BOBEET E. PEABY 361 saw a narrow, dark line of water dividing the f raU ice they had just crossed. Peary had reached 87** and 6', the **far- thest North* ' af any one at that time. But he says, * * The mere writing of a name a little higher up has never had any attrac- tion for me. I could not be content without the full and final accomplishment of the work." Preparations for an eighth and final expedition were merely a matter of finance. He had the ship, the men, the knowledge, and the experience — but Morris K. Jessup was dead. But Mrs. Jessup had not forgotten her husband's interest and sent a munificent check. Another friend of the cause gave ten thousand dollars and promised more should it be needed. At last an amount was secured which, economically and wisely spent, purchased the necessary supplies and equipment. Peary was extremely fortunate in the personnel of this last and successful expedition, for in choosing the men he had the members of the previous expeditions to draw from. First, and most valuable of all, was Bobert A. Bartlett, master of the Roosevelt. Matthew A. Henson, Peary's negro assistant, had been with him, in one capacity or another, since the trip to Nicaragua in 1887. He had accompanied Peary on all of his northern expeditions, except the first, in 1886, and almost without exception on each of the ^ ^farthest" sledge trips. Boss G. Marvin, of Cornell University, who had accompanied Peary before, went with him again as secretary and assistant. Gteorge A. Wardwell, the chief engineer, and Percy, the stew- ard, had both accompanied Peary before. Dr. J. W. Goodsell, of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, was made surgeon, while Mr. Donald B. MacMillan, of Worcester Academy, and Mr. George Borup were added as members of the last expedition. To Captain Bartlett, Peary left the selection of his officers and men, with the single exception of the chief engineer. On the afternoon of July 6, 1908, from the pier at the foot of East Twenty-fourth Street, New York, the Roosevelt steamed North again on the last expedition. Cheers from the multitude who had gathered to see her off and the whistles of the boats, the power-houses, and the factories, made the air resound with an expression of good wishes. Just before
