284 NEW LAND. 



miles up to the ox we had shot. Here the dogs were allowed to 

 eat as much meat as they could by any means get down, and 

 then they had a good rest ; in the evening we drove on up the 

 valley. The weather now was beginning to be so far fine that we 

 found it better for ourselves and for the dogs to drive at night, 

 and to lie quiet during the day. In the valley running west we 

 also made good progress at first, but by degrees it became narrower 

 and narrower, the snow looser and looser, and so heavy that we 

 had frequently to lend a hand at the sledges, and even then it 

 often happened that we could hardly move them from the spot. 

 However, this was a state of things which might improve later on ; 

 what was worse was that the valley seemed to take a different, 

 and, as far as we were concerned, a quite wrong direction. We 

 climbed a high neighbouring hill, from whose conical top we had 

 a splendid view in all directions. The valley here branched off 

 into two arms : a small one to the north-west, and a larger one to 

 the true south ; but westward, where we wanted to go, the way 

 was mercilessly closed. 



The pale beams of the midnight sun lit up here a landscape 

 whose beauty fascinated both mind and senses. Cold and un- 

 approachable, the mountains towered three thousand to four 

 thousand feet in the air ; but, proud as they were, and beautiful 

 as was the whole panorama lying before us, bathed in this wonderful 

 light, which has something of the magic of moonshine, there was 

 no time in which to linger and look at them. No choice was left 

 to us. We had to turn back, however unwillingly, and again take 

 to the waterway, after driving nearly twelve miles up through the 

 country. 



Towards morning, as we were nearing our old camping-place 

 down on the ice, a pack of eight wolves came running towards us. 

 At first they seemed as if they meant mischief, but before they 

 had come within gunshot, they thought better of it, and went off 

 in open order towards the mountains. 



May 17. To-day, splendid, beautiful weather ; mild and calm, 

 with sparkling sunshine. We meant to have a feast and do 

 things well, for of meat and drink we had plenty, and the day 

 was ours, since we drove during the night. After placing the 



