4 THE START FOR THE POLE 



halted, all took a hand at the tent. The pegs in the 

 valance of the tent were driven in, and Wisting crept 

 inside and planted the pole, while the rest of us stretched 

 the guy-ropes. When this was done, I went in, and all 

 the things that were to go inside were handed in to me — 

 sleeping-bags, kit-bags, cookers, provisions. Everything 

 was put in its place, the Primus lighted, and the cooker 

 filled with snow. Meanwhile the others fed their dogs 

 and let them loose. Instead of the "guard," we shovelled 

 loose snow round the tent; this proved to be sufficient 

 protection — the dogs respected it. The bindings were 

 taken off all our ski, and either stowed with other loose 

 articles in a provision-case, or hung up together with the 

 harness on the top of the ski, which were lashed ujiright 

 to the front of the sledge. The tent proved excellent 

 in every way; the dark colour subdued the light, and 

 made it agreeable. 



Neptune, a fine dog, was let loose when we had come 

 six miles over the plain ; he was so fat that he could not 

 keep up. We felt certain that he would follow us, but 

 he did not appear. We then supposed that he had 

 turned back and made for the flesh-pots, but, strangely 

 enough, he did not do that either. He never arrived at 

 the station; it is quite a mystery what became of him. 

 Rotta, another fine animal, was also set free; she was 

 not fit for the journey, and she afterwards arrived at 

 home. Ulrik began by having a ride on the sledge; he 

 picked up later. Bjorn went limj)ing after the sledge. 



