Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-05-01


an adventure new to his family. To charge
a mountain at the rate of 200 miles an hour
was enough to satisfy the maddest desire
for novelty.
'I'll bet that was the closest shave on
record" SAID Jack, looking apprehensively
out of the window. 'I'm not so particular
to heA that kind of a record" he unused.
For once, evidently, the American craze to
beat something had run upon snag.
''What does she go now?" he asked, turn
ing to the young tutor who was living fiat
peering through the floor window into
space.
About hundred and fifty, should
saw r''
Hadn't we better slow up bit, Cap'n
It's exhilarating, but a trife ticklish,"
suggested Jack Hardy, kicking up with
petulant motion 20 pounds of furs attached
to the outside of one leg.
Sergeant Willtwig looked at the inquirer.
He was bending over the petroleum heater
regulating the temperature with scientific
exactness. Under no circumstances must
the heat in the car rise above $50 until they
had all become acclimated to the terrible
blasts of the icy North. If possible, he
would have kent the thermometer at the
freezing point in order to prevent the crew
from taking off their furs, which were
ample to keep them warm at 500 below
zero.
But now the hardships of the trip began.
The intrepid Arctic explorer feared neither
the cold nor starvation. Nor did he fear
discord which, in 1911, had set adrift, almost
below their feet, Hudson, the patriarch of
Arctic explorers, which had wrecked the
Polaris and which had proved the death
blow of many of the best organized polar
expeditions. But idleness the Sergeant did
fear. He saw with unerring eye that some
thing must be done to keep his two self
invited passengers busy. They were brave
enough, but they were at present uncom-
Portable. Did Arctic exploration ever in
volve one atom, one indivisible particle of
comfort? Tell us, We hundreds of frozen,
starved, emaciated heroes, who have cast
your bodies before the footstool of the mac
cessible, seeking for the glory of adding a
line-a igure-a word to the substance of
human knowledge!
There is no chance for any more COL
lision," answered the commander, cheer
fully; eve are at present $1,000 feet above
the sea"
Royal, who could brave 20 grizzlies, gave
an inyolutary start
"Fitteen thousand feet is as safe as ten,
and a great deal more So" answered the
commander, dryly Then, feeling that now
was the time to set the men at systematic
work, the Sergeant added: "Mr. Sterne,
you will now prepare our next meal, and
we will depend on you for our food for the
next week. Here are printed directions for
the use of the Atkinson cooker You are
hereby appointed stewart, and are RESPONSE
bic for all supplies"
The Sergeant handed the keys of the pro-
vision room to the student, who now saw
himself Obliged to lift the two burdens,
work and obedience, to his easy shoulders.
He gave a bright look. Il pity your diges-
tion," he laughed, 'but I'll do my best"
"And, Mr.. Hardy" continued the Ser
geant, Il shall depend on you to take your
turn at being steward after Royals turn is
over As you cannot help in observations
keep the two lamps filled and trimmed.
This is a very important duty. The neg
lect of it might prove our ruin. Also,
shall look to you to keep the cabin in per-
feet order. Every man will make his own
bed, or prepare and lay his sleeping bag,
but you are to see to what belongs to no.
body and to everybody. Thus each one has
his duties outlined"
There was hustle for few moments in
the car, and the temperature of cheertulness
arose several degrees
What do YOU make it?' asked the Ser
geant anxiously, after the tntor had taken q
couple of observations at the sun.
81 should say exactly latitude go, longi-
tude 81 ="
The Sergeant examined his chart atten-
lively
THAT would make us about the middle
Of Hudson's Bay" he mused Gas the
bay is not yet open for month, we are sail
ing over leagues OF ice foes, such as nipped
the ill-fated Jeanette"
What course shall we make, sir7" asked
the tutor after little pause.
We have not yet described the astronona.