358 FARTHEST NORTH 



On we must ,tco if you want to please us; 



To make us lie still is the way to tease us. 



In the old year we sailed not so badly, 



Be it so still, or you'll hear us groan sadly. 



When the time comes you must break up the ice for ns ; 



When the time comes you must win the great prize for us; 



We fervently hope, having reached our great goal, 



To eat next Christmas dinner beyond the North Pole.' 



" During the evening we were regaled with pineapple, 

 fig.s, cakes, and other sweets, and about midnight Han- 

 sen brought in toddy, and Nordahl cigars and ciga- 

 rettes. At the moment of the passing of the year all 

 stood up and I had to make an apology for a speech 

 — to the effect that the old year had been, after all, a 

 good one, and I hoped the new would not be worse ; 

 that I thanked them for good comradeship, and was 

 sure that our life together this year would be as com- 

 fortable and pleasant as it had been during the last. 

 Then they sang the songs that had been written for the 

 farewell entertainments eiven to us at Christiania and at 



Bergen 



"'Our mother, weep not! it was thou 



Gave them the wish to wander ; 

 To leave our coasts and turn their prow 



Towards night and perils yonder. 

 Thou pointedst to the open sea, 



The long cape was thy finger ; 

 The white sail wings they got from thee; 



Thou canst not bid them linger! 



" ' Yes, they are thine. O mother old ! 



And proud thou dost embrace them ; 

 Thou hear'st of dangers manifold, 

 But know'st thy sons can face them. 



