Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-09


hracing. while the bright sun threw
glittering smiles from slant to slant.
The seamen forward sang Of the de-
lights of fisher folk.
A monograph sent music, classical
and otherwise. into the arctic air from
the cabins. At table there was a kind
of continuous performance with q
steady hand and receptive stomach.
During two days of stormy diScom-
fort several important meals had been
willingly missed. But in the arctic
food accounts must be squared as
quickly as possible. Here were the joys
of civilization. health and recreation in
new wilderness. all combined in the
composite adventures of cruising in
arctic seas.
On the following morning We passed
Cape Alexander and entered Smith
sound. Half n gale came from the sea
and we entered Foulke Fjord. The town
Of Etai was composed of four tents,
which for this season had been pitched
beside a small stream just inside or
the first projecting point on the north
shores.
Inside this point there was sheltered
water to land the Eskimos' kayaks.
1t also made good harbor for the
yacht. 1t is possible in favorable sea-
sons to push through Smith sound. over
Kane basin into Kennedy channel, but
the experiment is always at the risk Of
the vessel.
The Yacht Prepares to Return.
There was no special reason for us to
hazard life. therefore the yacht was here
prepared for the return voyage. This
was to consume several days, and we
sought to occupy the time in exploration
and sport.
The vicinity of Etah is notable as the
stamping ground of DR.. Kane and DR..
Hayes in the middle of the last CEN
fury. There were no UNEMPLOYED spots
h11f
good deal of game near. Before we land
ed We watched the Eskimos. Iarpoon a
white whale. The little aux kept us busy
for day. while hares. tumbling like
snowballs over dark rocks, gave another
day OF gun recreation.
Far beyond along the inland ice, were
caribou, but we preferred to confine our
exploration to the 'seashore. The bay
waters We're alive with elder ducks and
suillemots. while just outside walrus
dared us to venture on an open contest
on the wind-swept seas.
After ambitions for the chase and local
exploration were satisfied we were told
that the people of Annootok. twenty-five
miles to the north, would be glad to see
us. Here was the chance to arrange q
jaunt in the motorboat. The tanks were
filled, suitable food and camp equipment
were loaded, and off we started on the
morning of August 81 for mans ultima
thule.
1t was beautiful day. with light air
Island, we searched for relics along Life
boat cove. The desolate cliffs of Cape
Hatherton were a blaze of color and
light. but the sea was refreshingly COOL
with fleets OF blue towering bergs to dis
pei the fire of arctic midsummer
As we rushed in comfort past the ice
polished and wind-swept headlands the
sea was alive with birds. seals and wal
ruses. put little shooting was done. for
We were bent on enjoying the quiet sport
of motor boating.
Arrival at Annootok.
As We passed the sharp rocks of Cairn
Point we located nine tents in a small
bay under Cape Inglefield.
Look, there is Annootokr' said Tun-
gan, our native guide.
Looking up Smith sound, we noted that
the entire channel beyond was blocked
with jam of hard blue ice The north
ernmost limit of motor boating had been
reached. perpendicular cliff served as
pier to which to fasten the boat Here
il could rise and fall with the tide and
the drifting ice did not give much trouble.
A diligent exploration OF the town dis
closed the fact that We had reached not
only the northernmost town. but the most
prosperous settlement of the Greenland
shore. The best hunters had gathered
here for the winter bear hunt.
Their game catch had been very lucky.
Immense caches of meat were strewn
along the shore. More than q hundred
dogs voiced the hunt force. with which
Eskimo prosperity is measured and
twelve long-haired wild men came out
to meet lis as friends.
The wealth in food and furs of this
place fixed my determination on this
spot as base for the polar dash. We
were standing al a point within 700 miles
of the pole. The strongest force Of men,
the best teams of dogs and an unlimited
supply Of food, combined with the equip
hNn ftl,N rapt1f vvon1, 400.
plant from which TO work out the cam
paign. The seeming hopeessness of the
task had kind Of weird fascination for
me Many years OF schooling In both
polar zones and in ountaineering would
serve a useful purpose.
Conditions Ripe for Dash.
Here was my chance. Here was every
thing necessary. conveniently placed with
in the polar gateway. The problem was
discussed with my colleague. Mr.. Brad
ley generously volunteered to land from
the yacht the food. fuel and other sup
plies we had provided for local use. There
was abundant trading material to serve
money.
My own equipment aboard for sledgt
travelling could be made to serve every
purpose i'll the enterprise. The possible
combination left absolutely nothing to b,
desired to insure success.
Only good Heailn, enOuraDle weather
and workable ice were necessary. TIL,
expenditure of a million dollars could no
have placed an expedition at better ad
vantage. The opportunity was too goot
to be lost. We. therefore. returned t.
Etah to prepare for the quest
Strong efforts had been made to reacl
the pole from every available quarter
Only the angle between Alaska ant
Greenland had been left untried. In ou
prospective venture we aimed to pierce
this area of the globe.
II we failed in our main effort we would
at least make track over a blank spot
With the resources for TRANSPORTATION
which the Eskmos offered / hoped t.
carry ample supplies over Ellesmere Lane
and along the west coast of the gam,
land
There was reason 20 suppose that w
would avoid the troublesome pack aei
tated by the Greenland currents. The
Eskimos were willing to trust to the ham,
resources of this region to feed and fire
the expedition en- route to the lands end
Splendid Advantages Offered.
II their faith proved correct II offere6
me a series of advantages denied 10 ever,
other leader of polar expeditions for tbe
movement would not only be supplied 81,
the expense of the land which It ex.
plored, but men and dogs would be taken
to the battle-ground In superb training
with their vigorous bodies nourished nv
wholesome fresh meat, not the nauseat