46 THE GERMAN ARCTIC EXPEDITION. 



board Messrs. Hegemann, Hildebrandt, Bucliliolz, and 

 Laube. Engaged in an improvised hunting party, they 

 were fortunate enough to bag some gulls. For the 

 second time we all sat together in the cabin, confiding 

 our hopes and plans to each other. Meanwhile, on the 

 eastern horizon, there rose a well-known dark line; and 

 soon a light, quick breeze filled the sails, and gave our 

 ship steerage way. Slowly she began to move, and took 

 a nor' -nor' -westerly course, direct to the island of Jan 

 Mayen. 



The wind now blew stronger ; the Hansa had already 

 reached us, and thus a speedy end was put to our 

 meeting. Our friends took leave and were soon on 

 board their own ship. 



The next day it blew fresh from the E.N.E., so that 

 we nearly always made two degrees IN", as our day's work, 

 a highly desirable progress, which raised all our hopes 

 afresh. Already, on the evening of the 5th of July, at 

 fifty minutes past eleven, we had passed the Arctic 

 circle (66° 33'), and that nearly under the meridian of 

 Greenwich (0° 15' W.L.). 



A violent wind was blowing ; and with a speed of nine 

 knots we entered the Arctic Ocean, which was to be our 

 quarters for a whole year. The Hansa was some miles 

 in advance of us, and was the first to unfurl the North 

 German flag ; at the same time firing one gun. We 

 followed. Conformably to the custom, as on crossing the 

 equator, Neptune came on board to welcome us, and wish 

 us success on our voyage ; of course not without all those 

 who had not yet crossed the Arctic circle having to 

 undergo the rather rough shaving and christening 

 customary on such occasions. The ceremony closed (as 



