St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1901-10-30
How Peary is to Reach the Pole.

Land, on Thursday, August 20. he
was in splendid spirits and perfect physi-
cal condition He had his party thor
oughly in hand. He had behind him ten
years experience. Att gether the situa-
tion was such that we can safely predict
that Mr.. Peary vi reach the North Pole
within the year. All the conditions are
in his favor. There is every reason to
believe that he will succeed where every
one else has failed. He will make the
start with the first appearance of the
long day next March. His time, in the
meanwhile, will be occupied in complet
| ing his preparations in every detail. He
already has these preparations in the
most excellent shape. Unlike the other
Arctic eXplo ers VINO have reached out
for the Pole, PeaIy will trust entirely to
walking. The only other man who did
this was hansen, and that only for lit
tie way after leaving his ship, and he
came to grief because he was not prop
erly prepared for the journey.
Peary is accommodating large stores OF
meat for dogs, the backbon OF any ex
petition that is to succeed, He already
has one hundred tons of walrus catched,
and will add to his store materially be-
| fore he starts. His outfit will include
between sixty and seventy dogs. To
| support these dogs requires two and
halt pounds of meat day, and in max
ing calculations it is not only necessary
to carry meat enough to feed the dogs
going but also to bring them back. On
the return trip the dogs, will, if neces,
sary, gradually be killed off and fed to
their remaining fellows, so that the ex-
petition upon its return will be burdened
with comparatively few sledges.
There are many reasons why we feel
confident that Lieutenant Peary will
make success of his expedition. In the
first place, as l have said, he has ten
years experience behind him. This is an
invaluable asset, particularly to a man
OF the Lieutenants disposition. Just be-
fore parting from his wife he said to her:
III | had only known ten years ago
what | know now this thing would have
been over long ago."
What he meant was that the knowl
edge he now possesses makes the task
comparatively easy one.
Another factor that is going to have a
strong bearing is Pearys superb mental
and physical condition. The outdoor
life that he has led in the bracing cold of
the North has built up for him a system
that was the envy of all OF us who saw
him. He is as hard as nails and as su.
perlor to physical tests from the stand.
point OF the ordinary man as can well be
imagined. Every other man who has
attempted to explore the Arctic regions
has suffered more or less from exposure,
has been dependent upon huts or other
artificial shelter. Without such shelter
these men would have frozen to death.
Peary, on the other hand has so har-
dened himself that he lived much of last
winter in the field, his only protection
against the weather having been snow
igloos.
Again, Peary is in thorough touch and
sympathy with the natives, something
no other white man has ever accom-,
pIished. He knows them like a book,
and they know him and respect him
thoroughly. He has but to crook his
finger and they fly to do his bidding. He
is their complete master, and at the
same time their good friend. Their rela-
tons are ideal so far as discipline and
results are concerned. In the opinion of
all men who know anything about the
SUBJECT nothing is more essential to suc-
cess in reaching the Pole than the good
will and cooperation of the natives,
With this assured half the battle is won.
They are hardened to the climatic condi.
tons, and, properly led, are fearless.
The long arctic night, which appals the
heart of the stoutest white man, leaves
them absolutely unimpressed.
There are only comparatively few of
these natives-the Highland Eskimos
The last census showed, | believe total
of only 243. They are scattered in small
settlements and are generally on the
move They remain in one spot only
long enough to exhaust the hunting and
hshing, and then they seek another loca.
ton. Some OF the settlements consist of
only one family: say, a man and his wife,
and two or three children. Not any of
the families are large. One reason there
are so few natives is that, periodically,
they seem to be visited by some epidemic
which sweeps a considerable number
away. len years ago there was such an
epidemic. At that time over twenty per
cent of them died from pneumonia. AS
general thing, however, the natives are
very hardy and capable of enduring any
amount OF fatigue. Mr.. Peary realizing
this, has determined to work entirely
with their aid, dispensing with the white
men. His party consists at present of
about ten. Included in it are his white
cook and steward, and his colored man.
Henson. All the others are natives.
When he starts for the Pole he will prob
ably take four or five of the natives
along.
His camp at present is on the west side
Of Smiths Sound, about ten miles from
Cape Sabine. He has before him at the
start clear and well-defined road of
about $50 miles to Fort Conger From
there ne has another good road to Cape
Hecla, $50 miles farther north. From
Heca he will steer straight for the Pole,
following the light north, and travelling
steadily. By starting as he does this
time he avoids two crossings over the
ice that were made necessary when be
made the attempt before. These cross
ings were over Smiths Sound and Rob-
son Channel. AS the ice at these places
IS liable at any time to prove untrust-
worthy and dangerous, the advantage
IN being able to avoid them is manifest.
with lair success the journey from Hecla