1(6 G. Amdhdp. 



On November loth and 16th a gale from the N.W. XNatli snow forced 

 them to remain there. Temperature — 14" and — 18° C. 



On November 17th at 10 a. m. the journey was continued and at 

 3.30 p. m. Cape Amélie was reached. Good sledging. Temperature 

 — 16=^ С 



On November 16th in the morning it was again blowing 

 hard from the north. As the wind abated in the course of the evening 

 and the moon rose they started northwards again at 8 p. m. Tem- 

 perature — 19° C. They had some very heavy sledging and the 

 sledge-drivers were obliged to run behind the sledges during the greater 

 part of the way and often sank down in the deep snow In over their 

 knees. 



On November 19th the Bjorneskær were reached at 1.30 

 a. m. Temperature — 28° C. At 6.30 p. m. the journey was contin- 

 ued, Temperature — 28° C, and Hagens Island reached at 11.30 

 p. m. They had a strong head wind and heavy sledging, and often 

 sank waist-deep in the soft snow. A few hours after the tent had 

 been raised, there rose a heavy snow-storm from the N.W. which only 

 abated during the forenoon of Thursday the 21st. In the 4 days they 

 were forced to lie still so much dog-food was consumed, that they 

 were obliged to return. The provisions and the dog-food were there- 

 fore deposited on Hagens Island and at 1.30 p. m. they started on 

 the return journey: the air was thick with snow iiut they had the wind 

 on their backs. 



On November 23rd at 8 p. m. they arrived at the station. 



If any had cherished a faint hope that this sledging expedition 

 might possibly bring news of MvLirs-ERiCHSEN's party, the result 

 was a grievous disappointment. 



Besides the fate of this party, there was another danger which 

 that summer had revealed and which gave sufficient cause for an.xiety 

 as to the future. It had been seen, namely, that the "Danmark" 

 could not possibly have got out of the harbour through the solid, 

 immovable belt of pack-ice, which constantly barred the passage. 

 If the same was the case next year, it might be necessary to leave 

 tlie ship and seek soutiiwards, hoping to be taken onboard by some 

 chance sealing-vessel approaching the coast. 



Under these difficult circumstances Tkolle. who had taken 

 over the leadership of the Ex|)edition ' during the absence of Myliits- 

 Erichsen, desired to consult with the members of the expedition, 

 especially on all matters regarding a possible retreat and the search 

 in the north. 



1 As already mentioned on p. 152, Myliis-Erichsen in a letter to Trolle 

 before his departure had given over to him the leadership of the Expedition during 

 his absence. 



