Mexico Missouri message., 1909-10-14

normal food of fresh meat. so that my
Eskimos that lived at home during the
winter night and could get their natural
food and health. which had not been the
case in previous expeditions.
For four months there had been con-
tinuous darkness, and now the gloom of
the long night was relieved by only a
few hours of daylight The chill Of the
winter was felt at its worst. We crossed
the heights Of Elesmere Land in the early
part of March, and as we reached the
Pacific Slope the temperature sank TO SO
below zero. This was the coolest tenn
perature which we had, but 1t was per-
haps our most comfortable time, for here
there was no wind.
In this run from Ellesmere Land,
through Eureka Sound and northward TO
the main end at Heiberg Island we Sc
cured 1Ol Muskox, seven polar bears and
235 hares. and we at all of the meat be-
fore 1t got cold
1t is needless to say, therefore, that
when we reached the Polar Sea we were
stocked with food for the men and dogs
We had Travelled the first 400 miles
through darkness and in the fiercest cold
Of the year. but we had lived well and
had enjoyed life. We had gone to the
Polar Sea, therefore, in the best physical
training for the dash which was to follow
later.
Up to the end Of Heiberg Island we
lived on the fat OF the land; we ate prac-
tically nothing but the meat of the game
which we secured. But we knew in GO
ing out over the Polar Sea that our food
supply was narrowly limited We took
no fresh meat for the dogs. We did not
take a long list OF things to make us
comfortable or to give us Injuries in
food.
Living the simplest possible life, prac-
tically our only food was pemmican.
Starts for Pole With Aids.
In the current number Of Outlook Mr.
George Kenyon, for whom j have the
highest regard, takes the ground that
with musk OK meat as food, load of
5000 pounds would be necessary to main
tGfrn NaVfNr flR aferlaf HnwTu
In this statement Mr. Kenyon is entire
ly correct. but since we had not used
musk OK meat as dogs food on the Polar
Sea, the criticism has no bearing on our
Our food for man and dog was dried
beef and beef tallOw. which we called
five pounds of other meat; therefore. this
5000 pounds OF meat, by Mr. Kenyon's
own figures. would be cut down to 1000
pounds-just about the actual weight of
food which we consumed on the trip.
We pushed out on the Polar Sea to the
northern point of Heiberg Island. on
March IS, Six EslSimos returned from
here. With four men, forty-six dogs and
moving supplies for eight days. the cross
ing Of the ci-cumpolar sea was begun.
Three days later two other EslNmos,
forming the last supply force, returned.
The train then was reduced to the sur
yivai of the fittest, and / was In position
at this time TO make an Ineligible Sc
lection Of the best help which could be OF
out Of 100 dogs, which had gone over
400 miles nearly half the way to the
| pole--1 could secure twentY-siX. could
| pick twenty-six dogs which assuredly
| were very good. Out OF the entire lot OF
Eskimos selected as my sole compan-
ions Etukishook and Ahwelah. two young
men Of but 20. They had proved by their
experience TO this time that they were
the most capable dog drivers OF the lot.
| The others. therefore, went back; and
| with these two young men. moving two
| sledges, and but twenty-siX dogs. we
/ started to cross the 400 miles TO our goal
The first day / encouraged long
marches TO help the progress. A big lead
| which separates the main ice from the
| central pack was crossed with little de-
| lay. The low temperature and fierce
/ winds made life torture. but cooking In
| snow houses and eating drief beef and
| tallow. and drinking hot tea secured an
| imal comfort
Explorer Discovers New Land.
! For several days after sight OF known
| land was lost sight OF, and the sky was
| not clearly visible, and we had no accu.
! rate determination OF position: but on
/ March 30 the horizon was cleared OF III
| smoky agitation and through The west.
| ern mists was discovered a new land.
/ The observations gave our position a.
| latitude SAT; longitude 1888.
| The urgent need Of rapid advance OF
| our main mission did not permit Of a de-
/ tour to explore this land.
1 Here was seen the last sign OF SOLE
earth; beyond there was nothing stable