GEOGRAPHICAL PROGRESS AND lUsmVKUY. 



303 



the slightest sign of a split was to be discovered 

 anywhere in her. After that experience. I consider 

 the Emm' almost equal 1<> anything in the way of 

 ice pressure. Afterward, we experienced nothing 

 more of the kind, but our drift was rapidly 

 tinned north and northwestward. 



and I could not easily have found a better compan- 

 ion in evn-y respect. The leadership of the. 

 ditioii on Imard the Fram ' 1 left to C;rpt. - 

 drup. With my trust in his qualification.-, 

 leader, and his ability to overcome dillicult i. -. I 

 have no fear but that he will bring all the men 



V -'. ^v. ; 



oi - x V '-v^- 3 ^ 



/\< .>''' 



MAP SHOWING NAXSES'S ROUTES PROJECTED AND ACTUAL. 



"A- I now with certainty anticipated that the 

 ' Frain ' would soon reach her highest latitude north 

 of Franz Josef Land, and that she would not easily 

 fail to carry out the programme of the expedition. 

 viz., to cross the unknown polar basin. I decided to 

 leave the ship in order to explore the sea north of 

 her route. Lieut. Johansen volunteered to join me, 



safely back, even if the worst should happen and 

 the 'Eram ' be lost, which I consider improbable. 



" On March 3 we reached 84" 4' north. Johansen 

 and I left the ' Fram ' March 4. 50' north 



and 1H:2" '2? east. Our purpose was to explore the 

 sea to the north and reach the highest latitude 

 sible, and then to go to the Spitzbergen via Franz 



