October 1, 1896.] 



KNOWLEDGE. 



220 



Such universal enthusiasm would indeed be difiBcult to 

 match ; the sharp hurrahs and the clapping of hands of 

 the Norwegians, and every now and then, high above the 

 general clamour, the "hip, hip, hurrahs" of a party of 

 Englishmen, deafened all around. 



At length the procession arrived at the palace, and 

 while Nansen and his comrades were being received by 



sustained. Yet she appears perfectly sound, and the only 

 evidence of the rough usage by the ice is the paintless 

 condition of her hull. 

 Getting on board, we were first attracted by some 



shaggy-coated. 



handsome sledge dogs, bom 



The Frnm being towed into Cliristiania Harbour. 



the King, a huge, expectant crowd gathered below. They 

 were not to be denied another chance of seeing their 

 champions. Continual cheering and clapping of hands went 

 on, while one man cried out "All hands on deck." Almost 

 immediately, as if in response, the King in person led 

 out Nansen and Sverdrup to the balcony ; then the rest 

 of the expedition, and once more Nansen— this time alone — 

 and never did the enthusiasm abate. 



A great state dinner followed, and in the evening 

 perhaps the most picturesque sight of all, though witnessed 

 by comparatively few. I)r. Nansen lives in an elegant 

 little house overlooking the fjord at Lysaker, some four 

 miles from C'bristiania. Along the wbole route, as he 

 drove home, torches and coloured lights were blazing. 

 Arrived at his house a pretty scene was enacted. In 

 answer to the cheers of the crowd, Nansen came out. 

 and with much feeling exclaimed, " Many thanks — many 

 tbanks to everybody." His fine figure silhouetted in the 

 doorway, end a glimpse of those within preparing hi.s 

 coffee, formed a vivid contrast of peaceful home life with 

 the hardships and dangers which he had experienced 

 during the past three years. 



Two days afterwards Lieutenant .lohansen very kindly 

 showed us over the l-'ruin. It seems incredible that any 

 boat could stand^at all events without injury — sucu 

 pressure and knocking about as this wonderful boat has i 



up m the 

 Arctic regions, with their mother, who is the only 

 survivor of all the dogs taken out. Then we went down 



into the fore hold, and 

 Johansen showed us the 

 kayaks, sledges, and ski 

 used by himself and Nansen 

 on their memorable 

 journey. A greasy dirty 

 pot, too, blackened and 

 covered with blubber, in 

 which they boiled their 

 soup. He also showed us 

 their sleeping bag, made 

 out of a Polar bear's skin, 

 with the fur inside, re- 

 marking as he drew it out, 

 " Many is the good time 

 Nansen and I have had 

 in that ! " and one could 

 well imagine it after toiling 

 and straining all day. The 

 sledges bore many traces of 

 the hard work they had 

 been put to, being tied and 

 patched all over with con- 

 summate care. On their 

 journey across the ice the 

 sledges bore the kayaks, 

 while the kayaks bore the 

 sledges across the water, 

 and one wondered that such 

 frail craft could take such 

 a load unless in the calmest 

 sea. We visited the tiny 

 saloon and cabins, and 

 examined the rifles and 

 other equipments, all of 

 which had their interest 

 when one considered that the fate, maybe, of both ship 



The Crowds in tlie Streets after the Procession. 



and crew depended on every little thing going right. Aa 

 American organ in the saloon was not the least interesting 



