CHAPTER XXVIII. 



PEARY WELCOMED HOME. 



While Dr. Cook was being greeted by his friends and admirers in New 

 York, similar honors were being paid to Commander Peary in Sydney, N. F., 

 the port he had left more than a year before on the quest that was to prove so 

 notable, 



Peary had been awaited for some days in Sydney. 



At an early hour on the morning of September 21, when the Roosevelt was 

 still edging her way along the Cape Briton coast, the steam yacht Sheelah, 

 owned by James Ross, president of the Dominion Coal company, put to sea 

 crarying Mrs. Peary, her daughter, Miss Marie Peary, little Robert E. Peary, 

 Jr., and a party of friends, all eager to meet the returning explorer. Among 

 those on board were Col. Borup, father of George Borup, a member of the 

 Peary expedition; George Kennan, the author, and John Kehl, the United 

 States consul at Sydney. 



As the Sheelah drew alongside the Roosevelt outside a sailor on the yacht 

 hailed the arctic ship. In reply Commander Peary came to the rail and was 

 greatly surprised when he perceived his wife and children waving their greet- 

 ings. In reply the explorer waved his slouch hat and called to them to come 

 on board. 



A few words of welcome were exchanged while the boat was being lowered. 

 Mrs. Peary, Miss Peary and the little boy, acocmpanied by Col. Borup, then 

 went over the side of the Sheelah, took their places in a small boat and were 

 rowed over to the Roosevelt. In the meantime Commander Peary had retired 

 to the cabin. Mrs. Peary and the children were assisted up the side of the 

 Roosevelt and made their way across the deck to greet the husband and father 

 in private. The Sheelah then put on full steam and returned to Sydney, while 

 the Roosevelt came along at slower speed. 



Commander Peary had decorated his ship for the occasion and in addition 

 to the flags of the United States and the Dominion of Canada, the Roosevelt 

 flew the burgee of the New York yacht club and the flag of the Peary Arctic 



club. 



978 



