SEEKING HELP 



the country on which he had reckoned, but where they were 

 situated the " Eiderduck " had not the slightest idea. 



The dogs would be of no use to us on the ground towards 

 Cape Agassiz. The country was bare of snow and would be 

 impracticable for a sledge, and on the inland-ice there were 

 yet the many rivers which could not be crossed to advantage. 

 So if we were to bring relief to our comrades we must walk 

 to them, and that without any considerable increase of pro- 

 visions. Proper hunting during a quick march was, as we 

 had experienced, not to be reckoned on. 



According to the map, and considering the terrain we had 

 had to cross, it would be at least 150 kilometres to our old tent- 

 camp. We had arrived here in four days by marches as forced 

 as our strength permitted ; it was doubtful whether it would be 

 possible for us once more to cover the distance in the same 

 time, and it was also absolutely essential to us that our foot- 

 gear should be dried. Thus it would take nine or ten days 

 before we could once more be back in our old camp, and it 

 would be highly improbable that Dr. Wulff' s party would 

 remain there until then. It would at any rate be against the 

 decisions we had come to in the council of the expedition before 

 we separated. If, in an attempt to bring relief which under 

 all circumstances would not be effective, as it brought merely 

 one fresh man with quite inadequate provisions in the company 

 of two already worn-out men, we now missed them in the wild 

 mountainous tracts, all we should have achieved would be to 

 hinder the really significant help which would come from Etah ; 

 and this would be unjustifiable. So I decided without delay 

 to continue the journey to Etah. 



FIFTH DAY 



29th, SOth, 31st August to September 1st. — Noon, 29th of 

 August. Yesterday over, the strained tension of the expedition 

 appears to be at an end, if our comrades do not meet with too 

 many adversities. I myself feel to-day that our task is con- 

 cluded, and for the first time for a long period I am in calm 

 water. 



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