The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-09-03


ture was persistent and the winds
made life a torture. But cooped up
in our snow houses eating dried beet
tallow and drinking hot tea there were
some animal comforts occasionally to
be gained.
E'For several days after the sight
of known land was lost the overcast
sky prevented an accurate determl-
nation of our positions. On March
80 the horizon was partly cleared and
new land was discovered. Our obser-
vations gave our position as latitude
SAT. longitude 86.36. There was ur-
gent need of rapid advance. Our main
mission did not permit detour for
the purpose of exploring the country.
Here were seen the last signs Of solid
earth beyond there was nothing sta
bic to be seen.
Beyond the Life Zone.
"We advanced steadily over the
monotony of moving ice and now
found ourselves beyond the range of
all Efe-neitber footprints Of bears
nor the blow-holes Of seals we're de-
tected. Even the microscopic creatures
of the deep were no longer under US.
The maddening influence of the shift
inc desert of frost became almost un-
endurable in the daily routine. The
surface of the pack offered less and
less trouble and the weather lmprov-
ed. but there still remained the life
sappine wind which drove despair to
its lowest recess. The extreme cold
compelled physical action. Thus day
after day our weary legs spread over
bic distances. Incidents and positions
were recorded but adventure was
promptly forgotten in the next day s
efforts.
"The night Of April 7 was made
notable by the swinging Of the sun at
midnight over the northern ice. Sun
burns and frost bites we're now re-
corded on the same day, but the dou-
bile days glitter infused quite an
incentive into ones life of Shivers.
"Our observation on April 8
placed the camp in Latitude S6.36,
longitude 942. In spite Of what
seemed long marches we advanced but
little over 100 miles. Much Of our
work was lost in circuitous twists
aroud troublesome pressure lines and
high irregular fields. A very old ice
drift, too, was driving eastward with
sufficient force to give some anxiety.
Nature Now Frowns.
Although still equal to about 81
miles daily, the extended marches and
the lon hours for travelling with which
fortune favored US earlier were no
longer possible. We were now about
200 miles from the, pole and sledge
loads were reduced. One dog after
another went into the stomachs OF the
hungry survivors until the teams were
considerably diminished in number
but there seemed to remain sufficient
/ balance for man and beast to push
along into the heart Of the mystery
to which we had set ourselves.
"On April 81 we had reached 81
DEGREES SO minutes 46 seconds. The
pole was in sight. We covered the re-
manning II seconds and made a few
final observations. I told Etukishook
and Ahweish (the accompanying Is
kinaux) that We had reached the
great nail
South Everywhere.
"Everyhere we turned was south,
with single step we would pass from
one side Of the earth to the other;
from midday to midnight. At last
tthe flag auttered to theb reezes at the
pole. It was April p, 1908. The tenn
peratu,e was minus 80 centlgrade, ba-
rcmeter 1888. latitude 80; as for the
longitude it was nothing as 1t was
but a word.
"Although crazy with JOY our spar-
its began to undergo Il feeling OF wea-
r;noSS. Next day after taking all our
observations, sentiment Of intense
solitude penetrated lis while we look
ii at the 10. ;zun. Was it possible
that this desolate region. without
patch Of earth. Lad aroused the ambl-
tion Of 50 many men fo' so many
centuries! There va I'D ground,
only al immensely "f dazzling white
snow, no living being. no point to
break the frie::;:fvul noNotony.