Before we abandoned the ship, Shackleton calmly called us together and told us to rescue our    1    (essential) supplies — the small boats, our food, the cook stove, candles, clothes and blankets. We were not allowed to take most of our personal belongings, and Shackleton    2    (he) threw away all his gold.    3    (surprising), he allowed Hussey to keep his banjo in order to keep our spirits up. Soon    4    we arrived at Elephant Island, Shackleton selected a boat party and set off for South Georgia Island to get help. We    5    (struggle) for months since their departure, but things on Elephant Island are going    6    bad to worse. Thanks to Frank and Ernest, were it not for their genuine concern for others, their    7    (persevere) and their resolve, we would all be dead by now.