4/6 FARTHEST NORTH 



or some other infernal thing?" Unfortunately, several 

 of them died from these strange attacks. The puppies 

 were such fine, nice animals, that we were all very sorry 

 when a thing like this occurred. 



On June 3d I write: "Another of the puppies died 

 in the forenoon from one of those mysterious attacks, 

 and I cannot conceal from myself that I take it greatly 

 to heart, and feel low-spirited about it, I have been 

 so used to these small polar creatures living their sor- 

 rowless life on deck, romping and playing around us 

 from mornincr to evenino^, and a little of the niirht as 

 well. I can watch them with pleasure by the hour to- 

 gether, or play with them as with little children — have a 

 game at hide-and-seek with them round the skylight, 

 the while they are beside themselves with glee. It is 

 the largest and strongest of the lot that has just died, 

 a handsome dog; I called him 'Lova' (Lion). He was 

 such a confiding, gentle animal, and so affectionate. 

 Only yesterday he was jumping and playing about and 

 rubbing: himself as^ainst me, and to-dav he is dead. Our 

 ranks are thinning, and the worst of it is we try in vain 

 to make out what it is that ails them. This one was 

 apparently quite in his normal condition and as cheerful 

 as ever until his breakfast was given him ; then he be- 

 gan to cry and tear round, yelping and barking as if 

 distracted, just as the others had done. After this con- 

 vulsions set in, and the froth poured from his mouth. 

 One of these convulsions no doubt carried him off. 



