Report of the First Thule Expedition 1912. 327 



which we ourselves had searched; of this, however, we could know 

 nothing at the time, as no new report has been deposited in place of 

 that removed. This find showed that Mylius Erichsen had already, 

 in 1907, discovered that the Peary Channel did not exist; he could not 

 then, however, as we know, support his statement by actual survey of 

 the base of the fjord, owing to the lateness of the season. And Einar 

 Mikkelsen, who turned back and started for home on reaching the 

 mouth of Danmarks Fjord, was hkewise unable to carry out the work. 

 To him must, however, be ascribed the credit of connecting Mylius 

 Erichsen's name with the discovery, so dearly purchased by the Dan- 

 mark Expedition. 



It remained for Freuchen and myself to furnish, by our surveys, 

 final proof as to the correctness of Mylius Erichsen's discovery; no 

 one, however, can be more glad than we ourselves to give the honour 

 to our old comrades who paid for it with their lives. 



We were now ready to move off, but found ourselves forced to 

 remain where we were until the 8th of August, owing to almost con- 

 tinual south-westerly gales with rain and snow. We had no lack of 

 food, however, either for ourselves or the dogs, and did not even find 

 it necessary to make inroads on the stores we had set apart for the 

 homeward journey, as the musk ox 'still moved up and down through 

 the valley, visible from the tent all the time, and all we had to do 

 was to shoot one as occasion required. We kept nevertheless, strictly 

 to the rule we had observed throughout, never to kill more than we 

 required at any time. 



During this period, which we referred to in our diaries as the 

 "Camp under big rock", my leg grew worse, and for a time seemed 

 likely to prove a serious affair. Since the 10th of July, when the 

 Ischias first appeared, I had been able to get about with the aid of a 

 stick, and could even carry my share of meat up to the depots. After 

 Freuchen's return from Peary's cairn, however, the pains increased to 

 such an extent that I could no longer walk, and had sharp attacks 

 of fever. Being unable to say how long this state of things might last, 

 and fearing to become a burden to my companions, I suggested that 

 they should leave me behind with Inukitsoq, if he were willing to 

 stay, while Freuchen and Uvdloriaq went home, as it was important 

 that they should get back as soon as possible. The idea was then that 

 Inukitsoq and I, after wintering at some suitable spot, should make 

 our way down along the edge of the inland ice t(t Nordenskjolds Inlet, 

 descend there on to the sea ice, and follow the coast of Greenland 

 thence to Thule. 



Both Freuchen and Uvdloriaq, however, declined with such per- 

 sistency all thought of leaving me behind, that this plan had to be 

 rehnquished. 



As it turned out, I found myself within a week so far recovered 



