38 



where the whalers' steamers come, by the I5th of June, and if I am 

 not back go home with the whalers. I think, however, we will be 

 back. 



"Gather all the blue fox skins you can. These must be our 

 money on the return trip. If you can get a few bear skins take them, 

 also narwhal and walrus tusks, but do not give too much for them. 



"The dogs that come back that belong to us turn over to Ponicpa 

 to feed and work. If Kudnu (the Dane) is still there, urge him to 

 wait for our return either at Annootok or at North Star, for I am 

 anxious to go to Upernavik at once on our return, and he can be of 

 much use to us. 



"There is likely to be much open water between you and Etah, 

 so you had better send the trunk with narwhal tusks and all things 

 for the return to Etah at least, if not further, as soon as you can. 



"I have regretted many times that you are not with us, but at 

 the moment it seemed best to send you back, and on the whole you 

 are of more assistance to me at the house to guard and care for our 

 things than here in the field in this awful cold and wind. I trust you 

 are of the same opinion. 



"So good-bye and now to the Pole. Yours cordially, 



"FREDERICK A. COOK/' 



Dr. Cook's narrative continues : 



"The two best men and twenty-six dogs were picked for the 

 effort. There before us in a line of 460 miles lay the goal. The 

 first days provided long marches and we made encouraging prog- 

 ress. A big lead which separated the land from the ice of the central 

 pack was crossed with little delay. The low temperature was per- 

 sistent and the winds made life a torture. But, cooped up in our 

 snow-houses, eating dried beef tallow and drinking hot tea, there 

 were some animal comforts occasionally to be gained. We used a 

 silk tent when the cold was too great, because it takes an hour and a 

 half to build a snow-house. The tent was also more pleasant. 



"For several days after the sight of known land was lost the 



