The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1909-10-21

DIX. 1OOh = f0hAstFR
hin AT THE PoLE.
though thin and ragged. had dignity
rs heroes Of the greatest human bat
tie which had ever been fought Win
remarkable success.
We were all lifted to the paradise OF
winners as we stepped over the SHOWS
Of destiny for which We had rlsked
life aud willingly suffered the fortunes
Of an icy bell
The Ice under us seemed almost sa-
cred. When the pedometer registered
fourteen and a half miles we camped
and calmly went to sleep, feeling that
we were turning on the earths axis.
The observations however, gave 80
degrees 20 minutes 45 seconds. We
therefore had the pole. or the exact
spot where II should be. within sight
We advanced the fifteen seconds.
made supplementary observations.
pitched the tent. built snow igloo
aud prepared TO make ourselves com
Portable for 4 stay long enough for two
rounds OF observations.
Our position was thus doubly assur'
cd. and n necessary day Of rest was
gained. EtukIshuk and Ahwelah en-
joycd the day In quiet repose. but |
slcnt very little. Ny goal was reach
ed: the ambition OF my life had been
fulfilled. How could sleep away
such overwhelming moments Of ella
tion?
At last we bad reached the boreal
center. The dream Of nations had been
realized. The race OF centuries was
ours. The flag was pinned TO the Gov
eted pole The year was 1908. the dag
April 81.
The sun indicated local noon. but
time was a negative problem. for here
all merIdians meet. With step II was
possible 10 20 from one part OF the
globe 10 the opposite side-from the
hour Of midnight to that OF midday.
Here there are but one day and one
night 10 each year The latitude was
10 degrees. the temperature -3s.I. the
atmospheric pressure 29S. North.
east and west had vanished. II was
south in every direction. but the COM
pass. pointing to the magnetic pole.
was as useful as ever.
Though o-erjoyed with the success
of the conquest our spirits began 10
change on the next day after all the
observations had been taken and the
local conditions were studied. A sense
Of intense loneliness came with care
ful scrutiny Of the horizon. What q
cherries spot 10 have aroused the am
hilton Of man for 50 many ages. End
less fields OF purple sno e. No life' no
land. no spot. io relieVeIhe 'nOnoiony
OF frost. We were the only pulsaiins
creatures In dead world Of icr.
On April a 1908. DR.. Cook began the
Ione retnrn march. With fair weather.
good ice and the inspiration OF the home
run long distances we're 1T nrst quickly
covered
with good deal OF anxiety COOK
watched the daily renucuou VI sne c
SUNNY II now became evident that the
crucial stage OF the campaign was TO be
transferred from the taking OF the pole
10 a final battle for life against famine
and frost. Early IN July farther south
ward progress became impossible. and In
quest OF food he crossed the Firth OF
Devon into Jones sound on Feb. is, 100
the start was made for Annootok. with
a newly prepared equipment the Green
land shores were reached on April 10
Here DR.. Cook was greeted by Harry
Whitney and anxious Eskimo friends. TO
facilitate an early return he moved south
ward to the Danish settlement and reach
ed Upernavik on May "a. 1909. The Dan
ish ship Hans Egede took him from
upernavik to Denmark