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

life was detected In the water of the crew
ices At the big lead few algae were
gathered, but here the sea was sterile.
The signs Of seal and bear, however,
were encouraging for possible food sup
ply. In returning the season would be
more advanced and the life might move
northward, thus permitting an extension
of the time allowance Of our rations.
Though the heat of the sun was barely
felt, it's rays began to pierce the eye with
painful effects. The bright light, being
reflected from the spotless surface of the
storm-driven SHOWS, could not long be en-
dured even by the Eskimos without some
protection. The amber-colored goggles
that we had made at Annootok from the
glass of the Photographic supplies now
proved a priceless discovery. They eff
fectually removed one Of the greatest tor
ments to arctic travel.
The darkened or smoky glasses. blue
glass and ordinary sunward automobile
goggles had all been tried with Indifferent
results. They failed for one reason or
another. mostly because of an insufficient
range of vision or a faulty construction,
making it impossible to proceed more than
few minutes without removing the ac-
cumulated condensation.
Relief in Amber Glasses.
This trouble was entirely eliminated in
our goggles. The amber glass screened
only the active rays which njure the eye,
but did not interfere with the range of
vision. Indeed, the eye, relieved of the
snow glare, was better enabled to see dis
tant objects than through field glasses.
1t is frequently most difficult to detect
icy surface irregularities On cloudy days
The amber glass also Gispels this trouble
perfectly, enabling the eye to search care
fully every nook and crevice through the
vague 1ncandeScence which blinds the OBJ
server in hazy weather. The amber glass
therefore. reduces not the quantity Of
hight, as do smoky glasses, but the quail
1ty. We were not only relieved OF the
pain and fatigue of snow glare, but the
amber color gave a touch of cheer and
warmth to our ever chilled horizon Of
blues The usual snow goggles add an
ugly gray blue to the frozen seas which
alone sends frosty waves over the ner-
vous fibers.
So thoroughly were we In love with
these goggles that later they We're worn
while asleep, with the double object of
screening the strong light which passes
through the eyelids and also>tO keep the
forehead warm.
afternoon the weather proved good and
the Ice, though newly crevassed, i'm
proved as we advanced. The late start
spread our days work close to the chill
of midnight, and before we were quite
ready to camp there We're signs of an
other gale from the west. Little sooty
clouds with ragged edges scurricd along
at an alarming pace and beyond huge
smoky bank b,ackened tie peahy glitter.
Suitable camping ice was sought, and
in the course of an hour igioe was
built The structure was butt stronger
than usual. Double tiers eff snow blocks
were placed to the Windward and a little
water was thrown over the top TO cement
the blocks. The dogs We're fastened to
the lee of Iummccks and the s'eds were
securely dashed and fastened to the ice
We expected a hurricane and had not
long to wait to taste OF its bitters.
Before we were at rest in our bags the
wind brushed the SHOWS with "a force in
conceivable. The air thfckened with rush
ing drift. In a few moments the dogs
and sleds were buried under banks of
snow and great drifts encircled the igloo.
The cemented blocks of our dome with
stood the sweep of the blast very Well
but many small holes were burrowed
through the snow wall, permitting some
drift to enter. -.
Storm Suddenly Drops. ,i
Early in the morning, after a rush Of
but few hours. the storm ceased as
suddenly as 1t came, and left a stiffness
which was appalling. The dogs soon be-
gan to howl desperately, as if attacked
by a bear, and we rushed out, seeking
guns but there was no approaching crea-
ture.
1t was combined signal of distress.
The storm-driven SHOWS had buried and
bound them in unyielding frost They
had partly uncovered themselves, but by
trace and harness they were frozen to
hardened masses, so much so that few
could rise and stretch, which is a severe
torment to dogs after a storm We freed
their traces. beat the cemented SHOWS
from their furs with sticks, and their
curling tails and pointed noses told of
common gratitude.
AS we skirmished about for little
stretch ourselves. the sun rose over the