458 Chapter VIII. 



late in the spring. If she could just reach 84 or 85, 

 then I should be off in the end of February or the first 

 days of March, as soon as the daylight comes, after the 

 long winter night, and the whole would go like a dance. 

 Only four or five months, and the time for action will 

 have come again. What joy ! When I look out over 

 the ice now, it is as if my muscles quivered with longing 

 to be striding off over it in real earnest fatigue and 



o o 



privation will then be a delight. It may seem foolish 

 that I should be determined to go off on this expedition, 

 when, perhaps, I might do more important work quietly 

 here on board. But the daily observations will be carried 

 on exactly the same. 



" I have celebrated the clay by arranging my work- 

 room for the winter. I have put in a petroleum stove, 

 and expect that this will make it warm enough even 

 in the coldest weather, with the snow walls that I intend 

 to build round the outside of it, and a good roof-covering 

 of snow. At least, double the amount of work will 

 be done if this cabin can be used in winter, and I can sit 

 up here instead of in the midst of the racket below. 

 I have such comfortable times of it now, in peace and 

 quietness, letting my thoughts take their way unchecked. 



" Sunday, September 9th. 81 4' N. lat. The mid- 

 night sun disappeared some days ago, and already the 

 sun sets in the north-west ; it is gone by 10 o'clock in 

 the evening, and there is once more a glow over the 

 eternal white. Winter is coming- fast. 



o 



