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Tromso, Norway, Aug. 20, 1894.

My dear brother, and parents, and all.

We reached here the evening of the 15th, and you doubtless heard of us in the west morning & of course you are disappointed, as I am, in the result. But I have the satisfaction of knowing I did all man could do without desperately risking the lives of all his men. Every man that was on the ice with me says I should have succeeded had it been in the power of man to do it. 

On the whole I have nothing to regret save a little loss of money — all I have in the world, and more, too. I come out in debt a good many thousands of dollars. But that is all right. The experience has been magnificent for me, and has done me a world of good in many ways.

There are so many things I want to write you, but handling a pen seems to be hard work for me now. As briefly as possible I will tell you some things you will be glad to know of.

Bitter was my disappointment, after making nearly 81° in 11 days, from Tromso to find impossible ice beyond.  Then the steamer was lost. Bad ice everywhere. To have started north over it might have ended in all our deaths. I was tempted — much tempted — to try it, but am glad I did not. I am proud of bringing back every man alive and well.

When July 4th came and no change in the impassable ice, I saw we were beaten,