SVERDRUP'S EXPEDITION (1900) 251 



west, while Sverdrup and Fosheim were to continue to the 

 north along what was afterwards named " Axel Heiberg 

 Land." 



Isachsen decided to leave behind a small depot where 

 he was to place a letter on his return. During the first 

 day Sverdrup and Fosheim covered 18 miles. Next day 

 they had strong wind and drift, and as a consequence 

 went out of their course and found themselves far inland 

 among some sand-hills, and all the time they had thought 

 they were driving on the sea-ice. A little farther to the 

 north they experienced very severe weather, and were 

 compelled to remain at one camp five days. 



On the 2nd May they found themselves in latitude 

 80° 81 §', and the coast was trending due north. The 

 tracks of reindeer were seen on several occasions, but not 

 the animals themselves. There was now no extra food 

 for the dogs, and it became evident that their strength 

 was failing. The latitude of 80° 55' was reached on 

 5th May, and here they decided to erect a cairn and then 

 return. It is remarkable that along the whole of this 

 coast Sverdrup saw nothing approaching to palaeocrystic 

 ice. 



As food was getting short, the return journey had to 

 be made with all possible speed. A short record was 

 found from Isachsen, who had returned to his depot on 

 28th April. Sverdrup and Fosheim reached it on 16th 

 May. Before they arrived at Land's End, a bear was shot, 

 and was much needed for the dogs. As had been pre- 

 arranged, Baumann left a record in a cairn, with a 

 description and sketch-map of a passage across the land 

 to Goose Fiord. Sverdrup attempted this passage, but 

 in foggy weather he missed the way, and found himself 

 suddenly stopped by a high wall of ice, which entirely 

 cut off the valley. On investigation, however, a tunnel 

 made by a river was found to lead into the glacier. 



