34 FARTHEST NORTH 



"On Christmas ■ day, of course, we had a special 

 dinner. After dinner coffee and curayoa made here on 

 board, and Nordahl then came forward with Russian 

 cigarettes. At night a bowl of cloudberry punch was 

 served out, which did not seem by any means unwelcome. 

 Mogstad played the violin, and Pettersen was electrified 

 thereby to such a degree that he sang and danced to us. 

 He really exhibits considerable talent as a comedian, 

 and has a decided bent towards the ballet. It is aston- 

 ishing what versatility he displays : engineer, blacksmith, 

 tinsmith, cook, master of ceremonies, comedian, dancer, 

 and, last of all, he has come out in the capacity of a 

 first-class barber and hair-dresser. There was a grand 

 ' ball ' at night ; Mogstad had to play till the perspira- 

 tion poured from him ; Hansen and I had to figure as 

 ladies. Pettersen was indefatigable. He faithfully and 

 solemnly vowed that if he has a pair of boots to his feet 

 when he gets home he will dance as long as the soles 

 hold together. 



" Day after day, as we progressed with a rattling 

 wind, first from S.E. and later on E.S.E. and E., we 

 felt more anxious to know how far we had sfot; but 

 there had always been a snow - storm or a cloudy sky, 

 so that we could not make any observations. We were 

 all confident that we must have got a long way up 

 north, but how far beyond the 83d degree no one could 

 tell. Suddenly Hansen was called on deck this after- 

 noon by the news that the stars were visible overhead. 



