92 ON THE WAY TO THE SOUTH 



Queen of Norway on board the Fram. Having been 

 informed beforehand of their Majesties' coming, we 

 endeavoured as far as possible to bring some order into 

 the chaos that reigned on board. I do not know that we 

 were particularly successful, but I am sure that every 

 one of the Pram's crew will always remember with 

 respectful gratitude King Haakon's cordial words of 

 farewell. 



On the same occasion the expedition received from 

 their Majesties the gift of a beautiful silver jug, which 

 afterwards formed the most handsome ornament of our 

 table on every festive occasion. 



On June 3, early in the forenoon, the Fram left 

 Christiania, bound at first for my home on Bundef jord. 

 The object of her call there was to take on board the 

 house for the winter station, which stood ready built in 

 the garden. Our excellent carpenter Jorgen Stubberud 

 had superintended the construction of this strong 

 building. It was now rapidly taken to pieces, and every 

 single plank and beam was carefully numbered. We 

 had quite an imposing pile of materials to get aboard, 

 where even before there was not much room to spare. 

 The bulk of it was stowed forward, and the remainder 

 in the hold. 



The more experienced among the members of the 

 expedition were evidently absorbed in profound con- 

 jectures as to the meaning of this " observation house," 

 as the newspapers had christened it. It may willingly be 



