I sat down to rest by the roadside, thinking of my strange condition in this strange land; but I had no time to conjure up evil forebodings, for soon I saw coming along the road the wagon containing the two men and the injured boy. He saw me at once, and beckoned me to a seat by him, which I gladly took. Then we drove on towards the town. The jolty wagon hurt him, I could see, so I had him rest his head on my shoulders and I eased the jarring as much as possible.

Most of the town consisted of large stone houses, one and two stories high, and roofed with red tile. They were built closely together, and some places it seemed that whole city blocks were occupied with one building, joined around the streets, and forming a court in the center. There were a great many people, men, women and children, on the streets, coming and going in and out of archways into the blocks. It was all most interesting to me, but I could not observe the people closely at that time. We at last drove through a doorway into a large yard without being observed, to the home of the young man. He was lifted into the house and carried up a broad flight of stairs to a large room on the second floor. I followed, grip in hand. The house looked as if it might have been a first class hotel, after all, and the most natural thing for me to do was to write my name in the register. But I only stood modestly by the wall out of the way, while the boy's mother, a beautiful elderly woman, moaned and cried over her suffering boy. Then came more women, and men, and children, and there was considerable excitement. There were whispering consultations and earnest talking. Then the boy said something at which all became silent, and the group around the couch opened. All turned and looked at me, and then the mother came and took my hand. I could see the gratitude in her face as she thanked me and bade me welcome. Then the older persons present also welcomed me, and I felt that I was indeed among friends. Then the boy spoke again and I was soon led away to a chamber, wherein I was made to understand, I was to be at home and rest.

I put my grip on the floor and looked around my quarters. The walls seemed to be plastered and tinted. The floor was covered with rugs. The windows opened out upon the street and into the yard and were made of small panes resembling mica set into metal frames. There were stools, a table and a couch spread with woolen coverlets. All was comfortable and cozy, and I wondered greatly at this state of things.

After a time, the father of the boy, a man with gray hair and beard, came into the room, and with him a girl carrying food on a tray. She set the tray on the table, and then withdrew. The old man tried hard to make me understand his gratitude, and then he opened a door and showed me a bedchamber where I could rest. He then left me, after trying to tell me that he would come again when the sun came around to the east, which meant in the morning.

I ate of what was placed before me, and then went into the bedroom. The bed was as comfortable as any I had ever slept on. The noises outside grew fewer and at last everything was as still as night. I drew the shade on the window, then undressed and went to bed. Oh, how good that felt! Yet I could not sleep for some time.

Here was I, the first man of the strenuous world which I had left, to reach the unknown region near the North Pole. I was the great discoverer, yet no one knew it. I had reached that region on the earth for which many had striven all in vain. Pluck and energy and money had combined without result. The secret had lured many brave men to their death. Equipped with all that experience and learning could suggest and money buy, men had braved the dangers of that terrible wall of ice, had tried to penetrate that vast field where the silence and the cold and the whiteness are akin to death. Yet no one had ever reached this pleasant land and returned to tell of it. The mighty white arm encircles their green spot and jealously guards it from the rest of the world. But I had gotten within - I who had not tried, I who had no desire for this. If then I could only get back again - no, I did not want to get back. I felt even then that I had come among friends and pleasant places - if I could get back, what a famous man I would be. The learned of the world would flock to me and listen to my words. Wealth would be mine and great honor. Ah, yes, perhaps with all these I might have some weight with one other person, who was neither wealthy nor greatly learned, now - yes, I speak truly, now very beautiful when judged by the standards, yet who would be to be [XXX - me] more than all that wealth or fame could give. Strange, what seeming trivial things make up the real things of life - the only real things that are worthwhile. Mountains arise on the earth; rivers flow on to the sea; the seasons come and go; nations of men and women arise, grow mighty and fall; continents might split asunder and be drowned in the deep; worlds might vanish into dust and dissolve into their native elements; still all of this in the balance cannot equal a little something that dwells deep in the heart.

Daylight and summer, which, of course, are synonymous in this land, are fast drawing to a close, and I was kept exceedingly busy while they lasted. In a few days the whole town knew of my presence. Then the tidings were carried to other towns and cities, until the startling news that a man had come from the great world outside the ice-barrier, was known to the whole land.

First a sort of reception was given me at the house of my friends with whom I first lodged. They, it seemed, claimed the honor of introducing me to their countrymen and I was willing they should, as they treated me very kindly. I fear my wardrobe in those first days was not very presentable, yet I made out by a little sponging and the addition of some native clothing.