240 NEAREST THE POLE 



others to build a cairn, set up a cross which he had 

 made from sledge runners, place a record, and then 

 come on with what things were left. 



I had given my feet complete rest since my return 

 from the previous attempt, and had fixed my foot- 

 gear in every way I could think of, including a pair of 

 heavy tin inner soles, but my feet were still very tender, 

 and I dreaded the tramp, and wished it over. At 7 

 p. M. I started, and anxious to have it over as soon as 

 possible, set my teeth and struck a good pace. One 

 thing was in my favour, it was clear now and I should 

 have to do no unnecessary travelling. At 3 a. m. 

 Monday, July 30th, I looked down on the Roosevelt 

 from the bluffs, and at 3 130 I climbed over her side, a 

 boat having brought me from the shore, thus ending 

 my western trip of fifty-eight days. Between the 23d 

 of February and the 30th of July, I had been on board 

 ship eight days. 



My kamiks were cut through, my tin soles broken in 

 dozens of pieces, and my feet were hot, aching, and 

 throbbing, till the pain reached to my knees. 



Within the next twelve hours Marvin and the rest 

 of the Eskimos came in, and the western trip was 

 ended. 



The results of this trip had been particularly grati- 

 fying to me in its closing of the gap in the coast line 

 between Aldrich's and Sverdrup's "Farthest," which 

 was the main object of the trip ; in its determination of 

 a new land to the northwest, and in its development of 

 what, I am satisfied, when the facts in regard to it are 

 known, will form one of the most unique and interest- 

 ing features of this region to the glacialist, namely 



