THE RETURNING PARTY'S EXPERIENCES. 493 



came a team with an almost empty sledge but with long tow-lines 

 from it attached to the boat, which towered on the ' water-sledge/ 

 drawn by the mate's team. 



On the morning of May 17 they left Lille Sandor, and drove 

 down from the ice-foot to the ice. The sledge received a 

 severe shock at the change of gradient, and it is a marvel it 

 withstood it, considering its load. On the rugged, rubbly ice out- 

 side the sledges skipped along, not always in time, it is true, but 

 covering the ground quickly, despite snow and wind, which helped 

 the bad going all in their power to hinder progress. The day was 

 solemnized by a simple feast, with hot grog afterwards. 



Bad as had been the weather on May 17, the 18th was no better. 

 A span of all sixteen dogs was harnessed to the sledge, but with so 

 little result that they thought it best to camp out on Sydkapfjord, 

 although it was still the forenoon. About midday a snowstorm 

 blew up from the south-west, and the tent required all the support 

 they could give it. A little later the wind changed to the east and 

 increased to a gale, whereupon the tent was nearly blown away. 

 They had to vacate it forthwith, and turn it round so that 

 the door was no longer on the weather side. Later on they saw 

 that it would be a great advantage to pitch the tent under the lee 

 of the boat, and they accordingly set to work to do this, but it was 

 no easy matter. The boat had first to be dug out of a drift, driven 

 a little distance so as to be clear of it, and then turned round. The 

 idea, however, proved to be a good one, for the boat effectually 

 sheltered the tent. The men crept in again and thoroughly secured 

 the door, having brought in with them a good supply of provisions 

 in case of emergencies. 



Next day the weather was a trifle more reasonable, though the 

 going was as bad as ever. Things went pretty well, however, 

 until they had passed the rocks south of Skreia, after which the 

 snow grew worse. The sledge had to be dug free every few 

 minutes, and the dogs toiled inordinately. In the afternoon the 

 party camped not far from a point in the offing off Havnefjord, 

 and made some coffee, while the dogs had a three hours' rest. At 

 eight they started again, but were not able to get the boat farther 

 than the middle of the bay. They accordingly left it there, and 



