344 A DAY AT FRAMHEIM 



at that they know the way. They have gone it every 

 day once at least, often two or three times since we 

 came here. There are three of us who always take our 

 daily walk in this direction Bjaaland,Stubberud,andI. 

 As you saw this morning, those two went out at half- 

 past eight. They did that so as to be back to work at 

 nine. We have so much to do that we can't afford to 

 lose any time. So they take their walk to the depot 

 and back; at nine I generally do the same. The 

 others began the winter with the same good resolution; 

 they were all so enthusiastic for a morning walk. But 

 the enthusiasm didn't last long, and now we three are 

 the only enthusiasts left. But, short as the way is 

 about 650 yards we should not venture to go with- 

 out those marks that you saw, and without our dogs. 

 I have often hung out a lantern, too; but when it is 

 as cold as this evening, the paraffin freezes and the 

 light goes out. Losing one's way here might be a very 

 serious matter, and I don't want to run the risk of it. 



'Here we have the first mark-post; we were lucky 

 to come straight upon it. The dogs are on ahead, 

 making for the depot. Another reason for being very 

 careful on the way to the depot is that there is a 

 big hole, 20 feet deep, just by a hummock on that 

 slope where, you remember, the last flag stands. If 

 one missed one's way and fell into it, one might get 

 hurt." We passed close to the second mark. ' The 

 next two marks are more difficult to hit off they are so 



