98 FARTHEST NORTH 



servations, and make them as complete as possible. 

 Please also see that every tenth day (the first, tenth, 

 and twentieth of every month) the ice is bored through, 

 and the thickness measured, in the same way as has 

 been done hitherto. Henriksen has for the most part 

 made these borings, and is a trustworthy man for this 

 work. 



" In conclusion, I wish all jjossible success to you, and 

 to those for whom you are now responsible, and may we 

 meet again in Norway, whether it be on board of this 

 vessel or without her. 



"Yours affectionately, 



" Fkidtjof Naxsen. 



" On board the Frani, 



" February 25, 1895." 



" Now at last the brain was to get some rest, and the 

 work for the legs and arms to commence. Everything 

 was got ready for the start this morning. Five of our 

 comrades, Sverdrup, Hansen, Blessing, Henriksen, and 

 Mogstad, were to see us off on our way, bringing a 

 sledge and a tent with them. The four sledges were got 

 ready, the dogs harnessed to them, lunch, with a bottle 

 of malt extract per man, was taken just before start- 

 ing, and then we bade the last hearty farewell to those 

 left behind. We were off into the drifting snow. I 

 myself took the lead with ' Kvik ' as leading dog, in the 

 first slediic, and then sled'>e after sleds^e followed amid 



