THE SPRING AND SUMMER OF i8g4 491 



save our provisions from taking harm, through the 

 damp penetrating the wrappings and rusting holes in 

 the tin cases. We have, moreover, for a long time 

 kept the hatchways in the hold open, so that there 

 has been a thorough draught through it, and a good 

 deal of the rime has evaporated. It is remarkable 

 how little damp we have on board. No doubt this is due 

 to the Frams solid construction, and to the deck over 

 the hold being panelled on the under side. I am getting 

 fonder and fonder of this ship. 



" Saturday, June 9th. Our politician, Amundsen, is 

 celebrating the day with a white shirt and collar.* To- 

 day I have moved with my work up into the deck-house 

 again, where I can sit and look out of the window in the 

 daytime, and feel that I am living in the world and not 

 in a cavern, where one must have lamplight night and 

 day. I intend remaining here as long as possible out 

 into the winter : it is so cozy and quiet, and the monoto- 

 nous surroundings are not constantly forcing themselves 

 in upon me. 



" I really have the feeling that summer has come. I 

 can pace up and down the deck by the hour together 

 with the sun, or stand still and roast myself in it, while 

 I smoke a pipe, and my eyes glide over the confused 

 masses of snow and ice. The snow is everywhere wet 

 now, and pools are beginning to form every here and 



* With reference to the resolution of the Storthing, on June 9, 

 18S0. 



