Fort Pierce news. (Fort Pierce, Fla.) 190?-1920, 1909-10-08

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W\ HE expedition was equipped at
Gloucester, Mass. All was ready
ON the evening Of July 8, 1907.
Ashore boys were testing their
fireworks for the morrow of celebra-
ton, but aboard, as our vessel, the
John r. Bradley, withdrew from the
pier, all was quiet. There were no
visiting crowds of curiosity seekers
No footing whistles signalized 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
eminent nor 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 brief month all had been pre-
pared for the peculiar mission. We
had purchased strong Gloucester fish
ing schooner, fitted with a motor, GOV.
cred for ice and loaded down with
suitable supplies for prolonged Pc
Rod.
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 a near approach was i'm
possible, and continued winds kept up
sea which made it equally a 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 course for the next village.
at North Star bay. At noon the sooty
clouds separated. and in the north
through the 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, gulls, little auks and
elder ducks. We were in the ice fire.,
north waters, where creatures of the
sea find IA marine oasis in midst of
polar desert.
This kind Of coast extends polewnrL
to the lands end. It is the abunlan
sea life which makes human hahita
ton just possible here, though IanG
animals are also important
The people Of the farthest north arr
crowded into natural reservation b,
the arctic ice wall of Melville BAY IL
the south and the stupendous line @
cliffs Of Humboldt glacier in the north
Home Of the Eskimos.
Widely scattered in small villages.
the northernmost Eskimo finds here u
good living. A narrow band of rocky ,
land between the land ice and the Sc.
offers grasses upon which feed ptarmi
gan, hare and caribous
Numerous cliffs and islands afford 4;
resting place IN summer for myriad.,
of marine birds that seek the small
life of the icy waters. Blue and whit
foxes wander everywhere. Seal, walrus.
narwhal and white whale sport In tb,
summer sun, while the bear, king of
the polar wilds, roams over the sea a
all times.
The yacht lodged the icebergs ana
dangerous rocks in the fog about
Cape Athol. then turned eastward t.,
cross WolstenhoIme sound.
AS we neared Table mountain
which guards North Star bay. MANI
natives came out in kayaks to NEE;
us. Some were recognized as old
friends There was Myah, he of many
wives; Oobloiah who had executed
Angoogibsah. styled the villain by
Gibson at Redcliffe House, and Pin
coota, husband Of the queen, in whose
family are to be found the only n.y.
Bird children Of the tribe.
Later. Knud Rasmussen, Danish
writer, living as native among the
people. came aboard With him we
got better acquainted during the win
ter
Late at night visit was made tn
the town of oomanooi There were
seven triangular sealskin tents, con
yenIently placed on picturesque rocks.
(safhprod ahout those In larva n,,tn.s