GREENLAND BY THE POLAR SEA 



THE SITUATION IS DISCUSSED 



First we call a council, as we are accustomed to do on serious 

 situations like the present. We all agree that our arrival on 

 land means salvation, for on this very land where now we set 

 our feet the inhabitants of Etah are hunting hares and reindeer 

 every autumn. On the other hand, it is clear to us that the 

 remaining 200 kilometres to Etah is a serious distance for men 

 so exhausted as we are. 



Dr. Wulff immediately declared that he cannot continue at 

 once. Koch also is of opinion that he requires a couple of days' 

 rest before he will be able to undertake the long walk. But, on 

 the other hand, various circumstances make it essential that we 

 should reach men as speedily as possible. First of all we do not 

 possess ammunition for a prolonged stay here. Secondly, 

 because of the water, our clothes are so far gone that our lives 

 will be endangered unless we fall in with people before the 

 approach of the first cold of autumn. 



So we agree that Ajako and I must go to Etah for relief ; 

 we are both of the opinion that we are able to set out for the 

 long walk without a preceding rest. Harrigan and Bosun 

 remain in order to hunt for Wulff and Koch, who have no longer 

 strength to pursue the game. 



Ajako and I reckon that in this stony and cleft land, inter- 

 sected by a number of great rivers, we shall hardly be able to 

 make the journey in less than eight days, considering the bad 

 weather. Then the relief sledges have to be fitted out, and 

 this will take at any rate twenty-four hours. At this time of 

 the year people have not yet their sledges ready for use, and 

 these preparations require time, so that the relief sledges could 

 hardly be here for twelve or fourteen days. 



None of us consider it advisable to remain here for such a 

 long period. The neighbourhood will be quickly exhausted of 

 game, so the best thing is to move the camp towards Etah in 

 short daily journeys. For other reasons also this arrangement 

 is desirable. 



Ajako and I reckon on the probability of being so com- 

 238 



