3 i6 THE CONQUEST OF THE NORTH POLE 



On reaching latitude 84° a lead was encountered 

 over which no crossing could be found, and they were 

 forced to camp on a large floe which drifted steadily 

 eastward. Here some sledges were broken up to cook 

 dog-meat for the party. On the 5th May two Eskimo, 

 sent out as scouts, reported young ice a few miles distant. 

 It was decided to attempt to cross it. The thin ice bent 

 beneath them, but by using snow-shoes the crossing was 

 effected in safety. 



During the next week the party had to cut their way 

 through a terrible chaos of ice, and on the 12th May they 

 reached the Greenland coast at Cape Neumayer. Here 

 they succeeded in obtaining four hares. 



Near Cape Neumayer sledge-tracks were found, and as 

 these had no doubt been made by one of the supporting 

 parties, Peary sent two Eskimo to follow the tracks. 

 They returned next day with Clark and his three 

 Eskimo, who were in a terribly famished condition. 

 Fortunately, seven musk-oxen were secured, and for two 

 clays the party ate and slept. 



The remainder of the march back to the Roosevelt was 

 accomplished without any special difficulty. Peary now 

 called in the relief parties who were still out. After a 

 short rest, a trip was made to the west of Grant Land. 

 New land, named " Crocker Land, 11 was seen to the north- 

 west. On the 30th July, Peary again returned to the 

 Roosevelt, which next day started on the return journey. 



Peary had decided that the ship was so badly damaged 

 that it could not safely remain another winter exposed 

 to the ice. He therefore determined to return home for 

 repairs, and to sail again for the north during the 

 following year. At Lady Franklin Bay it was feared 

 that the ship would have to pass the winter there, but 

 it fortunately managed to get free, and the voyage was 

 resumed. 



