COOK'S RETURN 261 



to his lips were merely conventionalities. But the two men understood each 

 other. 



Reporters crowded around Dr. Cook, but he begged to be left alone with his 

 wife and children for a few minutes. With his brothers, William and Joseph, the 

 party then went into the captain's cabin and remained there for fifteen minutes. 

 By that time the Grand Republic, chartered by the Arctic Club of America, was 

 ready to take the Cook party aboard. 



A companion ladder was lowered from the Grand Republic to the tug, and 

 Dr. Cook climbed up. Mrs, Cook and her party remained on the tug, which 

 followed the Grand Republic as it proceeded up the bay, around the Battery and 

 up the East River amid such a din of whistles, sirens and cheers as seldom has 

 been heard hereabouts. 



"Bravo, Cook !" "Welcome home !" "We're proud of you !" rang out across 

 the water. Then the words "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" were sung in chorus 

 by Dr. Cook's fellow passengers on the Oscar II as the tug left the ship's side. 



The Oscar II immediately weighed anchor and continued up the river to 

 her dock, and Dr. Cook was transferred to the Grand Republic, which was lying 

 a quarter of a mile away. Cinematographs and cameras were turned on him 

 from every point of vantage as he went on board and passed through a guard of 

 honor of the 47th regiment to receive the greeting of the reception committee. 



On board the Grand Republic Dr. Cook was greeted by the official reception 

 committee and a wreath of roses was placed about the explorer's neck. 



Standing on the upper deck of the steamer Dr. Cook addressed the committee 

 and his friends as follows : 



"To a returning explorer there can be no greater pleasure than the apprecia- 

 tion of his own people. Your numbers and cheers make a demonstration that 

 makes me very happy and should fire the pride of all the world. I would have 

 preferred to return first to American shores, but this pleasure was denied me. 

 Instead I came to Denmark and the result has come to you by wire. 



"I was a stranger in a strange land, but the Danes, with one voice, rose up 

 with enthusiasm and they have guaranteed to all other nations our conquest of 

 the pole. 



"You have come forward in numbers with a voice appreciating still more 

 forcibly. I can only say that I accept this honor with a due appreciation of its 

 importance. I heartily thank you." 



The steamer Grand Republic, with Dr. Cook, his wife and children and 

 members of the Arctic Club on board, steamed up the North River from the bat- 

 tery to the foot of West 130th street, where a brief stop was made. 



