The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-10-14

without the usual barriers of uplifted
blocks Over IL a direct air line course
was I,ossible. Progress. however. was
quite US difficult as over the irregular
pack 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 a secure footing. The
loneliness. The monotony. the hardship
OF steady. unrelieved travel were now
keenly felt.
II is not often that mans horsepov-
or II put 20 the test as ours was. We
were compelled 10 develop working
energy 10 the limit of animal capacity.
Day after day we had pushed along
mt The same steady pace over plains Of
frost and through mental desert.
As the ere opened az the end Of ar
icy slumber 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 b,
no halt or waste Of fuel for midday
feeding We next got into harness
and paced OF the days pull under the
lash Of 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 snow horse. IN this the eyes. no
longer able 10 wink. closed. but soon
the empty stomach complained. and II
was filed up again-not with things
that pleased the palate. only bard fuel
10 feed the inner fires. while the ear
sought the soft side Of ice 10 dispel
fatigue: no pleasure In mental recrea.
ton. nothing 20 arouse the soul from
Its ICY Enclosure.
To eat. 10 sleep. 20 press one foot
ahead Of the other was our steady 70.
cation. like the horse 20 the cart. bur
we had not his advantage Of an agree.
able climate aud a comfortable stable
nj night.
Words and pictures cannot adequate.
~ describe the maddcnlng influence
Of this sameness OF polar glitter. com.
blned with bitter winds. extreme cold
and nm overworked body. To me there
was always the inspiration of anticl.
patton OF the outcome OF ultimate sue.
cess. but for my young savage com.
panions Il was a torment almost he
yond endurance. Their WEAKNESS was
made evident by a lax use Of the WHIP
and an indifferent urging Of the dogs
They were. however. brave and faith.
ful 70 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 10 strain
Of agitating torment reached break.
ing point. For days there had been a
steady cutting wind from the west.
which drove despair 20 Its lowest
reaches
No torment could be worse than that
never ceasing rush OF Icy air. Ahwe-
lab bent over his sled and refused 20
move.
His dogs turned and looked 10.
auIringly. I walked over and stood
by his side. Etukishuk came near and
stood motioniess. staring blankiy at the
southern skies. Large tears fell from
Abwelah's eyes and piled n little frost
OF sadness In the blue OF his own shad.
ow for several minutes. Not word
was uttered, but knew that each felt
that the time had come to free the fet.
tiers Of human passions. Slowly ALIVE.
lab said. "Unne sinig pa-oo.ah.tonie
i.o.doria" cit Is well to dle-beyond Is
imposslble"J.