GREENLAND BY THE POLAR SEA 



until the last man, doubling the line through a hole knocked 

 in the glacier, finished the many aerial journeys of the day. 



On two big lakes, across good land with fine snow, we came 

 down to the shore from which the descent on to the ice took 

 place. That was the most adventurous drive I have ever 

 experienced. The run was so steep that only with the greatest 

 danger could one descend after having first lowered the sledge 

 some way down. The mountain which we passed in this way 

 was some 600 metres high. 



At length we were down on the ice, and when darkness set 

 in we were warmly embraced by Pastor Gustav Olsen at the 

 mission station of Kangerdlugssuaq. 



On the 17th of October we arrived at the mission station 

 and rested for a few days to draw breath after the journeys of 

 the last strenuous days. From morning to night all the inhabi- 

 tants of the camp vied with each other in feasting us, and the 

 menus included not only the beloved Mattak, but also delicacies 

 like reindeer meat and salmon. 



During our visit there was a memorial service for our 

 deceased comrades, when Pastor Olsen spoke with such pathos 

 that all the inhabitants of the camp who were present at the 

 service were moved to tears. 



On the 21st of October we departed, and, accompanied by 

 two brothers from the mission station, we drove right across 

 the snow-bare stony land via the great salmon lake to Olrik 

 Bay, and thence once more across the inland-ice to Thule, 

 where we arrived on the 22nd of October. 



THE ARRIVAL AT THULE 



It was as if all houses suddenly sneezed at once ; from every 

 entrance a crush of people poured out, stormed towards us and 

 surrounded us. Only Harrigan's young wife did not come 

 out ; she was so overcome by joy at our sudden arrival that she 

 broke out weeping, unable to rise from her bench. 



I hastened down to Freuchen, whose house lies about a 

 quarter of an hour's walk from the camp of the Greenlanders. 

 290 



