THE NEW YEAR, 1896 465 



we were more inclined to go out. Besides, it was not 

 always so cold now, and we had to restrict our sleep a 

 little. Then, too, the time for our departure was ap- 

 proaching, and we had plenty to occupy us in the way 

 of preparation and so forth. 



" Tuesday, February 25th. Lovely weather to be out 

 in to-day; it is as though spring were beginning. We 

 have seen the first birds — first a flock of half a score of 

 little auks [Mergtilus alle), then a fiock of four; they 

 came from the south along the land, evidently through 

 the sound in the southeast, and disappeared behind the 

 mountain crest to the northwest of us. Once more we 

 heard their cheerful twittering, and it roused a respon- 

 sive echo in the soul. A little later we heard it again, 

 and then it seemed as if they were perched on the 

 mountain above us. It was the first oreetinor from life. 

 Blessed birds, how welcome you are ! 



" It was quite like a spring evening at home; the sun's 

 red glow faded little by little into golden clouds, and the 

 moon rose. I went up and down outside, and dreamt I 

 was in Norway on a spring evening. 



" Wednesday, February 26th. To-day we ought to 

 have had the sun again, but the sky was cloudy. 



" Friday, February 28th. I have discovered that it is 



possible to get 12 threads out of a bit of twine, and am as 



happy as a king. We have thread enough now, and our 



wind clothes shall be whole once more. It is possible, too, 



to ravel out the canvas in the bags, and use it for thread. 

 11.-30 



