4S FARTHEST NORTH 



drup in his cabin. After we had been sitting a good 

 wliilc the ice again began to crack and jam. I did not 

 think tliat tlie noise was greater than usual; neverthe- 

 less, I asked those in the saloon, who sat playing halma, 

 whether there was any one on deck ; if not, would one of 

 theni be kind enough to go and see where the ice was 

 packing. 1 heard hurried steps above; Nordahl canie 

 down and reported that it was on the port side, and that 

 it would be best for us to be on deck. Peter and I jumped 

 up and several followed. As I went down the ladder 

 Peter calletl out to me from above: 'We must get the 

 does out; see, there is water on the ice!' It was hiirh 

 time that we came; the water was rushing in and already 

 stood high in the kennel. Peter waded into the water up 

 to his knees and pushed the door open. Most of the dogs 

 rushed out and jumped about, splashing in the water; but 

 some, being frightened, had crept back into the innermost 

 corner and had to be drag-tjed out, although thev stood in 

 water reaching high up their legs. Poor brutes, it must 

 have been niiserable enough, in all conscience, to be shut 

 up in such a place while the water was steadily rising 

 about them, yet they are not more noisy than usual. 



" The dogs having been put in safety, I walked round 

 the Fraiii to see what else had happened. The ice had 

 cracked along her to the fore, near the starboard bow ; 

 from this crack the water had poured aft along the port 

 side, which was weighed down by the weight of the ridge 

 steadily pressing on towards us. The crack has just 



