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unfavorable winds, the net effect of the air currents should be in our favor. 
  4. To achieve success it is only necessary for the America to carry us somewhere near to the Pole, because, as already explained, we go prepared to do the remainder of the work and the return journey by sledging. The America can proceed with her engines for 120 hours at a rate of 18 miles per hour. The average wind of the the Polar Ocean in July and August is 10 miles an hour. If we were so unfortunate as to have a wind of average force blowing directly contrary  to our course throughout the whole time, we could still make headway at the rate of eight miles per hour for 120 hours, or a total of 960  miles. The distance from our headquarters to the Pole is 717 miles (statute). 
  5. Assuming the Pole once attained, and the fuel supply exhausted, there is every reason to believe the America could remain in the air, using her equilebrator, several days longer; and in that time there is a large chance that the winds would carry her, as a free or drifiting balloon, far forward or perhaps to some land, and any land would mean safety for the crew.
[[ handwritten X]] 6. Should this alternative fail, we have not put all our eggs in one basket, nor in two baskets, for there is the third recourse, already spoken of--sledging our way out; and, as shown, we go prepared not only for the summer and autumn, but with provisions enough to enable us to remain out, in case of need, the entire winter, sledging back the following spring, which is the most favorable season for Arctic travel.

  Because this article does not deal with many  details and considerations, it will not be fair to assume these have been left unconsidered., Lack of space prevents out going into many matters which have occupied out closest attention and care in the plan and equipment of this expedition. We have tried to think of everything, prepare against

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