56 NEW LAND. 



blew that is to say, north-eastward until, on Sunday, September 

 16, it went over to the north-west. At the same time the weather 

 began to clear, and we were able to make a landfall we were due 

 west of Graham Island, just under land. 



Noticing that the ice to the south was somewhat slack, I at 

 once gave orders to fill the boiler, light the fires, and get up 

 steam as quickly as possible. At this juncture we caught sight 

 of our dear forge, and I sent off some men to save the materials, 

 while Schei, Peder, and I set to work to get the rudder on its 

 bands again. 



All hands helped at prising a way through the ice, and by 

 about four o'clock we had come so far that we could stand south 

 towards land, as, of course, we were anxious to pick up Baumann 

 and Raanes. In case we should not find them, however, we 

 prepared a cache to be left ashore, along with a letter, saying 

 we were steering towards Norfolk Inlet, and that I would send 

 some men north to meet them with sledges as soon as we had 

 anchored. 



We now made rapid progress southward. There was a stiff 

 wind astern, and the ice for long distances was very slack we 

 could steam mile after mile without coming on ice. Farther south 

 it was rather closer, and our advance looked more problematic. 

 Peder took up his post in the crow's-nest and wielded the big 

 telescope, for now that both the second-in-command and the 

 mate were away, Peder and I took turns to be officer of the watch. 

 I was very glad when I heard Peder shouting down that he could 

 see the sledge-party driving along the shore. I then relieved 

 him, and set the course on a bay where I saw there was fast ice, 

 hoping thus to avoid having to lower a boat, as I thought it would 

 be possible to steer to the edge of the ice, pick them up quickly, 

 and start again at once. The ice was moving swiftly along the 

 coast, and it was necessary to make all possible speed. 



Baumann and Eaanes saw what we were after, and made all 

 the haste they could. Meanwhile we slowed down in order to 

 avoid arriving at the edge of the ice before they reached it. Down 

 on deck Peder had mustered all the crew which belonged to it, and 

 they stood ready with rope-ends to heave the sledges and dogs 



