The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-10-13
BY DIR. FREDERICK COOK.

~.
change in the direction Of light or an
altered trend in our temperament the
horizon cleared and we became eager
only TO push farther into the mystery.
From the eighty-eighth to the eighty
ninth the ice was in very large fields
and the surface was less irregular. but
In other respects it was about the
same as below the eighty-seventh. We
noticed here also an extension Of the
range Of vision We seemed to see
longer distances and the ice along the
horizon had less angular outline.
The color OF the sky and the ice also
changed to deeper purple blues. We
had no way OF checking these impress
sions by other observations The ca
gerness to ind something unusual may
have fred the Imagination. but since
the earth Is 1attened at the pole per-
haps a widened horizon should be de-
tected.
At 8 O'Clock on the morning Of April
10 we camped on picturesque old
field with convenient hummocks. to
which we could easily rise for the fire.
quent outlook which We now maintain
ed. The tent was pitched. The dogs
were silenced by blocks OF pemmican.
In us new enthusiasm was aroused by
a liberal pot OF pea soup and a few
chips Of frozen meat. and then we
bathed in life giving sunbea ms. screen
ed from the piercing air by silk
strands. 1t was a beautiful day. and
had our sense Of appreciation not been
blunted by accumulated fatigue we
would have greatly enjoyed the play
scene Of sparkle.
The EskimOs were soon lost in a pro-
found sleep. the only comfort in their
hard lives. but l remained awake. as
had been my habit on succeeding days.
to get nautical observations. The Ion
gitude calculations lined us at 81 de-
grees minutes. At noon the suns al
titude was carefully set on the sextant.
and the latitude quickly reduced gave
80 degrees 81 minutes-twenty-nine
miles from the pole.
My heart jumped for Joy. and the un-
conscious commotion which l was Gre
ating awakened Etukishuk. l told him
that in two average marches we would
reach the "tigi shu" nhe big nail,.
Ahwelah was awakened with kick.
and together they went out to a hum
mock and through glasses sought for
a mark to locate so important place
as the terrestrial axis. II but one
sleep beyond 1t must be seen.
tried to explain that the pole was
not visible TO the eye: that its position
was located only by a repeated use nf
the various Instruments. This entirely
satisfied their curiosity. and they burst
out in hurra hs OF joy. For two hours
they chanted and danced the passions
Of wild life.
It was the first real sign Of pleasure
or rational emotion which they had
shown for several weeks. For some
time had entertained the fear that
we no longer possessed the strength to
return to land. but the unbridled dow
Of vigor dispelled that idea.
More sleep was quite impossible. We
brewed an extra pot Of tea. prepared a
favorite broth Of pemmican. dug UP a
surprise Of fancy biscuits and filled up
on good things to the limit OF the al
lowance for our final feast days. The
dogs, which had joined the chorus OF
gladness. were given an extra lump OF
pemmican. A few hours more were
agreeably spent in the tent. and then
we started with a new spirit for the
uttermost north.
We were excited to a fever heat.
The feet were light on this run. Even
the dogs caught the infectious enthusi-
asm and rushed along at a pace which
made it difficult for me to keep sufti-
cient advance to set a good course.
The horizon was still searched for
| something to mark the approaching
boreal center. but nothing unusual was
| seen. 1t was the same expanse OF
moving seas Of ice on which we had
lived for 500 miles.
But. looking through gladdened eyes.
! the scene assumed a new glory. There
were plains Of gold fenced in purple
walls. with gilded crests. 1t was one
Of the few days on the stormy pack
| when all nature smiled with cheering
lights.
, As the day advanced and the splen.
=. dor Of summer night was run into the
j continued usly Tue Dcd VI koiO Wv
| the surface SHOWS thickened. while the
| shadows of hummocks and ridges
/ spread line Of violet barriers through
| which way must be sought.
! From my position few hundred
| yards ahead Of the sleds l could not
resist the temptation to turn frequently
| to see the movement Of the dog train
| with its new tire. In this direction
| the color scheme was reversed. The
icy walls were In gold and burning col
| ors. while the plains represented every
| shade of purple and blue.
! Through this sea of color the dogs
came with q spirited tread. noses down
| tails up and shoulders braced to the
| straps like chariot horses. The youn.
Eskimos. chanting songs OF love. came
| with easy step. The long whip wa.
| swung with a brisk crack. and all oveI
! there rose a cloud OF frosted breath.
| Camp was pitched early in the morn
! ing Of April 20. The sun was mort b
east; the pack Giowed in tones OF lilac