320 



XEW LAND. 



of the kind ; they nearly all remained where they were, and had 

 to be fetched, and some of the rascals could hardly be induced to 

 come with us. 



Friday, August 16, brought a remarkable change in the 

 weather. The north wind dropped, and we had an easterly 

 breeze instead, with a great rise of temperature. In a few hours 

 the thermometer rose to 43 Fahr. (6 Cent.), and our hopes rose 

 as quickly. We knew that, if we could only have ten or twelve 



VIEW OF ST. HELENA. 



days of fine weather, the melting would go apace. At this time 

 of the year the water is comparatively warm, and the ice very 

 porous, so that even if it freezes above it melts on the underside. 

 Next day the wind went round somewhat to the south, so that 

 the masses of ice drifted inwards, and, at certain of the points, 

 were pressed up on land. From the mountains above Skrabedalen 

 we discovered some pools on the east shore, and also a couple of 

 lanes, which ran straight across the fjord, one from Middagskollen 

 across to Skrabedalen, and one a little inside of it. If we could 

 manage the first mile we thought that, at any rate, we could reach 



