NORDENSKJOLD'S EXPERIENCES 33 



have been taken for some of our African brethren 

 straying thus far to the south. 



It took Nordenskjold a long time to recognize in 

 these beings Dr. Gunnar Andersson, Lieutenant Duse, 

 and their companion during the winter, a Norwegian 

 sailor named Grunden. 



The way it came about was this. The Antarctic had 

 made repeated attempts to reach the winter station, but 

 the state of the ice was bad, and they had to give up 

 the idea of getting through. Andersson, Duse and 

 Grunden were then landed in the vicinity, to bring 

 news to the winter quarters as soon as the ice per- 

 mitted them to arrive there. They had been obliged 

 to build themselves a stone hut, in which they had 

 passed the winter. 



This experience is one of the most interesting one 

 can read of in the history of the Polar regions. Badly 

 equipped as they were, they had to have recourse, like 

 Robinson Crusoe, to their inventive faculties. The 

 most extraordinary contrivances were devised in the 

 course of the winter, and when spring came the three 

 men stepped out of their hole, well and hearty, ready 

 to tackle their work. 



This was such a remarkable feat that everyone who 

 has some knowledge of Polar conditions must yield 

 them his admiration. But there is more to tell. 



On November 8, when both parties were united at 

 Snow Hill, they were unexpectedly joined by Captain 



VOL. I. 5 



