stefansson-wrangel-09-13-044-002

-2-

hand Aarnout Castel has been in those waters more than I.
He is a good sailor and will understand those conditions
better than any of us. While admitting that you are
probably right about Bernard not having taken the wisest
course, I would suggest your suspending judgment on that
until we hear from Castel.

It is a mistake to suppose that Noice will get the
money for the articles he sold. The fact was that we were
having the greatest difficulty to stir up any interest and
it seemed likely that the want of money would delay the
sailing of the "Donaldson" as it had delayed tho sailing
of the "Teddy Bear" last year. My friend, A.J.Taylor of
Toronto, then cabled me that the story of the "Donaldson"
voyage could be sold to the North American newspaper
Alliance for 3,000 dollars. A friend of mine in England,
Mr. Griffith Brewer, himself a poor man, offered to borrow
the money necessary to send the "Donaldson" immediately,
but he could not afford to give us this money. We hoped
he would get it back in two ways: The Newspaper Alliance
would pay 3,000 dollars when Noice actually delivered the
story and this money would be turned over to Mr. Brewer as
a part payment on his loan. He also made an appeal in
England for assistance through the press and the money
that came in through that appeal is also to be applied on
the loan. We have received in England contributions of
about 2,500 dollars. This, with the money for the Noice
story, will make 5,500 dollars, while the amount advanced
by Mr. Brewer was British money equivalent to a little
more than 11,000 dollars. So you see I am indebted to
him for half the money he advanced even after the 3,000
dollars from the Newspaper Alliance is credited.

As for Noice becoming a hero through these circumstances
that is in a way unavoidable. In an army of faithful and
brave soldiers, the commander is frequently the only one
whose name is praised by the public. Of all those who co-
operated in sending the "Donaldson", none will interest the
public except the one man who they have decided was the
leading figure.

I know your sorrow will not be lessened by any bitter-
ness you may feel towards anyone concerned and I think you
will be glad to know these things so as to be able to put a
more friendly interpretation upon what Noice has done and
tried to do.

Another thing you must understand is that Noice's
original despatches were sent in abbreviated form to New
York and were expanded there before being sent out all over