Daily globe., 1882-05-14
CAPT. DE LONG.
The Last Arctic Eepforer-Ho,c He Parted
WSth His Wife.

9he Last Arctic Ecptorer-Hoc He Parted
WSth His Wife.
VIM. Bradford was in San Francisco when
the Jeannette sailed on her fatal voyage, and
thus describes the parting of Capt. De Long
and his wife:
Capt, De Long needed and had no more
competent adviser than his wife. She is
noble, highly intelligent woman, and, like
himself, an enthusiast upon the subject of
Arctic exploration. She has read and studied
everything that experience and science have
made known upon that topic, is familiar with
the minutest details of every endesvor ever
made for the penetration of the profound veil
of mystery overhanging that field of most
daring adventure. Gould she possibly have
done so, she would have been most glad to
have accompanied him upon his expedition,
sharing his hardships. his perils and his
fate. That, however, was manifestly imprac-
ticaDle, as she had the good sense to recog-
nize. think
ONE OF THE MOST TOUCHING EPISODES
I ever Witnessed was the parting between
Lieut.. De Long and his wife, and know that
the pang OF separation was heightened by her
regret that she could not share his trials in
the heroic endeaVOr for the attainment of the
purpose in which her heart was as much
San Francisco with tug following us to take
back those who were to return, and not word
was spoken of the separation momentarily
drawing nearer. Finally, when we had got
pretty well out, Lieut. De Long came to me
and said st is time to go a small boat
was lowered from TIE side and manned; he
and Mrs. De Long 60. into it. followed them
and he gave the order to pull away for the
tug. During the trip the silence in the little
boat was ppressive-painfuly beyond de-
scription-the only sound being the thump
of the oars in the rowlocks and the swash of
the water. When we reached the tug Lieut..
De Long pressed his wife's hand
AND SIMPLY SAID 'GooD-BY.'
She stepped upon the tug, and, turning, bent
upon her husband a look in which there was
expressed the most poignant feeling mingled
with devout silent prayer for his safety and
success. For an instant he seemed to hesitate,
as If for the moment unnerved by her attitude
and look; then, recovering his self control,
turned to his men and in full, strong voice
commanded: 'Pull away, men!" Soon their
swiftly-plied oars placed him alongside the
Jeannette. We saw him mount the side, saw
the vessel bear away, and watched her in silence
until she was mere speck upon the distant
horizon, without word being spoken. Then,
finally. when the Jeanette was fading from
sight, Mrs. De Long said to me: please let's
go below. want to be alone for moment
| complied with her request. Soon, however,
almost Immediately indeed, such was
HER POWER OF SELF CONTROL,
and believe, also, her confidence in her hus-
bands ultimate success ard happy return to
her, that che regained her self-possession and
entered into conversation. 1t was such a
manifestation of bravery on the part of wo-
man as / never saw before, and never expect
to witness again"
THE MAN.
Lieut.. De Long looked little over 80 years
OF age. His features were well rounded, in
clining to fullness, with broad, firm under
jaw, bespeaklng wealth Of determina-
tion and force, and shapely mouth grace
fully shaded by dropping, dark bro ~n mus
tache. On the bridge of q rather plume-like
nose he wore pair OF spectacles, partly con-
cealing pair of expressive dark eyes. His
short hair was dark brown.