360 



SOME BECEM' GEOGRAPHIC EVENTS 



terprise, but Herr Andree's fellow-countrymen, at least, have not 

 lost faith in his skill, courage, and endurance. Dr Nils Ekholm, 

 who originally intended to accompany the expedition, but event- 

 ually declined to do so, in the belief that the impermeability of 

 the balloon was not satisfactory, inclines to the opinion that Herr 

 Andree has descended somewhere between the Pole and Franz 

 Josef Land ; that he would endeavor to make his way to the 

 provision depot that had been established in advance, and that 



HERR S. A. ANDREE 



no surprise need be felt in the event of no communication being 

 received from him until next summer or fall. Mr Frederick G. 

 Jackson, the leader of the Jackson-Harmsworth Expedition, says 

 he sees nothing to prevent Andree, with good luck, from accom- 

 plishing his purpose, but adds, significantly, that it is quite im- 

 possible, for any one to say where he is likel^y to be. 



For the Antarctic the Belgica sailed from Antwerp on August 

 16. The ship was fitted out in the best possible manner, and 



