McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-09-11
MAD ARCTIC EXPLORERS.
DO the Horrors of the Polar Night Weaken
the Human Brain?

DO the Horrors of the Polar Night Weaken
the Human Brain?
st. James Gazette.
Some time ago, ''the present Mr.
Pepys," writing in this journal, remark
ed upon the little known fact that the
darkness, the loneliness, the starvation
of cold which Arctic explorers undergo,
breed madness in an extraordinary num-
Der of cases. We now learn that the
minds of Lieut.. Greely's companions
were found to be 'all weak" and that
one became insane before he died. Our
Mr.. Pepys told dreadful story in illus
tration of his remark-a story that may
be worth repeating:
Capt. c. served as junior officer
in certain north pole expedition. Away
they went and soon were lost in soil
tude; and then time with naught to do
but watch long procession of ghostly
days. But in the commanders ship his
lieutenant went mad, and presently food
began to fail, and then the commander,
calling his officers together, told them
they had come to the time of half "a
tions. But it was also time, at GER
tain place that might be reached over
land, a relief ship should arrive with
stores; and now the question was, who
would volunteer to go off to the ship,
c. offered to lead the party, and he
did so, taking with him a fair share of
provisions, and the mad lieutenant, who,
poor wretch, was bound down in the
boat he was drawn in. So they jour-
neyed day after day; the mad lieutenant
presently regaining his reason, the we'll
boarded provender still diminishing, till
these poor seamen turned in one night to
rest with their last biscuit in their
bellies.
A sad night; but in the morning on
again cheerily as might be, and there
was the ship visible almost as soon as
they had started. Now, there was sur
geon on board that ship; and after the
surgeon had dutifully examined C-'s
men, he took him aside and told him
nearly all of them might expect to 90
mad some day. As for the lieutenant,
he relapsed; and there was an end of
him. As for c., he only grew fret
full. Like many other seamen, he
thought himself neglected and his suffer-
ings and services shamefully forgot For
years he grumbled, ever talking of his
wrongs; as how many more do! and how
pitifu1 it is to hear them. Now a GER
tain great nobleman, the Duke of -,
had lately refurnished and reappointed
his ancient castle in the north and when
all was done he invited a great bevy of
his friends to an entertainment there,
and amongst them Capt. c., for
whom he had kindness. The first eve
ming there was a grand ceremOnious
banquet, and thereat sat c., and as
soon as soup was served grew warm
about his wrongs and the notorious ac-
cursed favoritism of admiralty officials.
Nor would he cease, though the duke
threw him many a meaning glance;
would have much pleasure in taking
wine with Capt. c., and so forth.
Now, at the table was lord of admiral
ty himself; and by that, and by the
dukes friendship, we may understand
how it came about that just as dinner
was over great letter, with grand
official seal, was handed by a footman
to my captain. 1t had just arrived; it
was of immediate Importance; it was q
commission of appointment to the COM
mand of noble ship ordered on instant
service. A word of leave-taking, and
that very night the happy seaman was
hurrying on the southwark road.
In due time he came to the port where
his ship lay; and there she was in Sun
day trim to receive him, and his lieuten-
ant in full rig to welcome him aboard.
Gladly and proudly he stepped aboard;
and forthwith went raving mad on his
quarter deck.