Jules Verne

“ Doctor,” the carpenter answered; “and may Heaven protect us from worse misfortunes!”
“Alas, Bell,” continued the doctor, “you mean Simpson! The poor fellow is suffering terribly.”
“Do you fear for his life?” asked Hatteras, quickly.
“Yes, Captain,” answered the doctor.
“And why?”
“He has a violent attack of scurvy; his legs have begun to swell, and his gums too; the poor fellow lies half frozen on the sledge, and every movement redoubles his suffering. I pity him, Hatteras, and I can't do anything to relieve him.” ”

“ Neither the doctor nor Bell made any reply, and the sledge resumed its progress, which had been delayed for a moment. That evening they stopped beneath a hillock of ice, in which Bell at once cut a cavern; the travellers entered it; the doctor passed the night attending to Simpson; the scurvy had already made fearful ravages, and his sufferings caused perpetual laments to issue from his swollen lips.
“Ah, Dr. Clawbonny!”
“Courage, my dear fellow!” said the doctor.
“I shall never get well! I feel it! I'd rather die!” ”

“ To return without fuel would have a depressing effect upon the spirits of the crew. Could men be found again to resume their march across the ice?
Evidently it was better to push on, even at the risk of severe privations.
The doctor, Hatteras, and Bell were of this opinion; Simpson wanted to go back; the fatigue of the journey had worn upon his health; he was visibly weaker; but finding himself alone of this opinion, he resumed his place at the head of the sledge, and the little caravan continued its journey to the south. ”