A HARD STRUGGLE 223 



had reached it. I was too tired to follow the trend of 

 the lane (it was not short) in order to find a crossing, 

 particularly as another channel was visible behind it. It 

 was also impossible to see the ice around one in the 

 heavily falling snow. It was only a question, therefore, 

 of finding a camping-place, but this was easier said than 

 done. A strong north wind was blowing, and no shelter 

 was to be found from it on the level ice we had just 

 got on to. Every mound and irregularity was examined 

 as we passed by it in the snow-storm, but all were too 

 small. We had to content ourselves at last with a lit- 

 tle pressed-up hummock, which we could just get under 

 the lee of. Then, again, there was too little snow, and 

 only after considerable work did we succeed in pitching 

 the tent. At last, however, the ' Primus ' was sinmncr 

 cheerily inside it, the ' fiskegratin ' diffusing its savory 

 odor, and two happy beings were ensconced comfortably 

 inside the bag, enjoying existence and satisfied, if not, 

 indeed, at having done a good day s march, yet in the 

 knowledge of having overcome a difficulty. 



"While we were having breakfast to-day I went out 

 and took a meridian altitude, which, to our delight, made 

 us 82° 52' N. 



" Sunday, May 26th. When the ice is as uneven as it is 

 now, the difiiculty of making headway is incredible. The 

 snow is loose, and if one takes one's snow-shoes off for a 

 moment one sinks in above one's knees. It is impossible 

 to fasten them on securely, as every minute one must 



