322 SPITSBERGEN chap, xxiii 



ships, and the people crowding expectantly about, were the 

 first information we had of great good news. Nansen had 

 arrived at Vardo in Mr. Harmsworth's ship, the Windward, 

 and was expected to reach Hammerfest very soon. The 

 Windward had already come in and was anchored not far 

 away. We cast anchor alongside of Sir George Baden- 

 Powell's yacht Otaria, newly come in with a successful 

 eclipse party from Novaia Zemlia. Presently the masts 

 of a steamer appeared over a low promontory. It was the 

 mail-boat with Nansen on board. 



The population of Hammerfest gathered about the land- 

 ing-stage. A band played patriotic airs, guns were fired, and 

 the steamer came in, amidst cheers and such enthusiasm as a 

 reserved Norwegian multitude considers it not undignified 

 to manifest. The loudest shouts came from the Otaria, and 

 from my excellent German friend Dr. Wegener. A few 

 moments later I was enjoying the great happiness of wel- 

 coming Dr. Nansen in person, and hearing from his own 

 lips, and those of his brave companion, Herr Johansen, a 

 brief account, most modestly given, of the wonderful and 

 epoch-making achievements they had accomplished. No 

 more joyous conclusion to our own enterprise could have 

 been desired than this encounter with the greatest modern 

 hero of Arctic enterprise. 



