A NATION'S HOMAGE 83 



It was 1 1 o'clock in the morning by the time the vessel from Copenhagen 

 had cast her anchor a cable's length from the Oscar 11. 



From daylight, however, Christiansand had been watching for the en- 

 trance of the Melchior. Every vessel in the harbor was gayly decorated with 

 flags, and all the available small craft had been chartered to bring out sightseers 

 from the shore. 



A salute of seven guns was fired from the deck of the Melchior and an- 

 swered by seven guns from the Christiansand fort. This honor was accorded 

 Dr. Cook, a civilian, by direction of the king. 



As soon as the smoke of the saluting guns had cleared away steam 

 launches darted out from the shore bearing the civil and military authorities 

 to the vessel with Dr. Cook on board. 



The explorer awaited the officials on the bridge of the Melchior. M. Cold, 

 the manager of the Scandinavian Line, who had accompanied him from 

 Copenhagen, stood by his side.- The ship's band played "The Star-Spangled 

 Banner" while the Norwegian deputations paid homage to the explorer. 



When the municipal authorities boarded the vessel the Burgomaster of 

 Christiansand delivered a speech of welcome, in which he congratulated the 

 explorer on his achievement. 



Dr. Cook, in his reply, eulogized the explorers of Norway. 



