74 SIDE-LIGHTS ON THE PEARY EXPEDITION 



"I did most of the photograph work. The big camera was 

 great, especially the finder, which, in taking photos of musk ox, etc., 

 enables you to keep an eye on the brute, so as to be ready to make a 

 quick getaway when he charges. A few yards start gained in this 

 way is very useful in avoiding being caught in close contact with 

 his horns. 



"I broke through young ice several times, but got out all right. 

 It wasn't very cold when I went in. 



"Peary has been just great. This expedition from start to 

 finish is a picnic compared to what sufferings most Arctic expedi- 

 tions go through. We went in parlor cars, thanks to the Com- 

 mander who has worked the Arctic ice problem out and down to a 

 science. Instead of the inactivity of previous expeditions in the 

 winter, we were all out, most of us going 500 to 600 miles. Thirty 

 years ago a man venturing on an extended journey of several hun- 

 dred miles would have been committing suicide. Nares, the leader 

 of the English expedition of 1875-6, says that men can't face a wind 

 in a temperature of minus 30 degrees, but we did that, and a darn 

 sight lower, in the wind. He also says, 'Only for life or death must 

 a man go out in the fearful cold of March.' We went out all winter, 

 and the English didn't start from the boat till April 2d. 



"Just one example of the advantage of dog power instead of 

 man power. Beaumont, a man of indomitable energy, of the Eng- 

 lish expedition, went to his furthest on the Greenland coast at thirty 

 marches, which Mac and I covered in spite of two short ones on 

 account of smashed sledges. He and his men were dead at the end, 

 but we were going at a canter. 



"Greely, speaking of Lockwood and Brainard's work, says 

 about as follows concerning an attempt to beat their mark furthest 

 north, obtained on the Greenland coast, 'that only perfect ice condi- 

 tions, indomitable energy of leader and men, would enable their 

 record to be smashed.' They took a whole season to do it. We did 

 it, coming back from the northern expedition with ridiculous ease. 



