THE STORY OF PEARY'S GREAT EXPLOIT 55 



The long winter months were broken somewhat by excursions 

 for hunting and other purposes, and were not without their allevia- 

 tions in the way of home pleasures. Christmas was especially cele- 

 brated and in a style all its own. Captain Bartlett thus tells us what 

 they had for dinner : 



"Well, we began with soup, oxtail soup, musk oxtail soup. Then 

 we had a saddle of Cape Sheridan musk ox; beats planked steak all 

 hollow. We wound up with Washington pudding, Washington pie, 

 plum pudding, fruit, raisins and nuts." 



Every man on the ship received a box of candy from Mrs. 

 Peary, and there were Christmas boxes for every one. Captain 

 "Bob" had a box which had been entrusted to the commander, while 

 the commander's box had been in care of the skipper. Neither knew 

 of the other's trust, proposed by a loving wife. Toddy, in not too 

 liberal measure, tobacco or cigars, was there for every one. 



After the feasting came the races, which had been arranged by 

 Professor McMillan. There were races for men, women and chil- 

 dren. There were races for women with children strapped to their 

 backs, races for boys and girls and a tug of war. The course was 

 laid on ice and lighted by lanterns, for the time was the middle of the 

 Arctic night. The temperature was 20 degrees below zero. 



Karkelleah, "Jimmy" in the vernacular, won the boys' race, 

 Sigloo was first at the finish for men Eskimos, while Marvin won 

 the loo-yard dash for the whites. 



Lacumah, a sturdy married bride, with her first born upon her 

 back, proved speediest in the married women class, and won first 

 prize. This was a cake of scented soap. She had the choice of a kit 

 containing thread, scissors and thimble and a frosted cake. To the 

 surprise of all she chose the soap. 



The final work of conveying supplies to Cape Columbia began 

 on February i7th and continued until the 22d, and by the 27th 

 everything was in order for the dash to the Pole, the stores all at 

 hand, the sledges in best order, and the dogs in prime fitness for 

 hard work, well fed and their harness in excellent shape. 



