218 NEW LAND. 



many more in the water. Of polar oxen we saw no trace, although 

 we landed at three different places. We found on a neck of land 

 some old reindeer antlers of great size, while several fox-traps told 

 of the former habitation of these tracts. It was from this point 

 that we discovered Skreia to be an island; but, on the whole, 

 we saw little of the land, as most of the time it was hidden 

 by fog. 



We came on board again about five in the afternoon, and as 

 we had not discovered any better harbourage, I decided to remain 

 where we were. Nodtvedt drove a large iron bolt into the rock 

 to prevent the cable from slipping, the fires in the engine-room 

 were put out, and the ' Fram ' went into her second winter harbour. 



It was the first of September, and a day of mark in my family. 

 My thoughts involuntarily travelled back to Norway ; but home- 

 sickness is a sure follower in the wake of such thoughts, and must 

 not be allowed at any cost. One must harden one's heart, and 

 command full speed ahead. 



We had shaped our course for Sir Eobert Inglis Peak, but did 

 not see it, and to this day I have never been able to make out what 

 had become of it. Farther up the fjord we saw a little island, 

 which we named Fosheim's Peak,* but it was so much too insigni- 

 ficant for its high-sounding name, that after several transitional 

 stages, it came down to ' Fosheim's Baby.' * 



On Sunday, September 3, Schei, Braskerud, and Stolz went 

 hare-shooting on the talus just above our anchoring place ; while 

 Fosheim, Baumann, and I tried to get to the big valley t farther 

 down the sound, but were stopped by the ice which now came 

 drifting in. 



In spite of the foggy weather, we had received the impression 

 that Havnefjord ran some distance into the land, in a northerly 

 direction, and from the shape of the fjord we thought it possible 

 that there might also be a branch of it going west. 



I made up my mind that the question should be settled as soon 

 as possible. 



* So given by the author. f Later on we named it ' Stordalen.' 



