The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1909-09-09

lH a
ed up In our snow houses, eating
dried beef tallow and drinking hot tea,
there were some animal comforts oc-
casionally to be gained.
For several days after the sight OK
known land was lost, the overcast sky
prevented an accurate determination
of our positions. On March 30, the
horizon was partly cleared and new
land was discovered. Our observa-
tions gave our position as latitude
S4.47, longitude 86:36. There was ur-
gent need of rapid advance. Our main
mission did not permit detour for
the purpose of exploring the coast.
Here we saw the last signs of solid
earth; beyond, there was nothing sta
BILE to be seen.
I'VE advanced steadily over the
monotony OF moving sea Ice and now
found ourselves beyond the range OF
all life-neither footprints of bears
nor the blowholes of seals were detect
ed. Even the microscopic creatures
Of the deep were no longer under us.
The maddening influence of the shift
ing desert of frost became almost un-
endurable in the daily routine. The
surface of the pack offered less and
less trouble and the weather improv-
ed, 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 our weary legs
spread over big distances. Incidents
and positions were recorded, but ad-
venture was promptly forgotten in
the next days efforts.
1.-THE night of April 7 was made no
table by the swinging of the sun at
midnight over the northern Ice. Sun
burns and frost bites now were re-
corded on the same day, but the dou-
BILE days glitter infused quite an In
centive into ones life of shivers.
"Our observation on April 6 placed
the camp in latitude 1876, longitude
94:2.
"In spite of what seemed long
marches, we advanced but little over
hundred miles. Much of our work
was lost in circuitous twists, around
troublesome pressure lines and high
irregular fields.
"a very old ice drift, too, was driv.
ing eastward with sufficient force to
give some anxiety.
Although still equal to about fif-
ten 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 were reduced. One dog
after another went into the stomachs
of the hungry survivors, until the
teams were considerably diminished
in number, but there seemed to re-
main a sufficient balance for man and
brute to push along into the heart Of
the mystery to which we had set our
selves.
ION April 21 we had reacher SO de-
grees, SO minutes, 46 seconds. The
pole was in sight.
81 told Etukishook and Ahwelsh
(the accompanying Eskimos) that we
had reached the great nail
Everywhere we turned was south
With single step we could pass from
one side of the earth to the other;
from midday to midnight.
AT last the flag floated to the
breezes at the pole. It was April q,
1908. The temperature was minus SO
centigrade, barometer 1888, latitude
/ 90; as for the longitude, it was notn-
ing, as it was but a word.
Although crazy with joy, our
spirits began to undergo a feeling of
WEAKNESS. Next day, after taking all
our observations, sentiment of In
tense solicitude 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 centuries? There was no
ground, only an immensely of daz-
cling white snow, no living be-
ing, no point to break the frightful
monotony.
"On April 20 we started our return"
~o-o-N-~-o~4o-o~o~o ~o-oOo-NOo"o-oO'-N~