The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-10-01
TN HE expedition was equipped at
Gloucester, Mass. All was ready
IL on the evening OF July 8, 1907.

visiting crOWUS OF curiosity SeehelS.
No footing whistles SiynaliZed our de-
parture.
An arctic expedition had been born
without the usual public bombaSt.
There was. indeed, no excuse for
clamor. Neither the help of the gov
ernment uor the contributions of pri-
vate individuals had been sought. The
project was quietly given life and its
expenses were paid by John r. Brad
ley. Its destiny was shaped by the
writer
Mr.. Bradley was interested in game
animals of the north. / was interested
in the game of the polar quest. For
the time being the business concerned
US only. If the venture proved sue
cessful there would be time enough to
raise the banner of victory. If it fail
ed none had the privilege Of heaping
upon US the unmerited abuse which
usually comes to the returning polar
traveller
In a brief month all had been pre-
pared for the peculiar mission. We
had purchased a strong Gloucester nsh-
ing schooner. fitted with a motor, cov
cred for ice and loaded down with
suitable supplies for a prolonged Pc
riod.
One morning the bold cliffs of Cape
York were dimly outlined in the gray
mist which screened the land. A storm
had carried so much ice against the
coast that near approach was i'm
possible. and continued winds kept up
a sea which made it equally difficulty
to land on the ice.
In Ice Free Polar Waters.
Though anxious to meet the natives
at Cape York, we were forced to turn
and set a course for the next village.
at North Star bay. At noon the sooty
clouds separated. and in the north
through tie narrow breaks We saw the
steep slopes and warm color of Grim
son cliffs resting on the rising water.
Darling through the air were count
less guillemots, gulis, little auks and
elder ducks We we're in the ice free
north waters, where creatures of the
sea fnd a marine oasis in midst Of a
polar desert
This kind of coast extends poleward
to the lands end. 1t is the abundant
sea life which makes human habita-
tion just possible here, though land
animals are also important
The people of the farthest north are
crowded into natural reservation by
the arctic ice wall Of Melville bay in
the south and the stupendous line Of
cliffs of Humboldt glacier in the north.
Home Of the Eskimos.
Widely scattered in small villages,
the northernmost Eskimo finds here a
good living A narrow band of rocky
iand between the laud ice and the sea
offers grasses upon which feed ptarmi-
gan, hare and caribous.
Numerous cliffs and islands afford a
resting place in summer for myriads
of marine birds that seek the small
life Of the ICY waters. Blue and white
foxes wander everywhere. Seal, walrus.
narwhal and white whale sport in the
summer sun, while the bear, king Of
the polar wiids, roams over the sea at
all times
The yacht lodged the icebergs and
dangerous rocks in the fog about
Cape Atho|. then turned eastward to
cross Wo'Stenholme sound.
As we neared Table mountain.
which guards North Star bay. many
natives came cut in kayaks to meet
us. Some were recognized as old
friends. There was Myah, be of many
wives: Oobloiah, who had executed
,Angodgibsah. styled the villain by
Gibson at Redcliffe House, and Pin
'coota. husband of the queen, in whose
family are to be found the only ny
brid children Of the tribe.
Later, Knud Rasmussen. 4 Danish
writer living rs a native among the
people, came aboard With him we
got better acquainted during the Win
ter
! Late at night a visit was made to
the town Of Oomanooi There were
seven triangular sealskin tents, con
veniently placed on picturesque rocks.
Gathered about these in large num-
bers were men, women and children.
sbivering in the midnis:ht chill.
! They were odd looking specimens Of
humanity In height the men aver
aged but five feet two inches and the
women four feet ten inches. All had
|broad, tat faces. heavy trunks and
well rounded limbs. Their skin was
Slightly bronzed Men and women
had coal black hair and brown eyes.
The nose was short, and the hands
and feet were short, but thick.
There was not much news to ex-
change. After We had gone ever the
list Of marriages and deaths the luck
of the chase became the topic of con-
versation.
It was 4 period Of monoSamy.
Myah had exchanged 4 plurality OF