242 THE SIEGE OF THE NORTH POLE 



On 28th July a stop was made at Egedesminde, where 

 it had been arranged that the Royal Greenland Trade 

 Service would have dogs for the expedition. In 

 Sverdrup's opinion the two indispensable adjuncts to the 

 carrying out of polar research are ski and dogs, and for 

 the Eskimo dog he has a great admiration. His ex- 

 perience was that one man cannot manage more than 

 eight dogs. 



Egedesminde was left on the 29th July, and next day 

 Godhavn was reached. Here, coal, water, and more dogs 

 were taken on board, and on the 2nd August a course 

 was shaped for Upernavik, which was reached on the 4th. 



Upernavik was left behind on the 5th August, and 

 Melville Bay was entered on the following day. Here 

 the Fram was detained six days in the ice, and did not 

 reach open water till the 16th. 



The first place visited was Foulke Fiord, where they 

 expected to obtain large game, but were disappointed. 

 The Fram was next steered for Littleton Island, where 

 records were deposited. The view of the ice from the 

 island was not encouraging, but Sverdrup continued along 

 the coast of Greenland. The ice, however, lay immovable 

 close in to land, and the Fram was forced to turn back on 

 the night of 17th August. 



When abreast of Littleton Island a course was steered 

 to Ellesmere Land, and then the coast was followed 

 northwards ; but when north of. Cape Sabine the Fram 

 was stopped by impenetrable ice. To avoid being pressed 

 ashore, it was found necessary to anchor the Fram in 

 the northern part of Rice Strait. For some time it was 

 hoped that the ice would drift south and allow a passage 

 to the north, but ultimately the party were compelled to 

 take up winter quarters in Rice Strait. 



Preparations were soon made for autumn sledging 

 through Hayes Sound, and before the winter darkness 



