102 NEW LAND. 



aiid the same was the case as far south and west as they could see. 

 Then southerly gales began to blow, and some ice had drifted 

 north, so that a strip remained lying along the shore as far as was 

 visible in a westerly direction. This belt, however, was not so 

 broad but they could see open water on the south side. When 

 the weather had allowed of it they had done some sledging, and 

 Schei had thus gone to Ytre Eide and Hvalrosfjord. 



To make up for their meagre bag at the eastern headland 

 they now suggested going a trip north for a few days, to the 

 north part of Hell Gate. They must assuredly be able to get a 



A DISTURBANCE DURING A HALT. 



bear or two up there, if nothing else. I had no objection to their 

 going this trip, though I did not cherish any great hopes of ulti- 

 mate success, as the weather would probably continue to be as 

 bad as it had already been. However, it might be worth an 

 attempt. 



The day after their return, accordingly, they began to make 

 fresh preparations, and started off the following day, Tuesday, 

 October 30, with provisions for a fortnight. We had had a fairly 

 slack breeze in the morning, but no sooner had Isachsen and Schei 

 set off than it began to blow harder, and later in the day the 

 weather was anything but pleasant. 



