THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY 



CAMP 18 

 (430 metres above sea-level. Distance, about 10 kilometres). 



August 23rd. — The new river which yesterday completely 

 unnerved us was crossed with surprising ease. Only the fog 

 seems disinclined to leave us, but we hope that our course is the 

 right one. A number of smaller rivers are passed in alternate 

 drizzle and sleet. 



At five o'clock in the afternoon, in the midst of fog and 

 hopelessness, we see the first sign of life from land — a small fly 

 buzzes past us right up on the ice ! It affects us like the olive- 

 branch of Noah's Ark, and this enlivening experience is a good 

 pace-maker. 



We follow an incline leading towards a dark bank of fog, 

 which has the appearance of land. We advance quickly until 

 we reach a large, very beautiful glacier lake, with an affluent 

 river forming a deep canyon in the glacier. The sea has won- 

 derful colours — green along the shore and dark blue in the 

 middle ; along the shore lie big ice-blocks, tall as a man. The 

 crossing of this river required all our strength. Furthermore, 

 the fog grew so heavy that we dared not continue our course. 

 The snow fell closely and we had to seek the shelter of our tent. 

 Our wet clothes feel like cold compressions round our limbs, but 

 fortunately we are so tired that we quickly go to sleep. 



The glacier has during the whole of our day's journey been 

 very porous, with large pointed ice crystals and deep round 

 Cryokonite holes. 



THE LAST DAY ON THE INLAND-ICE 



August 2ith. — Twelve o'clock noon. 



During part of the night I was awake, as I had to keep an 

 eye on the weather ; for as soon as it clears the least bit we must 

 continue in order to get down to land and safety. 



Wulff's increasing exhaustion is a source of great anxiety to 

 us ; when, after a rest, we have been walking for three hours, 

 he lies down and declares that he can go no further. We then 



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