388 FARTHEST NORTH 



and we had a small preliminary fete this evening — figs, 

 raisins, and almonds — and dart-shooting, which last result- 

 ed for me in a timely replenishment of my cigarette-case." 



'' Friday, February 2d. High festival to-day in honor 

 of the 80th degree, beginning with fresh rye-bread and 

 cake for breakfast. Took a long walk to get up an appe- 

 tite for dinner. According to this morning's observation, 

 we are in 80^ 10' north latitude and 132° 10' east longi- 

 tude. Hurrah! Well sailed! I had offered to bet heav- 

 ily that we had passed 8o\ but no one would take the 

 bet. Dinner menu : Ox-tail soup, fish-pudding, potatoes, 

 rissoles, green pease, haricot beans, cloudberries with milk, 

 and a whole bottle of beer to each man. Coffee and a 

 cigarette after dinner. Could one wish for more.^ In the 

 evening we had tinned pears and peaches, gingerbread, 

 dried bananas, figs, raisins, and almonds. Complete hol- 

 iday all day. We read aloud the discussions of this ex- 

 pedition published before we left, and had some good 

 laughs at the many objections raised. But our people at 

 home, perhaps, do not laugh if they read them now. 



" Monday, February 5th. Last time we shall have 

 Ringnes beer at dinner. Day of mourning. 



" Tuesday, February 6th. Calm, clear weather. A 

 strong sun-glow above the horizon in the south ; yellow, 

 green, and light blue above that ; all the rest of the sky 

 deep ultramarine. I stood looking at it, trying to 

 remember if the Italian sky was ever bluer; I do not 

 think so. It is curious that this deep color should 



