The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-10-07

cAptOlLlOu CiuiPpVu CT
Gloucester, Mass. All was ready
on the evening of July 3, 1907.
Ashore boys were testing their
fireworks for the morrow OF celebra-
ton, but aboard, as our vessel, the
John r. Bradley, withdrew from the
pier, all was quiet. There were no
visiting crowds Of curiosity seekers.
No footing whistles signalized our de-
parture.
An arctis expedition had been born
without the usual public bOmbast.
There was, indeed, no excuse for
clamor. Neither the help Of the gov
eminent nor the contributions Of pri-
vate individuals had been sought. The
project was quietly given life and its
expenses were paid by John K. Brad
ley. Its destiny was shaped by the
writer.
Mr. Bradley was interested in game
animals Of the north. l was interested
In the game of the polar quest. For
the time being the business concerned
us only. If the venture proved sue
cessful there would be time enough to
raise the banner of victory. II it fail
ed none had the privilege Of heaping
upon us the unmerited abuse which
usually comes to the returning polar
traveller
In q brief month all had been pre-
pared for the peculiar mission. We
had purchased a strong Gloucester fish
ing schooner, fitted with a motor, COW
cred for ice and loaded down with
suitable supplies for a prolonged pc
Rod
One morning the bold cliffs Of Cape
York were dimly outlined in the gray
mist which screened the land. A storm
had carried so much ice against the
coast that near approach was i'm
possible, and continued winds kept up
a sea which made it equally difficulty
TO land on the ice.
In Ice Free Polar Waters.
Though anxious to meet the natives
at Cape York, we were forced to turn
and set a course for the next village,
at North Star bay. At noon the sooty
clouds separated, and in the north
through the narrow breaks we saw the
steep slopes and warm color of GRIM
son cliffs resting on the rising water.
Darling through the air were count
less guillemots, gulls, little auks and
elder ducks. We were in the ice free
north waters, where creatures Of the
sea find n marine oasis in midst Of a
polar desert.
This kind Of coast extends poleward
to the lands end 1t is the abundant
sea life which makes human habita.
tion just possible here, though land
animals are also important.
The people of the farthest north are
crowded into q natural reservation by
the arctic ice wall of Melville bay in
the south and the stupendous line Of
cliffs of Humboldt glacier in the north
Homo Of the Eskimos.
Widely scattered in small villages
the northernmost Eskimo finds here 8
good living. A narrow band Of rocky
land between the land ice and the set
offers grasses upon which feed ptarmi
gan, hare and caribous
Numerous cliffs and islands afford
resting place in summer for myriad.
Of marine birds that seek the small
life Of the icy waters. Blue and whit
foxes wander everywhere. Seal, walrus
narwhal and white whale sport in tn,
summer sun, while the bear. king o
the polar wilds. roams over the sea a
all times.
The yacht lodged the icebergs an,
dangerous rocks in the fog abou
Cape Athol. then turned eastward t
cross Wolstenholme sound.
AS we neared Table mountain
which guards North Star bay. man.
natives came out in kayaks to NEE
us. Some were recognized as ole
friends There was Myah he of man,
wives; Oobloiah. who had execute,
Angodgibsah, styled the villain b.
Gibson at Radcliffe House, and Pin
cOota. husband Of the queen. in who's
family are to be found the only by
brid children of the tribe
Later, Knud Rasmussen, Il Danisl
writer. living as a native among tn
people, came aboard. With him W
got better acquainted during the win
ter
Late at night visit was made t
the town OF Oomanooi. There wer
seven triangular sealskin tents, con
veniently placed on picturesque rock.
Gathered about these in large nun
bers We're men. women and children
shivering in the midnight chill.
They were odd looking specimens O
humanity. In height the men ave.
aged but five feet two inches and til
women four feet ten inches. All ha
broad, fat faces. heavy trunks an
we'll rounded limbs. Their skin wa
slightly bronzed. Men and wome
had coal black hair and brown eye
The nose was short, and the hand
and feet were short. but thick
There was not much news to e,
change. After We had gone over til
list of marriages and deaths the 1uc
of the chase became the topic Of col
versation.
1t was n period of monogam.
Myah had exchanged Il plurality {
wives for a larger team Of dogs. an
there was but one other man in ii
tribe with two wives
Women were rather scarce. Sever
manageable men were forced to for
60 the advantages Of married life b
cause there were not enough wives TO
all. By mutual agreement several me-
had exchanged wives. In other case
women had chosen other partners. an
the changes were made seemingly t
the advantage Of all, for no regret
were expressed.
There was an average Of three ia
clever children for each family, th
youngest, as rule, resting in pocke
on the mothers back.
Dwellings of the Eskimos.
The tent had raised platform upo