292 FARTHEST NORTH 



too, we were carried south to begin with, and that ended 

 well." 



" Sunday, October 2 2d. Henriksen took soundings 

 this morning, and found 70 fathoms (129 m.) of water. 

 ' If we are drifting at all,' said he, 'it is to the east; but 

 there seems to be almost no movement.' No wind to- 

 day. I am keeping in my den. 



" Monday, October 23d. Still in the den. To-day, 

 5 fathoms shallower than yesterday. The line points 

 southwest, which means that we are drifting northeast- 

 ward. Hansen has reckoned out the observ^ation for the 

 19th, and finds that we must have got 10 minutes 

 farther north, and must be in 78° 15' N. lat. So at last, 

 now that the wind has gone down, the north-going cur- 

 rent is making itself felt. Some channels have opened 

 near us, one along the side of the ship, and one ahead, 

 near the old channel. Only slight signs of pressure in 

 the afternoon. 



" Tuesday, October 24th. Between 4 and 5 a.m. 

 there was strong pressure, and the Ftiiui was lifted up a 

 little. It looks as if the pressure were going to begin 

 again ; we have spring-tide with full moon. The ice 

 opened so much this morning that the Fravt was afloat 

 in her cutting ; later on it closed again, and about 1 1 

 there was some strong pressure; then came a quiet time; 

 but in the afternoon the pressure began once more, and 

 was violent from 4 to 4.30. The Fram was shaken 

 and lifted up ; didn't mind a bit. Peter gave it as his 



