1914] IN SEARCH OF CROCKER LAND 49 



our equipment again and again. The smallest detail 

 received as much consideration as the largest. "Look 

 for the best, but be prepared for the worst," should be 

 the motto of the Arctic man. To economize in weight, 

 all tins of pemmican were removed from the cases, to 

 be packed in long, rectangular canvas bags fitted to the 

 bottom of our sledges. To guard against a possible 

 breaking up of the sea ice around Sunrise Point, four 

 miles to the west, which would necessitate an overland 

 trip, all loads were advanced up the coast to Cape 

 Ohlsen, six miles distant. The increasing brightness of 

 the southern skies in January witnessed our preparations 

 being rushed to completion. Ekblaw arrived home 

 from his southern trip on the 21st, much more welcome 

 than the news which he brought with him — influenza 

 and mumps had arrived from Upernavik with the mail 

 a few weeks before, and were traveling toward Etah. 

 His swollen face a few days later and the vomiting of 

 Green heralded the arrival of the minor plagues. 



But I would permit nothing to interfere with our 

 plans. If the dogs could walk, then we would start 

 in early February. As the Eskimos arrived day by 

 day, it was very evident that many of the men were 

 not fit for the work ahead of them; but there was not 

 a word of complaint; they were all eager for the ad- 

 venture. 



There are distinct advantages to be gained by de- 

 spatching the various divisions of a large expedition 

 upon successive days. With the departure of only 

 three or four sledges at a time, the smallest detail per- 

 taining to equipment is attended to. Bustle and ex- 

 citement are avoided. The advance party picks and 

 breaks the trail, and, what is of great importance, builds 



