232 THE SIEGE OF THE NORTH POLE 



Nansen pushed ahead to look for a camping-ground, but 

 suddenly the ice gave way, and he found himself lying in 

 a broad crack which had been concealed in the snow. He 

 tried to get out again, but his snow-shoes were firmly 

 fastened, and he was also tied by the harness to the sledge, 

 so that he could not turn round. Fortunately, he had 

 been able, when falling, to dig his pike-staff into the ice 

 on the opposite side of the crack, and he held himself up 

 by that, and lay waiting for Johansen to come up. The 

 latter, however, had not noticed the accident, and was 

 still busy at his sledge and kayak. Meanwhile the water 

 was creeping farther and farther up Nansen's body, and 

 he began to shout for help. At last he was observed by 

 Johansen, who arrived just in time to prevent Nansen 

 from going completely under the water. In future the 

 snow-shoes were not firmly attached when the ice was 

 thought to be dangerous. From the 26th to the 28th 

 May they were weather-bound, and after advancing a 

 short distance on the latter date, they had again to take 

 shelter until the 3rd of June. As provisions were now 

 getting low, a walrus was shot, and a supply of meat and 

 blubber thus obtained. On the 4th June they were 

 able to launch their kayaks for the first time, and made 

 great progress. On the 6th they had again to take to the 

 ice, but as there was a strong north wind and the surface 

 was favourable they were able to make good use of the 

 sledge-sail. On the 8th they were stopped by a furious 

 storm, and next day they had to make a long detour 

 westwards in order to avoid treacherous ice. On the 12th 

 they were able to sail all day long. In the evening 

 they felt their legs stiff with sitting in the kayak all day, 

 and they landed on the edge of the ice so that they might 

 stretch them a little. They then wished to ascend a 

 hummock, so that a view might be obtained over the 

 water. After the kayaks, which were lashed together, 



