FAREWELL TO NORWAY 143 



the medicine stores have they some 20 or 30 bottles of 

 the best cognac — pure, highly rectified spirit. It is Nan- 

 sen's opinion that brandy-drinking in these northern 

 regions is injurious, and may, if indulged in on such a 

 difficult and dangerous voyage, have very serious con- 

 sequences ; he has therefore considered it expedient to 

 supply its place by fruit and various sorts of sweets, of 

 which there are large supplies on board." " In harbor 

 the crew spent most of the day together; in spite of 

 community of work, each individual's duties are fixed 

 down to the minutest detail. They all sit down to 

 meals together, with the exception of the acting cook, 

 whose duty they take by turns. Health and good spir- 

 its are to be read on every face ; Nansen's immova- 

 ble faith in a successful and happy issue to their ex- 

 pedition inspires the whole crew with courage and 

 confidence. 



" On August 3d they shifted coal on board the Fram 

 from the ship's hold down to the stoke -hold (coal 

 bunkers). All the members of the expedition took part 

 in this work, Nansen at their head, and they worked 

 unitedly and cheerfully. This same day Nansen and liis 

 companions tried the dogs on shore. Eight [this should 

 be ten | where harnessed to a sledge on which three 

 persons took their places. Nansen expressed his satis- 

 faction with the dogs, and thanked Trontheim for the 

 good selection he had made, and for the excellent 

 condition the animals were in. When the dofjs were 



