THE WHITE WORLD 



a half mile or so to the camp. Peary seeing us, came 

 down to the edge of the ice-foot, and there, handing him 

 the mittens, I received again the final hand-grasp; as 

 strong, as confident, and as loyal as ever, and pledging 

 again hope, faith and success. Returning to the Erik, 

 Peary called me back. " Keep your flags up," said he, 

 "until you are clear of the ice; we will see you through 

 our glasses, and when we can no longer make out your 

 flags, then we shall know that you are safely on the way 

 home." Peary's injunction was obeyed, our flags were 

 flying until 6 o'clock the next morning, when to my great 

 satisfaction Capt. " Sam " announced, " We are clear of 

 the ice, sir." 



iq8 



