LOSS OF DOGS 243 



On March 16 we advanced seventeen miles; tem- 

 perature, - 29'2 F. Jens, one of my gallant ' ; Three 

 Musketeers," had been given a ride all day on Wisting's 

 sledge; he was too weak to walk any longer. Thor 

 was to have been divided among his companions that 

 evening, but, on account of the abscess in his chest, we 

 changed our minds. He was put into an empty case 

 and buried. During the night we were wakened by a 

 fearful noise. The dogs were engaged in a fierce fight, 

 and it was easy to guess from their howls that it was 

 all about food. Wisting, who always showed himself 

 quickest in getting out of the bag, was instantly on the 

 spot, and then it was seen that they had dug up Thor, 

 and were now feasting on him. It could not be said 

 that they were hard to please in the way of food. 

 Associations of ideas are curious things ; ' sauce hol- 

 landaise ' suddenly occurred to my mind. Wisting 

 buried the carcass again, and we had peace for the rest 

 of the night. 



On the 17th it felt bitterly cold, with -41'8 F., and 

 a sharp snowstorm from the south-east. Lassesen, 

 one of my dogs, who had been following the sledges 

 loose, was left behind this morning at the camping- 

 place; we did not miss him till late in the day. 

 Rasmus, one of the Three Musketeers," fell to-day. 

 Like Lurven, he pulled till he died. Jens was very ill, 

 could not touch food, and was taken on Wisting's 

 sledge. We reached our depot in 80 S. that evening, 



