GREENLAND BY THE POLAR SEA 



had good weather for so long a period that an immediate change 

 is to be expected. 



To-day all the country inland has been searched in the direc- 

 tion of the great river, also the coast as far as we could get along 

 Hartz Sound. 



July 2ith. — As a final attempt we decide to spread our- 

 selves simultaneously across the stretches of the island where 

 there might be a possibility that Hendrik has met with an ac- 

 cident. We walk incessantly for twelve hours, spread out at 

 a distance of some 3 to 4 kilometres from each other. All the 

 night in the great oppressive silence the landscape resounds 

 with our shouts, but never do we hear the reply or the shout 

 for help which we so anxiously await. Eerily sounds Hendrik 's 

 name across the island which is now to be his grave. When at 

 last we have to give up further attempts we return to our tent, 

 tired and without a word, creeping each to our place. 



We then hold counsel and decide unanimously that nothing 

 more can be done for Hendrik, and that we are forced to con- 

 tinue the journey. The cloud-banks which have threatened us 

 from the south-east horizon, now fall on us with rain and make 

 the position in our camp yet more untenable. 



It was with heavy hearts that we broke camp. But before 

 our departure we built three beacons on conspicuous spots, one 

 on a mountain-top which was visible from the whole of the 

 stony plain behind the mountains ; there we left a letter with 

 information as to the route we had taken, and where he could 

 reckon on meeting with us during the next eight days. An- 

 other beacon with similar information and a map was deposited 

 down by Hartz Sound ; finally we built a beacon right off our 

 tent-camp, and here we deposited a little provision and 

 clothes, so that, in case he should have lost his way, he would be 

 able to reach us without difficulty at the camp of Warm- 

 ing Land. 



Yet once more we searched the surroundings, as somehow 

 none of us felt ready for the start. Subsequently, on our 

 journey across the fjord we searched with our glasses time after 

 time the districts which we had walked through during these 

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