Twenty odd years of arctic experience had dulled for me the excitement of everything but a polar-bear chase; the young men were eager for the work; there was much to do on board ship in planning for the spring, and I wished to conserve my energies for the supreme effort.
There was no systematic training, because I do not believe in it.

My body has always been able thus far to follow my will no matter what the demands might be, and my winter's work was largely a matter of refinement of equipment, and of mathematical calculations of pounds of supplies and miles of distance.

It was the lack of food which had forced us to turn back at 87 deg.

6'.

Hunger, not cold, is the dragon which guards the Rhinegold of the Arctic.
I did allow myself one break in the monotony of ship life--a trip to Clements Markham Inlet, in October.