RECEPTIONS OF COOK AND PEARY 193 



The crowd pressed to the carriage to shake the explorer's hand. 

 The police formed a line on one side of the carriage, and for near- 

 ly two hours the hand-shaking went ont. It had been planned 

 to have a banquet that evening in honor of the hero of the North, 

 but the Commander let it be known that he would much prefer 

 to spend the evening with his family. This pleasure was regret- 

 fully foregone by the Reception Committee. 



Peary's journey from Sydney to Portland, Maine, where he 

 had in view a long rest, was one continual ovation. Leaving 

 Sydney on Wednesday, the 22d, he arrived in Portland at eight 

 o'clock at night. All the way across the State the welcome grew 

 steadily more enthusiastic. 



When Commander Peary arrived in Portland, his home city, 

 he received an enthusiastic welcome by a large part of the popu- 

 lation. He was met on the station platform by Mayor Leighton, 

 of Portland, and Mayor Hamilton, of South Portland, who, with 

 the Reception Committee in carriages, escorted him to the audi- 

 torium, a spacious hall, where he had a notable public reception. 



Four companies of militia and a large procession of citizens, 

 all carrying red fire, marched behind the carriages. The streets 

 from the station to the auditorium were lined with people. Thou- 

 sands cheered the explorer as he passed by and later shook his 

 hand. A banquet, with Commander Peary and several distin- 

 guished guests as speakers, followed the reception. 



Such was Peary's welcome home, for his place on Eagle Island 

 is only fifteen miles from Portland, and he proposed to take an 

 extended rest there before showing himself in the great cities. 

 If whole-hearted enthusiasm and admiration for the indomit-, 

 able courage which had set the crown of success on his almost 

 life-long efforts could bring him pleasure, he had it in full meas- 

 ure that day, for his countrymen had indeed given him a royal 

 greeting. 



