It would be superfluous to enlarge on Henson in this introduction. His work in the north has already spoken for itself and for him. His book will speak for itself and him.
Yet two of the interesting points which present themselves in connection with his work may be noted.
Henson, son of the tropics, has proven through years, his ability to stand tropical, temperate, and the fiercest stress of frigid, climate and exposure, while on the other hand, it is well known that the inhabitants of the highest north, tough and hardy as they are to the rigors of their own climate, succumb very quickly to the vagaries of even a temperate climate. The question presents itself at once: "Is it a difference in physical fiber, or in brain and will power, or is the difference in the climatic conditions themselves?"
Again it is an interesting fact that in the final conquest of the "prize of the centuries," not alone individuals, but _races_ were represented. On that bitter brilliant day in April, 1909, when the Stars and Stripes floated at the North Pole, Caucasian, Ethiopian, and Mongolian stood side by side at the apex of the earth, in the harmonious companionship resulting from hard work, exposure, danger, and a common object.
CHAPTER I THE EARLY YEARS: SCHOOLBOY, CABIN-BOY, SEAMAN, AND LIEUTENANT PEARY'S BODY-SERVANT--FIRST TRIPS TO THE ARCTIC 1
CHAPTER II OFF FOR THE POLE--HOW THE OTHER EXPLORERS LOOKED--THE LAMB-LIKE ESQUIMOS--ARRIVAL AT ETAH 15
CHAPTER III FINDING OF RUDOLPH FRANKE--WHITNEY LANDED--TRADING AND COALING--FIGHTING THE ICE-PACKS 26
CHAPTER IV PREPARING FOR WINTER AT CAPE SHERIDAN--THE ARCTIC LIBRARY 35
CHAPTER V MAKING PEARY SLEDGES--HUNTING IN THE ARCTIC NIGHT--THE EXCITABLE DOGS AND THEIR HABITS 40
CHAPTER VI THE PEARY PLAN--A RAIN OF ROCKS--MY FRIENDS, THE ESQUIMOS 46
CHAPTER VII SLEDGING TO CAPE COLUMBIA--HOT SOLDERING IN COLD WEATHER 52
CHAPTER VIII IN CAMP AT COLUMBIA--LITERARY IGLOOS--THE MAGNIFICENT DESOLATION OF THE ARCTIC 62
CHAPTER IX READY FOR THE DASH TO THE POLE--THE COMMANDER'S ARRIVAL 70
CHAPTER XI FIGHTING UP THE POLAR SEA--HELD UP BY THE "BIG LEAD" 78
CHAPTER XII PIONEERING THE WAY--BREAKING SLEDGES 93
CHAPTER XIII THE SUPPORTING-PARTIES BEGIN TO TURN BACK 103