The Siege and Conquest of the North PoleBryce, George
History
The Siege and Conquest of the North Pole
Bryce, George
Arctic regions; North Pole; Scientific expeditions
After being stopped by the storm, and then drifted out to sea on the
ice, they sailed for a whole day in open water in their kayaks. On the
following day the weather became stormy, and they were obliged to land.
Scarcely had they reached the shore when a bear was seen and promptly
shot. Walruses were also seen in great numbers. After feasting on the
bear’s flesh, they lay down to sleep, but were awakened during the night
by a peculiar sound outside the tent. This was found to be caused by a
she-bear and her young one, but as Nansen thought they had already
sufficient food for the present, they were allowed to escape. Next day
the ice had again been driven against the shore, and as they could not
proceed they decided to make themselves more comfortable by building a
temporary hut of stone. The roof was made of the silk tent spread over
snow-shoes and bamboo rods, and the doorway was closed with their coats.
Daylight could be seen between the stones on all sides, but yet they
considered it comfortable. The way south was still blocked on the
following day, which was the 28th of August, and Nansen finally resolved
on remaining here during the winter. He was afraid that if he went much
farther south he might not have sufficient time to build a house and
obtain food. He therefore decided to begin at once and lay in stores
while game was yet plentiful. They first decided to attack the walruses,
and as they were emptying the kayaks in order to be prepared, a she-bear
and her cub were seen coming along the edge of the ice, and both were
shot. This was a good beginning. Next day they tried their luck at
walrus-hunting. A walrus was soon found, but nine cartridges had to be
expended before the monster was killed, and then, before they could get
near enough to use a harpoon, it sank and disappeared. They returned to
the shore very much crestfallen.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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