276 COOK'S RETURN 



the Arctic mystery barely possible, has been borrowed from the American 

 Indian. The method of travel, the motor force and the native ingenuity, with- 

 out which the polar quest would be a hopeless task, have been taken from the 

 Eskimo. To savage man, therefore, who has no flag, we are bound to give a 

 part of this fruit. 



"To John R. Bradley — the man who paid the bills — belongs at least one- 

 half of this fruit. 



"The Canadian government sent its expedition under Captain Bernier i,ooo 

 miles out of its course to help us to it. I gladly pass the basket. In returning, 

 shriveled skin and withered muscles were filled out at the expense of Danish 

 hospitality. And last, but not least — the reception with open arms by fellow 

 explorers — to you and to all, belongs this basket of good things which the 

 chairman has placed on my shoulder. 



EXPLAINS LACK OF LICENSE. 



"Nothing would suit me better than to tell you to-night the complete story 

 of our quest, but the very first telegram gives more specific data than I could 

 hope to tell you in an after-dinner address. Therefore, I shall devote the 

 allotted time to an elucidation of certain phases of our adventure. 



"One of the most remarkable charges brought out is that I did not seek 

 a geographic license to start for the pole. Now, gentlemen, to the large public 

 that may be a mystery, but you who know will appreciate that no explorer can 

 start and say that he will reach the pole. Many good men have tried before ; 

 all have failed. All who understand the problem know that success is but 

 barely possible when every conceivable circumstance is favorable. It is only 

 necessary to make announcement that an expedition embarks for the pole to 

 start an undesirable bombast and flourish of trumpets. This I chose to escape. 



"Mr. John R. Bradley furnished the funds. I shaped the destiny of the 

 expedition. For the time being the business concerned us only. I believed 

 then, as I believe now, that if we succeeded there would be time enough to fly 

 the banner of victory. You are here to-night. Mr. Bradley is here, and I am 

 here. We have come together to celebrate that victory. 



"Now, gentlemen, I appeal to you as explorers and as men. Am I bound 

 to appeal to anybody, to any man, to any body of men, for a license to look 

 for the pole ? 



"Another criticism is the charge of our insufficient equipment. We have 

 met this. You know that we had every possible aid to success in sledge travel- 



