182 G. Amdrup. 



under good medical treatment. This day they lost the 4th dog: it 

 was left behind and probably eaten by the wolves. 



The return journey had taken 20 days, though all the men were 

 skilled sledge-drivers. The preceding year — also in the heart of the 

 \vinter — the same journey had been made in 5 days by fairly un- 

 practized sledge-drivers and with almost the same load on the sledgesi. 



It is evident from this, that in arctic regions the conditions are 

 very variable from one year to another and further that the arctic 

 explorer must lie favoured by fortune; otherwise even the most skilled 

 may fail. 



The journey had however not been in vain. The stores in the 

 depots had been counted and they now knew what they could rely 

 upon, if they were forced to winter once more or had to go south- 

 wards. Furthermore, the dogs had been kept alive during the two 

 months without reducing the provisions of food onboard the ship 

 and a number (if things that were wanted had been transported from 

 the depots to tlie ship. 



While the sledge excursion to Shannon Island and Bass Rock 

 took place, the work at the station in Danmarks Havn went on con- 

 stantly and steadily. 



Onboard ship much had been done. All the cargo was trimmed 

 and coal transported from the lower hold to the coal bunkers and a 

 systematic war of extermination against the rats was now begun. 

 These animals had multiplied to such an extent, that they had become 

 a real plague. Provisions, dog-food, skins etc. had therefore to be 

 stored in such a way, that the rats could not gnaw their way through. 

 By means of traps, poisoned cakes etc. they now made war against 

 them with good results. 



The bad weather and the miserable sledging, which the travellers 

 to Shannon Island and Bass Rock had experienced on the way, also 

 prevailed in and around Danmarks Havn. It was only with the 

 greatest difücnity that the necessary provisions could be transported 

 to the station in Pustervig and it often happened that the coal ran 

 short there before a new supply arrived. They were often forced by 

 the weather or the bad sledging to postpone some planned journey 

 for several days, even for a week, and frequently they liad to return 

 home for the same reason. 



This year it became clear to them hovi' great may be the differ- 

 ence in the Aveather and sledging conditions from one year to another. 

 Trolle writes in his diary: "Last year the sledging conditions were 

 excellent and favourable all through the winter and the same journey 



' See |). 96. 



