The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-10-07

JOHN R. BRADLEY, BACKER OF DIR. COOK.
over Kane basin, into Kennedy chan
nel, but the experiment is always at
the risk Of the vessel.
There was no special reason for us to
hazard life; therefore the yacht was
here prepared for the return voyage.
This was to consume several days, and
we sought to occupy the time in ex-
ploration and sport.
Much Game at Etah.
The vicinity of Etah is notable as
the stamping ground Of DR.. Kane and
| DR.. Hayes in the middle of the last
| century. There We're no unexplored
spots in the neighborhood, but there
was good deal Of game near.
Far beyond. along the inland ice.
were caribou. but we preferred to con-
| fine our exploration to the seashore.
The bay waters were alive with
| elder ducks and guillemots, while just
outside walrus dared US to venture on
an open contest on the wind swept
| seas.
After ambitions for the chase and
| local exploration were satisfied we
were told that tho people Of Annoo tok.
| twenty-five miles to the north, would
| be glad to see us. Here was the
chance to arrange a jaunt in the mo-
torboat. The tanks were filed, suit
able food and camp equipment were
| loaded, and off we started on the
morning Of Aug. q for mans ultima
| Thule.
| 1t was beautiful day, with a light
air from the sea. Passing inside of
Littleton island, we searched for rel
les along LifebOat cove. The desolate
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 at Annootok.
AS we passed the sharp rocks OF
Cairn Point we located nine tents in
a small bay under Cape Inglefield.
| "LOOk-there is Annootokr' said
IunSan. our native guide.
Looking up Smith sound, we noted
that the entire channel beyond was
blocked with a jam of hard blue ice
The northernmost limit of motorboat.
ing had been reached. A perpendicu-
lar cliff served as a pier to which to
fasten the boat. Here it could rise
and fall 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 q
hundred dogs voiced the hunt force
with which Eskimo prosperity is
measured, and 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 as a base for the polar dash
We were standing at Il point within
100 miles Of the POLE The stronges,
force of men, the best teams of dogs
and an unlimited supply Of food. com
blned with the equipment on board
the yacht, formed an ideal plant from
which to work out the campaign. The
seeming hopelessness of the task hai
q kind of weird fascination for me
Many years of schooling in both polar
zones and in mountaineering would
serve useful purpose.
Conditions Right For Dash.
Here was my chance. Here wa.
everything necessary convenient,
placed within the polar gateway. Thu
problem was discussed with my col
league. Mr.. Bradley generously vol
unteered to land from the yacht tn,
food, fuel and other supplies we hat
provided for local use. There wa.
abundant trading material to serv,
as money.
by own equipment aboard TO
sledge travelling could be made Il
serve every purpose in the enterprise
The possible combination left abso
lutely nothing to be desired to insur,
success.
Only good health, endurable wealth
er and workable ice were necessary
The expenditure Of million dollar
could not have placed an expedition
at better advantage. The opportu
nifty was too good to be lost. W,
therefore returned to Etah to prepar,
for the quest.
Strong efforts had been made t.
reach the pole from every availabl,
quarter. Only the angle between
Alaska and Greenland had been lef
untried. In our prospective ventur'
!, We aimed to pierce this area Of tn,
globe
; II we failed in our main effort ",
would at least make a track over /.
blank spot. With the resources TO