Amador ledger. (Jackson, Amador County, Calif.) 1875-19??, 1909-12-17
DIR. COOK ON BOARD THE HANS EoEDE.

DIR. COOK ON BOARD THE HANS EGEDE.
broke the frigid silence with an occa-
sional outburst. A little fresh enthusi-
assn from the drivers was quickly Tol-
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, one horizon
after another was lifted.
In the forced effort which followed
we were frequently overheated The
temperature was steady at A degrees
below zero F.. but perspiration 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
Eet blanket. The mittens, the boots
and the fur stockings became quite
useless until dried out.
Furs Seen Dried.
Fortunately. at this time the sun
was warm enough to dry the furs in
about three days if dashed TO the sun
nv side of the sled. In these last days
we felt more kPenly the pangs of per
spiration than in all our earlier ad-
ventures.
The amber colored goggles were per
sistently used. and they afforded a
protection to the eyes which was quite
4 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 squint
which distorted the face in remark
able manner The strong light reflect
ed from the crystal surface threw the
muscles about the eye into state OF
chronic contraction. The pupil was
reduced to mere pinhOle.
There was no end of trouble at hand
in endeavoring 10 keep the windows
of the soul open. and all of the effect
was run together In set expression
Of hardship and wrinkles which should
be called the boreal squirt.
Nearing the Pole.
This boreal squnt Is IL part Of the
russell bronze physiognOmy which falls
20 the lot of every arctic explorer The
early winds, with a piercing tempera-
ture, start a flush of scarlet. while
frequent frostbites leave figures in
black. Later the burning sun browns
the skin: subsequently strong winds
SOD 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
get 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 10 spread out
the stiffened legs over the last reaches
there was no longer sufficient energy
at camping times to erect a snow shell
ter. The silk tent was then pressed
into use.
Though the temperature was still
very low when the sun was high. its
eOngenial rays pierced the SILK fabric
and rested softly on our brows closed
IN heavy slumber In strong winds 1t
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 H.
lusions and a mere verdict OF fancy.
II seemed that something must hap