256 THE SIEGE OF THE NORTH POLE 



Baumann and Stolz had returned on 28th May, Isachsen 

 and Hassel on 6th June, and Fosheim and the mate on 

 13th June. 



The first two had seen a herd of three deer, and had 

 shot a good many polar oxen, a bear with two cubs, and 

 two wolves. They surveyed a large tract in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Baumann Fiord. 



After leaving Sverdrup, Fosheim and the mate made 

 for Greely Fiord, which they followed eastwards in order 

 to ascertain whether a fiord or sound cut into the land 

 in a southerly direction. It was thought possible that 

 such a fiord might communicate with Bay Fiord. 



One running to the south was found, and followed 

 to its head. Instead of going back the long way they 

 had come, an attempt was made to cross the land to 

 Heureka Sound, but after driving nearly 12 miles 

 they found the way impassable, and had to return. Part 

 of the Bay Fiord was explored on the way south, and 

 then they shaped their course for the From. 



Isachsen and Hassel reached Cape South- West on their 

 outward journey on 13th April. They found the cache 

 scattered about in all directions, but little of the food 

 was missing. It was supposed that this had been the 

 work of polar oxen. 



They left Cape South-West on 14th April with loads 

 of about 550 lb. on each sledge, and reached the new 

 land on the 17th. A sound was discovered between the 

 new land and North Cornwall, which was already known. 

 It received the name of " Hendriksen's Sound." Thev 

 passed through this sound, and reached the south-west 

 point of what was afterwards named " Amund Ringnes 

 Land," and followed the coast northward. On the 23rd 

 April land was seen in the west and south-west, and they 

 decided to drive west. They arrived next day at Nathorst 

 Peninsula, and this new land received the name of " Ellef 



