Amador ledger., 1909-10-29

~Sao@c @s@eao4o@o@
TIME expedition was equipped at
Gloucester. Mass All was ready
on the evening of July 3. 1907.
Ashore boys were testing their
fireworks for the morrow OF cclebra-
zion. but aboard. as our vessel. the
John Il. 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
elamor. Neither the help Of the gov.
ernment nor the contributions of pri-
vatr individuals bad been sought. The
project was quietly given life and it's
expenses were paid by John r. Brad
ley. lis destiny was shaped by the
writer.
1lr. 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
cPSsful there would be time enough to
raise the banner of victory. If it fail
80 none had the privilege of hcaping
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
bad purchased Il strong Gloucester fish
ing schooner. fitted with Il motor, GOV.
cred for ice aud loaded down with
suitable supplies FOR prolonged pe-
riod.
One morning the bold cliffs of Cane
York were dimly outlined in the gray
mist which screened the land A storm
had carried so much ice against the
coast thar a near approach was i'm
possible. and continued winds kept up
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 Il 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.
Darting through the air were count
less guilIemots. gulls. little auks and
elder ducks. We were in the ice free
north waters. where creatures of the
sea find marine oasis in midst of Il
polar desert.
This kind of coast extends poleward
to the lands end. 1t is the abunda mt
sea life which makes human habita-
zion just possible here. though land
animals are also important
The people of the farthest north are
crowded into Il natural reservation by
the arctic ice wall of Melville bay in
the south and the stupendous line of
cliffs of Humboldt glacier in he north.
Home of the Eskimos.
Widely scattered in small villages.
the northernlnost Eskimo finds here Il
good living. y narrow band of rocky
land between the land ice and the sea
offers grasses upon which feed ptarmi-
gan. hare and caribous.
Numerous cliffs and islands afford
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
SIMMER sun. while the bear. king Of
The polar wilde. roams over the sea at
all times.
dangerous rocks in the fog about
Cape Athol. rhPn turned east ward TO
cross WolSlPuhnlme sound.
AS we nparpd Table mountain.
which guards North Star bay. many
natives came ont in KAYAKS to meet
friends. There was Myah. be of many
wives: OoEloah. who had executed
Ang0ugibSa II. styled The villain by
Gibson ut Redclffe House. and Pin
eoota. husband of the queen. in whose
family are Ia be found the only ny
brid children of the tribe.
Later Knud Rasmussen. Danish
writer. living ms mtlve among the
people. came aboard. With him we
got better acquainted during the win
TER.
Late at night n visit was made 10
the town of OomAnOOi. There were
seven triangular seaskin tents. con
yeniently placed on picturesque rocks.
Gathered about these in large mum
hers were men. women and children.
shivqrng i'm the midnight chill.
They were odd looking specimens OF
humanity In height the men aver
AGED hut five feet TWO inches and the