The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1909-10-21


HIM At THE POLE.
though thin ana ragged. had Il dignity
as heroes of the greatest human bat
tie which had ever been fought with
remarkable success.
We were all lifted to the paradise of
winners rs we stepped over the SHOWS
of Il destiny for which we had risked
life and willingly suffered the tortures
Of an icy hell.
The ice under us seemed almost sa-
cred. When the pedometer registered
fourteen ana II half miles we camped
and calmly went to sleep, feeling that
we were turning on the earths axis.
The observations. however, gave 80
degrees 30 minutes ~ seconds. We
therefore had the pole. or the exact
spot where it should he. within sight.
We advanced the fifteen seconds.
made supplementary observations,
pitched the tent, built snow igloo
and prepared to make ourselves COM
Portable for stay long enough for two
rounds of observations.
Our position was thus doubly assur-
ed. and necessary day of rest was
gained. Etukishuk and Ahwelah ell
joyed the day In quiet repose, but |
slept very little. My goal was reach
ed; the ambition OF my life had been
fulfilled. How could I sleep away
such overwhelming moments of ella
tion?
At last we had reached the bOreal
center. The dream of nations had been
realized. The race Of centuries was
| ours. The flag was pinned to the GOV.
eted pole. The year was 1908, the day
April 81.
The sun indicated local noon, but
time was n negative problem. for here
all meridans meet. With a step 1t was
possible to go from oie part Of the
globe to the opposite side-from the
hour of midnight to that Of midday.
Here there are but one day and one
night I'm each year. The latitude was
90 degrees, the temperature -3S.7. the
| atmospheric pressure 29.S3. North
east and west had vanished. 1t was
south in every direction, but the com
| was as useful as 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 loneliness came with care
| full scrutiny OF the horizon. What Il
cheerless spot to have aroused the am
bition OF man for so many ages. End
less 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.
on April %, 1908, DR.. Cook began the
long return march. With fair weather.
! good ice and the inspiration of the home
run long distances were at first quickly
| covered
| With a good deal of anxiety Cook
| watched the daily reduction OF the food
supply. II now became evident that the
crucial stage OF the campaign was to be
transferred from the taking Of the pole
to a final battle for life against famine
and frost. Early in July farther south
, ward progress became impossible, and In
| quest of food he crossed the Firth of
| Devon into Jones sound. On Feb. IS, 1909.
the start was made for, Annootok With
a newly prepared equipment the Green
land shores were reached on April ID.
Here Dr. Cook was greeted by Harry
Whitney and anxious Eskimo friends To
facilitate an early return he moved south
ward to the Danish settlement and reach
ed Upernavik on May "a, 1909. The DAN
ish ship Hans Egede took him from
Upernavik to Denmark.