104 ON THE WAY TO THE SOUTH 



his name. A chapter might be written on the good 

 work that man did, and the quiet, unostentatious way in 

 which he did it. From the very beginning he had 

 assisted in the construction of the Pram's motor, so that 

 he knew his engine thoroughly. He treated it as his 

 darling; therefore there was never anything the matter 

 with it. It may truly be said that he did honour to his 

 firm and the nation to which he belongs. 



Meanwhile we were hard at work, getting ready to 

 sail. We decided to leave before the middle of August- 

 the sooner the better. 



The Fram had been in dry dock, where the hull was 

 thoroughly coated with composition. Heavily laden as 

 the ship was, the false keel was a good deal injured by 

 the severe pressure on the blocks, but with the help of 

 a diver the damage was quickly made good. 



The many hundred bundles of dried fish were squeezed 

 into the main hold, full as it was. All sledging and ski 

 outfit was carefully stowed away, so as to be protected 

 as far as possible from damp. These things had to 

 be kept dry, otherwise they would become warped and 

 useless. Bjaaland had charge of this outfit, and he knew 

 how it should be treated. 



As is right and proper, when all the goods had been 

 shipped, it was the turn of the passengers. The Fram 

 was anchored off Fredriksholm, and the necessary 

 preparations were immediately made for receiving our 

 four-footed friends. Under the expert direction of 



