The herald., 1896-01-05
TO LONDON WITHOUT SHIPS


Nowadays when you lunch in New York
on Saturday and dine in London on that
day week, it is strange that any ybody-even
MIR. Harry de Windt-should map out
journey from America to Europe costing
over $4,000 and occupying over two years.
But Mr.. de Widnts desire for the curious
in trips is Unsuitable; so, ere he could have
rested from his Siberian march, he has
started on an expedition more protracted
and more hazardous than any of his former
achievements The young explorer was
found, just before he sailed for America. in
his chambers in Jerinyn street, London,
pouring over maps and plans, and sur
rounded by piles of books written by trav-
elers on some of the regions he proposes to
visit.
"Iou see," he said, pointing to the piles
around him, "that | do not embark on
this journey without studying it. Why, it
ha. taken me over year TO work out the
details"
the traveller was over 80 when he started
on his first great j 'urney from Pekin to
Calais by land. Partially of French de-
scent, his mother having been French
woman and his father an Enghshman, he
was born near Paris in 1886, and received
his education in France. None of his fam
lily were conspicuous for travel. His pas
81 m for globe trotting is not hereditary.
His sister married Rajtn Brooke of Sara
wok, and De VIII DIT, the eminent painter,
was a member of his family.
show did the idea of this journey of
yours originator
"Aeil,' he replied. ''it came about in
this way. Last year. after my insp ction
of the Siberian prisons, l landed at Niko-
lafsk. could not get away, as there was
no ship, and l had perforce to wait five
dreary weeks on a mud bank One day
seal ny schooner came in flying the Afner-
can flag. Eager 10 talk TO some one who
was not a Russian, ran down and board
ed the vessel. Her skipper, Capt James
Adair, a CHEEKY soul, contided ia me that
he had named his ship a da, after himself -
it is something of a jump from Ada to
Adar. He had knocked about lot. In
the evenings we discussed my former jour
Ieys, and when conversation turned on
what was the greatest land journey pos
slble, he remarked: Il have crossed Behr-
ing sea seven times on the ice-for our pur-
pose let lis call that laud-and if you could
go from New York TO London or Paris by
that route. you would perform about as
long a journey as you could find.' Can
you show me the way?' Yes he replied
with aIacrity. 4 will accompany you from
Vancouver as far as >iberia-where you will
feel quite at home-and then return We
shook hands over the barea ain and the thing
was set led. That's how it came about"
$50 you will not be alone?"
"No. Captain Adair will join me at Van
couver and accompany ne across the
Bering Straits. My servant, George Hard
ing, will be with me during the whole trip,
Joining me at San Francisco, whittier we
will proceed by sea, taking with him all
my stores and other imped menta. h rd-
lug is an invaluable companion. He has
been with me over twelve years, and trav-
elled with me in Siberia in ST and 90,
and on my Pekin-Calais journey. This
will be my most prolonged. most hazard
Gus trip. All the others are insignificant
compared to it. l shall have to cover not
less that 10000 miles.
sly cXpedition-I forgot to mention
this-will form at Vancouver, under the
direction of Captain Adair. 1t will num-
ber some thirty Indians and half-breeds,