532 FARTHEST NORTH 



Only four or five months, and the time for action will 

 have come again. What joy ! When I look out over 

 the ice now it is as if my muscles quivered with long- 

 ing to be striding off over it in real earnest — fatigue 

 and privation will then be a delight. It may seem 

 foolish that I should be determined to go off on this 

 expedition, when, perhaps, I might do more important 

 work quietly here on board. But the daily observations 

 will be carried on exactly the same. 



" I have celebrated the day by arranging my work- 

 room for the winter. I have put in a petroleum stove, 

 and expect that this will make it warm enough even in 

 the coldest weather, with the snowballs that I intend 

 to build round the outside of it, and a good roof-cov- 

 ering of snow. At least, double the amount of work 

 will be done if this cabin can be used in winter, and I 

 can sit up here instead of in tlie midst of the racket 

 below. I have such comfortable times of it now, in 

 peace and quietness, letting my thoughts take their way 

 unchecked. 



"Sunday, September 9th. 81° 4' north latitude. The 

 midnight sun disappeared some days ago, and already 

 the sun sets in the northwest; it is gone by 10 o'clock 

 in the evenino;, and there is once more a slow over the 

 eternal white. Winter is coming fast. 



" Another peaceful Sunday, with rest from work, and 

 a little reading. Out snow-shoeing to-day I crossed 

 several frozen -over lanes, and very slight packing has 



