THE POLE! 
of good report in his community, and it was 
he who drove the Morris K. Jesup sledge. 
If there was any sentiment among the Es- 
quimos in regard to the success of the venture, 
Ootah and Seegloo by their unswerving loy- 
alty and fidehty expressed it. They had been 
members of the "Farthest North party" in 
1906, the party that was almost lost beyond 
and in the "Big Lead," and only reached the 
land again in a state of almost complete col- 
lapse. They were the ones who, on bidding 
Commander Peary farewell in 1906, when he 
was returning, a saddened and discouraged 
man, told him to be of good cheer and that 
when he came back again Ootah and Seegloo 
would go along, and stay until Commander 
Peary had succeeded, and they did. The 
cowardice of their fellow Esquimos at the 
"Big Lead" on this journey did not in the 
least demoralize them, and when they were 
absolutely alone on the trail, with every chance 
to turn back and return to comfort, wife, and 
family, they remained steadfast and true, and 
ever northward guided their sledges. 
139 
