EXPEDITION OF 1898-1902 



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northward as far at least as Cape Defosse would not 

 differ materially from those already encountered, and 

 enabled me to lay my plans with somewhat greater 

 detail. With the light of the December moon I would 

 proceed to Cape Wilkes with such loads as would enable 

 me to travel steadily without double-banking, advance 

 everything to Cape Lawrence on the north side of 

 Rawlings Bay, then go on to Fort Conger with light 

 sledges, determine the condition of the supplies left 

 there that I might know what I could depend upon, 

 and then return to the ship. 



In the January moon I would start with my entire 

 party; move supplies from Cape Lawrence to Fort 

 Conger; remain there till the February moon, the 

 light of which would merge into the beginning of the 

 returning daylight; then sledge the supplies for the 

 polar journey to Cape Hecla, and be in readiness to 

 start from there with rested and well-fed dogs by the 

 middle of March. 



In pursuance of this plan, the two weeks intervening 

 between the departure of the November moon and the 

 appearance of the December one were busily occupied 

 in repairing and strengthening sledges, and making 

 and overhauling clothing and equipment, to enable us 

 to meet this long and arduous journey in the very 

 midnight of the "Great Night.'* During this interval 

 the temperature much of the time was at -51° F. and 

 lower. 



December 20th, in the first light of the returning 

 moon, I left the Windward with my doctor, Henson, four 

 Eskimos, and thirty dogs, all that were left of the sixty- 

 odd of four months previous. Thick weather, strong 



