Gilpin observer., 1909-09-16

out nVe OF the DeSt SleUReS
and assigned them expressly to the
captains party. I broke up the sew
enth for material with which to repair
the others and set Eskimos at this
work.
Bartlett returned in time to take
satisfactory observation for latitude in
clear weather and obtained for our po-
sition S7.4S. and that showed that the
continued north wind had robbed us
OF a number of miles of hard-earned
distance.
Bartlett took the observation there.
as had Marvin fve camps back. partly
to save my eyes but largely to give
an Independent record and determine
tion of our advance
The observations completed and two
copies made. one for him and the other
for me. Bartlett started on the back
trail In command of my fourth sup
porting party, with two Eskimos. one
sledge and Is dogs.
BARTLETT DID GOOD WORK.
When he left felt for a moment
pangs OF regret as he disappeared in
the distance. but 1t was only momen-
tary. My work was still ahead. not in
the rear.
Bartlett had done good work and had
been great help to me. Circumstances
had thrust the brunt of the pioneering
upon him instead of dividing 1t among
several as l had planned.
He had reason to take pride in the
fact that he had bettered the Italian
record by degree and quarter and
had covered a distance equal to the
entire distance of the Italian expedi-
tion from Franz Josef's land to Cagnis
farthest north
had given Bartlett this position and
post or honor in command of my
fourth and last supporting party. and
Tor two reasons: first. because of his
magnificent handling of the Roosevelt;
second. because he had cheerfully stood
between me and many trifiing annoy
ances on the expeditions.
Then there was third reason. 1t
seemed to me appropriate in view of
the magnificent British record of arc
tic work. covering three centuries. that
1t should be a British subject who
could boast that, next to an American
he had been nearest the pole.
LAST STRUGGLE AT HAND.
With the disappearance of Bartlett 1
turned to the problem before me. This
was that for which I had worked for 80
years, for which l had lived the simple
life: for which 1 had conserved all my
energy on the upward trip: for which
/ had trained myself as for race crush
ing down every worry about success.
In spite of my years, / felt in trim
ht for the demands OF the coming days
and eager to be on the trail.
AS for my party. my equipment and
my supplies, 1 was in shape beyond my
most sanguine dreams of earliest years
My party might be regarded as an
ideal. which had now come to realization
AS loyal and responsive to my will as
the fingers of my right hand.
PARTY IDEAL FOR EFFORT.
Four of them possess the technique of
dogs. sledges. ice. and cold as their heri-
tage. Two of them. Hansen and Ootam
were my companions to the farthest point
~
and Sigloo. were in Clark's division
which had such a narrow escape at that
time, and now were willing to go any
where with my immediate party. and
willing to risk themselves again in any
supporting party.
The fifth was a young man who had
never served before in any expedition,
but who was. II possible. even more
willing and eager than the others for
the princely gifts-a boat. a rifle. a shot
gun. ammunition. knives. etc. which 1
had promised to each of them who
reached the pole with me: for he knew
that these riches would enable him to
wrest from a stubborn father the girl
whose image filled his hot young heart.
HAD CONFIDENCE IN HIM.
All had blind confidence so long as
I was with them. and gave no thought
for the morrow, sure that whatever hap
pened I should somehow get them back
to land. But l dealt with the party
equally. l recognized that all Its i'm
petus centered in me. and that whatever
pace set it would make good. II any
one played out. l would stop for a short
time.
1 had no fault to find with the condi-
tons My dogs were the best the pick
of l2 with which We left Columbia. AL
most all were powerful males, hard as
nails. In good flesh. but without a super
fiuous ounce. and. what was better yet,
they were all in good spirits.
My sledges, now that the repairs were
completed. were in good condition. My
supplies were ample for 40 days. and.
with the reserve represented by the dogs
themselves could be made to last so.
HIS PROGRAM PLANNED.
Pacing back and forth in tn ice of the
pressure ridge where the igloos were
built, while my men got their loads
ready for the next marches. l settled on
my program. I decided l should strain
every nerve to make five marches of Is
miles each, crowding these marches in
such a way as to bring us to the end of
the fifth long enough before noon to per-
init the immediate taking of an observa-
ton for latitude.
Weather and leads permitting, I be-
lieved I could do this. II my proposed
distances were cut down by any chance
l had two means in reserve for making
up the deficit:
First-To make the last march a forced
one. stopping to make tea and rest the
dogs. but not to sleep.
Second-At the end of the fifth march
to make a forced march with light
sledge. a double team OF dogs. and one
or two of the party. leaving the rest In
camp.
SEES DANGER IN GALE.
Underlying all these calculations was
recognition of the ever present neighbor-
hood of open leads and impossible water
and the knowledge that 24-hour gale
would knock all my plans into cooked
hat. and even put us in imminent peril.
AT a little after midnight OF April I,
after few hours of sound sleep. hit
the trail. leaving the others to break
up camp and follow.
AS 1 climbed the pressure ridge back
OF our igloos 1 set another hole In my
belt. the third since 1 started. Every
man and dog of us was lean and fiat
bellied as n board and as hard