Page 2 - Three Adventures

Voyage of the Pomeranian

[from Fantastic Transactions, Vol. 3 (2006)]

May 4, 1884. The Pierhead, Ascension Island.

Tonight as I, Clarish Warden, BSc., MSc. (Oxon.), FRS, begin this
second volume of notes on my search for the kraken, I must frankly
confess to the demoralized condition of all aboard the Pomeranian. It
is to be expected among the common seamen, given their cycle of
raised spirits as we approach an island port for coal, vegetables and
fresh water, followed by abandonment of reason for a few short days
of riotous shore leave and then the inevitable hang-over and return to
routine once anchor is weighed and the ship steams out to open
waters. For them life holds no other promise, and they would
ordinarily hope for little more than an honest first mate and clear
skies.

This time, however, as we prepare to depart from Georgetown, the
crew seems even more subdued and sullen than usual. Perhaps it
owes to my sharing their despondence, and the realization that mine
may not be assuaged by the next landfall. I have not allowed them to
see the disappointment I increasingly suffer as my mission remains in
the doldrums despite the thousands of miles we have covered;
nevertheless, Captain Casimir, in whom alone I place my confidence,
is well aware of it. Certainly I rely upon him to have an accurate sense
of the temper of the ship’s complement. I inquire about the men
after we have put into port, roughly once a month since November
last. It would be folly to imagine that keeping them on constant
lookout for what may be no more than a legend is taking its toll.

I do not fear mutiny—not yet. Every man who signed up for this
marine expedition understood its purpose and suffered any
misgivings to be allayed by a bonus, payable at the conclusion of the
voyage—whatever its outcome. Casimir vouched for them all, and I
feel certain he is as good a judge of character as he is a ship’s master.
He and I have held frequent meetings on deck with the crew, during
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