Report on the Danmark expedition to the north-east coast. 117 



in consequence utilised to repair the sledges. Large openings of water 

 stretched right out from close under the coast. To all appearance 

 it would be very difficult to get past Mallemukfjæld. 



April 20th. Bronlund and Mylius-Erichsen with empty 

 sledges reconnoitred along the coast towards the north-east. They 

 were stopped by the southernmost of the two glaciers, which pro- 

 ject out into the sea from Mallemukfjæld. In an attempt to get over 

 this glacier, Mylius-Erichsen fell into a glacier ravine, but got out 

 again with Brønlund's help. They returned in the afternoon with 

 greatly damaged sledges and 2 broken gun-butts. The result of the 

 reconnoitre was, that the party could make no progress that way. 



Koch and Wegener made geological investigations at Malle- 

 mukfjæld and collected specimens of the carbon formation there. 

 Bertelsen painted. 



When Mylius-Erichsen returned from the reconnoitring tour 

 he sent G. Thostrup and Tobias into Djimphna Sound to determine, 

 whether Holms Land might not be an island. 



April 21st. After 18 hours march G. Thostrup and Tobias re- 

 turned ^^^th the information, that advance northward that way was 

 also impossible, unless they drove up over the land. Whether it was 

 possible to drive over the land, they naturally did not know. 



During the past few days the temperature had varied between 

 — 20° and — 30° C.; the open channels were covered with new ice. 

 The only practicable way seemingly was to go out over the screw- 

 ice to the openings and in a wide bend along and ол'ег these to try 

 and reach the land on the other side of Mallemukfjæld. Mylius- 

 Erichsen resolved to make this venture with 8 half-loaded sledges. 

 Hagen, who was suffering from a slight indisposition, and Ring were 

 to remain behind to cut up a bear, which had been shot at the tents. 



The way over the heavily screwed ice was very laborious and 

 the new ice was so thin, that it was far from bearing everywhere; yet 

 as a rule it was fairly solid along the margins of the openings. 



Whilst driving along the margin of an opening Mylius-Erichsen's 

 dogs suddenly swerved and bolted out over the opening, he himself 

 remaining standing on the old ice. Koch's dogs at once followed 

 Mylius-Erichsen's and when Koch tried to prevent this, the dogs 

 pulled him over. He got entangled in the traces and sledge-runners 

 and in this position was dragged with the sledge out over the opening. 

 For a time it looked very serious, as the new ice swayed a good deal; 

 but Koch escaped with a fright, a torn anorak (wind-coat) and wet 

 trousers. 



April 22nd. By midnight the party had passed Mallemukfjæld. 



The sledges were unloaded some kilometers north of the cliff 

 and at once returned to the tenting place. When they arrived there, 



