THE WHITE WORLD 



aract of the Petowik glacier grew steadily nearer and 

 clearer on our port bow. We had cleared all the loose 

 floating ice through which the boat could not pass, and 

 about 10 o'clock it was evident that the final moment was 

 close at hand. " Mat " was busy getting everything to 

 rights in the whaleboat, a handsome, stately craft. Fuel 

 supplies, instruments, and all being in readiness, she was 

 lowered into the water. Lieutenant and Mrs. Peary were 

 alone in the Falcon cabin, and here was their farewell. 



All our flags were again sent aloft, the stars and stripes, 

 the auxiliary blue and white burgee, and the Falcon's 

 owners' signal; and we all tried to be as gay and brave 

 as possible. Hardly had the ship stopped her engines 

 before Lieutenant Peary, in a full sealskin suit with hooded 

 coat, came on deck, and rapidly giving every member of 

 his own returning party, of the auxiliary, and the officers 

 of the ship, a cordial grasp of the hand, with a personal 

 " good-by," and imprinting a farewell paternal kiss upon 

 the rosy unconscious cheek of his little daughter in her 

 nurse's arms, he was over the rail, in the boat, and 

 straightening out the natives at the oars. 



" Mat " had the tiller and as the boat gathered way, and 

 swung clear of the Falcon, all of us on board lined up on 

 the rail and gave the gallant leader and his crew three of 

 the most rousing cheers of our lives, to which he answered 

 in clear and hearty terms, " Thank you ! A safe voyage 

 home and success to all!" 



The Falcon's rusty old gun again spoke its loudest fare- 

 well; the whistle gave three blasts; the helm went hard 

 over; the engine went full speed ahead, and we parted 

 company, one for home, friends and country; the other for 

 solitude, danger and duty. 



As vision failed and lineaments became indistinct, our 

 last view was of the tall, erect, fur-clad explorer, stand- 

 ing amidships, and again, by the signal code bidding us 

 good-by and good fortune, as his prow was pointed north- 

 ward and poleward. Half an hour later we saw a white 

 speck on the dark expanse of waters, telling us that the 

 boat had set her sails to the favoring breeze, and that all 

 was goine well with her gallant party. 



Etah, like other and older summer resorts, had in 1899 



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