Report on the Danmark expedition to tlie north-east coast. 97 



sledge tour to Cape Peschel, after passing the north-west point of 

 Store Koldewey a course was made for a point on the mainland be- 

 tween Teufel Cape and Cape Peschel. At 11.30 p. m. the skerries 

 just east of Cape Peschel were reached, where the depot was to be 

 made. On the last part of the journey the weather had become dull 

 and a strong north wind got up. In the dark the party went astray 

 on the screw ice between the skerry and the land, where the sledges 

 were often upset. 



November 24th. The wind rose in the night to a storm, which 

 continued to late in the afternoon. 



November 2oth. At daybreak the depot was made and the home 

 journey begun in perfectly calm weather. The sky was clear and 

 the moon lit up the way most beautifully for the travellers from 4 

 p. m. until they again reached the ship at 9V2 P- m., Charles Poul- 

 sen with the soles of his feet so frostbitten, that he was obliged to 

 lie up for some time. On that day they had travelled about 83 kilo- 

 meters ; a fine achievement. 



On November 2nd the sun showed itself for the last time and 

 the darkness of the winter night settled down over the little colony 

 of brave men, who were working so far north to bring new laurels 

 to Denmark. Only the moon and the northern lights shone over the 

 way of the courageous traA'ellers, who in spite of darkness and cold 

 still carried on their sledging excursions, as described in the foregoing. 



The sledge party from the Pendulum Islands did not return until 

 December 4th and from that time onwards until a few days after 

 Christmas all the members of the Expedition were together at the 

 station, where all the scientific and practical work constantly engaged 

 the attention of those onboard. 



To give a little change and raise the spirits of the party in their 

 monotonous daily life, A^arious lectures and entertainments were be- 

 gun. Thus, Bistrup gave lectures in navigation, Achton Friis in 

 drawing, singing and, with Bistrup as assistant, in piano playing, 

 Manniche in Danish etc. A singing club was formed and gymnas- 

 tics, boxing and fencing were carried on under the energetic lead 

 of Hagen; further, in accordance with the tradition of all arctic ex- 

 peditions the publication of a paper was started, with Freuchen 

 as editor. Later, various expert and scientific lectures were given. 

 Thus, Trolle gave a lecture on The currents in the northern seas", 

 Fritz Johansen continued with one on "The animal life on the sea- 

 bottom". Lastly, Bistrup, Achton Friis and Trolle often gave 

 small entertainments with piano and mandoline. 



To get some exercise, the men went out on skis and small sledges 

 on calm days or took walks in the neighbourhood. A special pleasure 



XLI. 7 



