296 THE VOYAGE OF THE " FR AM " 



" To First-Lieutenant Thoryald Xilsen. 



" With the departure of the Fram from the Ice 

 Barrier, you will take over the command on board. In 

 accordance with the plan we have mutually agreed upon : 



"1. You will sail direct to Buenos Aires, where the 

 necessary repairs will be executed, provisions taken on 

 board, and the crew comj^leted. When this has been 

 done, 



" 2. You will sail from Buenos Aires to carry out 

 oceanographical observations in the South Atlantic 

 Ocean. It would be desirable if j^ou could investigate 

 the conditions between South America and Africa in 

 two sections. These investigations must, however, be 

 dependent on the prevailing conditions, and on the time 

 at your disposal. When the time arrives you will 

 return to Buenos Aires, where the final preparations will 

 be made for 



" 3. Your departure for the Ice Barrier to take off the 

 shore party. The sooner you can make your ^vay in to 

 the Barrier in 1912, the better. I mention no time, as 

 everything depends on circumstances, and I leave it to 

 you to act according to your judgment. 



" In all else that concerns the interests of the Expedi- 

 tion, I leave you entire freedom of action. 



" If on your return to tlie Barrier you should find that 

 I am prevented by illness or death from taking over the 

 leadership of the Expedition, I place this in your hands, 



