SECOND AUTUMN IN THE ICE 5^7 



such a pitch that Pettersen and I had to get up and 

 have a dance, a waltz and a polka or two ; and we really 

 executed some very tasteful pas dc daix on the limited 

 floor of the saloon. Then Amundsen also was swept 

 into the mazes of the dance, while the others played 

 cards. Meanwhile refreshments were served in the form 

 of preserved peaches, dried bananas, figs, honey -cakes, 

 etc., etc. In short, we made a jovial evening of it, and 

 why should we not } We are progressing merrily tow- 

 ards our goal, we are already half-way between the New 

 Siberian Islands and Franz Josef Land, and there is not 

 a soul on board who doubts that we shall accomplish 

 what we came out to do ; so long live merriment ! 



" But the endless stillness of the polar night holds its 

 sway aloft ; the moon, half full, shines over the ice, and 

 the stars sparkle brilliantly overhead ; there are no rest- 

 less northern lights, and the south wind sighs mourn- 

 fully through the rigging. A deep, peaceful stillness pre- 

 vails everywhere. It is the infinite loveliness of death — 

 Nirvana. 



"Monday, October 2 2d. It is beginning to be cold 

 now; the thermometer was —34.6° C. (30.2^ Fahr. below 

 zero) last night, and this evening it is —36° C. (32.8 Fahr. 

 below zero). 



"A lovely aurora this evening (11.30). A brilliant 

 corona encircled the zenith with a wreath of streamers 

 in several layers, one outside the other; then larger and 

 smaller sheaves of streamers spread over the sky, 



