356 THE END OF THE WINTER 



dark shade. Another question was how to protect the 

 tent from a hundred loose dogs, who were no better 

 behaved than others of their kind. If the tent became 

 stiff and brittle, it might be spoilt in a very short time. 

 And the demands we made on our tents were consider- 

 able; we expected them to last at least 120 days. 

 I therefore got Wisting to make two tent-protectors, or 

 guards. These guards consisted simply of a piece 

 of gabardine long enough to stretch all round the tent, 

 and to act as a fence in preventing the dogs from 

 coming in direct contact with the tents. The guards 

 were made with loops, so that they could be stretched 

 upon ski-poles. They looked very fine when they were 

 finished, but they never came to be used ; for, as soon as 

 we began the journey, we found a material that was 

 even more suitable and always to be had snow. 

 Idiots! of course, we all knew that, only we wouldn't 

 say so. Well, that was one against us. However, the 

 guards came in well as reserve material on the trip, and 

 many were the uses they were put to. 



In the next place, Wisting had to make wind-clothing 

 for every man. That we had brought out proved to be 

 too small, but the things he made were big enough. 

 There was easily room for two more in my trousers ; but 

 they have to be so. In these regions one soon finds out 

 that everything that is roomy is warm and comfortable, 

 while everything that is tight foot-gear, of course, 

 excepted is warm and uncomfortable. One quickly 



