THROUGH THE "GREAT NIGHT" 79 



in a constant state of apprehension in regard to the 

 dogs. Each party coming from the interior brought 

 reports of additional deaths among these animals, 

 until their number was reduced to the danger limit 

 below which it would be impossible for me to carr>' 

 out essential features of the spring campaign. 



In spite of these anxieties, however, my freedom 

 from minor annoyances afforded me time and suitable 

 frame of mind to devise new methods and items of 

 equipment which assisted materially later on. Among 

 the latter was a quick-acting alcohol camp stove, built 

 upon a new principle; and among the former a plan 

 of campaign and method of advance which possesses 

 valuable possibilities, and which had it not been for 

 the unusual ice conditions marking the year, and 

 particularly the disruption of the pack by the April 

 storm, would have enabled us to grasp the prize which 

 was the object of the Expedition. 



Mingled with this work and these plans and anxieties, 

 were times for thoughts and impressions some of 

 which will be given here even though they may interest 

 no one but myself, because to every normal mind they 

 are as much a part of the Arctic winter night as the ice, 

 the darkness, and the cold. Moments of exultation 

 and moments of depression. Moments of eager im- 

 patience when I wished that the day for the departure 

 north might be to-morrow. Moments of foreboding 

 when I dreaded its arrival. Moments of sanguine 

 hopes, others of darkest misgivings. Thoughts and 

 memories of the home land, dreams and plans for the 

 future. At times the days seemed to rush by with 

 the velocity of the flood-tide past Sheridan, at others 



