immediately to his relief. 'Now,' said I,
'drink this cup of beef tea and turn over and take another nap.'
"He drank the tea and said, 'I will do as you say, if you will agree
to have Jack here when I wake up. It is a matter of the greatest
importance that we have a conference immediately. We must be ready for
the break up and I have much to tell you.'
"So saying he turned over and was soon sleeping soundly, and I am here
to request you to come to his quarters. As he is not likely to sleep
very long we had better go at once. Nature will soon be demanding
exercise for mind and body as strenuously as she has demanded rest. Let
us go."
Some ten or fifteen minutes after we entered Captain Battell's cabin he
awoke, and immediately got up and shook hands with me most cordially.
He was naturally a man of few words, and never very demonstrative of
either joy or grief, affection or anger, and usually preserved the
most perfect equilibrium, but he was visibly affected when he said:
"My dear Jack! How fortunate it has been for Captain Ganoe and myself
that you joined this expedition. But for your watchful care we would
both have been dead, and in all probability, the Ice King and the
entire crew would have been lost. You have certainly been our guardian
angel, and must ever hold the very highest place in our esteem and
affection."
"I deserve no especial thanks for anything I have done," I responded.
"We are out here all alone, imprisoned in the ice and our only hope of
escape depends upon our standing together and helping each other, at
all times and under all circumstances. The safety of every individual
depends upon the safety of every other individual. Common sense and
our common interests, dictate that we should be a unit and realize
that 'an injury to one is the concern of all.' Our rule of action
toward each other should be, 'each for all and all for each.' This
is the only principle that a truly intelligent people anywhere would
ever adopt, but here on this waste of floating ice, situated as we
are, the most stupid ought to be able to comprehend the necessity for
its application. So, I repeat that I deserve no especial credit, for
in looking out for the safety of others I do the only thing that can
be done for my own safety. This thing of caring for self, regardless
of the interests of others, indicates a deficiency in intellectual
development as much as it does hardness of heart; and a careful regard
for the comfort and interest of others, is indicative of intellectual
development as much as it is of kindness of heart and love for our
fellow creatures."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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