SIDE-LIGHTS ON THE PEARY EXPEDITION 83 



against the cliff, crockery and cartridges were scattered about, in- 

 dicating a hasty departure. The cartridges were still good after 

 thirty-three years, but I imagine they would have done little execu- 

 tion. They did not fit our guns, so we were unable to test them. 



"While the party was quartered here they used a small push- 

 cart to carry their wood and water from the hills. This. cart was 

 taken away, but the tracks of its wheels, though made many years 

 ago, were as plain as if made yesterday. I made some photographs 

 which show how well they have been preserved." 



Professor McMillan in every case took to the ship all that was 

 practical of the relics to be turned over to the Peary Arctic Club. 



We may close with the following telegrams, which tell their 

 own story. Taft evidently is not especially eager to annex the 

 North Pole. 



"William H. Taft, President of the United States : Have honor 

 place North Pole your disposal. "R. E. PEARY, U. S. N." 



"Commander R. E. Peary: Thanks for your interesting and 

 generous offer. I do not know exactly what I could do with it. I 

 congratulate you sincerely on having achieved, after the greatest 

 effort, the object of your trip, and I sincerely hope that your obser- 

 vations will contribute substantially to scientific knowledge. You 

 have added luster to the name 'American.' 



"WILLIAM H. TAFT." 



