The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-11-13

| FRTDFRTCE. THE PILOT.
being determined not to fall too far be.
hind the fashion, we all, with the excep-
ton Of Messrs. Astrup and Verhoen, de-
voted some time to la grippe. Fortunate
| ly we took turn about, so we could nurse
one another. My anxious time and the
time that seemed longer than all the rest
Of our stay began May Sd, when Mr..
| Peary left Redclff for the inland ice,
and lasted until August 9Th. when he re-
| turned from his 1900 mile tramp. From
| May Sd until June Sd, when the support
Ing party, consisting Of Mr.. Gibson and
DR.. Cook. returned, l had been confined
closely to Redcliff.
About July 18th the boys expected 10 be
through with their excursions and l in
tended to take my vacation. planned to
take the tent and provisions for two
weeks for Matt and myself and go 10
the head of Mccormick Bay. where Mr..
Peary expected to come off the ice and
there await his return. There were some
slight changes made IN the programme
on account of the unexpected breaking
up Of the ice, which prevented travel,
July 18th I left Redclff for my camp.
Matt had gone while the bay was still
practicable for sledge travel. taking Ikwa
and the dogs 70 help him with the load.
I went on foot along the shore. The
boys would not hear Of my walking the
distance alone and In spite Of my assur-
Ing them that / did not mind the solitary
tramp in the least, insisted that one OF
them should accompany me, and IT wa
decided that the doctor should be my
companion.
The day after my arrival at Tent Inn.
~ we called our camp because we had
meals at all hours II raired softly all
day; still it did not keep me In, and
wandered around with my shotgun, hop
ing to get a shot at some ducks, but saw
none My days We're spent I'm roaming
about the hills and valleys. shooting ducks
and looking for deer, but our hunting
parties of the fall and early spring had
seemingly cleared the valley of anything
and everything in the reindeer line.
The evenings were particularly fine, and
the air sweet and fragrant, the grass anC
moss the most vivid green in color, and
soft as velvet, studded with thousands Of
white, yellow and purple flowers; in every
direction could be heard either the rushing
and roaring Of a glacial river, as 1t sped
headlong from its icy bed TO the blue
waters Of the bay, or the ripping and
swshing Of tiny strcamlets, which seemed
to be laughing merrily at having made
their escape from the swift, noisy river
and taking a way Of their own to reach
pipers were chlrping and fitting about.
and the sun. a great golden ball, was
moving slowly along the heavens, never
hiding his face for an instant, as II afraid
Of losing a glimpse Of this beautiful
picture The inland fee seemed TO wear
a continual smile, so bright did its sur
face appear, and i took it as its way
Of assuring me that all was well with the
ones who were travelling upon its bosom.
Til. cd 10 10
an attempt TO reach the cache. which had
been placed at the foot Of the cliffs, on
the other side of a deep and swiftly flow
Ing river. for the returning inland Ice
party. | wanted TO add some milk 10 the
cache, and also to leave a note giving the
location Of our camp, TO prevent the pos
sibiity OF the returning party passing the
camp on their way 10 Redclin without
seeing us. The day was fine, the sun
;hone bright, and there was light south
east breeze, just enough 10 keep the mos
lutoes, which usually swarmed in thou
sands on a warm day. from devouring
Is.
knew IL would be long tramp around
he lake, but felt / would be amply re-
)aid If the inland ice party should return
While we were still there. and finding
he note, learn there was a welcome-not
o mention a square matchmaking them
few miles beyond.
When we reached the mouth OF the river
t was low tide. and l said: Il believe
We can cross here now, and it would save
i've miles; suppose we try IT," Matt
topped in, and | followed. Oh. how
old the water was II was above my
,amik tops, but not above my knees, and
said, GO on"
When we came 10 a rock about quarter
4 the way over, we were compelled 10
limb on il and beat our feet and limbs.
hey were so numb that we could hardly
ontrol them. Then on we went, but the
asst fourth OF the distance was the deep
st, the water coming above my knees.
{ took us fifteen minutes 10 cross, and
he temperature of the water was GER
ainly not over thirty-fye degrees, for
lrge and small pieces Of ice were floating
bout in It.
The current was very strong in places.
nd had IL not been for The boathook |
ad taken, on which TO hoist flag over
he cache, l should have been swept OF
ny feet several times.
Once across, and our wet stockings
hanged for dry ones. / did not regret
oming though Matt kept talking about
he return. | thought we might be able
D cross at the head OF the lake without
iuch discomfort, and so did not worry.
We found the chche after some little
-ouble, and / deposited the note and put
p the flag.
We retraced our steps past old Tooktoo
amp TO the mouth Of the river. Here we
ound the tide had already risen foot.
nd we continued our walk along the river
ank toward the head OF the lake. on the
Tay Matt, who had taken my little gun,
hot several specimens and pair OF long
allied ducks for our supper On reaching
he head OF the big lake We found that
communicated with smaller one by
eep. roaring torrent. which, although
arrower than the river below. was still
% wide and deep 10 be crossed. So we
'snt TIL We reached the end Of che Sec
nd lake. and here II seemed az II we
light walk around Il by climbing along