AT ETAH 
years of age. Seventeen years ago to-day, 
Commander Peary, hobbling about on his 
crutches with his right leg in a sling, insisted 
on giving me a birthday party. I was twenty- 
five years old then, and on the threshold of my 
Arctic experience. Never before in my life 
had the anniversary of my birth been cele- 
brated, and to have a party given in my honor 
touched me deeply. Mrs. Peary was a mem- 
ber of the expedition then, and I suppose that 
it was due to her that the occasion was made 
a memorable one for me. Last year, I was 
aboard the Roosevelt in the shadow of the 
*'Statue of Liberty" in New York Bay, and 
was treated to a pleasant surprise by my wife. 
Commander Peary gave me explicit instruc- 
tions to get Nipsangwah and Myah ashore as 
quick as the Creator would let them, but to be 
sure that their seven curs were kept aboard; 
these two huskies having exalted ideas as to 
their rights and privileges. Egingwah, or 
Karko as we knew him, and Koodlootinah and 
his family were to come aboard. 
Acting under orders, I obeyed, but it was 
not a pleasant task. I have known men who 
needed dogs less to pay a great deal more for 
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