452 NEW LAND. 



it in readiness beside the sleeping-bag. In addition to these 

 precautions, I barricaded the door outside with some bars, which 

 would make a noise if any animal should try to break in. I 

 was not likely to be surprised through the sides of the hut, 

 thanks to the wall of snow, but, on the other hand, it was quite 

 possible that I might receive a visit via the roof. However, 

 nothing happened of the kind, for on April 4 no bear came, and 

 on April 5 I, like Isaac, the son of Abraham, saw a caravan 

 approaching. It came from the west, and consisted of the party 

 which had accompanied the Captain and Isachsen on their way. 

 It was quite a curious sensation to see people again, and 

 I immediately invited myself as their guest for as long as they 

 should remain at Bjorneborg. This was for a couple of days, as on 

 April 6 there was a snowstorm. April 7, on the other hand, was 

 calm, clear, and bright, and all their things were well dried and 

 the necessary repairs done to them. On the morning of April 8 

 they went west again, to accompany Schei on part of his journey ; 

 but they left no fewer than two dogs with me : the mate's :( Tiger " 

 and " Indianeren," which were spent from over- work, and in need 

 of rest. 



' Now passed a long and monotonous period, broken only by 

 visits from passers-by, for no more bears came to the hut itself. I 

 cannot say that I ever felt really dull. I must confess that I slept 

 a great deal, and, secondly, always made myself some work to do 

 outside the house, and went, in addition, regulation walks. If 

 the weather was bad, which it generally was, I lay in the bag as 

 much as possible -and read. A great, nay, momentous, part in my 

 life at this time was, of course, played by my meals, of which, 

 during the greater part of my sojourn, I had two a day 

 breakfast and dinner. Later on I always had three meals a day. 

 I lived all this time almost exclusively on two kinds of food 

 soaked biscuit fried in fat and bear-steaks. Practice makes 

 perfect, and I think I really attained perfection in the cooking of 

 these two excellent dishes, which I ate day after day without ever 

 tiring of them. On Sundays and other feast days I generally had 

 something extra, but the two first-named courses always formed 

 the nucleus of my meals. My beverages were coffee and hot milk. 



