Page 4 - BOOK VI Unit 4

20 May 1916

We have been struggling for days, but things on Elephant
Island are going from bad to worse. We are now crowded
together under one of our boats on the rocky shore of this
miserable place. Soon after we arrived, Shackleton left us to
find help on South Georgia Island, 1,320 kilometres away—the
Ernest Shackleton voyage was too dangerous and difficult for all of us to make it
in our small boats. If Shackleton fails, will we have any hope of rescue? No. No navy in

the world ever stops at Elephant Island, and no one else knows that we are here.

I feel low. It’s cold and windy. The island has no plants. Sometimes we are able to catch
a seal or a penguin to eat. Otherwise, there is no food. I try to think of happier things:
decent food, warm and dry clothes, a cosy bedroom, sunny days, and my mother’s face …
However, these happy memories are soon interrupted by a sudden cold rush of air.

I shouted, “Shut the door!”

“Hold on now, Perce. Don’t you go turning into another Tom,” came the reply. “We’ve
caught another penguin, so it’s penguin soup tonight!”
Bless Frank Wild, the kindest man there is after our leader, Ernest Shackleton. How

could I become as selfish and bad-tempered as Thomas Orde-Lees!
Without Frank and Ernest, we’d all be dead by now. Their genuine concern for others,

their perseverance, and their resolve fill me with hope.
Perhaps there is a chance we will return home, after all.

1 How did Blackborow come to join the expedition?
2 What happened to Endurance? What did the crew members have to do?
3 What did Shackleton do to make sure they could survive?

3 What do the highlighted words mean? Use your own words to explain them.

4 Read the text again and discuss the questions with your partner.

1 How did Blackborow’s feelings about being on Infer character traits and emotions
the expedition change as the days passed? To infer means to guess something

based on the evidence. When inferring
2 What personal qualities did Shackleton, Wild, character traits and emotions in a story,
you need to look at the characters' words
and Blackborow exhibit? Find examples from the and actions. What do these tell us about
text to support your answers. their personal qualities and feelings?

5 Imagine you are Perce Blackborow. Write a message in a bottle to explain
your situation and ask for help.

UNIT 4 ADVERSITY AND COURAGE 39