chap, xx SEVEN ISLANDS 273 



be from the right quarter. I must have a chance of decent 

 weather, so that we may be able to see something. Now it 

 is getting late. The Virgo is not insured after August 20, so 

 that, unless a good wind sets in soon, we must pack up and 

 return to Sweden. It would have been better if we had 

 been able to come up here earlier in the year, but we could 

 not, for the balloon was not made in time. Our work, how- 

 ever, has not been wasted. The experience we have gained 

 w r ill be valuable, when we come back again next year, as I 

 hope to do. We shall come earlier, and shall be able to get 

 the balloon ready quicker. There is always plenty of south 

 wind early in the season. Three days of a moderate wind, 

 blowing approximately from the south, is all we need. After 

 that the wind may blow how it pleases, it cannot help taking 

 us towards some of the land that encircles the polar ocean. 

 We can remain afloat for three weeks, and in that time, 

 with any luck, we ought to be carried down to some habit- 

 able country." 



Herr Andree then invited me to climb to the top of 

 the balloon, and see how the snow that was falling heavily 

 was shed off the dome. The ascent was made by a kind 

 of zigzag wooden staircase, forming a buttress to the balloon 

 house. There was little in the nature of banister, and 

 the space between the steps was open. The steps were 

 covered with fresh snow, on which my rubber boots slipped 

 about. I never felt less secure in my life. A slip at the 

 top would have launched us straight into the air, a hundred 

 feet above the ground. 



The Virgo's captain placed five days' coal at the disposal 

 of the Expres. We took it on board in barrels, and piled 

 them along the narrow gangways, forming all the deck 

 there was to the little boat. The weather was thick as ever 

 when the anchor was raised, but this is a land that bad 

 weather dignifies and adorns The strong black ancient 



