54 FARTHEST NORTH 



sleep. The watch has orders to call me when the hum- 

 mock reaches the Frani. It is kicky it is moonhght 

 now, so that we are able to see something of all this 

 abomination. 



" The clay before yesterday we saw the moon for the 

 first time just above the horizon. Yesterday it was shin- 

 ing a little, and now we have it both day and night. A 

 most favorable state of things. But it is nearly 2 o'clock, 

 and I must go to sleep now. The pressure of the ice, I 

 can hear, is stronger again. 



"Saturday, January 5th. To-night everybody sleeps 

 fully dressed, and with the most indispensable necessaries 

 either by his side or secured to his body, ready to jump 

 on the ice at the first warning. All other requisites, such 

 as provisions, clothing, sleeping-bags, etc., etc., have been 

 brought out on the ice. We have been at work at this 

 all day, and have got everything into perfect order, and 

 are now quite ready to leave if necessary, which, how- 

 ever, I do not believe will be the case, thou^jh the ice- 

 pressure has been as bad as it could be. 



" I slept soundly, woke up only once, and listened to 

 the crunching and jamming and grinding till I fell asleep 

 again. I was called at 5.30 in the morning by Sverdrup, 

 who told me that the hummock had now reached the 

 Frani, and was bearing down on us violently, reaching 

 as high as the rail. I was not left in doubt very long, as 

 hardly had I opened my eyes when I heard a thunder- 

 ing and crashing outside in the ice, as if doomsday had 



