TABLE OF CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I. 

 THE NORTH POLE FOUND. 



"I have found the North Pole," the epoch-making message of Dr. Frederick A. Cook — 

 Success where men had failed for centuries — The impossible accomplished — Civiliza- 

 tion astounded, and the eyes of all mankind turned toward the north — Description by 

 a great scientist of what it means to find the axis of the globe— Will United States 

 claim the new territory ? 41 



CHAPTER II. 



HOW COOK STARTED. 



Secret preparation for the dash to the pole— The long journey the sequel to a fishing trip 



— Cook's vessel only a fishing schooner— Start for the polar regions 51 



CHAPTER III. 

 DR. COOK'S OWN STORY. 



Standing on the top of the world — The great dash across the ice— Eskimos' patience ex- 

 hausted — ^A vast excursion into the terrestrial unknown 59 



CHAPTER IV. 

 THE EXPLORER'S RETURN TO CIVILIZATION. 



Explorers freezing in their idleness — What Cook saw when he reached the pole — A vast 

 expanse of purple snows — No life, no land, nothing but ice — Privations of the return 

 journey — Shooting walrus for food 71 



CHAPTER V. 



A NATION'S HOMAGE TO A HERO. 



Arrival of Dr. Cook at Copenhagen — Greeted on shipboard by the crown prince of Den- 

 mark—Escorted ashore, and followed through the streets by a dense, cheering crowd, 

 which tore the clothing of the explorer and his escort — Guest of a scientific society — 

 Honored at a banquet— Given private audience by the king of Denmark — The gaunt, 

 bedraggled traveler back once more among friends 77 



CHAPTER VI. 



COOK'S PREPARATION FOR HIS GREAT TASK. 



A birthday passed in a lonely land— Dr. Cook always adventurous, and an explorer from 



youth— His first work with Peary- Goes to the antarctic as physician for a party of 



Belgian scientists— Climbs Mount McKinley, a feat never before performed— Tribute 



of a companion on that expedition 87 



