GREENLAND BY THE POLAR SEA 



Danmark. Beside general news from Thule, he informed me 

 that he had sent a box of provisions and various delicacies, 

 amongst these a barrel of beer to be drunk at the feast on our 

 arrival. The letter was like Freuchen himself, beautiful and 

 hearty, the first message from a friend to a friend which I 

 received. But unfortunately the dear Americans had for- 

 gotten to unload the goods, which, especially in our present 

 position, would have been doubly welcome. 



Captain Comer, who had also written a warm greeting of 

 welcome, informed me that it was the well-known Arctic 

 Ocean traveller Neptune, which had been here for the Crocker- 

 land Expedition. It had met the Danmark approximately by 

 Cape Parry, where it had taken on board the goods of the 

 expedition found on the Danmark. The latter was then ordered 

 to return to South Greenland. In addition to this letter the 

 considerate captain had left some newspapers, with the latest 

 news from the War which, of course, were no less welcome 

 than the letter itself. 



Time after time during my many journeys up here I have 

 experienced that one always receives the most beautiful impres- 

 sion of the Eskimos when one comes to them as a poor man 

 without possessions. If one has large and rich stores upon 

 which to draw, even the best of one's friends often seem to 

 speculate as to the payment they will receive for services ren- 

 dered. But if one has nothing, they nevertheless do every- 

 thing with the same joy and generosity, and they do it all from 

 the bottom of their good hearts. 



And once more this experience is mine, though they them- 

 selves require their stores, as the summer hunt of walrus failed 

 totally. But they are generous as ever, and vie with each other 

 in putting at my disposal whatever they possess. There is 

 unison in the chorus about me : everything here is yours — our 

 house, our provisions, our dogs ; we ourselves will go wherever 

 you wish to help your comrades. With joy we will go, all 

 of us ! 



I examine all their provisions and make the arrangements 

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