THE WELLMAN POLAR EXPEDITION 



489 



that the best and practically the only thing for him to do is to 

 take advantage of the favorable season of from 100 to 125 days 

 and make all his plans accordingly. The lighter his loads the 

 shorter time he can remain out ; the heavier his loads the slower 

 must be his rate of travel. Between the two extremes he en- 

 deavors to find the happy mean and to apply to it the utmost of 

 skill and ingenuity in keeping down weights and in utilizing 

 motive power. Thus we see why it is only by the dash method 

 that any one now seriously proposes to reach the Pole. Dr 



MOl MAIN AND GLACIERS AT CAPE TEGETTIIOl'F 



Copyright, 1S99, by Walter Wellman 



Nansen made his dash from the Frain after she had drifted far 

 within the ocean, giving him the best start and the best chance 

 to reach the Pole an} r one has had or is likely to have for some 

 time to come. Peary proposes a dash from north Greenland- 

 Andr&e made his dash, bravely but recklessly, by balloon. 

 Abrnzzi essays a dash from near Nansen's winter hut and our 

 own outpost. 



We tried the dash, too, and might have done very much but 

 for an accident which overtook us. In preparation for this effort 



