soned?

Preparations must now be made for "pole-raising day." In the absence of
a sufficient amount of rope the last bearskin was cut up into strips, as
it was necessary to have nearly a hundred feet, and the bearskin was a
much-needed addition to the small quantity of ramie cord which they had
on hand.

The Professor took a keen interest in the proceedings. "We must get a
half dozen forked poles of good wood; they should be of different
lengths, to support the pole as it goes up. Then, Harry, as we have a
pretty tough job before us, I suggest that you make two capstans,
something like those you saw on shipboard, around which the two raising
ropes can he wound, each to have a crank, and a means for holding the
crank at any position."

The preparations occupied the greater part of the day. Several boards,
five feet long, were required, and at least a dozen stakes to hold the
capstans in position.

Early the following morning the yaks were brought out, yoked up, and the
pole and truck hitched on. A luncheon was provided, the flag and all
paraphernalia assembled and loaded, and Red Angel invited to attend the
ceremonies.

[Illustration: _Fig. 36. Pole raising._]

Reaching Observation Hill, a spot for the pole was selected, and a hole
three feet in diameter and five feet deep was laboriously dug out. It
was, indeed, a trying task, with the tools they had, but it was a labor
of love. It was more than that to them. They were now making
preparations to notify the world that they still lived.

The top of the pole had been provided with a pulley, which was mounted
between the crotch, and a guard put over the pulley, so it would prevent
the halliards from coming off. When it had been placed in position, with
the foot across the hole, the two boards were stood down in the pit so
the end of the pole was against them. The halliards were then strung
over the pulley and looped down, and the three ropes were attached to
the pole, twenty feet from the lower end. Together they raised it up, so
that it was about five feet from the ground at the point where the ropes
were tied. Two of the ropes were then carried out past the hole, and
branched out, and attached to the capstans, while the other was allowed
to hang. As the capstans turned, the pole was gradually drawn up, and
the Professor stood ready with the forked standards to prevent the
flagstaff from falling back. In less than an hour it was erect, and the
work of tamping in t