74 THE VOYAGE OF THE JE ANNETTE. 



command of the Little Juniata had given him a prac- 

 tical knowledge of some of the difficulties attendant 

 upon Arctic exploration, and had assured him that he 

 was not wanting in the qualities of an explorer. The 

 more he pondered upon the problem of the North Pole, 

 the greater became his desire to help in its solution, 

 and if possible to give that answer which alone would 

 satisfy the world. He was keyed to the temper of his 

 great enterprise by no vainglorious purpose or rash 

 self-confidence. He never disguised from himself the 

 seriousness of the task he had essayed, nor imagined 

 that he was to win a high reputation by some happy 

 turn of fortune. He belonged to the men who have 

 cared for great things, not to bring themselves honor, 

 but because doing great things coidd alone satisfy their 

 natures, and he entered upon the work before him with 

 a single-minded earnestness, and a brave trust in God. 



