Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1909-12-03

DIR. COOL ON IA THE HANS EGEDE.
broke the frigid silence with an occa-
sional outburst. A little fresh enthusi-
assn from the drivers was quickly fol-
lowed by canine activity.
We were in good trim to cover dis
lance economically. The sledges were
light; our bodies were thin. All the
muscles had shriveled, but the dogs
retained much of their strength. Thus
stripped for the last lap. n horizon
after another was lifted.
In the forced effort which followed
we were frequently overheated. The
temperature was steady at A degrees
be@es~ zero F., but p~erspiration came
with ease and a certain amount of
pleasure. Later, however, there fol-
lowed a train of suffering for many
days. The delight of the birdskin
shirt was changed for the chill of the
wet blanket. The mittens, the boots
and the fur stockings became quite
useless until dried out.
Furs Soon Dried.
Fortunately, at this time the sun
was warm enough to dry the furs in
about three days If dashed to the sun
ny side of the sled. In these last days
we felt more keenly the pangs of per-
SEPARATION than in all our earlier ad-
ventures.
The amber colored goggles were per-
isistently used, and they afforded a
protection to the eyes which was quite
a revelation. but in spite of every pre-
caution our distorted, frozen, burned
and withered faces lined a map Of the
hardships en- route.
We were curious looking savages.
The perpetual glitter induced a squint
which distorted the face in a remark
able manner. The strong light reflect
ed from the crystal surface threw the
muscles about the eye into a state Of
chronic contraction. The pupil was
reduced to a mere pinhole.
There was no end of trouble at hand
in endeavoring to keep the windows
of the soul open. and all of the effect
was run together in a set expression
of hardship and wrinkles which should
be called the boreal squint.
Nearing the Pole.
This boreal squint is a part of the
russell bronze ph%ysiognomy which falls
to the lot of every arctic explorer. The
early winds, with a piercing tempera-
ture, start q flush of scarlet. while
frequent frostbites leave figures in
black. Later the burning III browns
the skin; subsequently strong winds
SOP the moisture. harden the skin and
leave open assures.
The hard work and reduced nourish-
ment contract the muscles, dispel the
fat and leave the skin to shrivel up in
folds. The imprint of the goggles, the
set expression of hard lines and the
mental blank of the environment have
removed all spiritual animation. We
have the color and the lines of old
russell apples and would easily pass
for prehistoric ~progenitors of man.
In the enforced effort to spread out
the stiffened legs over the last reaches
there was no longer sufficient energy
at camping times to erect a snow shell
fer The silk tent was then pressed
into use.
Though the temperature was still
very low when the sun was high, its
c~ongenial rays pierced the silk fabric
and rested softly on our brows closed
ia heavy slumber. In strong winds It
was still necessary to erect a shelter
ing wall to shield the tent.
Optical Illusions.
Signs Of land were still seen every
day, but they were deceptive optical IL
lusions and a mere verdict of fancy.
1t seemed that something must hap