CHAPTER XV 



THE EASTERN SI.EDGE JOURNEY 

 By Lieutenant K. Prestrud 



On October 20, 1911, the southern party started on 

 their long journey. The departure took place without 

 much ceremony, and with the smallest possible expendi- 

 ture of words. A hearty grasp of the hand serves the 

 purpose quite as well on such occasions. I accompanied 

 them to the place we called the starting-point, on the 

 south side of the bay. After a final " Good luck " to 

 our Chief and comrades — as sincere a wish as I have ever 

 bestowed upon anyone — I cinematographed the caravan, 

 and very soon after it was out of sight. Those fellows 

 went southward at a great pace, Helmer Hanssen's 

 quick-footed team leading as usual. 



There I stood, utterly alone, and I cannot deny that I 

 was a prey to somewhat mixed feelings. When should 

 we see those five again, who had just disappeared from 

 view on the boundless plain, and in what conditions? 

 What sort of a report would they bring of the result? 

 There was plenty of room for guesses here, and abundant 



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