THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY 



The first 20 kilometres offered even and firm going, so that 

 in six hours we covered 28 kilometres. Later on the Fohn, 

 which we had expected since the morning, came over us ; then 

 the snow rapidly grew soft, the sledges went heavily, and the 

 dogs sank through and soon grew tired and unwilling to push 

 on, although three of us walked in front. After a day's journey 

 of 34 kilometres we were forced to stop. 



The ski-ing had been excellent all through the day, and the 

 surface of the glacier was so even that the sledges had difficulty 

 in keeping up with those of us who wore skis. Under circum- 

 stances like these, for one who is used to them, the skis are far 

 preferable to the Canadian snowshoes, which merely carry one 

 without at the same time giving the gliding speed across the 

 snow. 



About two o'clock we sighted the land inside Petermann 

 Fjord, and our course is now abreast of it. It is very stimu- 

 lating to have a landmark, but unfortunately we shall scarcely 

 be able to pass 80 degrees to-morrow as we have been hoping 

 for the whole time, for with this high temperature going will 

 be bad. Otherwise we have fine, clear, windy weather with 

 summer warmth in the tent. 



The gathering clouds from the south-west carried out their 

 threat. Just as we had taken down our tent in order to con- 

 tinue the journey, a sudden change in the weather occurred, 

 with low clouds drifting with great velocity, so that, fearing the 

 approach of a snowstorm, we pitched our tent once more and 

 awaited developments. It turned showery, alternating between 

 snow and drizzle, and we resigned ourselves to it, deciding to 

 take advantage of the storm for a rest — the first since the ascent 

 from the river in St. George Fjord. 



Our involuntary stay unfortunately leads to the slaughter of 

 two dogs, partly as food for ourselves, partly for the other dogs. 

 It is midnight, and I am writing these lines whilst the smell 

 from the pot affects me not at all disagreeably. Never before 

 during my fifteen years of travel have I been forced to eat my 

 dogs, wherefore I have always with discomfort, and not entirely 

 without criticism, looked upon the expeditions which wore out 



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