590 FAR THE S 2' NORTH 



again before I could assure myself that it was not all a 

 dream ; and then there came a strange, serene happiness 

 over my mind such as I had never known before. 



There was jubilation on board and over all the harbor 

 and town. From the IVindzvaj'd, which was just weigh- 

 ing anchor to precede us to Tromso, we heard ringing 

 cheers for the Frani and the Norwegian flag. We had 

 intended to start for Tromso that afternoon, but now we 

 agreed to get under way as quickly as possible, so as 

 to try to overtake the Fraiu at Skjeervo, which lay just 

 on our route. I attempted to stop her by a telegram 

 to Sverdrup, but it arrived too late. 



It was a lively breakfast we had that morning. Jo- 

 hansen and I spoke of how incredible it seemed that 

 we should soon press our comrades' hands again. Sir 

 George was almost beside himself with joy. Every now 

 and then he would spring up from his chair, thump the 

 table, and cry, " The Frani has arrived ! The Fram 

 has really arrived!" Lady Baden -Powell was quietly 

 happy ; she enjoyed our joy. 



The next day we entered Tromso harbor, and there 

 lay the Fram, strong and broad and weather-beaten. It 

 was strange to see again that high rigging and the hull 

 we knew so well. When last we saw her she was half 

 buried in the ice ; now she floated freely and proudly on 

 the blue sea, in Norwegian waters. We glided alongside 

 of her. The crew of the Otaria greeted the gallant ship 

 with three times three Eno-Hsh cheers, and the Fram 



