The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1909-09-17
Goal Of Centuries Reached By Marvelously Swift
Travel, Smooth Ice and Mild Weather
Helping Sensations Of Intrepid
Commander at Climax Of
His Life Work.

the distance. but it was only momen-
tary. My work was still ahead, not in
the rear.
Bartlett had done good work and had
been great help to me. Circumstances
had thrust the brunt Of the pioneering
upon him instead of dividing it among
several, as had planned.
He had reason to take pride in the
fact that he had bettered the italian
record by a degree and a quarter and
mad covered distance equal to the
entire distance Of the Italian expedi-
ton from Franz Josefs land to Cagni's
farthest north.
I had given Bartlett this position and
post of honor in command of my
fourth and last supporting party, and
for two reasons: first. because of his
magnificent handling Of the Roosevelt:
second, because he had cheerfully stood
between me and many trifiing annoy
ances on the expeditions.
Then there was a third reason. It
seemed to me appropriate in view of
the magnificent British record of arc
tic work, covering three centuries. that
1T should be a British subject who
could boast that, next to an American,
he had been nearest the pole.
Ready for Final Effort.
With the disappearance of Bartlett l
turned to the problem before me. This
was that for which had worked for 20
years. for which had lived the simple
life: for which I had conserved all nv
energy on the upward trip; for which
had trained myself as for a race. crush
Ing down every worry about success
In spite of my years, I felt in trim
fit for the demands Of the coming DAYS
and eager to be on the trail.
AS for my party, my equipment. and
my supplies, I was in shape beyond nv
most sanguine dreams Of earliest years.
MY party might be regarded as an
ideal. which had now come to realization
the fingers of my right hand.
Men All Tried and True.
-Four of them possess the technique of
dogs. sledges. ice. and cold as their heri-
tage. Two of them, Hansen and Ootam,
were my companions to the farthest point
three years before. Two others, Eginwuk
and Sigloo, were in Clark's division,
which had such narrow escape at that
time. and now We're willing to 10 any,
where with my immediate party, and
willing to risk themselves again in any
supporting party.
The fifth was young man who had
never served before in any expedition.
but who was, If possible, even more
willing and eager than the others for
the princely gifts-a boat, rifle, a shot
gun, ammunition, knives, etc., which I
had promised to each of them who
reached the pole with me: for he knew
that these riches would enable him to
wrest from stubborn father the girl
whose image filled his hot young heart.
All Followed Him B;indIy.
All had blind confidence SO long as
I was with them, and gave no thought
fovpf ha
pened should somehow get them back
to land. But dealt with the party
equally. recognized that all it's Inn
petus centered in me, and that whatever
pace set it would make good. If any
one played out, would stop for short
time.
I had no fault to find with the condi-
tions My dogs were the best, the pick
OF LIZ with which we left Columbia. AL
most all were powerful males, hard as
nails. in good flesh, but without SUPER
fiuous ounce, and, what was better yet,
they were all in good spirits.
My sledges, now that the repairs were
supplies were ample for 40 days, and,
with the reserve represented by the dogs
themselves, could be made to last so.
At little after midnight Of April /,
after few hours of sound sleep, hit
the trail. leaving the others to break
up camp and follow.
AS I climbed the pressure ridge back
Of our igloos set another hole in my
belt, the third since started. Every
man and dog of us was lean and fat
bellfed as board and az hard.
Fine Morning for Start.
It was fine morning. The wind Of
the last two days had subsidized, and the
going was the best and most euuable
~ hoA no. a.
large and old. and clear, and were sur
rounded by pressure ridges. some Of
which were almost stupendous.
The biggest Of them, however, were
easily negotiated. either through some
crevice or up some huge brink. I set
good pace for about ten hours.
Twenty-Five miles took me well be-
While I was building my igloos q,
long lead forward by the east and
southwest Of us ct q distance Of few
miles. .ss.:s,s 3 ri .s,Tf,,s ...fE
Few Handbags Are Faced
a few hours sleep and we were! ON
practically horizontal, we were IN
hampered and could travel as long as
we pleased and sleep 40 little IS we
wished.
The weather was f,ne ANA the going
like that Of the previous day, except
at the beginning. when pickaxes were
required. This and q brief stop at am
other lead cut down our distance. But
we had made 90 miles In ton hours-n
were half way to the eighty-ninth
parallel. n
Going Improves On Way.
Again there was a few hours sleep
and we hit the trail before midnight
The weather and going were even bet
ter. The surface. except as Interrupted
by tnfrequent ridges. was as level az
bia, and harder. ~ s; }55 s.
We marched something over ten
hours! the dogs being: often on the trot
and made 20 miles, Near the end OF:
the march we rushed across q lead 100
yards Wide. which buckled under Our
sledge4 ana finally broke as the last
sMdge left g,es$
e We stopped I'M sight OF the eighty