JFjE prepare for the SLEDG^ expedition II 



tertain any doubt that the expedition would solve the 

 problem it had set before it ; everything had up to the 

 present gone according to our anticipations, and it was 

 to be hoped and expected that this would continue to 

 be the case for the remainder of the voyage. We had, 

 therefore, every prospect of accomplishing the principal 

 part of our task ; but then the question arose whether 

 more could not be accomplished, and thereupon I pro- 

 ceeded to explain, in much the same terms as I have 

 used above, how this might be effected by an expedition 

 northward. 



" I had the impression that every one was deeply in- 

 terested in the projected expedition, and that they all 

 thought it most desirable that it should be attempted. 

 The greatest objection, I think, they would have urged 

 against it, had they been asked, would have been that 

 they themselves could not take part in it. I impressed 

 on them, however, that while it was unquestionably a 

 fine thing to push on as far as possible towards the 

 north, it was no whit less honorable an undertaking 

 to bring the Fram safe and sound right through the 

 Polar Sea, and out on the other side ; or if not the 

 Fram, at all events themselves without any loss of life. 

 This done, we might say, without fear of contradiction, 

 that it was well done. I think they all saw the force 

 of this, and were satisfied. So now the die is cast, and 

 I must believe that this expedition will really take place." 



So we set about our preparations for it in downright 



