320 A DAY AT FRAMHEIM 



that ice melts at about +32. If the same law is still 

 in operation, he ought to be sitting in a shower-bath. 

 I go right in ; the sewing-room is not large, about 

 6 feet each way. Besides the sewing-machine a modern 

 treadle-machine the room contains a number of instru- 

 ments, compasses, and so forth, besides the large tent he 

 is now working on. But what interests me most is the 

 way in which he circumvents the shower-bath. I see it 

 now; it is very cleverly contrived. He has covered the 

 roof and walls with tin and canvas, so arranged that all 

 the melting ice goes the same way, and runs into a 

 wash-tub that stands below. In this manner he collects 

 washing water, which is such a precious commodity in 

 these regions wily man ! I afterwards hear that nearly 

 all the outfit for the Polar journey is being made in this 

 little ice-cabin. Well, with men like these I don't think 

 Amundsen will deserve any credit for reaching the Pole. 

 He ought to be thrashed if he doesn't. 



Now we have finished here, and must in all probability 

 have seen everything. My guide goes over to the wall 

 where the clothing is lying and begins to rummage in it. 

 A clothing inspection, I say to myself; there's no great 

 fun in that. I sit down on the pile of sledges by the 

 opposite wall, and am going over in my mind all I have 

 seen, when suddenly he thrusts his head forward like a 

 man who is going to make a dive and disappears 

 among the bundles of skins. I jump up and make for 

 the piles of clothing; I am beginning to feel quite 



