Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-10-19

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~ HE expedition was equipped at
Gloucester. Mass. All was ready
on the evening Of July 3, 1907.
Ashore boys were testing their
fireworks for the morrow Of celebra-
ton, but aboard, as our vessel. the
John R. Bradley, withdrew from the
pier, all was quiet. There were no
visiting crowds Of curiosity seekers.
No footing whistles signallzed our de-
parture.
An arctic expedition had been born
without the usual. public bombast.
There was. indeed. no excuse for
clamor. Neither the help of the gov
ernment nor the contributions Of pri-
vate individuals had been sought. The
project was quietly given life and its
expenses were paid by John R. Brad
ley. Its destiny was shaped by the
writer.
Mr.. Bradley was interested in game
animals Of the north. was interested
In the game Of the polar quest. For
the time being the business concerned
us only. IL the venture proved sue
cessful there would be time enough to
raise the banner Of victory. II 1t fail
ed none had the privilege Of heaping
upon us the unmerited abuse which
usually comes to the returning polar
traveller.
In brief month all had been pre-
pared for the peculiar mission. We
had purchased strong Gloucester fish,
ing schooner. fitted with motor, COW
cred for ice and loaded down with
suitable supplies for prolonged Pc
riod.
One morning the bold cliffs Of Cape
York were dimly outlined In the gray
mist which screened the land. A storm
had carried 80 much Ice against the
coast that a near approach was i'm
possible, and continued winds kept up
a sea which made it equally difficulty
to land on the Ice.
In Ice Free Polar Waters.
Though anxious to meet the natives
at Cape York. we were forced to turn
and set a course for the next village.
at North Star bay. At noon the sooty
clouds separated, and In the north
through the narrow breaks we saw the
steep slopes and warm color of GRIM
son cliffs resting on the rising water.
Darling through the air were count
less guillemots, gulls. little auks and
elder ducks. We were in the ice free
north waters, where creatures of the
sea find a marine oasis in midst Of q
polar desert
This kind Of coast extends poleward
to the lands end. 1t is the abundant
sea life which makes human habita-
tion just possible here, though land
animals are also important.
The people Of the farthest north are
crowded into a natural reservation by
the arctic ice wall of Melville bay in
the south and the stupendous line of
cliffs Of Humboldt glacier in the north.
Home Of the Eskimos.
Widely scattered in small villages,
the northernmost Eskimo finds here a
good living. A narrow band of rocky
land between the land ice and the sea
offers grasses upon which feed ptarmi.
gan, hare and caribous.
Numerous cliffs and islands afford a
resting place In summer for myriads
Of marine birds that seek the small
life Of the icy waters. Blue and white
foxes wander everywhere. Seal, walrus,
narwhal and white whale sport in the
summer sun, while the bear, king Of
the polar wilds. roams over the sea at
all times.
The yacht lodged the icebergs and
dangerous rocks in the fog about
Cape Athol. then turned eastward to
cross Wolstenholme sound.
AS we neared Table mountain,
which guards North Star bay. many
natives came out in kayaks to meet
us. Some were recognized as old
friends. There was Myab, he Of many
wives; Oobloiah, who had executed
styled the villain by
Gibson at Redcliffe House, and Pin
coota, husband Of the queen, in whose
family are to be found the only hy-
brid children Of the tribe.
Later. Knud Rasmussen, Danish
writer. living as a native among the
people, came aboard. With him we
got better acquainted during the win
ter.
Late at night a visit was made to
the town Of Oomanooi. There were
seven triangular sealskin tents, con-
placed on picturesque rocks.
Gathered about these in large num-
bers were men, women and children,
in the midnight chill.
They were odd looking specimens of
In height the men aver
aged but five feet two inches and the
women four feet ten inches. All had
broad, fat faces, heavy trunks and
we'll rounded limbs. Their skin was
slightly bronzed. Men and women
had coal black hair and brown eyes.
The nose was short, and the hands
and feet were short. but thick.
There was not muCL news to eX-
change. After we haG gone over the
list Of marriages and deaths the luck
Of the chase became the topic of con-
versation.
1t was period Of monogamy.
Myah had exchanged a plurality Of
wives for q larger team Of dogs. and
there was but one other man IN the
tribe with two wives.
Women were rather scarce. Several
men were forced to fore.
go the advantages Of married life be-
cause there were not enough wives for
all. BY mutual agreement several men
had exchanged wives. lii other cases
women had chosen other partners, and
the changes were made seemingly to
the advantage Of all, for no regrets
were EXPRESSED