702 APPENDIX 



in " Norsksundet " (Norwegian Sound), and proceeding up, we 

 anchored at 9.30 a.m., off " Hollaendernaeset " (Dutch Cape). 

 The fog was now cleared, and we soon saw the steamship 

 Virgo, of the Andrce Expedition, and the balloon-house ashore. 



Through the telescope we could see that our arrival had 

 been observed, and a steam - launch soon came alongside with 

 Mr. Andree, the other members of the expedition, and Captain 

 Zachau, of the Vii'go. 



Neither could these gentlemen give us any news of the fate 

 of our comrades. Our spirits became still more depressed than 

 before. We had confidently expected that Nansen and Johan- 

 sen would reach home before us. Now it seemed as if we were 

 to be the first to arrive. 



We did not, however, entertain any serious fears for their 

 safety, especially when we learned that the Jackson expedition 

 had spent two winters in Franz Josef Land. It was highly prob- 

 able that Dr. Nansen and Johansen would sooner or later meet 

 with this expedition, and were, perhaps, only waiting for a 

 chance of getting home. But if they had not met with Jackson, 

 something had evidently gone amiss with them, in which case 

 they needed assistance, and that as soon as possible. 



Our plans were soon laid. We would hurry home to Tromso 

 to get reliable information, and, in case nothing had been learned 

 there either, we would complete our coal supply — we were not 

 in want of anything else — and immediately proceed to Franz 

 Josef Land, to make a search for them, and, as we hoped, have 

 the unspeakable pleasure of bringing them home to our expect- 

 ant fatherland in our own faithful Fram. 



Our stay at Danes Island was consequently cut as short as 

 possible. We paid visits to the Virgo, saw the balloon, which 

 was now ready to start as soon as a favorable wind would per- 

 mit of it, and received return visits from our amiable Swedish 

 friends. During the night we finished taking in water and 

 shifting the coal; the vessel was ready for sea, and at 3 A.M. on 

 August 15th the Fram steamed off, with sails set, through 

 Sneerenburg Bay and out to sea. 



During the passage across we had good weather and a fair 



