i2 4 SPITSBERGEN chap, viii 



Mount Marmier, and turned along the shore of Sassen Bay, 

 where another stream had to be crossed, beyond which they 

 ascended the low Starvation Bluff and halted. There was 

 no boat in sight ; our companions had not arrived from 

 Advent Point. Here was a pretty mess ! Gregory and 

 Pedersen had practically no food — only a fragment or two 

 of Emergency Food and chocolate. Pedersen was pro- 

 vided with his sleeping-bag, so in that respect he was well 

 enough off, but Gregory had nothing, and was wet to the 

 skin into the bargain. They laid out their things to dry in 

 the sun, and tried to shoot eider-ducks, but without success. 

 Pedersen took the rifle and went after reindeer, whilst 

 Gregory hammered for fossils. No meat resulted. Pedersen 

 missed an easy shot, and said that the Paradox gun was no 

 use. They turned in without eating anything, or rather 

 Pedersen turned in ; Gregory had nothing into which to 

 turn. About three in the morning they heard shots fired 

 some way off. Gregory sent Pedersen to find the shooters, 

 and then availed himself of the vacant sleeping-bag and had 

 a short rest. At ten o'clock Pedersen returned with the 

 following note : — 



"South Side of Sassen Bay, 

 $th of July '96. 



" Dear Dr. Gregory, — By your man I have heard that 

 you are somewhat short of food, and that you expected to 

 meet your boat in Sassen Bay. Though we have ourselves 

 not much more than necessary, having stopped here somewhat 

 longer than we intended, I venture to send you some simple 

 provisions and matches, so that you will be able to reach your 

 camp and your comrades. In the outer part of Sassen Bay 

 there is tolerably much drift ice, and it is possible that your 

 boat could not pass or did not venture into the ice. It is 

 to be hoped that the ice soon will spread ; if not, you may 

 have to reach Advent Bay the same way you came. If we 



