CHAPTER V. 



A NATION'S HOMAGE TO A HERO. 



Such were Dr. Cook's first scattering accounts of his journey. Before 

 he could calmly give forth his proofs and furnish the facts scientists were 

 awaiting he was caught in the whirl of a reception such as rarely falls to a 

 man's lot. 



The explorer arrived in Copenhagen on the Hans Egede at lo o'clock 

 in the morning of September 4. As soon as the steamer entered the harbor 

 it was boarded by Crown Prince Christian, heir to the throne of Denmark, 

 by Maurice Francis Egan, the American minister to Denmark, by the Danish 

 minister of commerce and by committees representing various public bodies. 

 These extended to Dr. Cook a formal welcome in the name of the Danish 

 nation and the city of Copenhagen. 



It was a weather beaten and shabby but elated hero who was welcomed, 

 and with the same honors that are customarily used in the greeting of royal 

 families. 



Dr. Cook stood on the bridge of the Hans Egede wearing a shabby brown 

 suit that had been loaned to him by a seaman. On his head was a disreputable 

 old cap, and his feet were clad in leather moccasins. His blond hair was 

 long and shaggy and his mustache rough and straggling. His complexion 

 was sallow, but his face was full. He was a strange figure for the center 

 of such a brilliant scene as greeted his return to civilization. 



A bright sun lit up the blue waters of Copenhagen harbor. Ships and 

 yachts on every side were gay with flags and the shore and piers were crowded 

 with people. 



Two big American flags flanked the landing stage where Crown Prince 

 Christian and other notable personages awaited for one hour the appearance 

 of the Hans Egede. Hundreds of small boats containing sightseers swarmed 

 over the waters of the harbor. Many of these boats were filled with American 

 tourists waving the stars and stripes. 



When the Hans Egede was a mile away, slowly coming in with an en- 



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