84 Chapter III. 



and a feeling of melancholy seemed to brood over the 

 familiar landscape with all its memories. 



It was not until noon next day (June 25th) that the 

 Fram glided into the bay by Raekvik, Archer's shipyard, 

 near Laurvik, where her cradle stood, and where many 

 a golden dream had been dreamt of her victorious 

 career. Here we were to take the two long-boats on 

 board and have them set up on their davits ; and there 

 were several other things to be shipped. It took the 

 whole day and a good part of the next before all was 

 completed. About three o'clock on the 26th we bade 

 farewell to Rsekvik, and made a bend into Laurvik Bay 

 in order to stand out to sea by Frederiksvsern. Archer 

 himself had to take the wheel and steer his child this 

 last bit before leaving the ship. And then came the 

 farewell hand-shake ; but few words were spoken, and 

 they got into the boat, he, my brothers, and a friend, 

 while the Fram glided ahead with her heavy motion, 

 and the bonds that united us were severed. It was sad 

 and strano-e to see this last relic of home in that little 



o 



skiff on the wide blue surface, Anker's cutter behind, 

 and Laurvik further in the distance. I almost think a 

 tear glittered on that fine old face as he stood erect in 

 the boat and shouted a farewell to us and to the Fram. 

 Do you think he does not love the vessel ? That he 

 believes in her I know well. So we gave him the first 

 salute from the Frams guns a worthier inauguration 

 they could not well have had. 



