122 AT THE POLE 



mutual respect in what had been achieved, and I 

 think that was just the feehng that was expressed in 

 the firm and powerful grasps of the fist that were 

 exchanged. After this we proceeded to the greatest 

 and most solemn act of the whole journey — the planting 

 of our flag. Pride and affection shone in the five pairs 

 of eyes that gazed upon the flag, as it unfurled itself with 

 a sharp crack, and waved over the Pole. I had deter- 

 mined that the act of planting it — the historic event — 

 should be equally divided among us all. It was not for 

 one man to do this; it was for all who had staked their 

 lives in the struggle, and held together through thick 

 and thin. This was the only way in which I could 

 show my gratitude to my comrades in this desolate spot. 

 I could see that they understood and accepted it in the 

 spirit in which it was offered. Five weather-beaten, 

 frost-bitten fists they were that grasped the pole, raised 

 the waving flag in the air, and planted it as the first at 

 the geographical South Pole. " Thus we plant thee, 

 beloved flag, at the South Pole, and give to the plain 

 on which it lies the name of King Haakon VII.'s 

 Plateau." That moment will certainly be remembered 

 by all of us who stood there. 



One gets out of the way of protracted ceremonies in 

 those regions — the shorter they are tlie better. Everyday 

 life began again at once. When we had got the tent up, 

 Hanssen set about slaughtering Helge, and it was hard 

 for him to have to part from his best friend. Helge 



