68 THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS 



extend our march over a period of sixty daj-s with full 

 rations. Our eighteen surviving dogs were divided into 

 three teams, six in each. According to our calculation, 

 we ought to be able to reach the Pole from here with 

 these eighteen, and to leave it again with sixteen. 

 Hassel, who was to leave his sledge at this point, thus 

 concluded his provision account, and the divided pro- 

 visions were entered in the books of the three others. 



All this, then, was done that day on paper. It 

 remained to make the actual transfer of provisions later, 

 when the weather permitted. To go out and do it that 

 afternoon was not advisable. Next day, November 23, 

 the wind had gone round to the north-east, with com- 

 paratively manageable weather, so at seven in the 

 morning we began to repack the sledges. This was not 

 an altogether pleasant task; although the weather 

 was what I have called " comparatively manageable," 

 it was very far from being suitable for packing pro- 

 visions. The chocolate, which by this time consisted 

 chiefly of very small pieces, had to be taken out, 

 counted, and then divided among the three sledges. 

 The same with the biscuits; every single biscuit had to 

 be taken out and counted, and as yve had some thousands 

 of them to deal with, it will readilv be understood what 

 it was to stand there in about - 4° F. and a gale of 

 wind, most of the time with bare hands, fumbling over 

 this troublesome occupation. The wind increased while 

 we were at work, and when at last we had finished, the 



