292 FARTHEST NORTH 



the small tin box in which we kept it was entirely full of 

 water. The other things were not so important, though 

 it was hardly a comforting discovery to find that the 

 bread was soaked through with salt-water, 



" We found a camping-ground not far off. The tent 

 was soon pitched, our catch cut up and placed in safety, 

 and, I may say, seldom has the drift-ice housed beings 

 so well satisfied as the two who sat that morning in the 

 bag and feasted on seal's flesh, blubber, and soup as long 

 as they had any room to stow it in. We concurred in 

 the opinion that a better meal we could not have had. 

 Then down we crawled into the dear bag, which for the 

 present there was no need to part with, and slept the 

 sleep of the just in the knowledge that for the imniediate 

 future, at any rate, we need have no anxiety. 



" It is my opinion that for the time being we can do 

 nothing better than remain where we are, live on our 

 catch, without encroaching on the sledge provisions, and 

 thus await the time when the ice shall slacken more or 

 the condition of the snow improve. Meanwhile we will 

 rig up wooden grips on our sledges, and try to make the 

 kayaks water-tight. Furthermore, we will lighten our 

 equipment as much as we possibly can. If w^e were to 

 go on we should only be obliged to leave a great deal 

 of our meat and blubber behind us, and this, in these 

 circumstances, I think would be madness. 



" Sunday, June 23d. So this is St.-John s-eve, and 

 Sunday, too. How^ merry and happy all the schoolboys 



