338 A rctic and A nt arctic Exploration [part i 
Peary started with Astrup, Cook, and Gibson in April, 
1892. By May 24th the true inland ice had been reached, 
and the supporting party with Cook and Gibson returned. 
Already the number of dogs had been reduced to 13. 
Peary and Astrup continued over the inland ice, reaching 
an elevation of 6000 ft. On June 26th they came in 
sight of the sea, and from July 1st they were travelling 
over mountainous crests and ridges until they reached a 
summit whence they had a view of a great bay. Musk 
oxen were seen and one was secured. By July 7th they 
were back on the inland ice, and returned on August 6th. 
Only five dogs had survived. Peary claims to have 
travelled a distance of 1400 miles in 80 days — about 
17 miles a day. 
Dr Cook had been getting through some useful 
anthropological work in the meantime, making a census 
of the Arctic Highlanders, taking measurements of both 
sexes at different ages, and recording their habits and 
customs. 
In 1893 Peary undertook another expedition. Accom- 
panied by Mrs Peary, with Captain Bartlett in command 
of his steamer Falcon, he made, as before, for Whale 
Sound. Fourteen persons were landed and the Falcon 
returned. A winter house was built and on September 
1 2th Mrs Peary gave birth to a daughter. On March 8th, 
1894, the start was made for the inland ice journey. On 
the 13th eight dogs were killed as food for the others. 
Astrup and another man broke down, and had to be sent 
back on sledges. The rest went on, but were stopped 
by a gale on March 22nd, and when it subsided two dogs 
were found dead, and two more men were obliged to 
return. In this journey tents and sleeping bags were 
taken, in spite of their being previously held to be 
" unnecessary luxuries." The party got 128 miles from 
Whale Sound, where a large depot was left, at 5500 ft. 
above the sea, a smaller one having been deposited earlier. 
Here they were forced to return. 
Later, Astrup made a reconnaissance of Melville Bay, 
and the recesses of Whale Sound were explored. 
Another winter was passed at the house, and prepara- 
tions were made for a second attempt at the inland ice. 
On April 1st, 1895, Peary started with a man named 
