This feeling carried me past many a dead center of fatigue and utter ignorance as to where the rest of the money for the expedition was to be obtained.

The end of the winter and the beginning of the spring of 1908 were marked by more than one blue day for everybody concerned in the success of the expedition.
Repairs and changes in the _Roosevelt_ had exhausted all the funds in the Club's treasury.

We still needed the money for purchase of supplies and equipment, pay of crew, and running expenses.

Mr.Jesup was gone; the country had not recovered from the financial crash of the previous fall; every one was poor.
Then from this lowest ebb the tide turned.

Mrs.Jesup, in the midst of her distracting grief, sent a munificent check which enabled us to order essential items of special supplies and equipment which required time for preparation.
[Illustration: GEORGE A.WARDWELL CHIEF ENGINEER] [Illustration: BANKS SCOTT SECOND ENGINEER] [Illustration: ROBERT A.BARTLETT, MASTER] [Illustration: THOMAS GUSHUE, MATE] [Illustration: CHARLES PERCY, STEWARD] General Thomas H.Hubbard accepted the presidency of the Club, and added a second large check to his already generous contribution.