THE START 83 



It was not until noon next day (June 25th) that the 

 Fram glided into the ba)^ by Rcekvik, Archer's ship- 

 yard, near Laurvik, where her cradle stood, and where 

 many a golden dream had been dreamt of her vic- 

 torious career. Here we were to take the two lone- 

 boats on board and have them set up on their davits, 

 and there were several other things to be shipped. It 

 took the whole day and a good part of the next before 

 all was completed. About three o'clock on the 26th we 

 bade farewell to Raskvik and made a bend into Laurvik 

 Bay, in order to stand out to sea by Frederiksvaern. 

 Archer himself had to take the wheel and steer his child 

 this last bit before leaving the ship. And then came 

 the farewell hand-shake ; but few words were spoken, and 

 they got into the boat, he, my brothers, and a friend, 

 while the Fram glided ahead with her heavy motion, 

 and the bonds that united us were severed. It was sad 

 and strange to see this last relic of home in that little 

 skiff on the wide blue surface. Anker's cutter behind, 

 and Laurvik farther in the distance. I almost think a 

 tear glittered on that fine old face as he stood erect in 

 the boat and shouted a farewell to us and to the Fram. 

 Do you think he does not love the vessel } That he 

 believes in her I know well. So we gave him the first 

 salute from the Frames guns — a worthier inauguration 

 they could not well have had. 



Full speed ahead, and in the calm, bright summer 

 weather, while the settino' sun shed his beams over the 



