The Winter Night. 271 



have given orders that some one must always watch 

 them when they are out on the ice," 



" Thursday, November 3Oth. The lead showed a depth 

 of exactly 93 fathoms (i/o m.) to-day, and it seemed 

 by the line as if we were drifting- north-west. We are 

 almost certainly further north now ; hopes are rising, 

 and life is looking brighter again. My spirits are like 

 a pendulum, if one could imagine such an instrument 

 o-ivino- a ll sorts of irregular swings backwards and 



o o o o 



forwards. It is no good trying to take the thing 

 philosophically ; I cannot deny that the question 

 whether we are to return successful or unsuccessful 

 affects me very deeply. It is quite easy to convince 

 myself with the most incontrovertible reasoning that 

 what really matters is to carry through the expedition, 

 whether successfully or not, and get safe home again. 

 I could not but undertake it ; for my plan was one 

 that I felt must succeed, and therefore it was my duty 

 to try it. Well, if it does not succeed, is that m)- affair ? 

 I have done my duty, done all that could be clone, 

 and can return home with an easy conscience to the. 

 quiet happiness I have left behind. What can it matter 

 whether chance, or whatever name you like to give it, 

 does or does not allow the plan to succeed and make, 

 our names immortal ? The worth of the plan is the 

 same whether chance smiles or frowns upon it. And 

 as to immortality, happiness is all we want, and that 

 is not to be had here. 



