MODERN VIKINGS IN THE ARCTIC SEAS 409 



The body was lowered to the water's edge, where it was held while 

 prayers were read and a hymn sung. In the words of Captain 

 Sverdrup : "The followed the moment when he slowly slipped into 

 the deep. We shall never forget it. We sang a hymn and said the 

 Lord's Prayer." 



In 1899 the "Fram" was taken southward to Jones Sound, a 

 channel dividing Ellesmere Land from North Devon Island to the 

 south. Surveying parties were sent westward along the sound, but 

 not without difficulty, they meeting with rough pressure ridges in 

 the ice, which they had to cut through with pick and spade to make 

 a path for the sledges. At other places the ice was fairly smooth. 



In this vicinity game was found in the greatest abundance, 

 musk oxen, reindeer and wolves being plentiful. The larder was in 

 need of being replenished, and the members of the party secured 

 as much beef and venison as they could for their winter supply. By 

 the time they returned to the ship they had enough fresh meat, not 

 only for themselves but also for the dogs, to last until the following 

 spring. 



As the survey work advanced to the west of the sound, the 

 discovery of several inaccuracies in former maps led to the hope 

 that new land might be located in that direction. Advantage was 

 taken of the opening of the ice in the summer season to push the 

 "Fram" farther to the west, so as to enable the sledge parties to 

 reach still greater distances over the ice in that direction. It was 

 by this means the crowning triumph of the expedition was achieved, 

 though at the time of its achievement an event happened which 

 very nearly brought a tragic ending. This was no less than a fire 

 on the "Fram." 



There were, at the time, only nine men on board. For the 

 winter, an awning had been spread over the deck, below the shelter 

 of which numerous articles were stored, including the ammunition 

 and powder-boxes, a number of kayaks, spare wood for repairing 

 sledges and making ski, the oil barrels, and an iron tank full of 



