Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1909-10-27

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range Of vision. We seemed to see
longer distances and the ice along the
horizon had less angular outline.
The color Of the sky and the Ice also
changed to deeper purple blues. We
had no way Of checking these impress.
sions by other observations. The ca
gerness to find something unusual may
have fred the imagination. but since
the earth is flatteped at the pole per
haps widened horizon should be de
tected.
At s o'clock on the morning Of April
10 we camped on a picturesque old
field with convenient hummocks. to
which we could easily rise for the fire.
uuent outlook which we now maintain
ed. The tent was pitched. The dogs
were silenced by blocks Of pemmican.
In us new enthusiasm was aroused by
liberal POT of pen soup and a few
chips of frozen meat. and then we
bathed in life giving sunbeams. screen
ed from the piercing air by silk
strands. II was beautiful day. and
had our sense Of appreciation not been
blunted by accumulated fatigue we
would have greatly enjoyed the play
OF light and color In the ever changing
scene of sparkle. -
The Eskimos were soon lost In 2 pro.
found sleep, the only comfort in their
hard lives. but I remained awake. as
had been my habit on succeeding days.
to get nautical observations. The Ion
gitude acknowledgement us at "a de-
grees minutess At noon the suns al
titude was csfefully set on the sextant,
and the latitude quickly reduced gave
80 degr.es 81 NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
miles from the pole.
: My heart jumped for JOY. and the I'M
conscious commotion which was Gre
ating awakened Etukishuk. told him
that In two average marches we would
reach the "tigi shu" (the big nall.
Ahwelah was awakened with a kick.
and together they went out to hum
mock and through glasses sought for
a mark to locate so important place
As the terrestrial axis. IL but one
sleep beyond 1t must be seen.
tried to explain that the pole was
not visible to the eye: that its position
was located only by repeated use OF
the various instruments. This entirely
satisfied their curiosity, and they burst
out in hurrahs of joy. For two hours
they chanted and danced the passions
Of wild life.
1t was the first real sign of pleasure
or rational emotion which they had
shown for several weeks. For some
time / bad entertained the fear that
we no longer possessed the strength to
return TO land. but the unbridled flow
of vigor dispelled that idea.
More sleep was quite impossible. We
brewed an extra pot Of tea, prepared
favorite broth of pemmican. dug up
surprise Of fancy biscuits and filled up
on good things to the limit Of the al
lowance for our final feast days. The
dogs. which had joined the chorus OF
gladness, were given an extra lump OF
pemmican. A few hours more were
agreeably spent in the tent. and then
we started with a new spirit for the
uttermost north.
We were excited to fever heat
The feet were light on this run. Even
the dogs caught the infectious enthusi-
asm and rushed along at pace which
made 1t difficult for me to keep suth'
cient advance to set good course.
The horizon was still searched for
something to mark the approaching
boreal center. but nothing unusual was
seen. 1t was the same expanse OF
moving seas Of ice on which we had
lived for 800 miles.
But, looking through gladdened eyes,
the scene assumed a new glory. There
were plains of gold fenced in purple
walls, with gilded crests. 1t was one
of the few days on the stormy pack
when all nature smiled with cheering
lights.
AS the day advanced and the spleD-
Cor Of summer night was run into the
continued day the beams Of gold on
the surface SHOWS thickened. while the
Shadows of hummocks and ridges
spread a line Of violet barriers through
which way must be sought.
From my position few hundred
yards ahead of the sleds l could not
resist the temptation to turn frequently
10 see the movement of the dog train
with its new fire. In this direction
the color scheme was reversed. The
Icy walls were In gold and burning col
ors. while the plains represented every
shade of purple and blue
Through this sea Of color the dogs
came with a spirited tread. noses down,
tails up and shoulders braced to the
straps like chariot horses The young
Eskimos, chanting songs Of love. came
with easy step. The long whip was
swung with brisk crack. and all over
there rose cloud Of frosted breath.
Camp was pitched early In the morn
ing of April 20. The sun was north
east; the PACK giowed IN tones Oh iiiac;
the normal westerly air Of shivers
brushed our frosty faces. The surpris-
ing burst of enthusiasm had been
Dnrsed to its limit. and under 1t long
march was made over average ice
with the usual result Of overbearing
fatigue. TOO tired and sleepy to wal
for a cup of tea, melted SHOWS were
poured down. and the pemmican was
pounded with the ak to ease the task
of the jaws The eyes closed before
the meal was finished. and the world
was lost to us for eight hours. The
observation gave latitude 80 degrees
465 minutes, longitude "a degrees 62
minutes