FARTHEST NORTH WITH GREELY 



During the 28th, we remained at Cape Bryant rearrang- 

 ing our load, and securing some rest for the final dash 

 northward. Ralston, Elison and I proceeded along the 

 coast of St. George Fiord to Cape Fulford, which we as- 

 cended. Looking out from our lofty position on this 

 promontory we obtained an excellent view of Cape May, 

 Dragon Point and Mounts Hooker, Coppinger and Far- 

 ragut, as well as of the fringe of stately snow-capped 

 mountains along the western shore of this fiord. Stephen- 

 son's and Beaumont's Islands and Cape Britannia, however, 

 could not be distinctly seen, owing to the hazy atmosphere 

 in that direction, but dark, shapeless masses, barely dis- 

 cernible, alone indicated to us the position of the lands 

 which we had resolved, if possible, to attain. 



On the 29th, we built a large cairn in which surplus 

 provisions and all articles of our equipment, not absolutely 

 necessary for traveling, were stored for future use. In 

 accordance with Lieutenant Greely's wish, expressed before 

 our departure from Fort Conger, Lieutenant Lockwood 

 then detached me from the supporting party to accompany 

 him to the northward, and Sergeant Linn was directed to 

 conduct that party back to the Boat Camp and there await 

 our return. 



Before taking leave of this party of men, I desire to 

 speak of the praiseworthy manner in which they performed 

 all their arduous duties, and of their intelligent efforts, 

 under all circumstances, to advance the interests of our 

 undertaking. They responded with alacrity and enthus- 

 iasm to all demands; they labored cheerfully and inces- 

 santly, and bore their sufferings with uncomplaining forti- 

 tude. 



At 4.18 P. M. that day, Sergeant Linn and his party left 

 for the Boat Camp using the sledge " Hall " to transport 

 their provisions and effects. Half an hour later, Lock- 

 wood, the Eskimo dog driver, Frederik Christiansen and 

 myself started with the dog team and twenty-five days' pro- 

 visions, taking a course toward Cape May. The total 

 weight of our load, including sledge, was 783 pounds — 

 nearly ninetv-eight pounds to each dog. 



The intelligence and usefulness of the Arctic dog surpasses 

 understanding, and of all these animals met with, " Riten- 



65 



