The New York herald., 1879-12-24

hayes OK the heartlest support IN MS hazaruous
enterprise and gave promise OF full success 10 ms
long cherished purpose of sledging to the shores
of his 'Open Polar Sea- when the long, dreary
winter had passed away.
HALL IN 1860 AND 1861
Over fifteen degrees of latitude further south. on
the opposite side of that irregular channel that bears
to the bosom of the Atlantic the polar current
which pours with ceaseless flow through the narrow
gateway of Smiths Strait Hall spent this his frat
Arctic Christmas in snug harbor in Cyrus w.
Fields Bay on the whaler George Henry. com.
manded by Captain Burlington. While waiting for
the spring whaling. the ship carefully housed and
protected by massive snow walls built upon the sur
rounding ce the crew amused themselves with the
Equimanx. who in large numbers lived about the
ship. being fed aud cared for that their serviccs
be IN ne m nns urug naa tS
latter part of December. the temperature at times
rising to the freezing point had DESTROYED the young
and famine prevailed The village of snow houses
in one night disappeared. heavy rain dwelling
to the s'1 unk,nd elements. Hail was sssiduous
in caring for them. and especially SO. in his
ssSaa.'' never lost sight Of the fact that he was
preparing himself in every possible way Tor prose-
rades. His one purpose in exposing himself to the
rigors of Arctic lite was that he might be the
means OF rescuing the possible survivors OF tina,
had since ls4s enlisted the sympathies of both
hemispheres His happiness during delays eIt
forced by the severity OF tho other provi
dental causes arose only because he employed the
time in educating himself by studying the language
and customs of the Esquimaux. rs to be better
able to prosecute his mission---to which with the
firm faith Of a zealot he believed he had been
specially called Of God
4 RARE CHRISTIAN GIFT.
The Christmas was M spent jSyfally the ships co
whose intelligence had commended her to his notice.
he presented copy Of the Bible the truths Of
and in the faith Of which she died at Groton, Conn.,.
in the closing hours OF our centennial year: Until
looking up to him with ia affection, and with her
husband, Ebierbing. who is now with Lieutenant
for Franklin's records, accompanied him on all Of
his expeditions and in numberless ways proved herr
sideration. It should not be forgotton how ike
true heroine she acted when with Captain
Tyson during that wonderful drift in 1923 she
desertion OF the whites by the Esquimaux whose
tears were aroused by talks among the Polaris men
of cannibalsm, and thereby saved the lives Of the
AN UNEXPECTED CHRISTMAS.
Much to Halls disappointment heavy ice closed
the harbor's mouth during oil the summer and
second Christmas was reluctantly spent In the same
spot. This unexpected delay was not provided
visions increased the gloom OF that second Arc.
hood had revealed to Hail the traditions Of Frobish-
ers expeditions three hundred years before, and
gave him abundant food for thought and investiga-
tion during the dreary hours of the winters innc-
tivty Fortunately, temperature lower than that
Of the before prevailed. aud the natives were
welcome return for the assistance they had received
when in distress. Hall had now become acc ustomed
meats. His thoughts. however. were constantly on
his great object, and he longed to return to the
boat which early frustrated his plans for this expel
diton, and start again to solve the mysteries hang.
ing over the fate Of Frankins I'M men;
FROM 1864 TO 1869.
Hall is the only Arctic explorer who spent hvo
Christmases in succession in the ice bound regions
Of the North During three Of the winters NO was
absolutely alone with the natives. sense Of fesr
seems never to have been experienced. Absorbed in
his one object, dangers, difficulties and privatons
found him unswsrving. Moreover, to be with tine
Esquimsux suited him admirably. for upon them he
depended largely for information and help In
cutting his search.
cInIsrMAs IN AN 1aLoo.
The first christmas as spent a,a IN snow nouso o1
by friendly clan Of natives. about thirty mum.
ber living richly on the venison stored from tho
fall hunts and the walrus caught the ice OF
the Welcome. Hall entered eagerly into their winter
sports-their games. their feastings. their exhibitions
OF strength and skill, their hunts and their curious
religious observances. The return OF some natives
from visit to the whalemen wintering 135 milos to
the south the occasion or Thoughtful remenls
brance tho part of the captains. and the
grateful Hall received several very acceptable Christi
ture IS degrees below xero The low rugged coast
was mantled with snow, the shore ice. rough ana
piled with hummocks. extended from the shore
formed. and waiting only for the first storm
break up and scatter, led for Ave or six miles to
the young ice on its edge. In this tickle BENDER
the huge walrus sports. thrusting his hard head
through the thick ice only perhaps. to receive
the harpoon of the adventurous Innuit. Still
fur ter the open water OF the channel made by the
tides and the currents sends up like steaming cal
dron clouds of dark vapor. Beyond the rough edges
of the heavy ice dotted over with bergs and ice
masses catch the eye, while the Is greeted with
the distant roar OF its struggling forces
A LANTERNS
The following Christmas Day. on the shores Of
Eepuse Bay in the midst OF village of fortythres
souls Hall found his snow house warm and COM
Portable. The whole day was given up to pleasure.
Feassings in every igloo awaited the happy guest:
Hall spread special table in his spacious home and
entertained the whole population with his choicest
stores. special feast was prepared jor the chill.
roilcking sledge ride about the town. small puppies
being used for draught. The settlement was illumi-
temperature was 50 degrees below zero. frolios
Of the children In the open air were extended to
looked for ward with confident hope to the spring.
when he expected to reach King Williams Land By
sledge. and there determine tho fate OF Frsnklns
men,
cHRIsrMAs WITH wHALKMKN.
Four whalemen wintered In Repulso Bay In 1860.
Hall established his winter quarters on an island
near tho ships harbor ana althc ugh frequently
offered berth by the kindly captains he preferred
living in Innuit style in y snow house. His inter.
course with the whalernen was Of the pleasantest
character. and numerous visits were intcrchanged.
Ohristmas Day faithfully observed by the crews
of the vessels. big dinner. theatrical presentas
ton and an amusing dance, in which the lnnutt
breezes, quito bearablc. The bay solidly
covered by its coating Office. and abroad one drear
uniform expanse OF snow covered land and ice
met the roaming eye. with perhaps here and there
the deepening shadows OF protuberances or tha
neghboring main land. About tho harbor also the
purity OF the covering had been sadly sullied
by tho tho ships and the gloos clustered
about them.
CHRISTMAS PLENTY
Halls next Christmas was spent on the shores %
the same bay among the same people. and. In sddi-
ton. he had the company Of Ave seamen, whose
vices he had secured when the ships left in the SUM
mer. With these he hoped to be aDle to accomplish
his long contemplated journey to King williams
Land. from which ho had been kept the year before
by fears the part Of his natives OF meeting hos
tile Innuits. Reindeer killed in largo numbers In
the fall provided for every want, and peace and
plenty smiled upon the Christmas mirth aud festiv.
tiles of that lonely little hamlet OF igloos In tho
midst of the rough scenery and dosolste air Of Al
Arctic wiuter.
A CHRISTMAS WITH FRIENDS.
The Christmas of 1868 found Hall once more alone
his purpose still unaccompshed through an excus-
able divergence Hall bravod the horrors of hfth
winter rather than give up the object which had
huenced his life for more than twenty years. On 3