448 CONQUERING THE ARCTIC ICE 



the skins are prime, and I have bought some fawn skins at a sack of flour 

 apiece. My two new fur atteges (shirts) are fine. This year I shall 

 wear nothing but fur from head to foot. A three pound shirt, fur in 

 next to skin, is all that is necessary for working in any temperature. 

 When standing around, one needs another similar shirt outside, fur 

 out. If it is blowing hard and snow drifting, a calico (white drill) snow- 

 shirt overall, and one can stand a bath in liquid air. The atteges are made 

 with hood, and wide skirt coming about halfway to the knees. When one 

 becomes warm, one takes off the belt, and a lovely cold blast plays up and 

 down under the shirt. They are always made large enough to allow the 

 pulling of one's arms inside should one's hands get cold. I have several 

 times escaped discomfort that way. One mitten blew away last winter when 

 I was on a sled trip, and I saved my hand by pulling my arm in next my 

 skin. If one is caught out in a gale and has to sit it out, the arms are always 

 pulled inside and hands are saved. 



On my legs I have a pair of knickerbockers, fur in ; in cold weather, 

 covered with white calico. These weigh about two pounds, and are much 

 warmer than two pairs of heavy calico under-drawers. On my feet, fur 

 stockings and long fur boots, both with fur in, for colder weather. They 

 tie the breeches at the knee. Weight of complete suit for most extreme 

 weather, a little less than twelve pounds, and this is a suit that one can sleep 

 out in if necessary. 



On the trip to Herschel, last fall, I looked back upon Franz Joseph Land 

 as full of unnecessary discomfort. Now 1 look upon the former trip as the 

 toughest experience I have had or am likely to have up here. My new fur 

 tent is set up outside now, and scarcely trembles in a gale that would nearly 

 finish the calico one I had last year. We had to take down the stove-pipe 

 when it blew, and once the plate for the pipe was flapped out of the side of 

 the tent. The new tent weighs 50 Ibs. (twelve sticks, 20 Ibs. ; fur cover, 

 20 Ibs. ; calico cover, 10 Ibs.), but it is a castle when put up. No more cold 

 noses at night. Being absolutely safe, one can undress and get naked into 

 the sleeping bag, and thus avoid carrying in moisture from one's clothes. By 

 covering the floor with skins, this tent is a luxurious abode. When the stove 

 is steaming ahead full speed, one must pull off one's shirt and sit half 

 naked. 



Winter is here to-day, about zero Fahr., and the lagoon is frozen over ; 

 young ice seaward. I have been sitting outside, lashing my sled, and 

 scarcely feeling the cold on my hands. I am much tougher than I was last 

 year, and, what is most important, perspire less andean wear more clothes, and 

 be safer in case of accident. My feet perspired freely last year, and my 

 calico stockings would be soaked every night. Wet feet are uncomfortable, 

 if not dangerous. Now I can wear warm fur stockings for two or three days 

 without drying them. 



I shall be working inland most of this winter, in the mountains. There 

 the weather is beautiful clear, calm, and cold, while on the coast it is thick, 

 windy, and penetrating. 



Never mind about the chronometer. I have changed my plans so that 



