 My uncle and I stared wild-eyed at each other as we clung to the mast. Hours passed. I'd lost all count of time. Then it struck me that we should examine our cargo so that we had some idea of our resources. I spoke to Hans, and he answered, Cargo? I do not know. Well, let's see. Take the lamp, Hans. First, what are our scientific instruments? Here's a chronometer. Here's a compass. Nothing else. That's bad.