4 ;8 Chapter VIII. 



of having done this, but he would not confess to it. 

 Above my door and over Hansen's they had the 

 pennant with Fram in big letters. It looked most 

 festive when I came into the saloon, and they all stood 

 up and wished me ' Many happy returns.' When I 

 went on deck the flag was waving from the mizzen mast- 

 head. 



"We took a snow-shoeino- excursion south in the 



o 



morning. It was windy, bitter weather ; I have not felt so 

 cold for long. The thermometer is down to 24 F. below 

 zero ( 31 C.) this evening ; this is certainly the coldest 

 birthday I have had yet. A sumptuous dinner : i. Fish- 

 pudding. 2. Sausages and tongue, with potatoes, haricot 

 beans, and peas. 3. Preserved strawberries, with rice 

 and cream. Crown extract of malt. Then, to everyone's 

 surprise, our doctor began to take out of the pocket of 

 the overcoat he always wears, remarkable-looking little 

 glasses medicine glasses, measuring glasses, test glasses 

 one for each man, and lastly a whole bottle of Lyshol- 

 mer liqueur, real native Lysholmer, which awakened 

 general enthusiasm. Two drams of that per man was 

 not so bad, besides a quarter of a bottle of extract of 

 malt. Coffee after dinner, with a surprise in the shape 

 of apple cake, baked by our excellent cook, Pettersen, 

 formerly smith and engineer. Then I had to produce my 

 cigars, which were also much enjoyed ; and of course we 

 kept holiday all the afternoon. At supper there was 

 another surprise, a large birthday cake, from the same 



