Page:The frozen North; an account of Arctic exploration for use in schools (IA frozennorthaccou00hort).pdf/176

 both by his belief in Peary's ability to reach the Pole, and by rendering financial aid to the expedition.

When, through the efforts of General Hubbard, president of the Peary Arctic Club, the needed money was at last procured, Peary completed his plans. He believed that in order to reach the Pole he must adopt the manner of life of the Eskimos. These natives of the Arctic zone know how to travel over the icy seas with less discomfort and danger than any other people.

Peary again, as in his previous expeditions, decided to engage the hardy Eskimos from Whale Sound, with their dogs, for the mainstay of his party, and to take with him as few white men as possible. The expedition was thus mostly made up of natives accustomed to the difficulties and hardships of Arctic travel.

Then came the question of selecting the white men who were to accompany him. The following were chosen: Captain Robert A. Bartlett, as master of the Roosevelt; George A. Wardwell, chief engineer; Dr. J. W. Goodsell, surgeon; Matthew A. Henson, Peary's negro assistant, who had been with him on many Arctic voyages, an excellent dog driver, and able to manage a sledge nearly as well as the best Eskimo driver; Ross G. Marvin of Cornell, Donald B. McMillan of Worcester, Mass., and George Borup of Yale, as assistants.

On July 6, 1908, the expedition sailed from New York on the Roosevelt, and July 17 from Sydney, Cape Breton. At the start, the white members of the party numbered twenty-two, and at Etah Peary found plenty of Eskimos willing to go with him.

These Eskimos, known as the Whale Sound Eskimos, are the most northerly race known. They migrate along the coast from Cape York to Etah, and are remarkable