A NEGRO EXPLORER AT 
THE NORTH POLE 
CHAPTER I 
THE EARLY YEARS: SCHOOLBOY, CABIN-BOY, 
SEAMAN, AND LIEUTENANT PEARy's BODY- 
SERVANT FIRST TRIPS TO THE ARCTIC 
1 X JHEN the news of the discovery of the 
^ ^ North Pole, by Commander Peary, was 
first sent to the world, a distinguished citizen 
of New York City, well versed in the affairs 
of the Peary Arctic Club, made the statement, 
that he was sure that Matt Henson had been 
with Commander Peary on the day of the dis- 
covery. There were not many people who 
knew who Henson was, or the reason why the 
gentleman had made the remark, and, when 
asked why he was so certain, he explained that, 
for the best part of the twenty years of Com- 
mander Peary's Arctic work, his faithful and 
1 
