The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-03-24
"a DASH TO THE POLE"

In almost every country to-day scientific
men are working hopefully and enthusiast
tically upon the problem Of aerial naviga-
ton. Prof. S. r. Langley, of the Smith
sonian Institute, has recently published the
result of his remarkable experiments in this
field. Tho Cosmopolitan Magazine has
offered prizes for the best paper upon this
great problem and its probable solution.
In view Of the present agitation OF the
whole question of aerial navigation, and
the interest taken in the Nansen expedi-
ton, now being fitted out with the purpose
of reaching the north pole, this startling
tale of Arctic adventure, in an air ship con-
sttucted in accordance with the latest ad-
vances in aeronautio science 10 peculiarly
timely and attractive.
The story opens in a Pullman sleeper,
where meet by strange chance q Chicago
capitalist, q young real estate enthusiast
(who contemplates a Polar hotel for sum
mer boarders). u young scientist. a gay
Boston technology student, a survivor of
the Greeley Arctic expedition, and the in
ventor who has solved the great a%eronautic
problem Of to-day. The inventor betrays
his secret discoveries and a compact is
made for an aerial expedition to the north
pole, the capitalist agreeing to furnish the
money. The incidents OF the second chap
ter occur after a lapse of time, during
which the "Aeropole'' has been constructed
and everything made ready for the danger
GUS voyage. The air ship is described; it is
made of aluminium and propelled by cleo
tricity, stored according to q wonderful
method discovered by the inventor. Then
follows in rapid succession a series Of alb
sorbina and thrilling episodes; the
attempt OF a rival inventor to inter
fere with the start by an injunc-
ton; keeping back the constables
by a rampant of electric wires. hastily CON
structed; the hurried start at last; first sen
sations Of flying through the air; the view
Of Lake Michigan from above; the dis
covesy that the supply of matches has been
forgotten in their haste; racing with wild
geese at 40 miles an hour; the a%wfulness of
a~ir-sickness--a new disease: the inventor
falnts away; narrow escape from being
dashed to death on q mountain peak; drop
ping food to q starving sailor in the Arctic
seas; the power gives out forsome unknown
reason; the halt 100 miles from the pole:
u IOuA0Cy u VIC bc4RCdAb duu bAo UubOT;
the pole reached at last; the great fiat
plain at the north end of the earth; the
death Of the tutor; the air ship starts again;
the sergeant rescued; the homeward jour
ney.
IA Dash to the Pole" will be read with
absorbing interest by old and young alike.
1t is ar imaginative romance, but based
upon the best information and research;
incidentally it conveys much curious
knowledge. Isl
The author. Mr.. Herbert d. Ward, wrote
what may safely be called the best story Of
American school life, ''Th4 New Senior at
Andover'' published in Wide Awake a year
ago). His white Gar" in a recent Cen
tury, proves him to be a man unusual i'm
agination. His serial, ga Lost City" ran
with great success in a number of news
papers last spring. His novels, collaborated
with Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward, The
Master of the Magicians' and Come
FORTH were brilliant ventures in an IN
usual field. 5e
The pictures are by H. j. BridQman, an
artist who has done good work for the mag
azines and nevertheless knows the condi-
lions of newspaper illustration. The story
Will run twelve weeks. The first INSTALL
ment will appear exclusively. for Montana
in HE HELENA INDEPENDENT Of April 3.