336 Knud Rasmussen. 



Cainp 15. 31 August. 



Turn out at midnight, Freuchen starting off at three to mark out 

 the track. We follow at five, and come up with him after doing 15 

 km. Today again we are obliged to relieve each other at the lead. At 

 last, by 6 p. m. we have covered our 50 km. The snow is now firm 

 and packed by the wind, making excellent going; unfortunately, how- 

 ever, the dogs are now so worn out by what they have had to go 

 through already, that the improvement does not help us as much as 

 it might have done. 



In the morning, as we started out, we saw a snow bunting fly 

 over the tent, making towards the east. And at midday, when we 

 halted for observations, another came and sat down just in front of 

 the dogs. 



Camp 16. 1 September. 



The dogs are now so utterly dispirited that they merely bunch 

 together with their heads in the snow if we do not give them a track 

 to follow. With this to lead them on, however, they trot along at a 

 good, level pace, an soon come up with the man ahead. We have now 

 arranged to send out one of our number each morning with a good long 

 start, and here Freuchen proves himself a steady, staying runner, 

 both on ski and on foot. From the first time we hit on this as a regular 

 thing, he has been constantly chosen for the work. Today, for instance, 

 he started out at 7.30, the rest of us following three hours later, and 

 overtaking him at midday, when we halt for observations. By eleven 

 in the evening we have made our 50 km.; the distance we have set 

 ourselves to cover each day weather permitting. It is now fine firm 

 going underfoot, and the sledges are easy to haul, their loads consisting 

 now of little beyond our clothes and gear. The dogs ought by rights 

 to do their daily run at a rapid trot, but this they simply decline to 

 do. As long as they have a track to follow, they will keep on at a 

 pace two or three times that of a good walker, so it is not a question 

 of weakness. What they lack is simply temper and spirit; the will to 

 get on. 



We reckon the distance now to Inglefield Gulf at about 250 km. 



Camp 17. 



Make our usual 50 km. in sunshine, with "ground wind". The 

 snow is now so firm underfoot that we are able to lay aside our ski. 

 Today, however, the wind furrows were deeper than was desirable. 

 Saw another snow bunting. 



Camp 18. 3 September. 



Covered 40 km., starting at 4.30 and finishing at 12, when we 

 were obliged to halt, a gale coming up from SW. The high wind ridges 



