THE WINTER NIGHT 3^7 



We made our way along the coast of Asia, which many 

 prophesied we should have great difficulty in doing. We 

 Avere able to sail farther north than I had dared to hope 

 for in my boldest moments, and in just the longitude I 

 wished. We are closed in by the ice, also as I wished. 

 The Fravi has borne the ice - pressure splendidly, and 

 allows herself to be lifted by it without so much as 

 creaking, in spite of being more heavily loaded with 

 coal, and drawing more water than we reckoned on when 

 we made our calculations ; and this after her certain de- 

 struction and ours was prophesied by those most ex- 

 perienced in such matters. I have not found the ice 

 higher nor heavier than I expected it to be ; and the 

 comfort, warmth, and good ventilation on board are far 

 beyond my expectations. Nothing is wanting in our 

 equipment, and the food is quite exceptionally good. As 

 Blessing and I agreed a few days ago, it is as good as at 

 home; there is not a thing we long for; not even the 

 thought of a beefsteak a la Chateaubriand, or a pork 

 cutlet with mushrooms and a bottle of Burgundy, can 

 make our mouths water ; we simply don't care about 

 such things. The preparations for the expedition cost me 

 several years of precious life ; but now I do not grudge 

 them: my object is attained. On the drifting ice we live 

 a winter life, not only in every respect better than that 

 of previous expeditions, but actually as if we had brought 

 a bit of Norway, of Europe, with us. We are as well 

 off as if we were at home. All together in one saloon, 



