The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1909-10-19

without the usual barriers 81 uplificd
blocks over II direct air line course
was possible Progress. however. was
quite rs diliiculf as over the Irregular
rack. The snow was crusted with
large crystals An increased friction
reduced the speed. while the surface
too hard for snowshoes, was also too
weak 10 give n secure footing. The
loneliness. the monotony. the hardship
Of steady. uurelieved travel were now
keculy felt.
II Is not often that mans horsepow-
or i put 10 the test as ours was. We
were compelled 10 develop a working
energy to the limit Of animal capacity
Day after day we had pushed along
nj the same steady pace over plains OF
frost and through a mental desert.
As the eye opened at the end OF an
lev slumbcr the FIRE was lighted little
by little. the stomach was filed with
liquids and solids. mostly cold-enough
to last for the day. for there could he
no halt or waste OF fuel for midday
feeding. We next got into harness
and paced on the days pull under th,
lash o. duty. We worked until stand.
ing became impossible-longer in light
winds. shorter IN strong winds. but al
ways until the feet became numb and
heavy.
Then came the arduous task OF build
ing n snow boise. IN this the eyes. no
longer able TO wink. closed. but soon
the empty stomach complained. and II
was filed up again-not with things
that pleased the palate. only hard fuel
to feed the inner fires. while the ear
sought the soft side Of ice TO dispel
fatigue: no pleasure in mental recrea-
ton. nothing 10 arouse the soul from
its icy Enclosure.
To eat. to sleep. 10 press one foot
ahead OF the other. was our steady vo-
cation. like the horse to the cart. bur
we had not his advantage OF an agre''-
able climate and comfortable stable
at night.
Words and pictures cannot adequate
~ describe the maddening influence
OF this sameness OF polar glitter. conf
bined with bitter winds. extreme cold
and an overworked body. To mo there
was always the inspiration Of antici-
nation OF the outcome Of ultimate snc-
cess. but for my yonng savage com
nanions IL was torment almost hc.
vond endurance. Their WEAKNESS WIS
made evident by lax Use Of the viii?
and an Indifferent urging Of the dogs
They were. however. brave aud faith
full TO the bitter end. seldom allowing
selfish ambitions or uncomfortable
passions seriously 10 Interfere with the
main effort Of the expedition.
On the morning Of April IL strain
Of agitatlne torment reached break
ing point. For days there bad been =
steady cutting wind from the wcSl
which drove despair to its lowest
reaches
No torment could he worse than ihlt
never ceasing rush OF icy air. Ahwr
lab bent over his sled and refused to
move.
His dogs turned and looked in
auIringly. walked over and stood
by his side. Etukishuk came near and
stood motionless. staring blankly NJ the
southern skies Large tears fell from
Ahwelah's eyes and piled little frost
OF sadness I'm the blue OF his own shad.
ow for several minutes. Not n word
was uttered. but knew that each felt
that the time had come to free the fet-
ters Of human passions. Slowly Ahwe-
lab said. "Unne sinlg pa-oo-ah-tonie
i-o-doria" CIT is well to die-beyond Is
impossible'D.