CHAPTER II 



Cook's Story of His Discovery of the North Pole 



THE first announcement to the world by Dr. Frederick A. Cook 

 that he had discovered the North Pole came like a lightning 

 flash from a clear sky. If it had come from Commander 

 Robert E. Peary, there would hardly have been a moment of surprise. 

 Everyone knew that he had gone north splendidly equipped for a 

 polar dash and with the benefit of many years of experience, and it 

 was widely hoped and trusted that he would crown his present effort 

 with success. 



But from Dr. Cook the world at large was expecting nothing. 

 It was known that he was somewhere in the North ; lost apparently ; 

 a relief expedition for his rescue had been prepared and sent out. 

 That the prize of the Pole, persistently sought for centuries, 

 attempted by many well advertised and well equipped expeditions, 

 the struggle for which had so far led chiefly to suffering and death, 

 should be attained in this sudden and unexpected manner, by^ a man 

 who had gone north apparently only on a hunting trip and to whom 

 few besides his special friends gave a thought, was a matter to fill 

 everyone with astonishment. Therefore when, on the ist of Sep- 

 tember, 1909, from Lerwick, the capital of the Shetland Islands, 

 there flashed over land and under sea this surprising telegram : 



"Reached North Pole April 21, 1908. Discovered land far 

 north. Return to Copenhagen by steamer 'Hans Egede.' 



"FREDERICK COOK/' 



the world stood astounded as if it had received an electric shock and 



