n6 THE SIEGE OF THE NORTH POLE 



a short run and then stuck fast again. Payer now jumped 

 the crevasse and shouted to Zaninovich that he would 

 require to run back to Hohenlohe Island to fetch men 

 and ropes for his rescue ; that if he could contrive for 

 four hours to keep himself from freezing, all would 

 yet be well. Payer at once started x to run down the 

 glacier back to Cape Schrotter, 6 miles off. Bathed in 

 perspiration, he threw off his bird-skin garments, his boots, 

 and his shawl, and ran in his stockings through the deep 

 snow. On the way he passed Klotz, who at first feared 

 that Payer had lost his senses. On reaching Cape Schrotter 

 a rope was detached from the large sledge, and the whole 

 party, with the exception of Klotz, set off for the 

 glacier. Reaching the glacier, they tied themselves to- 

 gether, Payer leading. On arrival at the crevasse, Payer 

 shouted, but at first could hear no reply. At last he 

 heard the whining of a dog, and then an unintelligible 

 answer from Zaninovich. Haller, who was immediately 

 let down by a rope, found Zaninovich still living, but 

 almost frozen, on a ledge of snow 40 feet down the 

 crevasse. He fastened himself and Zaninovich to the 

 rope, and they were drawn up after great exertion. Haller 

 again descended, and fastened the dogs to the rope. They 

 had managed to free themselves from their traces and 

 had sprung to a ledge near where Zaninovich had lain. 

 After they were drawn up, they gave expression to their 

 joy, first by rolling themselves vigorously in the snow, 

 and then by licking the hands of the party. Haller was 

 next raised to the level of the sledge, so that he might 

 cut the ropes which fastened the loading. The articles 

 were brought up one by one. Nothing of any importance 

 had been lost. The party now descended the glacier, and 

 the three men from Cape Schrotter returned there, while 

 Payer and his companions camped at Cape Habermann. 

 A route along the west coast of Crown-Prince Rudolfs 



