FAREWELL TO THE SHIPS 41 



of the dogs were now transferred from the island 

 where they had been landed to the Roosevelt, and the 

 last preparations for departure were completed. 



My ambition to secure musk-ox trophies had not 

 been realized, and though I had hardly dared to hope 

 at the outset for such good fortune, my disappoint- 

 ment was now so keen that suddenly I decided to be 

 put ashore for a year's big game hunting under the 

 shadow of the Pole. This seemed especially feasible, 

 as a cache of provisions was to be left at Etah and 

 another at Annootok, forty miles to the northward. 

 I expressed my desire to Mr. Peary, who very readily 

 and considerately granted my request to be permitted 

 to remain. 



All was ready at last, and at half past four on the 

 afternoon of August eighteenth the Roosevelt hoisted 

 anchor and steamed slowly northward with her crew 

 of twenty-two men, forty-nine Eskimos, men, women 

 and children (Eskimos will not leave their families 

 behind them), and two hundred and forty-six dogs 

 the largest number of dogs ever pressed into service 

 by any Polar expedition. As she passed us we gave 

 her a royal salute, and she returned it with a will, 

 all the crew and Eskimos on deck waving and cheer- 

 ing. And so she melted into the northern mists and 

 faded from view. 



I turned my attention at once to the collection of 

 my effects preparatory to going ashore from the Erik. 

 Captain Sam Bartlett and members of the crew en- 

 deavored to dissuade me from what they looked upon 

 as a mad undertaking. But the spirit of the North 



