VOYAGE THROUGH THE KARA SEA 203 



— 8 or 9 fathoms right up to the shore. However, we 

 were stopped by ice in the evening, and as we ran the 

 risk of being frozen in if we pushed on any farther I 

 thought it best to turn. We certainly ran no danger 

 of starving, for we saw fresh tracks both of bears and 

 reindeer everywhere, and there were plenty of seals in 

 the water; but I was afraid of delaying the Fram, in 

 view of the possibility of progress in another direction. 

 So we toiled back against a strong wind, not reaching 

 the ship till next morning ; and this was none too early, 

 for presently we were in the midst of a storm. 



On the subject of the navigability of Taimur Strait, 

 Nordenskiold writes that, " according to soundings made 

 by Lieutenant Palander, it is obstructed by rocky shal- 

 lows ; and being also full of strong currents, it is hardly 

 advisable to sail through it — at least, until the direction 

 of these currents has been carefully investigated." I 

 have nothing particular to add to this, except that, as 

 already mentioned, the channel was clear as far as we 

 penetrated, and had the appearance of being practicable 

 as far as I could see. I was, therefore, determined that 

 we would, if necessary, try to force our way through with 

 the Frain. 



The 5th of September brought snow with a stiff breeze, 

 which steadily grew stronger. When it was rattling in 

 the rigging in the evening we congratulated each other 

 on being safe on board — it would not have been an easy 

 matter to row back to-day. But altogether I was dis- 



