138 THE RETURN TO FRAMHEIM 



deceived, and both fell in precisely the same degree as 

 they had risen before. Even if we had not exactly 

 noticed the rise, the feeling of it was present. It may 

 perhajis be called imagination, but I certainly thought I 

 could notice the rise by my breathing. 



Our appetite had increased alarmingly during the last 

 few days. It appeared that we ski-runners evinced a 

 far greater voracity than the drivers. There were days 

 — only a few days, be it said — when I believe any of 

 us three — Bjaaland, Hassel, and myself — would have 

 swallowed pebbles without winking. The drivers never 

 showed such signs of starvation. It has occurred to me 

 that this may possibly have been due to their being able 

 to lean on the sledges as they went along, and thus 

 have a rest and support which we had to do without. 

 It seems little enough simply to rest one's hand on a 

 sledge on the march, but in the long run, day after day, 

 it may perhaps make itself felt. Fortunately we were 

 so well supplied that when this sensation of hunger 

 came over us, we could increase our daily rations. On 

 leaving the Pole we added to our pemmican ration, 

 with the result that our wild-beast appetites soon gave 

 way and shrank to an ordinary good, everyday twist. 

 Our daily programme on entering upon the return 

 journey was so arranged that we began to get breakfast 

 ready at 6 p.m., and by 8 p.m. we were usually quite 

 ready to start the day's march. An hour or so after 

 midnight the fifteen geographical miles were accom- 



