400 THE GERMAN ARCTIC EXrEDITION. 



light grew longer and more intense. The great epoch 

 of the reappearing of the sun, the 3rd of February (as 

 the astronomers had calcula;ted)5 came nearer and nearer, 

 and our expectation rose from day to day. 



Since the 30th of January the astronomers had gone daily 

 to the Hasenberg to convince themselves whether their cal- 

 culations were correct, or whether, perhaps, a particularly 

 strong refraction, owing to the state of the atmosphere, 

 would hasten the appearance of the sun by some days. 



At last the 3rd of February had arrived, and long 

 before noon all were on the look-out. Dr. Borgen was in 

 the observatory, and Dr. Copeland and Captain Koldewey 

 had climbed the Germaniaberg. It was with very solemn 

 feelings that we awaited the appearance of the sun. Our 

 thoughts flew over the sunless three months, as we con- 

 templated the shadowless objects around, but our eyes 

 turned again instinctively to the south, where it was 

 ever getting lighter and lighter. To our great joy the 

 horizon here was quite clear ; only a few clouds stood in 

 the heavens. These added to the beauty of the scene, 

 for they were of the brightest red and yellow. 



The noontide hour approached. Full of expectation 

 and curiosity, the men appeared from time to time on the 

 stairs to look for the sun ; some mounted the top-mast, to 

 enjoy the pleasure somewhat sooner. Attentively we 

 looked around, for at such a time nothing should escape 

 one. The southern horizon grew ever brighter, and at 

 last, almost blinded, we had to turn away our eyes ; but 

 the glance rests in the south-west at first, doubtful and 

 questioning, and then in joyous certainty we shout to one 

 another, " There it is !" The Sattelberg already lies in 

 the sunshine ! And indeed in faint reddish, but unmis- 



