"AHDOOLO!" THE STORY OF MATTHEW HENSON

Teachers may use this material and adapt it to fit their curriculum needs. 

SCENE SIX.

NARRATOR ONE: Matthew Henson and Robert Peary drove forward to the Pole at an almost reckless pace. Peary used his sextant and chronometer-watch to constantly check their progress. (This scene calls for the Matt and Peary to stop and do a reading)

NARRATOR TWO: Henson also used his astounding ability to reach a destination through "dead reckoning" and broke trail. (Here Matt talks Inuit to the Eskimos as he makes his predictions as to exactly where they are)

ROBERT PEARY: "My sextant is slightly off, Matt!! I think it is frozen. What can we do to check our progress?" (This scene calls for Peary to look rather frustrated with his equipment. Once again he calls on Henson for much needed help)

MATTHEW HENSON: " I'll make a compass. I will use things I have in our emergency supplies. I will use a needle, magnet, water, and a piece of board. ( At this point Matt pretends to make the compass. Somewhere in the classroom a ready made compass should sit where Matt can pick it up within arms reach.)

MATTHEW CONTINUES: When the water reaches the circle, the circle will turn and float. The needle will point toward the earth's North Pole when it stops moving. We will then be heading due North. (At this point Matthew Henson should share the student-made compasses with the audience.)

ROBERT PEARY: " Tell me Matt, are we staying the course?"

MATTHEW HENSON: Yes, Commander Peary we are going in the right direction. I will also use my sense of direction to guide us North. ( Both men return to their sledges and begin to chant with the Eskimos "AHDOOLO, AHDOOLO, AHDOOLO," as they ride on to the North Pole.)

NARRATOR FOUR: The explorers continued on, averaging a very fast 16 miles a day. On March 28, 1909, they passed the farthest point North they had ever reached.

ROBERT PEARY: "Matt, Matt, Matt... My feet... it's my feet! My feet are starting to give me problems again. I can't go any further at the moment. ( Matthew moves over toward Peary at this time)

PEARY CONTINUES: Take your two strongest and most brave Eskimos and keep breaking trail ahead! Go, Go now! ( This scene calls for Matt to now be kneeling beside Matt and holding his hand. He is talking to Peary and assures him again that all will be O.K. Matt speaks Inuit to the Eskimos and two of the Eskimo students exit the classroom. The last two join him on his sledge and they return to the trail)

NARRATOR FIVE : At Peary's orders, Henson and the two Eskimos forged ahead. They were suppose to stop just short of the Pole to let Peary catch up.

MATTHEW HENSON: "AHDOOLO!...AHDOOLO! (Matt is shouting to his friends the Eskimos as they continue to break the trail) NARRATOR TWO: Henson shouted "AHDOOLO...AHDOOLO..." a little more urgently than usual! They were just thirty-five miles from the pole!!

Teachers Page | Curriculum | Scene One | Scene Two | Scene Three | Scene 4 & 5 | Scene 6 | Scene 7 | Cast of characters & Props