206 THE EASTERN SLEDGE JOURNEY 



undoubtedly angrj% but we were at least equally hungry ; 

 and if anything can soften the heart of a Norwegian 

 caterer, it is a ravenous appetite in those he has to feed, 

 provided, of course, that he have enough to offer them, 

 and Lindstrom's supplies were practically unlimited. 



I remember that dinner well : at the same table where 

 eight of us had sat for so many months, there were now 

 only three left — Johansen, Stubberud, and I. We had 

 more room, it is true, but that gain was a poor satisfac- 

 tion. We missed those who had gone very badly, and 

 our thoughts were always following them. The first 

 thing we discussed on this occasion was how many miles 

 they might be expected to do that day: nor was this 

 the last dispute we had on the same theme. During 

 the weeks and months that followed, it was constantly to 

 the fore, and gave plenty of material for conversation 

 when we had exhausted our own concerns. As regards 

 these latter, my instructions were : 



1. To go to King Edward VII. Land, and there carry 

 out what exploration time and circumstances might 

 permit. 



2. To survey and map the Bay of Whales and its 

 immediate surroundings. 



3. As far as possible to keep the station at Framheim 

 in order, in case we might have to spend another winter 

 there. 



As regards time, my orders were to be back at 

 Framheim before we could reasonably expect the arrival 



