I saw a fresh hare-track, and a few hundred yards beyond came upon the hare itself, squatting among the rocks a few paces distant. With the sight of the beautiful, spotless little animal, the feeling of emptiness in the region of my stomach increased. I called to Matt, who was some little distance back, to stop the dogs and come up with his rifle. He was so affected by the prospect of a good supper that, though usually a good shot, his first and second bullets missed the mark; but at the third the white object collapsed into a shapeless mass, and on the instant gaunt hunger leaped upon us like a starving wolf upon its prey. A little pond, surrounded by high banks a short distance away, offered the advantage of ice for cooking purposes, and here we camped, lit our lamp, and cooked and ate the entire hare. It was the first full meal we had had since the Eskimos left us thirty-five days ago—the first meal possessing proper substance and staying quality to fit a man for a heavy day’s work.
While we were enjoying our feast, it began snowing, and at its conclusion we lay down as we were, upon the snow-covered shore of the little pond, without tent or sleeping-bag or anything except the clothes we wore, and, with the snowflakes falling thickly upon us, slept.
Demoralization is also much more easily caused by a disloyal or cowardly member in a large party than in a small one. The success of any expedition depends upon the magnetism and force of its leader. His example is contagious, his courage, activity, and cheerfulness being reflected in each person of his party up to a certain mark.
But the infusion of fresh courage into a member whose mental and physical strength has been impaired by cold, hunger, or discouragement is a drain upon the leader’s nerve force. The larger the party, the more difficult it becomes to fill it with courage and hopefulness when confronted by serious disappointment or disaster, or to put down insubordination. The impetus of a sledge party in particular centers in the physical condition of its leader, and my various sledge-journeys have shown me how vital it is that things that drain his energies should be reduced to a minimum.
MATTHEW A. HENSON
HENSON IN FULL WINTER COSTUME WITH SNOWSHOES
Next after the leader and a suitable ship, is an ice master, and an ice navigator must be born to the art.
He must possess good judgment, nerve, endurance, quick decision, and an uncanny prevision as to what the ice is going to do next.