CHAPTER VI 



THE WINTER NIGHT 



It really looked as if we were now frozen in for good, 

 and I did not expect to get the Fram out of the ice till 

 we were on the other side of the Pole, nearing the 

 Atlantic Ocean. Autumn was already well advanced ; 

 the sun stood lower in the heavens day by day, and the 

 temperature sank steadily. The long night of winter 

 was approaching — that dreaded night. There was noth- 

 ing to be done except prepare ourselves for it, and by 

 degrees we converted our ship, as well as we could, into 

 comfortable winter quarters; while at the same time we 

 took every precaution to assure her against the destruc- 

 tive influences of cold, drift-ice, and the other forces of 

 nature to which it was prophesied that we. must suc- 

 cumb. The rudder was hauled up, so that it might not 

 be destroyed by the pressure of the ice. We had in- 

 tended to do the same with the screw ; but as it, with its 

 iron case, would certainly help to strengthen the stern, 

 and especially the rudder- stock, we let it remain in its 

 place. We had a good deal of work with the engine, 

 too ; each separate part was taken out, oiled, and laid 



