THE MIDNIGHT SUN 



A TRAGEDY OF THE FAR NORTH 



By WALTER WELL-MAN 



^NE OF the most extraordinary tragedies 

 known to the history of Arctic explora- 

 tion fell among- the experiences of the 

 Wellman Polar Expedition of 1898-9. The 

 story of this tragedy has been told, in part, 

 in many languages. But I purpose here 

 to tell it all. It is a story weird, uncanny, 

 pathetic; yet it carries the saving grace of rare human 

 courage, of unexampled fortitude, of inspiring character- 

 stamina. The hero of the tale is a humble Xorwegian 

 sailor. Paul Bjoervig is his name. I know him well, as 

 I should, having bunked and messed and worked with him 

 many days and nights, having slept in the same bag with 

 him, .having seen him in danger and distress, but never 

 knowing him to show the white feather. 



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