62 THE STORY OF PEARY'S GREAT EXPLOIT 



measure to a new type of sledge, which, he says, reduced the work 

 of both dog and driver, and a new type of camp cooler, which added 

 to the comfort and sleep of the men. His account of the southward 

 journey of the "Roosevelt" from Cape Sheridan is interesting, but 

 many explorers have accomplished that trip, so there is no need to 

 give any details of the homeward voyage, of which the world became 

 apprised on September 6th, when the messages came speeding down- 

 ward from Indian Harbor, Labrador, conveying the news of Com- 

 mander Peary's signal success. 



With all these tales of good fortune, there is one of. ill fortune 

 to relate, that of the unfortunate death of a prominent member of 

 the expedition, Ross Marvin, who was drowned on his return 

 journey. It is thus described in an extract from Dr. Goodsell's 

 diary : 



"Ross Marvin is gone, the Polar Sea has claimed him. The 

 'Roosevelt's' flag is flying at half-mast. Our hearts are sorrowful 

 for the loss of a dear comrade. I had retired last evening and had 

 not fallen asleep when I heard the cry 'The comatees (sledges) are 

 coming.' Marvin was overdue several days and we were expecting 

 him. Borup came to the door and said, 'Marvin is gone; he went 

 through the ice/ Two Innuits (Eskimos) had started back with 

 Marvin. 



"Koodlooktoh related how Marvin had gone ahead in the morn- 

 ing with the comatees. Ross came to the big lead and attempted 

 to cross. The thin, ice gave way with him. The broken surface 

 showed that he had made a gallant struggle to penetrate the thin 

 ice to a firmer ice a few yards beyond. 



"The icy water and the colder air together in a few minutes 

 must have benumbed his hands and rendered all efforts unavailing. 

 The Eskimos arrived too late. They observed the footsteps termi- 

 nating at the edge of the broken lead, the back of a koolatah (Innuit 

 jacket) showing above the surface of the water. The following 



