Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1909-10-11

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= OF Mexico. All Rights Reserved
.s+e+e+s*s*s*s 80
"l 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-
lion. but aboard. as our vessel. the
John X. Bradley. withdrew from the
pier. all was quiet. There were u.'
visiting crowds OF curiosity seekers
No footing whistles signalized our de-
parture.
An arctic expedition had been born
without the usual public bombast.
There was. indeed. no excuse for
rlamor. Neither the help of the gov
eminent 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. Ii the venture proved sue
ceSsful there would be time enough to
raise the banner OF victory. II it fail
I'd 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 a motor. GOV.
! cred for ice and loaded down with
suitable supplies for a 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 so much ice against the
| coast thar near approach was i'm.
possible. and continued winds kept up
sea which made 1t equally Il 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
ard set course for the next village.
ut 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. gnlls. little auks and
elder ducks. We were In the ice free
north waters. where creatures of the
sea lind marine oasis In midst of
polar desert
This kind Of coast extends poleward
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 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
Homo Of the Eskimos.
Widely scattered in small villages.
the northernnost Eskimo finds here Il
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 eyeryw here Seal, walrus,
narwhal and white whale sport in the
SIMMER sun. while the bear, king OF
the polar wilds. roams over the sea at
al times.
The yacht lodged the icebergs and
dangerous rocks in the fog about
Cape Attol. then turned eastward to
cross WolStenholme sound
Az we neartd Table mountain.
which guards North Star BAY, many
natives came out in KAYAKS to meet
us Some were recognized as old
friends. There was Myah. he OF many
wives; ooblohh. who had executed
Ang"ngibsah, styled the villain by
Gibson at Redcliffe House, and Pin
coota. husband Of the queen. in whose
family are 10 be found the only by
brid children Of the tribe
Later. Knud Rasmussen, Danish
writer. living as native among the
people. came aboard With him we
got better acquainted during the Win
ter.
Late at night visit was made to
the town OF OomanOoi There were
seven triangular sealsllin tents. con-
veniently placed on picturesque rocks.
Gathered about these in large num-
bers were men. women and children.
shivering in the midnight chill.
They were odd looking specimens Of
humanity. 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 We're short. but thick.
There was not much news TO ex-
change After we had gone over the
LIST Of marriages and deaths the luck
OF the chase becaln the topic of con