STEFANSSON-ANDERSON ARCTIC EXPEDITION 109 
in striking distance of the Coppermine by sled (about 300 miles). Some 
ethnological information has been gathered here and there incidentally, 
Dr. Anderson has a number of sets of eggs and bird skins. * * * * 
I leave a good many things unconsidered and turn to the future. If we 
fail to reach the Coppermine or Victorialand districts | shall not accept 
the verdict as final. * * * * I shall make the winter as useful as I can 
among the Cape Bathurst natives, if we are forced to winter there. ‘They 
are almost as unknown scientifically as any Eskimo, although not as ‘‘un- 
spoilt” perhaps. 
HerscHen Isuanp, August 19, 1909. 
* * * Shortly after finishing yesterday’s letter, and as Capt. Pedersen 
was about to sail, the “ Karluk,” Capt. Cottle, came in from Barrow. He 
had sighted the ‘‘Hermann”’ (supposedly carrying my freight) but had had 
no communication with her; believes neither the ‘‘ Hermann” nor any other 
ship will come in this year; and intends himself to winter in the Arctic, but 
cannot say where. It is therefore clear we shall receive none of the supplies 
sent by you. * * * * 
Capt. Cottle will take me and the two Eskimo I have with me as far east 
as he can and land us. ‘There we shall fish and hunt against the winter. 
I leave instructions for Anderson to follow in the whaleboat, and if he is 
frozen in west of where Capt. Cottle lands us, say, Cape Parry, he can sled 
east to find us. It seems to me now the chance is fair of our getting to the 
Coppermine after all. * * * * 
Dr. R. M. Anderson, the biologist of the expedition, writes more 
briefly, being greatly pressed for time, as follows: 
e coma) © ’ 
HeErRscHEL Isuanp, August 22, 1909. 
I arrived here to-day from the west with the whaleboat, having been 
stormbound for three days within sight of the Island. Myr. Stefansson’s 
boat had preceded us by a few hours, while our party was looking for a lost 
dog. Mr. Stefansson sailed yesterday on board the steamer “ Karluk.”’ 
* * * * T shall follow at once through the Mackenzie delta in the whaleboat. 
If frozen in before reaching Cape Parry, we shall proceed by sled to join Mr. 
Stefansson. * * * * Capt. Pedersen’s schooner is to sail at once for Point 
Barrow, so that my official report of operations since Oct. 20th, 1908, will 
have to go out via Dawson the coming winter. My specimens including 
seven skins with heads of Ovis dalli, and fifteen Caribou, mainly from 
Colville region, will have to remain here until another ship comes in or the 
“Karluk” goes out. 
