Second Autumn in the Ice. 501 



But the more I think of it, the more firmly am I 

 persuaded that it is the thing- to do. For if it be right 

 to set out at 85, it must be no less right to set out at 

 82 or 83. In either case we should penetrate into more 

 northerly regions than we should otherwise reach, and 

 this becomes all the more desirable if the Fram herself 

 does not get so far north as we had hoped. If we 

 cannot actually reach the Pole, why, w T e must turn back 

 before reaching it. The main consideration, as I must 

 constantly repeat, is not to reach that exact mathematical 

 point, but to explore the unknown parts of the Polar Sea, 

 whether these be near to or more remote from the Pole. 

 I said this before setting out, and I must keep it 

 continually in mind. Certainly there are many important 

 observations to be made on board during the further 

 drift of the ship, many which I would dearly like to 

 carry on myself ; but all the more important of these 

 will be made equally well here, even though two of our 

 number leave the ship ; and there can scarcely be any 

 doubt that the observations we shall make farther 

 north will not many times outweigh in value those I 

 could have made during the remainder of the time 

 on board. So far, then, it is absolutely desirable that we 

 set out. 



' Then comes the question : What is the best time to 

 start ? That the spring, March at the latest, is the only 

 season for such a venture, there can be no doubt at all. 

 But shall it be next spring ? Suppose, at the worst, 



