THE START 215 



and are, moreover, furnished with a formidable set of 

 teeth, would certainly have made the four-footed seal- 

 hunters more careful in their behaviour. 



After we had brought up to the house enough seals' 

 carcasses to keep the ten or twelve dogs that would 

 be left supplied for a good while, and had cut up a 

 sufficient quantity for our own use on the way to 80° S., 

 we took the first opportunity of getting away. Before 

 I pass on to give an account of our trip, I wish to say 

 a few words about my companions — Johansen and 

 Stubberud. It goes without saying that it gave me, 

 as a beginner, a great feeling of security to have with 

 me such a man as Johansen, who possessed many years' 

 experience of all that pertains to sledging expeditions; 

 and as regards Stubberud, I could not have wished for 

 a better travelling companion than him either — a first- 

 rate fellow, steady and efficient in word and deed. As 

 it turned out, we were not to encounter very many 

 difficulties, but one never escapes scot-free on a sledge 

 journey in these regions. I owe my comrades thanks 

 for the way in which they both did their best to smooth 

 our path. 



Johansen and Stubberud drove their dog-teams; I 

 myself acted as " forerunner." The drivers had seven 

 dogs apiece. We took so many, because we were not 

 quite sure of what the animals we had were fit for. As 

 was right and proper, the southern party had picked 

 out the best. Among those at our disposal there were 



