Lower coast gazette., 1909-09-11

were some animal comforts occasion
ally to be gained.
For several days after the sight OF
known land was lost and the overcast
sky prevented an accurate determine.
ton Of u positions. On March 80
the horizon was partly cleared and
new land was discovered. Our OBJ
Eervations gave our position as lati-
tude SAT. longitude S6.3G. There was
urgent need of rapid advance. Our
main mission did not permit a detour
for the purpose Of exploring the coast.
Here was seen the last signs of solid
earth. Beyond there was nothing sta
BILE to be seen.
We advanced steadily over the mo
notony of moving sea ice and now
found ourselves beyond the range Of
all life. Neither footprints of bears,
nor the blowholes Of seals were de-
tected. Even the microscopic Great
ures Of the deep were no longer un-
der us. The m%addening influence OF
the shifting desert frost became al
most uncomfortable in the daily rou-
tine.
The surface Of the pack offered less
and less trouble and the weather i'm
proved, but there still remained the
life-sapping wind, which, drove despair
to its lowest recess. The extreme
cold compelled physical action. Thus,
day after day, u weary legs spread
over big distances. Incidents and
positions were recorded, but adven-
ture was promptly forgotten In the
next's days efforts.
The night sun of April I was made
notable by the swinging Of the sun at
midnight over northern ice. Sunburns
and frost bites were now recorded on
the same day, but the double days
litter infused quite an incentive into
ones live Of shivers.
Advanced In Circultous Twists.
Observation on April 6 placed the
camp in latitude S6.3G, longitude 94.2.
In spite Of what seemed long marches,
w had advanced but little over 100
miles. Much Of our work was lost in
circuitous twists around obstructing
pressure lines and high, irregular
fields. A very old ice drift, too, was
driving eastward with sufficient force
to give some anxiety.
Although still equal to about IS
miles daily, the extended marches and
the long hours for travelling with
which fortune favored US earlier were
no longer possible.
We were now about 200 miles from
the pole and sledge loads we're re.
duced. One dog after another went
into stomachs Of the hungry survivors
until the teams were considerably d..
minished In number, but there seemed
to remain a sufficient balance for man
and brute to push along into the heart
Of the mystery to which we had set
ourselves.
On April 81 we had reached 80 De.
grees SO minutes and 46 seconds. The
pole was in sight: We recovered the
remaining IA seconds and made a few
final observations. I told Etuktshook
and Ahwelsh (the accompanying Eski-
mos) that we had reached the Great
Nail"
Everywhere we turned was south.
With a single step we could pass from
one side Of the earth to the other.
At last the flag floated to the breezes
at the pole. It was April q, 1908.
The temperature was minus 80 cen
tigrade, barometer 1888; latitude 90;
as for longitude, 1t was nothing, a it
was but a word.
Although crazy with Joy, our spirits
began to undergo a feeling Of wearl-
ness. Next day, after taking all our
observations, a sentiment OF intense
solitude penetrated US while we looked
at the horizon. Was it possible that
this desolate region, without a patch
Of earth, had aroused the ambition
Of so many men for so many centu.
ries?
There was no ground, only an i'm
mensity Of dazzling white snow, no
living being, no point to break the
frightful monotony.