130 Chapter IV. 



he was, and when they heard his name he was hauled up. 

 On deck he met Nansen himself, in a greasy working- 

 jacket. He is still quite a young- man, of middle height 

 Here follow\s a flattering description of the 

 leader of the expedition, and the state of matters on 

 board. " It is evident," he then goes on, "that we have 

 here one family, united and inspired by one idea, for the 

 carrying out of which all labour devotedly. The hard 

 and dirty work on board is fairly divided, no difference 

 being made between the common sailor and the captain, 

 or even the chief of the expedition. The doctor, too, 

 takes his share in the general work, and this community 

 of labour is a close bond between all on board. The 

 existence of such relations among the ship's company 

 made a very favourable impression on Trontheim, and 

 this most of all (in his opinion) justified the hope that in 

 difficult crises the expedition would be able to hold its own." 

 "A. I. Trontheim was on board the Fram every day, 

 breakfasting and dining there. From what he relates, 

 the ship must be admirably built, leaving nothing what- 

 ever to be desired. The cabins are roomy, and 

 comfortably fitted up ; there is an excellent library, 

 containing the classics of European literature ; various 

 musical instruments, from a beautiful grand piano* to 



* By this he probably means our organ. Our other musical instru- 

 ments were as follows : An accordion, belonging to the ship, and a 

 flute, violin, and several Jew's harps, belonging to one of the ship's 

 company. 



