242 FARl'HEST NORTH 



else to be forged. The tinsmith, again "Smith Lars," 

 had to solder together a great tin pail for the ice-melting 

 in the galley. The mechanician, Amundsen, would 

 have an order for some instrument or other — perhaps 

 a new current-gauge. The watchmaker, Mogstad, would 

 have a thermograph to examine and clean, or a new 

 spring to put into a watch. The sailmaker might have 

 an order for a quantity of dog-harness. Then each man 

 had to be his own shoemaker — make himself canvas 

 boots with thick, warm, wooden soles, according to 

 Sverdrup's newest pattern. Presently there would come 

 an order to mechanician Amundsen for a supply of new 

 zinc music-sheets for the organ — these being a brand- 

 new invention of the leader of the expedition. The 

 electrician would have to examine and clean the accumu- 

 lator batteries, which were in danger of freezing. When 

 at last the windmill was ready, it had to be attended to, 

 turned according to the wind, etc. And when the wind 

 was too strong some one had to climb up and reef the 

 mill sails, which was not a pleasant occupation in this 

 winter cold, and involved much breathing on fingers and 

 rubbing of the tip of the nose. 



It happened now and then, too, that the ship required 

 to be pumped. This became less and less necessary as the 

 water froze round her and in the interstices in her sides. 

 The pumps, therefore, were not touched from December, 

 1S93, till July, 1895. The only noticeable leakage dur- 

 ing that time was in the engine-room, but it was nothing 



