The state herald., 1909-09-17
FINDING THE NORTH POLE

here in command of the fourth sup
porting party, and there were no sup
plies for an increase in the main party.
When he left l felt for a moment
pangs of regret as he disappeared In
tho distance but 1t was only momen-
tary. My work was still ahead, not in
the rear
bartlett had done good work and had
been great help to me. Circumstances
hnd thrust the brunt of the pioneering
upon him instead of dividing 1t among
several. as had planned.
He had reason to take pride in the
fact that he had bettered the Italian
record by degree and a quarter and
hau covered distance equal to the
entire distance of the Italian expedi-
ton from Franz Josefs land to Cagnis
farthest north.
/ had given Bartlett this position and
post of honor In command of my
fourth and last supporting party. and
Tor two reasons: first, because of his
magnificent handling OF the Roosevelt;
second. because he had cheerfully stood
between me and many trifiing annoy
ances on the expeditions.
Then there was third reason. It
seemed to me appropriate in view of
the magnificent British record of arc
tic work, covering three centuries that
II should be British subject who
could boast that. next to an American,
he had been nearest the pole.
Last Struggle at Hand.
with the disappearance of Bartlett l
turned to the problem before me. This
was that for which / had worked for ~
years, for which had lived the simple
life; for which / had conserved all my
energy on the upward trip: for which
had trained myself as for n race crush
Ing down every worry about success.
In spite of my years. felt In trim
ut for the demands OF the coming days
and eager to be on the trail
As for my party. my equipment. and
my supplies. l was in shape beyond my
most sanguine dreams Of earliest years.
My party might be regarded as an
ideal, which had now come to realization
AS loyal and responsive to my will as
the fingers of my right hand.
Party Ideal for Effort.
-Four of them possess the technique of
dogs. sledges. Ice. and cold as their heri-
tage, Two of them. Hansen and Ootam
were my companions to the farthest point
three years before. Two others. Eginwuk
and Sigloo. were In Clark's division.
which had such narrow escape at that
time. and now We're willing TO go any
where with my immediate party, and
willing TO risk themselves again In any
supporting party.
The nth was a young man who had
never served before in any expedition.
but who was. II possible. even more
willing and eager than the others for
the princely gifts-a boat. a rifle, a shot
gun. ammunition. knives. etc, which l
had promised to each OF them who
reached the pole with me: for he knew
that these riches would enable him to
wrest from stubborn father the girl
whose image filled his hot young heart
Had Confidence In Him.
All had blind confidence so long as
was with them. and gave no thought
for the morrow, sure that whatever han
pened should somehow get them back
to land. But ] dealt with the party
equally. recognized that all It's Inn
petus conferred In me. and that whatever
pace set 1t would make good. II any
one played out. would stop for short
time.
had no fault to fnd with the condi-
tons. My dogs were the best, tho pick
OF IL with which we left Columbia. Al
most all were powerful males. hard as
nails. In good flesh. but without n super
fiuous ounce. and. what was better yet
they were all In good spirits.
My sledges. now that the repairs were
completed. were In good condition. My
supplies were ample for 10 days. and.
with the reserve represented by the dogs
themselves. could be made to last TO-
His Program Planned.
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r'a,, ny .'.n 70. ,hor ""us
~. un' neN, III, = ss,'ieu On
$50, -, a. n.ou,u suhi y,
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s,ch n xny ms IN hrirg ms "a ,ho .,,s -,
the nfth long enough before noon 10 per.
init the immediate taking OF an obserya-
ton for latitude.
Weather and leads permitting, I be.
lieved could do this. II my proposed
distances were cut down by any chance
had two means in reserve for making
up the deficit:
First-To make the last march a forced
one, stopping to make tea and rest tn.
dogs. but not TO sleep,
Second-At the end Of the NTH march
TO make a forced march with n light
sledge. a double team OF dogs. and one
or two or the party. leaving the rest In
camp,
Sees Dancer In Gale,
Underlying all these calculations was a
recognition of the ever present nclghbor-
hood OF open leads and impossible water.
and the knowledge that a 2t-hour gale
would knock all my plans into a cooked
hat, and even put US In Imminent peril.
~ little after midnight OF April l.
after few hours OF sound sleep. 1 hit