He was to make microscopic studies of the germ diseases of the Eskimos.
MacMillan, a trained athlete and physical instructor, I had known, and known about, for years.

I chose him because of his intense interest in the work, his intense desire to be of the party, and his evident mental and physical fitness for the rigorous demands of the Arctic.
Borup, the youngest member of the party, impressed me with his enthusiasm and physical abilities.

He had a record as a Yale runner, and I took him on general principles, because I liked him, satisfied that he was of the right stuff for arctic work.

It was a fortunate selection, as the photographs brought back by the expedition are due in a large measure to his expert knowledge of film developing.
I have been asked how the members of my party amused themselves during the long waits, when the ship was held up by the ice.

The principal amusement of the new members was in trying to acquire from the Eskimos on board a smattering of their language.