THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY 



Eleven o'clock in the evening. The same weather, the same 

 wind. To sleep again. 



We turn out again, but find the same weather and the same 

 wind. Despite our hurry, then, we are weather-bound for 

 another day ; and whilst previously we have been starving on 

 days when we did not travel, we dare not do this again, as in 

 our present condition it would weaken us too much. So we 

 cook our cup of coffee, the last but one, and a cup of thin pem- 

 mican gruel. Our entire provisions now consist of a pound of 

 pemmican for each man, and the distance to land must be at 

 least 100 kilometres. But the barometer is rising, and we pin 

 our faith on a speedy change in the weather. 

 Twelve o'clock noon. 



The same weather, the same wind, but less violent, and the 

 snowdrift is decreasing. We have had to kill two dogs for a 

 meal for ourselves and the seven animals we have yet left. Once 

 more we are squatting on our heels in a ring in the tent, 

 gathered about the warming Primus, which will soon make the 

 pan boil. 



Three o'clock. 



The barometer, which had risen somewhat, falls again, and 

 the thickness about us prevents us from setting a course for the 

 time being. 



One o'clock, morning. 



August 19th. — Same weather, same wind, and despite all 

 impatience to get away whilst we have yet a couple of dogs left, 

 we are forced to hibernate like bears as long as the storm lasts, 

 sleeping as much as possible. Even if we could keep a fair 

 course by the aid of the wind, we dare not set out in the thick 

 snow, as we cannot be far from the edge of Humboldt's Glacier. 

 Unfortunately we possess neither the bear's capacity for sleep in 

 our cool den, nor its capacity for doing entirely without food ; 

 so we often wake up from dreams which maliciously emphasize 

 our situation. Thus I now woke up after the following dream : 

 I am at my father's vicarage at Lynge, standing with my 

 mother in the larder, where is to be found a drawer which is 

 always full of cakes. Mother has just finished baking and put 



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