200 NORTHWARD 



There was nothing to be done but to beat and attempt 

 to work our way back to windward, although we knew 

 it would be practically labour in vain. The breeze 

 increased to a gale, and instead of making any headway 

 we had every prospect of drifting well to leeward; 

 that was the usual result of trying to beat with the 

 Fram. Rather annoyed though we were, we set to 

 work to do what could be done, and with every square 

 foot of canvas set the Fram pitched on her way close- 

 hauled. To begin with, it looked as if we held our 

 own more or less, but as the distance from land increased 

 and the wind got more force, our bearings soon showed 

 us that we were going the way the hen kicks. About 

 midday we went about and stood in towards land again ; 

 immediately after came a violent squall which tore the 

 outer jib to ribbons; with that we were also obliged 

 to take in the mainsail, otherwise it would pretty 

 soon have been caught aback, and there would have 

 been further damage to the rigging. With the remain- 

 ing sails any further attempt was useless; there was 

 nothing left but to get as close under the lee of the 

 land as we could and try with the help of the engine 

 to hold our own till the weather moderated. How 

 it blew that afternoon! One gust after another came 

 dancing down the slopes of the hills, and tore at the 

 rigging till the whole vessel shook. The feeling on 

 board was, as might be expected, somewhat sultry, 

 and found an outlet in various expression the reverse 



