392 FARTHEST NORTH 



"Tuesday, February 13th. A long drive southwest 

 yesterday with white dogs. To-day still farther in the 

 same direction on snow-shoes. It is sfood healthv exer- 

 cise, with a temperature of 43° Fahr. to 47° Fahr. below 

 zero ( — 42° and —44° C.) and a biting north wind. Nat- 

 ure is so fair and pure, the ice is so spotless, and the 

 lights and shadows of the growing day so beautiful on 

 the new-fallen snow. The Fravis hoar-frost-covered 

 rio-orine rises strais^ht and white with rime towards the 

 sparkling blue sky. One's thoughts turn to the snow- 

 shoeing days at home. 



"Thursday, February 15th. I went yesterday on 

 snow-shoes farther northeast than I have ever been 

 before, but I could still see the ship's rigging above 

 the edge of the ice. I was able to go fast, because 

 the ice was tiat in that direction. To-day I went the 

 same way with dogs. I am examining the ' lie of the 

 land ' all round, and thinking of plans for the future. 



" What exaggerated reports of the Arctic cold are in 

 circulation ! It was cold in Greenland, and it is not 

 milder here; the general day temperature just now is 

 about 40° Fahr. and 43 Fahr. below zero. I was clothed 

 yesterday as usual as regards the legs — drawers, knick- 

 erbockers, stockings, frieze leggings, snow -socks, and 

 moccasins ; my body covering consisted of an ordinary 

 shirt, a wolf -skin cape, and a sealskin jacket, and I 

 sweated like a horse. To-day I sat still, driving with 

 only thin ducks above my ordinary leg wear, and on my 



