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difficult circumstances that we had penetrated the ice, and still more difficult 

 when we tried to get out again. It was different from the floating ice of the 

 arctic regions, which seems to be kept always in movement by the current in 

 the ocean, 



"This antarctic ice in which we were stuck seemed not to be influenced in 

 the slightest by the movement in the ocean. The ice was immovable and seemed 

 to have taken a grip on the vessel which it would not let go. 



"The situation seemed critical. Our food would not be sufficient for another 

 Winter and it was feared our mental condition would suffer very much if we 

 had to stand another Winter here. What were we going to do ? 



"Then it was that our doctor quietly stepped forward with his proposal to 

 get out of captivity, and his proposal was sanctioned by the highest authority. 

 We should try to saw ourselves out of the ice. It wasn't an easy task, badly 

 equipped as we were with tools, but what we needed in the shape of tools Dr. 

 Cook by his ingenuity and skill in one way or another devised and manufactured. 

 He thus helped us over our difficulties. That the Belgian Antarctic expedition in 

 this way got out of the ice is due first and foremost to the skill, energy and 

 persistence of Dr. Cook. 



"His ascent of Mount McKinley gave us again a good opportunity to 

 look a little further into his character. Quietly he came forward and told us 

 that one of the greatest exploits which had ever been made in mountain climb- 

 ing was now accomplished. It didn't occur to him to beat a drum and blow 

 a trumpet to make this known to the world. If the world wouldn't acknowl- 

 edge his exploit without this it was all the same to him. 



" 'Reached the North Pole on the 21st of April, 1908. Discovered land 



far northward.' 



"It would not, indeed, have been necessary for him to sign his name under 

 this for my benefit. I should have understood all the time that it was from him. 

 Nobody else could have taken it in such thoroughly fine and quietly noble 



manner. 



"It was a pity that Peary should besmirch his beautiful work in throwing 

 out outrageous accusations against a competitor who had won the battle m 

 open field. Peary will prove his statement, they say, but in which way, I 

 ask ? Is it the evidence of Cook's two followers on which he rests his accusa- 

 tions ? Then I must confess it has a very weak foundation. 



"When Peary accuses Cook of having taken his Eskimos, then this is non- 

 sense. The Eskimos, as we know, are free people like ourselves; nay, to a 



