Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-10-16

cliffs Of Cape Hatherton were blaze
Of color and light, but the sea was
refreshingly cool. with fleets OF blue
towering bergs to dispel the fire OF
arctic midsummer.
AS we rushed In comfort past the
ice polished and wind swept head
lands the sea was alive with birds.
seal and walrus, but little shooting
was done, for we were bent on en-
joying the quiet sport OF motorboat-
ing.
Arrival ut Annootok.
AS we passed the sharp rocks Of
Cairn Point we located nine tents in
a small bay under Cgpe IngHeHeld.
"LOok-there is A&n0otokr' said
Tungan. our native guide
Looking up Smith sound we noted
that the entire channel beyond was
blocked with jam OF hard blue ice.
The northernmost limit OF motorboat-
ing had been reached. \ perpendicu-
lar cliff served as a pier to which 10
fasten the boat. Here It could rise
and fan with the tide. and the drifting
ice did not give much trouble
A diligent exploration OF the town
disclosed the fact that we had reach
ed not only the northernmost town.
but the most prosperous settlement Of
the Greenland shore. The best hunt
ers had gathered here for the winter
bear hunt.
Their game catch had been very
lucky. Immense catches Of meat were
strewn along the shore More than a
hundred dogs voiced the hunt force.
With which Eskimo prosperity Is
measured, aud twelve long haired
Wild men came out TO meet us as
friends.
The wealth in food and furs OF this
place fixed my determination on this
spot rs a base for the polar dash
We were standing at n point within
200 miles OF the pole The strongest
force OF men, the best teams Of dogs
and an unlimited supply OF food. com
bined with the equipment on board
the yacht, formed an ideal plant from
which 10 work out the campaign. The
seeming hopelessness Of the task had
a kind Of weird fascination for me
Many years OF schooling in both polar
zones and I'm mountaineering would
serve n useful purpose.
Conditions Right For Dash.
Here was my chance Here was
everything necessary conveniently
placed within the polar gateway. The
problem was discussed with my col
league. Mr.. Bradley generously vol
unteered to land from the yacht the
food. fuel and other supplies we had
provided FOR local use. There was
abundant trading material 60 serve
as money.
Ny own equipment aboard for
sledge travelling could be made TO
serve every purpose in the enterprise.
The possible combination left abso-
lutely nothing 10 be desired 20 insure
success.
Only good health. endurable wealth
er and workable ice were necessary.
The expenditure OF n million dollars
could not have placed an expedition
at a better advantage. The opportu-
nifty was too good 10 be lost. We
therefore returned 20 Etah 10 prepare
FOR the quest
Strong efforts had been made TO
reach the pole from every available
quarter. Only the angle between
Alaska and Greenland had been left
untried. In our prospective venture
we aimed 10 pierce this area Of the
globe
II we failed in our main effort we
would at least make a track over n
blank spot with the resources for
transportation which the Eskimos Of
fered ! hoped 10 carry ample supplies
over Ellesmere Land and along the
west coast OF the game land.
There was reason to suppose that
we would avoid the troublesome pack
agitated by the Greenland currents.
The Eskimos were willing TO trust TO
the game resources OF this region 20
feed and fire the expedition en- route
TO the lands end.
Splendid Advantages Offered.
If their faith proved correct, It Of
fered me a series Of advantages de
MED 10 every other leader Of polar
expeditions, for the movement would
not only lie supplied at the expense OF
the land which it explored, but men
and dogs would be taken TO the battle
ground in superb training. with their
vigorous bodies nourished 10y whole
some fresh meat. not the nauseating
laboratory stuff which is usually
crowded into the unwilling stomach.
Furthermore, IT afforded me a chance
to test every article OF equipment IN
actual field work. and. above all. after
n hard campaign Of this kind I could
select with some chance Of success the
most likely winners for the final race
over the circumpolar sea.
A compact was made with the little
men OF the farthest north TO push the
venture into the bOreal center When
It was nOised about at Etah that prepa-
rations were in progress to try FOR the
pole most OF the men on board the
yacht volunteered TO serve.
Captain Bartlett, skipper OF the John
r. Bradley, said that he also would
like TO stay; but, II compelled to re-
turn. he required at least a cook and
! an engineer TO take the yacht back to
Newfoundland.
The situation WAS paSad vvhan che