ITALIAN EXPEDITION (1900) 271 



was looked upon as a serious accident, but it occurred to 

 one of the guides to use the cover as a second bottom, and 

 this fortunately answered fairly well. The storm lasted 

 till the afternoon of the 17th April. This was the date 

 originally fixed for the return, but Cagni decided to still 

 push on. At midday on the 21st April the latitude was 

 found to be 85° 29'. This gave great encouragement, and 

 determined Cagni to make an effort to break Nansen's 

 record. On the 22nd the latitude was 85° 48' ; on the 

 23rd it was 86° 4' ; and on the 24th it was 86° 18'. 



Cagni had now beaten Nansen's record of 86° 14', but he 

 decided to still push on. About six o'clock they were 

 stopped by a large channel, and here it was decided to 

 return. The latitude was found to be the record one 

 of 86° 34'. Great praise is due to Cagni for his pluck and 

 determination under difficulties which would have made 

 most men give up in despair. Coming from a country 

 which enjoys a warm climate, the severe temperatures 

 must have caused the party to suffer greatly, but added to 

 this in Cagni's case was the torture he had to undergo 

 from his mortifying finger. 



The return journey was begun on the 25th with four 

 sledges, thirty-four dogs, provisions for thirty days, 200 

 rations of pemmican for the men and 300 rations for the 

 dogs. On the first day's march the party covered the 

 remarkable distance of 29 miles. The outward track 

 assisted greatly on the return. The progress at first was 

 very good ; in four days the party advanced 1 degree 

 towards the south. 



On the 2nd May, Cagni improved the condition of his 

 finger, which had again pained him greatly. The glands 

 in the armpit were also inflamed. When the finger was 

 un bandaged, it was found to be greatly swollen. With a 

 lancet in his left hand, Cagni opened the swelling and 

 gave outlet to a large quantity of matter. After takino- 



