448 NEW LAND. 



boarded us, with the exception of the much-respected mayor, who 

 preferred remaining in his boat to venturing up our breakneck 

 ladder. The quay and its surroundings were crowded with people 

 shouting and waving a welcome to us. 



Such a day as this makes one's heart warm. It is indeed so 

 overwhelming that words can hardly be found to express what one 

 feels, but it burns itself into one's bosom and warms one through 



7 O 



many years. 



Before the 'Fram' had anchored I was put ashore in the 

 harbour-master's boat, with my wholesale stock of telegrams, which 

 were destined, first, for those nearest to us, and then for various 

 newspapers. It was as much as I could do to make my way 

 through the crowd of people on the quay, and up to the telegraph- 

 office. While I was standing there explaining to the manager 

 that I did not know whether I had money enough to pay for them 

 all, but that I would soon get some more, I heard a voice behind 

 me, saying, ' If you are short of money I can lend you some,' and 

 turning round found myself face to face with an old friend. We 

 walked together to a hotel close by, and set to work to read and 

 answer telegrams. Isachsen soon came to my aid, and we three 

 kept at it till far into the night, and the next day began again. 

 Among other telegrams was one from Admiral Sparre, offering us 

 the flagship ' Heimdal ' to tow us round to Christiania. We 

 accepted the offer with thanks, and the ' Heimdal ' arrived, com- 

 manded by my comrade of the first ' Fram ' expedition, Captain 

 Scott-Hansen. The different members of the expedition received 

 telegrams telling them that all was well in their respective homes. 

 From my wife I had, in addition, the good news that she was 

 leaving Christiania that evening to meet me at Stavanger. 



Had we been able to accept all the kind invitations that 

 streamed in from the towns along the coast we should have been 

 long in reaching Christiania. It was late in the year; our four 

 years in the ice had left us out of training for such festivities, and 

 we all longed to see our dear ones at home. We therefore had to 

 refuse most of the invitations. After an unusually enjoyable and 

 successful entertainment, given by the town of Stavanger, we left 

 that hospitable place on the night of September 22. The chief of 



