570 FARTHEST NORTH 



years old. I said at the dinner-table that if a year ago 

 we were unanimous in believing that the Frani was a 

 good ship, we had much better grounds for that belief 

 to-day, for safely and surely she is carrying us onward, 

 even if the speed be not excessive, and so we drank the 

 Fravis good health and good progress. I did not say too 

 much. Had I said all that was in my heart, my words 

 would not have been so measured ; for, to say the truth, 

 we all of us dearly love the ship, as much as it is possible 

 to love any impersonal thing. And why should we not 

 love her .? No mother can give her young more warmth 

 and safety under her wings than she affords to us. She 

 is indeed like a home to us. We all rejoice to return to 

 her from out on the icy plains, and when I have been far 

 away and have seen her masts rising over the everlasting 

 mantle of snow, how often has my heart glowed with 

 warmth towards her! To the builder of this home 

 o^rateful thous^hts often travel durinor the still nio^hts. 

 He, I feel certain, sits yonder at home often thinking 

 of us ; but he knows not where his thought can seek 

 the Fram in the great white tract around the Pole. 

 But he knows his child ; and though all else lose faith 

 in her, he will believe that she will hold out. Yes, Colin 

 Archer, could you see us now, you would know that your 

 faith in her is not misplaced. 



" I am sitting alone in my berth, and my thoughts 

 glide back over the two years that have passed. What 

 demon is it that weaves the threads of our lives, that 



