Second Autumn in the Ice. 509 



of the Jcanncttc party, so far as is known, no one was 

 attacked with scurvy. Peary and Astrup did not suffer 

 from scurvy either. Moreover our supply of pro- 

 visions has been more carefully selected, and offers 

 greater variety than has been the case in former expedi- 

 tions, not one of which has enjoyed such perfect health 

 as ours. I scarcely think, therefore, that we should take 

 with us from the Fram any germs of scurvy , and as 

 regards the provisions for the sledge journey itself, I 

 have taken care that they shall consist of gfood all-round, 



J o 



nutritious articles of food, so that I can scarcely believe 

 that they would be the means of developing an attack of 

 this disease. Of course, one must run some risk ; but 

 in my opinion all possible precautions have been taken, 

 and, when that is done, it is one's duty to go ahead. 



" There is yet another question that must be taken 

 into consideration. Have I the right to deprive the ship 

 and those who remain behind of the resources such an 

 expedition entails ? The fact that there will be two men 

 less is of little importance, for the Fram can be handled 

 quite as well with eleven men. A more important 

 point is that we shall have to take with us all the dogs 

 except the seven puppies ; but they are amply supplied 

 with sledge provisions and first-class sledge equipments 

 on board, and it is inconceivable that in case anything 

 happened to the Fram they should be unable to reach 

 Franz Josef Land or Spitzbergen. It is scarcely likely 

 that in case they had to abandon her, it would be 



