Page:The frozen North; an account of Arctic exploration for use in schools (IA frozennorthaccou00hort).pdf/178

 ready to jump over the side of the boat at a moment's notice in case the ship should be destroyed. But skill and perseverance conquered, and the Roosevelt reached Cape Sheridan in safety.

Here on the shore of the Arctic sea the party wintered, spending their time in massing supplies at places farther north, where they were likely to be needed later. Hunting was good, musk oxen, bear, and deer were plentiful, and large supplies of fresh meat were obtained. The men of science took tidal and meteorological observations, and a happy and busy winter was spent.

On October 12 the party said good-by to the sun; the twilight darkened and the long Arctic night set in. Peary did not wait for the sun to return, but as soon as it was light enough to travel he renewed the journey to the Pole.

On February 15, 1909, the first detachment of the sledge party under Captain Bartlett left Cape Sheridan for Cape Columbia, the most northern point of Grant Land. The other detachments followed on successive days, and on February 22, Peary started the last of all. From Cape Columbia he planned to travel directly north over the ice of the Polar sea for a distance of four hundred and thirteen geographical miles. This would take him to 90° north latitude, i.e., to the North Pole.

By traveling in detachments a path once opened was kept open. The first detachment accomplished the difficult work of breaking a way through the ice, the second detachment found travel easier, and the third found it still easier. Thus the strength both of the men and the dogs of the last detachment was saved for the final march.

The party was to return by the same route as the one they advanced by, the supporting parties keeping the trail open for the rapid return of the main party. They were also