446 Chapter VII. 



been out on deck this evening ; one could almost imagine 

 oneself at home by the fjord. Saturday evening's peace 

 seemed to rest on the scene and on one's soul. 



" Our sailmakers, Sverdrup and Amundsen, have to- 

 day finished covering the first double kayak with sail-cloth. 

 Fully equipped, it weighs 30*5 kilos. (6olbs.). I think it 

 will prove a first rate contrivance. Sverdrup and I tried 

 it on a pool. It carried us splendidly, and was so stiff that 

 even sitting on the deck we could handle it quite com- 

 fortably. It will easily carry two men with full equip- 

 ment for 100 days. A handier or more practical craft 

 for regions like this I cannot well imagine." 



"Sunday, August 5th. 81 7-3' N. lat. 



" I can't forget the sparkling fjord 

 When the church boat rows in the morning.'^ 



" Brilliant summer weather. I bathe in the sun and 

 dream I am at home either on the hio-h mountains or 



O 



-heaven knows why on the fjords of the west coast. 

 The same white fleecy clouds in the clear blue summer 

 sky ; heaven arches itself overhead like a perfect dome, 

 there is nothing to bar one's way, and the soul rises 

 up unfettered beneath it. What matters it that the 

 world below is different, the ice no longer single 

 glittering glaciers, but spread out on every hand ? Is 

 it not these same fleecy clouds far away in the blue 

 expanse that the eye looks for at home on a bright 

 summer day ? Sailing on these, fancy steers its course 



