HANSSEN IN A CREVASSE 23 



examination they showed no sign of snowfall; they 

 stood just as they had been put in. In the neighbour- 

 hood of the depot we crossed two quite respectable 

 crevasses ; they were apparently filled up, and caused us 

 no trouble. We reached the depot at 2 p.m.; every- 

 thing was in the best of order. The flag was flying, and 

 hardly looked as if it had been up a day, although it had 

 now been waving there for nearly eight months. The 

 drifts round the depot were about li feet high. 



The next day was brilliant — calm and clear. The 

 sun really baked the skin of one's face. We put all 

 our skin clothing out to dry; a little rime will always 

 form at the bottom of a sleeping-bag. We also availed 

 ourselves of this good opportunity to determine our 

 position and check our compasses; they proved to be 

 correct. We replaced the provisions we had consumed 

 on the way, and resumed our journey on October 31. 



There was a thick fog next morning, and very dis- 

 agreeable weather; perhaps we felt it more after the 

 previous fine day. When we passed this way for the 

 first time going south, Hanssen's dogs had fallen into 

 a crevasse, but it was nothing to speak of; otherwise 

 we had no trouble. Nor did we expect any this time; 

 but in these regions what one least expects frequently 

 happens. The snow was loose and the going heavy; 

 from time to time we crossed a narrow crevasse. Once 

 we saw through the fog a large open hole ; we could not 

 have been very far from it, or we should not have seen 



