COOK'S STORY OF HIS DISCOVERY OF NORTH POLE 37 



not wait until the middle of March, but set out in February, prac- 

 tically in the night. Our first hundred miles was through a game 

 country. We had abundant fresh meat to feed the dogs. The men 

 when we reached the Polar Sea were thoroughly accustomed to the 

 life and were well fed on fresh meat instead of starting half starved 

 for the final dash, as many do. This was the greatest element in our 

 success. We traveled four hundred miles through a game country 

 and reached the Polar Sea fat and in good trim." 



The men who were sent back brought with them a letter ad- 

 dressed to Rudolph Francke, which is of some interest in this connec- 

 tion. It read as follows : 



"March 17. The Polar Sea, north of C. Hubbard. 



"DEAR RUDOLPH: Thus far it has gone very well, but the 

 weather has been awful cold. We got no musk ox until we crossed 

 Ellesmere Land, but since we have secured 102 musk ox, five bears 

 and about 150 hares. 



"The Eskimos will probably return slowly, for they like this land 

 very well. I do not expect them to reach you until the middle of 

 May. If we are lucky, we will take a short cut back and get to 

 Annootok by the end of May. 



"When the natives get back give them all one block of tobacco 

 and nothing more till I get back, except those who go away. Picod- 

 lima and Egingwah will go away. Give them a knife and a hatchet 

 each and anything else we can spare which they want. If you get a 

 chance send to Igloodohoming, and also to the island off North Star, 

 a box of biscuit and a can of alcohol. 



"To the present we have seen nothing of Crocker Land, and I 

 am taking a straight course for the Pole. The boys are doing well, 

 and I have plenty of dogs. I hope to succeed. At any rate, I will 

 make a desperate attempt. 



"While I expect to get back to you by the end of May, still I 

 wish you to be ready to go to Acponie, the island off North Star, 



