1900–1901
In the middle of September I started with Henson and four Eskimos to Lake Hazen, to secure musk-oxen for our winter supply, it being evident that my ship would not reach us. Going west as far as the valley of the Very River, by October 4th, ninety-two musk-oxen had been killed. Later nine more were secured, making a total of one hundred and one for the autumn hunting.
From the beginning of November to March 6th, the greater portion of the time was passed by my party in igloos built in the vicinity of the game killed in various localities, from Discovery Harbour to Ruggles River.
April 5th I left Conger with Henson, one Eskimo, two sledges and twelve dogs for my northern trip. At the same time the remainder of the party, with two sledges and seven dogs and pups, started south for Capes D’Urville and Sabine, to communicate with or obtain tidings of my ship. On reaching Lincoln Bay it was evident to me that the condition of men and dogs was such as to negative the possibility of reaching the Pole, and I reluctantly turned back.
Arriving at Conger, after an absence of eight days, I found the remainder of my party there. They had returned after an absence of four days, having proceeded one-third of the distance across Lady Franklin Bay. Fortunately, the night before I arrived, one of the Eskimos secured several musk-oxen above St. Patrick’s Bay, which enabled me to feed my dogs before starting south, which I did with the entire party on April 17th.
April 30th, at Hayes Point, I met a party from the Windward attempting to reach Conger, and received my mail, learning that the Windward was at Payer Harbour with Mrs. Peary and our little girl on board. After a rest at the D’Urville box house, I went on to the Windward, arriving May 6th.
After a few days’ rest the work of establishing new caches along the coast northward, toward Conger, was commenced and continued until the middle of June. Then the preparing of Payer Harbour for winter quarters was carried on till July 3d, when the Windward broke out of the ice and steamed over to the Greenland side. July was devoted to killing walrus, and 128 were secured and transported to Payer Harbour.
August 4th, the Erik, sent up by the Club, in command of Secretary H. L. Bridgman, to communicate with me, arrived at Etah. The usual tour of visits to the Eskimo settlements was then made, and both ships pressed into the work of hunting walrus, until August 24th, when the Windward proceeded southward, and the Erik steamed away to land me and my party and the catch of walrus at Payer Harbour.
A large quantity of heavy ice blocking the way to Payer Harbour, I requested Secretary Bridgman to land me and my party and walrus meat, in a small bight, some twelve or fifteen miles south of Cape Sabine, from whence I could proceed to Payer Harbour in my boats or sledges when opportunity offered. This was done, and on the 29th of August the Erik steamed away.