FROM THULE TO HUMBOLDT'S GLACIER 



GUESTS OF THE AMERICAN EXPEDITION 



April 10th. — At four o'clock in the morning we arrived 

 with all our train at Etah, where we camped on the ice just 

 outside the headquarters of the Crockerland Expedition. 



In spite of our early arrival, we had the heartiest reception 

 from Captain Comer, who is always early up and about. He 

 invited us into the house, where Mr. McMillan offered us 

 breakfast, an invitation we could only accept a few hours later 

 when our populous and elaborate camp was made. 



For three days we were the guests of our American 

 colleagues, and during that time we were shown every kindness. 

 We had originally decided to spend only a day here, but bad 

 weather forced us to prolong our visit. 



During our stay Mr. McMillan kindly helped us with some 

 pemmican and biscuits, an excellent supplement to our own 

 stores. 



April llth-12th. — We spent the days at Etah killing time in 

 various ways. We dived into the very extensive library of the 

 Crockerland Expedition, visited the Eskimo families which 

 were all old friends of ours, and every evening ended with a ball 

 which lasted into the early hours of the morning. 



The Americans had a wonderful gramophone, which enter- 

 tained us greatly with its varied and select repertoire. There 

 was something for everybody's taste, so that at times we heard 

 songs from all the operas of the world, sung by Caruso, Alma 

 Gluck, Adelina Patti, etc., and at other times we abandoned 

 ourselves to musical debauches, for a change indulging in 

 tangos and one-steps. 



People at home who have access to real music, performed 

 either by themselves or by professional artists, generally turn up 

 their noses at our joy in the gramophone, which they regard 

 as a musical disgrace. I do not consider that I am more un- 

 musical than the average man, but I confess, nevertheless, that 

 I am one of those who pay homage to the gramophone. 

 Wherever I have met it, be it in a winter camp among the 



43 



