162 NEW LAND. 



The shore narrowed as the fjord went on, and in some places for 

 long distances together did not exist at all, so that the perpen- 

 dicular cliffs fell sheer into the sea. 



Of the small game, in which the country seemed so prolific, 

 he had shot some ptarmigan and a leash of hares, which were 

 as fat as little pigs. I don't think I ever saw such fat hares. Thanks 

 to Fosheim's generosity, both tents had roast hare for supper. 



We held a great council that evening. All were agreed that 

 an attempt to go overland from here would end in absolute 

 failure. The dogs would be worn out, the material spoilt, and we 

 should get no way. The wisest thing to do was to turn back, and 

 try our luck farther west. 



The following morning, therefore, we retraced our steps down 

 Vendonafjord. We drove quickly and easily, and were able to 

 pitch the tent at night at our first camping-ground, near the place 

 where we had shot the big game. 



It does not often happen that effeminacy can stimulate one's 

 ardour and energy, but in this case it certainly did so : we thought 

 of the beautiful warm skins lying out there, and greatly rejoiced 

 at the prospect of resting on them. But alas ! To our dismay, 

 instead of the soft long-haired skins, we found nothing but a few 

 wretched little scraps, left by our companions, who had taken all 

 the rest with them ! It is always from one's own that the stab 

 comes. However, they were quite right in what they had done ; 

 they were driving that way in any case, and had no loads of 

 their own. 



Xext morning we continued down the fjord, keeping close 

 inshore along the west side, where the snow was harder than it 

 had been on the way up. The bears too appeared to like going 

 there, for we saw their tracks, old and new, crossing and recrossing 

 one another all the way we went. By noon we arrived at the 

 point where the land began to trend westward. We made a short 

 halt outside the crack, of which Schei, however, did not take 

 advantage, for he could not resist going ashore to look at the rocks 

 at closer quarters. We had now, I should explain, started taking 

 a short rest in the middle of the day, generally with a biscuit and 

 butter or pemmican. 



