INTRODUCTION 
There never seems to have been any doubt 
in Commander Peary's mind about Henson's 
part and place in the expedition. 
Matt Henson, who was born in Charles 
County, Maryland, August 8, 1866, began 
life as a cabin-boy on an ocean steamship, and 
before he met Commander Peary had already 
made a voyage to China. He was eighteen 
years old when he made the acquaintance of 
Commander Peary which gave him his chance. 
During the twenty-three years in which he was 
the companion of the explorer he not only had 
time and opportunity to perfect himself in 
his knowledge of the books, but he acquired 
a good practical knowledge of everytliing that 
was a necessary part of the daily life in the 
ice-bound wilderness of polar exploration. 
He was at times a blacksmith, a carpenter, and 
a cook. He was thoroughly acquainted with 
the life, customs, and language of the Es- 
quimos. He himself built the sledges with 
which the journey to the Pole was successfully 
completed. He could not merely drive a dog- 
team or skin a musk-ox with the skill of a 
native, but he was something of a navigator 
as well. In this way Mr. Henson made him- 
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