LASSE'S FATE 137 



too great a distance daily. It soon proved, however, 

 that we had underestimated our dogs' powers; it only 

 took us five hours to cover the appointed distance, and 

 our rest was therefore a long one. 



On December 19 we killed the first dog on the home- 

 ward trip. This was Lasse, my own favourite dog. 

 He had worn himself out completely, and was no longer 

 worth anything. He was divided into fifteen portions, 

 as nearly equal as possible, and given to his companions. 

 They had now learnt to set great store by fresh meat, 

 and it is certain that the extra feeds, like this one, that 

 took place from time to time on the way home, had no 

 small share in the remarkably successful result. They 

 seemed to benefit by these meals of fresh meat for several 

 days afterwards, and worked much more easily. 



December 20 began with bitter weather, a breeze 

 from the south-east, grey and thick. We lost the trail, 

 and for some time had to go by compass. But as usual 

 it suddenly cleared, and once more the plain lay before 

 us, light and warm. Yes, too warm it was. We had 

 to take off everything — nearly — and still the sweat 

 poured off us. It was not for long that we were 

 uncertain of the way: our excellent beacons did us 

 brilliant service, and one after another they came up on 

 the horizon, flashed and shone, and drew us on to our 

 all-important depot in 88° 25' S. We were now going 

 slightly uphill, but so slightly that it was unnoticeable. 



The hypsometer and barometer, however, were not to be 



VOL. II. 35 



