SUMMER WORK. -ACROSS THE GLACIERS. 169 



The remainder of the depot still at Fort Juliana I left alone 

 for the present. It was possible that Isachsen and Braskerud 

 might not return across the glacier, but that stress of weather, or 

 some other cause, might bring them to the inner fjords, when the 

 provisions would probably be of use to them. They were only 

 provisioned for thirty days, and now one day after another was 

 passing by without their reappearance. The thaw, meanwhile, was 

 progressing so rapidly, that the ice in the inner fjords would 

 hardly be practicable so late in the season. 



On June 20 a spell of bad weather set in, and this lasted for 

 four or five days. There was a regular gale from the south, with 

 snow on the mountains, and snow and sleet down by the coast. 

 This was bad for our two men up on the glacier; it would be 

 impossible for them to make any way while the storm lasted, and 

 it would also oblige them to wait a day or two afterwards for the 

 snow to sink together. 



On June 24 I wrote : ' It is a year to-day since we started on 

 the expedition since our friends and kin shouted their good 

 wishes to us for our return. It was a bad day that, dreadful from 

 first to last, as only such a day of sailing can be. It is dull to-day, 

 too, and many sad thoughts crowd upon one. It seems as if this 

 expedition were fated. First of all we were stopped here last 

 autumn ; then the doctor died. Isachsen and Braskerud have not 

 yet returned from the " inland ice," and no one knows how they 

 are faring. We must hope that at any rate they are not in danger ; 

 but it would be bad enough for the expedition if they found it 

 necessary to shoot some of the dogs. Added to this, the condition 

 of the ice in Kane Basin looks so unfavourable, that a miracle must 

 happen if we are to get up there this year. Bay and I have been 

 up to Pirn Island to-day, where we had a good view north to 

 Kane Basin, but the ice there is unchanged, there is not a lead to 

 be seen. It is this steady south wind which keeps the ice packed 

 up there.' 



Meanwhile all were busy on board, both on deck and in the 

 engine-room, getting the ship ready for sea. 



On the evening of June 27 I determined to let Baumann and 

 Hassel drive up the glacier, where the snow was now very good, 



