The Broken Lands Read Online Free Page A

you.”
    “Excellent,” Crozier said.
    “Yes. Most trustworthy. Half-breed, you will have realized, but a trustworthy one.”
    “He said very little for himself.”
    The governor laughed. “He said nothing, Captain Crozier. His
tongue was cut out when he was four years old. Some say by his own father so that his identity might never be revealed. Some say by his mother for the very same reason. She too is in my employ. Please, follow me.” His officials parted and he passed through them, climbing the beach to his brightly lit house.
    The others walked with their glasses. George Hodgson was the first to comment on the clear and bitter liquid, declaring that he had rubbed better tasting spirit on an injured horse. Others who could not stomach the drink tipped it surreptitiously on to the beach. Only the teetotal Reid handed back his full glass without any apology for its untouched contents.
    They arrived at an arch formed by the bleached jawbone of a whale, beneath which even the tallest of them was able to pass without stooping. Several similar structures stood beyond it, forming an open corridor to the house. The most impressive of these, newly painted white, was fixed to the front wall around the main entrance.
    “My little folly,” the governor explained, but in a voice which suggested it was considerably more. “The wild men build their own shelters out of the rib bones and so I copied their example. Nothing quite so animal in nature, as you see, but in keeping with tradition, I think you will agree.”
    All those called upon to admire these simple structure did so.
    It was early evening, and although the light would not fade until eleven, there was a chill in the island air, and the governor urged them to enter.
    Inside, the house was dominated by a single large room, at either end of which stood a stone fireplace. Several portraits hung from the walls, interspersed with framed certificates and trading decrees, many illegible in the poor light. A table was laid along the center of the room, upon which stood several candelabra. It was an impressive arrangement. Crockery, cutlery and glassware surrounded each setting, and bowls of fruit and decanters were set out along the center of the table.
    “Just because we are far from home does not mean we should deprive ourselves of some home comforts. Indeed, gentlemen, I wager you yourselves have aboard your vessels the ingredients of a feast
twice as grand. In preparation for celebration, perhaps.”
    There had so far been no suggestion from either Franklin or Crozier of a reciprocal invitation for the governor to dine aboard the Erebus or Terror.
    “Nothing so sumptuous,” Crozier assured him, pacing the length of the table and examining it in greater detail, more for their host’s benefit than his own.
    One of the governor’s men whispered in his ear, and he turned immediately to where a group of five Eskimo women stood in the doorway leading to the kitchen. Attracted by the messenger the others turned to look too.
    “Certainly not,” shouted the governor, immediately apologizing for his raised voice.
    The official shooed the women out of the doorway and held the door closed behind them.
    “They came in hope of an introduction to the famous kabloonas.” The governor looked dispassionately at the door. “Curious as children, and just as quick to turn to mischief. I doubt—”
    “It would have done no harm to have introduced them, sir,” Reid said unexpectedly. “They understand our course as well as any of us, and who is to say when we ourselves might not be grateful for the help or guidance of one of their relatives.”
    “Their relatives, ice-master? They have no relatives; they live here, in a dwelling attached to this house. They work here and sleep here and are visited by no one. What can they possibly understand of the noble quest you are about to undertake?”
    “I meant no insult by the suggestion, sir.”
    The governor looked to Franklin, who