WE PREPARE FOR THE SLEDGE EXPEDITION 7 



come tearino- round, stare at the lioht, and beo'in bound- 

 ing and dancing and gambolling with each other round 

 it, like children round a Christmas-tree. This o-oes on 

 day after d^iy, and they have never seen anything else 

 than this deck with a tarpaulin over it, not even the clear 

 blue sky ; and we men have never seen anything else 

 than this earth ! 



" The last step over the bridge of resolution has now 

 been taken. In the forenoon I explained the whole mat- 

 ter to Johansen in pretty much the same terms as I have 

 used above ; and then I expatiated on the difficulties that 

 might occur, and laid strong emphasis on the dangers 

 one must be prepared to encounter. It was a serious 

 matter — a matter of life or death — this one must not 

 conceal from one's self. He must think the thing well 

 over before determining whether he would accompany 

 me or not. If he was willing to come I should be glad 

 to have him with me ; but I would rather, I said, he 

 should take a day or two to think it well over before he 

 gave me his answer. He did not need any time for re- 

 flection, he said ; he was quite willing to go. Sverdrup 

 had long ago mentioned the possibility of such an expe- 

 dition, and he had thought it well over, and made up his 

 mind that if my choice should fall on him he would take 

 it as a great favor to be permitted to accompany me. ' I 

 don't know whether you'll be satisfied with this answer, 

 or whether you would like me still to think it over; 

 but I should certainly never change my mind.' ' No, if 



