SEEKING HELP 



and without a cover ! Never mind, a healthy body is a patient 

 tool ! 



In the morning we reached the plateau behind Cape Scott. 

 Just before this we had to wade through a river. Across the 

 river the landscape changes entirely in character. It becomes 

 more desolate, more stony, and suddenly it seems as if all the 

 hares have disappeared into the ground. 



At seven o'clock in the morning, after a walk of thirteen 

 hours, we stop and cook a young hare which we have shot on 

 the way. Then we survey the land to make sure of the direc- 

 tion we must take before the fog comes. We are now up on a 

 uniform tableland which has none of the many doughs and 

 lakes we met with to-day ; we shall have quicker going 

 to-morrow. 



At eleven o'clock in the morning we lie down, each by his 

 stone, to get a little sleep before we set to once more. 



SECOND DAY 



August 26th-27th. — At three o'clock we wake up, and as 

 the sky again looks threatening we agree that it is wiser to 

 hurry on towards better hunting-grounds. 



During the first part of our journey the tableland is of a 

 kindly character, with plains of grass and little lakes. In many 

 places we find fresh tracks of reindeer, and we keep hoping we 

 shall have the good fortune to shoot an animal ; we might then 

 be able to rest a little and have time to dry our wet clothes. 

 But as evening approaches the treacherous fog comes up behind 

 us from the north-west, and the land becomes more barren ; at 

 length the grass plains stop entirely and we are now walking on 

 sharp, naked stones. 



During the night we reach a large lake which borders right 

 on the inland-ice ; the old winter ice still lies on it, only one of 

 its banks being opened by a river which runs out of the lake, 

 foaming big and white between enormous stones. It does not 

 look tempting — the sight of it is like a grip round my throat. 

 Am I to fall again now? The weather is raw and foggy, and 

 I am faint with hunger. 



243 



