266 THE SIEGE OF THE NORTH POLE 



to haul the sledges overland to a point north of Cape 

 Germania. With thirteen sledges drawn by 108 dogs, 

 the ice-pack was reached on the 21st February. During 

 the first night on the ice the temperature reached 45 '4° F. 

 below zero, and on 23rd February it reached 61 "6° F. below 

 zero. Many of the party were frost-bitten, and few could 

 sleep. This extreme temperature was more than they 

 could stand, and Captain Cagni wisely decided to return 

 to Teplitz Bay, which was reached on the night of the 

 23rd. 



The expedition left again on the 11th March. During 

 the interval various alterations had been made. It was 

 found necessary to diminish the loads so as to avoid 

 damage to the sledges when crossing the broken and 

 difficult ice near the island. The allowance of petroleum 

 was increased to 6 oz. 5 dr. for each man. Cagni had also 

 observed that it would be necessary to always send 

 forward at least two men to prepare the way for the 

 sledges. He therefore decided to take an additional man. 



The expedition consisted of three detachments. One 

 was composed of four men, and the other two of three 

 men each. The four men were to accompany the party 

 twelve days, and then return. The provisions were so 

 divided that this party carried the whole of the rations 

 for the ten men during the twelve days, and also the 

 rations for their own return. The second detachment 

 carried the rations to last the remainder other twelve days 

 and their own return. According to this arrangement, 

 the third or advance party would not begin on their 

 own rations until the twenty-fifth day, when the second 

 detachment would return. 



The entire camp equipment and the clothing for the 

 three detachments amounted to 978 lb. 13 oz. 8 dr., 

 or nearly 100 lb. per man. The weight to be carried 

 amounted to the remarkable total of 6718 lb. 9 oz. 13 dr., 



