Milford chronicle., 1909-09-17
STORY OF
NORTH POLE

were crossed, in one of which Borup
and his team took bath and we were
finally stopped by an impracticable
lead opening in front Of US. At the end
of the tenth march. latitude s523,
Borup turned back in command of the
second supporting party"
Peary here tells of overtaking Cap
tain Bartlett, and he was again pushed
forward with Henderson to do more
| pioneer work. Peary and Marvin and
Hansen remained behind for twenty
hours. The policy now pursued was
for Bartlett's crew to break the way
and camp. When the Peary force came
up the Bartlett camp was occupied by
the newcomers. while Bartlett and
Henderson made another advance. The
condition OF the ice was improving
right along, and every day good dis
tances were made. AT one time Bart
lett made twenty miles in a day
Marvin Drowned.
Then began the breaking Of former
records. One observation gave S6.3S
and Peary knew that he had beaten
Nansen and Abruzzi Not an accident
had marred the expedition up to this
point Things We're rapidly shaping
themselves for the great dash. and
here poor Marvin was turned back.
He was to return to Cape Columbia.
but he never reached It, He fell into
open water and was drowned.
More Esllimos were sent with Mar
win on the return trip and Peary then
found himself with nine men. seven
sledges ana sixty dogs Changes in the
atmospheric conditions We're noted. A
haze enveloped the wonderful fields Of
glistening ice. and it was impossible /
to see any distance.
Great banks Of snow obstructed the +!
trail and the ice became very rough. I
In the midst of this heart-breakng
work Peary came up with the Bartlett .
party. all the men exhausted.
Snow houses were built and a camp |
made During the night there was a /
swift breaking up Of the ice, and when
the men We're aroused it was found
that the camp was on the edge Of open
water. one dog team narrowly escaped
being crushed between the great cakes
of ice.
Preparations were made for quick
start, and at a favorable opportunity
the whole expedition pushed across
some thin ice. All the following day
the men were on an ice field which
heaved and groaned, while from the
open water a black fog arose.
Pushing onward Peary came upon
old ice. which was solid and which
enabled him to make an advance of
six miles without any trouble. There
was a high wind but it did not ham,
per the party
Henderson was sent back. and now,
as the SSth parallel was nearing. Peary
determined to drop Captain Bartlett,
who had shown so much courage and
lad done more than any other of the
supporting party to make the eXpedl
ion a success. Captain Bartlett want
I'd to go ahead. but Peary told him
here We're no supplies for a large
party. Peary says Captain Bartlett
vas very solemn, and possibly found
comfort in Peary's declaration that,
lext to an American. a British sub
ect had succeeded in getting farthest
lorth.
Peary was now left with his faith
nj Matt Hensen, five Eskimos. four
ledees and enough dogs to make dou- !
lie teams for the sledges. Peary saws {
hat he was now within reach of the
riza for which he had worked thirty
wo years. The outfit was ideal the
ledges were Of the best; the dogs
D fine condition; the food supply am t
lie for the small force. j