I breathed a sigh of relief when we left the 87th parallel behind.
[Illustration: ACTUAL SOUNDING, FIVE MILES SOUTH OF THE POLE, APRIL 7, 1909, 1500 FATHOMS (9000 FT.) NO BOTTOM] It will be recalled, perhaps, that though the expedition of 1905-06 started for the Pole from the northern shore of Grant Land, just as did this last expedition, the former expedition returned by a different route, reaching land again on the Greenland coast.

This result was caused by the fact that strong winds carried the ice upon which we traveled far to the eastward of our upward course.

This time, however, we met with no such misfortune.

For the most part we found the trail renewed by our supporting parties easily recognizable and in most cases in good condition.

Moreover there was an abundance of food both for men and for dogs, and so far as equipment went we were stripped as if for racing.