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

HIM AT THE POLE.
though thin and ragged, had dignity
as heroes of the greatest human bat
tie which had ever been fought with
remarkable success.
We were all lifted to the paradise OF
winners as we stepped over the SHOWS
of a destiny for which we had risked
life and willingly suffered the fortunes
of an icy hell.
The ice under us seemed almost sa-
cred When the pedometer registered
fourteen and half miles we camped
and calmly went to sleep, feeling that
we were turning on the earths axis.
The observations. however. gave ~
degrees 50 minutes As seconds. We
therefore had the pole. or the exact
spot where il should be. within sight.
We advanced the fifteen seconds
made supplementary observations
pitched the tent. built a snow igloo
and prepared to make ourselves com
Portable for stay long enough for two
rounds Of observations.
Our position was thus doubly assur'
ed. and necessary day Of rest was
gained. Etukishuk and Ahwelah cd
loved the day in quiet repose. but |
slept very little. My goal was reach
ed: the ambition OF my life had been
fulfilled. How could ] sleep away
such overwhelming moments OF ella
ton?
At last we had reached the boreal
center. The dream Of nations bad been
realized. The race Of centuries was
ours. The flag was pinned TO the COW
eted pole The year was 1908. the day
April 81.
The sun indicated local noon. but
time was a negative problem. for here
all meridians meet. With step II was
possible to go from one part OF the
globe to IT, opposite side-from the
hour Of midnight to that OF midday
Here there are but one day and one
night In each year. The latitude was
90 degrees, the temperature 1851. The
atmospheric pressure 1888. North
east and west had vanished. II was
south in every direction. but the COM
pass, pointing to the magnetic pole
was as useful as ever.
Though overjoyed with the success
OF the conquest our spirits began 10
change on the next day after all the
observations bad been taken and the
local conditions were studied. A sense
Of intense loneliness came with care
fuI scrutiny Of the horizon. What
cherries SPOT to have aroused the am
hilton OF man for so many ages. End
less fields of purple SHOWS. No life. no
land. no spot. to relieve the monotony
OF frost, We were the only pulsatinq
creatures In a dead world Of ice.
On April o. 1908. Dr. Cook began the
long return march. With fair weather
rood ice and the inspiration of the nome
rvn long distances were at first quickly
covered.
with a good deal Of anxiety COOK
watched the daily reduction OF the 1000
supply. II now became evident that tne
crucial stage OF the campaign was 10 Dc
transferred from the taking OF the pole
TO a final battle for life against famin
and frost Early in July farther south
ward progress became impossible. and IN
quest of food he crossed the Firth OF
Devon into Jones sound. On Feb. IL. lSO9,
the start was made for Annootok win
a newly prepared equipment the Green
land shores were reached on April 10.
Here DR.. Cook was greeted by Harry
Whitney and anxious Eskimo friends To
facilitate an early return he moved south
ward to the Danish settlement and reach
ed ipernavik on May "a, 1909. The Dan"
ish ship Hans t;gede took him from
Upernavik to Denmark.