INTRODUCTION 
exception on each of my farthest sledge trips. 
This position I have given him primarily be- 
cause of his adaptabihty and fitness for the 
work and secondly on account of his loyalty. 
He is a better dog driver and can handle a 
sledge better than any man living, except some 
of the best Esquimo hunters themselves." 
In short, Matthew Henson, next to Com- 
mander Peary, held and still holds the place 
of honor in the history of the expedition that 
finally located the position of the Pole, be- 
cause he was the best man for the place. 
During twenty-three years of faithful service 
he had made himself indispensable. From 
the position of a servant he rose to that of 
companion and assistant in one of the most 
dangerous and difficult tasks that was ever un- 
dertaken by men. In extremity, when both 
the danger and the difficulty were greatest, the 
Commander wanted by his side the man upon 
whose skill and loyalty he could put the most 
absolute dependence and when that man 
turned out to be black instead of white, the 
Commander was not only willing to accept the 
service but was at the same time generous 
enough to acknowledge it. 
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