The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-12

movement of the dog train with its new
fire. In this direction the color scheme
was reversed. The icy walls were in gold
and burning colors, while the plains rep
resented every shade of purple and blue.
At the North Pole.
| Through this sea of color the dogs
came with spirited tread, noses down.
tails up and shoulders braced to the
straps like chariot horses. The young
Eskimos. chanting songs of love, came
with easy step. The long whip was
swung with brisk crack, and all over
there rose cloud of frosted breath,
certain signal of efficient motive power.
which an easy southern air was driving
poleward
| ing of April 20. The sun was northeast,
the pack glowed in tones of lilac, the
normal westerly air of shivers brushed
our frosty faces, the surprising burst OF
and under it a long march was made
over average ice with the usual result of
overbearing fatigue. Too tired and sleepy
to wait for a cup of tea, melted SHOWS
were poured down and the pemmicau
was pounded with the axe to case the
task of the jaws. The eyes closed before
the meal was finished and the world -7as
lost to us for eight hours. The observa-
ton gave latitude SO deg. 46.5 min.
longitude "a deg. 81 min.
| With the boys singing and the dogs
howiing we started off after midnight on
April 81. The dogs looked large and
noble as they came along that day, while
Etukisheck and Ahweiah. though thin
ana ragged. had a dignity as heroes OF
the greatest human battle which had
ever been fought with remarkable sue
cess.
| We were all lifted to the paradise OF
winners as we stepped over the SHOWS Of
destiny for which we had risked life
and willingly suffered the fortunes of an
icy hell.
The ice under US seemed almost sacred.
when the pedometer registered fourteen
a haI mil r1.a1 l.
went to sleep. feeling that we were turn
ing on the earth's axis.
The observations. however, gave 50 deg
% min. As sec. We therefore had ths
pole, or the exact spot where it should be.
within sight
We advanced the fifteen seconds. made
supplementary observations, pitched the
tent, built a snow igloo and prepared to
make ourselves comfortable for a STAY
long enough for two rounds of observa-
tons
Our position was thus doubIy assured
and necessary day of rest was gained.
Etukishook and Ahwelah enjoyed the day
in quiet repose. But / slept, very little:
my goal was reached, the ambition of NV
life had been fulfilled; how could sleep
away such overwhelming moments of
elation?
The Dream Realised
At last we had reached the boreaI CEN
tire. The dream of nations had been re-
allied. The race OF centuries was ours
The flag was pinned TO the coveted pole.
The year was 1908, the day April ri.
The sun indicated lcca. noon. but time
was negative problem, for here all merid-
ians meet. With a step it was possible
to go from one part Of the globe to the
opposite side, from the hour of midnight
to that of midday. Here there is but one
day and one night in each year. The lati-
tude was 80 deg, the temperature -3S.7.
the atmospheric pressure 1888. North,
east and west had vanished. 1t was south
in every direction, but the compass, point
ing to the magnetic pole. was as useful
ever.
Though overjoyed with the success Of
the conquest our spirits began to change
on the next day after all the observations
had been taken and the local conditions
were studied A sense Of intense loneIi-
ness came with a careful scrutiny Of the
horizon. What "necrless spot to have
aroused the ambition of man for so many
ages! Endless fields of purple SHOWS.
No life. no land no spot to relieve the
monotony of frost. We were the only
pulsating creatures in dead world of ice
End of Eleventh InntaIment.