chap, xix AT ADVENT POINT 257 



within me a keen desire to continue the exploration of the in- 

 terior of Spitsbergen, but in such unpropitious weather what 

 could we hope to accomplish ? We might indeed cover 

 some more ground, but with clouds so low we should see 

 little, and survey work would be most unsatisfactory. More- 

 over, the only piece of country to which the ponies could be 

 taken was obviously altogether similar to what we had already 

 mapped and studied. If we could have carried them across 

 the fjord, or if they could have gone on the ice-sheet, it would 

 have been different, but our limitations were precise. 



Against this was a great temptation. We were actually 

 on the spot in a probably unique year — the only year for 

 half a century in which the ice-pack had withdrawn so far 

 north. Ought we not to sacrifice everything and make 

 the most of what might be a great chance ? If we could 

 do nothing more, we could at all events make ourselves 

 acquainted with the character of the coast scenery, whereof 

 only the vaguest descriptions exist. We had heard of fine 

 mountains by Hinloopen Strait, and of others clown Wijde 

 Bay. What were they like ? We knew enough of the interior 

 now to be able to interpret inland views in a manner 

 beyond the power of previous voyagers. Thus we could 

 not fail to learn facts of value. Besides, there was the wide 

 area of possibility stretching broad and far before the eyes 

 of hope and imagination. The name of Gillis Land was 

 spoken. It was enough. 



I hailed Bottolfsen, ice-master of the Expres, and found 

 him willing to entertain my proposal to hire his little boat 

 for a fortnight or so, but he would not be free till he had 

 taken some of the Lofoten's passengers to see Andree, 

 and brought them back — the work of two days. Then he 

 would be at our service if the Lofoten or the Virgo would 

 sell us coals, and provided his colleague the skipper was 

 willing to undertake the engagement. I interviewed the 



