The Journal of a Sporting Nomad 



but they are killed principally for the fat, or, as 

 the Norwegians call it, " spec," with which the 

 carcass is literally covered, the value of one of 

 these whales being about 2. 



I soon became rather tired of the inactivity of 

 the base camp, so took advantage of a passage 

 in a small tug-boat that was returning to Danes 

 Ghat, where I knew that Andree and his balloon 

 were established. I did not think at one time 

 during that trip that our small steamer could 

 possibly weather the huge seas we encountered 

 soon after starting, and we had to take refuge 

 for a few hours under the lee of an island to 

 permit the weather to moderate somewhat before 

 resuming our voyage. At length we arrived at 

 our destination, which is situated on the 80 

 latitude. Here I found the whole place in a 

 great bustle. The huge shed in which the balloon, 

 when inflated, was to be housed was almost 

 finished, and the apparatus for making the hydro- 

 gen gas which was to be used for inflating the 

 balloon was also in course of construction. I had 

 luckily brought with me my green Willesden tent, 

 the local accommodation being completely taken 

 up. Close to the balloon shed was a substantial 

 wooden house. This belonged to a friend of 

 mine, Arnold Pike, who had two or three 

 years previously elected to winter here. It 

 was quite comfortably provided with sleeping- 

 bunks, and consisted of two rooms. I could not 



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