The Cairo bulletin., 1909-10-15

DIR, 'QpK ON hoard THE HANS EGFDE.
broke the ffigid silence with an occa-
slonal uutburst. A little fresh enthusi.
assn from the drivers was quickly fol-
lowed ny canine activity.
We were III good trim TO cover dis
lance economically. The sledges were
light; oar Bodies were thin. All the
muscles had shriveled, but the dogs
retained much Of their strength. Thus
stripped for the last lap, one horizon
after another was lifted
In the forced effort which followed
we were frequently orerhcated The
temperature vas steady ut "A degrees
below zero f., hut Precipitation came
with ease sud IL certain amount of
pleasure. Later however, there fol.
lowed a train Of suffering for many
days The delight of the birdskin
shirt was changed for the chilli of the
wet blanket The mittens, the boots
ana the fur stockings became quite
useless until dried out.
Furs Soon Dried.
Fortunately. at this time the sun
was warm enough 10 dry the furs In
about three days If dashed to the sun.
ny side OF the sled In these last .fays
we felt more keenIy the pangs of per.
apiration than In all our earlier nd.
ventures
The amber coIored goggles were per
ststehtiy nsed, and they afforded a
protection to the eyes which was quite
a revelation. but IN spite of every pre-
caution our distorted frozen burned
and withered faces lined map If the
tsrdshipS On route
We were curions looking savages
The perpetual glitter induced squint
which distorted the face I'm II remark
able manner The strong Hight reflect
ed from the crystal surface threw the
muscles about the eve into state of
chronic contraction Tue pupil was
reduced 10 4 lperG pinhole
There WAS no end of trouble az hand
III endearoriug to keen thc windows
Of the soul opeB. and all of the effect
was run together In set expression
Of hardship aud wrinkles which should
be called the boreal squirt
Nearing the Pole.
Tbs boreaI' s4fint is part OF the
russtt bronze physiogn0my Which falls
to the lot Of every arctic explorer. The
early winds, with a piercing tempera-
ture. start flush OF scarlet. while
frequent frostbites leave figures In
black. Later the burning stu browns
the skin; subsequently, strong winds
SOP the moisture. harden the SKIN and
leave open assures.
The hard work and reduced nourish
ntsnt contract the muscles, dispel the
fat and leave the skin to shriVel up In
folds. The imprint of the goggles, the
set expression of hard lines and the
meutaI blank of the environment have
removed all spiritual animation. We
lave the color aud the lines of old
russell apples and would easily pass
for prehistoric progenitors of man.
In the enforced effort to spread out
t'iN @LAitilNi bNfi Wv ih3t lEuNuGS
there was no longer sufficient energy
at camping times to erect n snow shell
ter. The SIR, tent was then pressed
into use.
Though the temperature was still
very low when the sun was high, its
congeuial rays pierced the silk fabric
and rested softly on our brows closed
In heavy slumber. In strong winds 1t
was still necessary to erect a shelter
ing wall to shield the tent.
Optical illusions.
Signs of land were still seen every
lay, but they were deceptive optical 81
susions and mere verdict of fancy.
IT seemed that something must hap