4 THE ACORN and left us in a dead calm. Here we decided to wait until sunrise, which was now only four more sleeps away. When the sun finally rose we saw in the distance what we thought to be the pole, but it was so veiled with morning mist that we could not be certain. However, we set out on foot, carrying with us plenty of milk chocolate. After marching 43 miles toward the towering object, we arrived at its base. Careful and accurate figuring proved beyond doubt that we had indeed reached the pole. Being very curious as to its composition, we investigated and found to our surprise that it was the same structure, appearance and taste as the peppermint sticks made by Shupe-Williams. You, too, are no doubt surprised, but in order to dispell any doubt on your part, we took a picture of it, which is reproduced with this article. We also broke off several pieces as souvenirs, but ate them on the way home. I did not plant the American flag there because the pole was already red, white and blue. Photograph of the Author watching Cook and Peary thru his spyglass THE ACORN 5 After cutting out notches and climbing, inch by inch, up the sticky surface, I at last reached the top, where I sat and watched both Cook and Peary trying to get there. Both of them turned back, though before they came within 800 or 900 miles of the pole. Not being able to bring the pole back with me and not knowing what else to do, I wrote and posted a letter to the world stating that I had been there first. Then we set sail and, with the wind at our backs, soon reached civilization again. I am not going to present these proofs to any society for investigation, but trust to the public spirit and American patriotism to credit my account, which I assure you is true. The Pole at a distance