234 THE SIEGE OF THE NORTH POLE 



kayak, threw itself on the edge of it, took hold farther over 

 the deck with one fore-flipper, and tried to upset the frail 

 craft. Nansen struck at its head with the paddle, while 

 it in turn struck at the kayak with its tusks. It was only 

 when the deck was almost under water that it suddenly 

 disappeared. Nansen was congratulating himself on his 

 fortunate escape, when he noticed his legs getting wet, and 

 he had only time to run the kayak on a sunken ledge of 

 ice when it sank. It was as well that the ice was near at 

 hand, or the result would have been serious. 



In the afternoon of the 17th June, Nansen had ascended 

 a hummock to have a look at the land beyond. Flocks 

 of auks were flying to and fro making a confused noise, 

 and as Nansen listened, a sound suddenly reached his 

 ear, so like the barking of a dog that he started. He 

 waited for some time, listening intently, till the bark- 

 ins; began again and there was no room for doubt. He 

 shouted to Johansen that he heard dogs. Johansen 

 started up from the bag where he lay sleeping, and 

 tumbled out of the tent. He tried to hear the sound, 

 but could only make out the noise of the birds. Nansen, 

 however, was convinced that he heard dogs, and he pre- 

 pared to make for the land, leaving Johansen to stay 

 behind with the kayaks, so that there might be no risk 

 of their drifting away again. He had not gone far when 

 he observed tracks which were probably those of a dog. 

 Then he again heard the yelping of a dog more distinctly 

 than ever. It was with a strange mixture of feelings that 

 he made his way towards land. Suddenly he thought he 

 heard a shout from a human voice, and he ran up on to 

 a hummock and hallooed with all his might. Soon he 

 heard another shout, and saw a dark form moving among 

 the hummocks. It was a dog, and farther off was seen a 

 man. Nansen approached quickly and waved his hat ; 

 the man did the same. Nansen heard him speak to the 



