Report on the Danmark expedition to the north-east coast. 211 



August 24th. We made up our mintls to start in the evening to 

 penetrate further into the fjord. 



After having made ourselves ready in the course of the day we 

 set off in the evening with a sledge; we had now only eight dogs left. 

 Everything that we could possible do ^^dthout was thrown away, and 

 in order to make our tent lighter we took away the bottom. The 

 other sledge we cut up, removing all the iron, and took with us to 

 be, used as fuel. Though we thus tried in every \vay to reduce the 

 luggage we had however big loads. And as the dogs were so gaunt 

 and emaciated we only made small progress. 



The ice was now quite snow-free and therefore cut the paws of 

 the dogs: it was also difficult for us with our miserable footware to 

 walk on it. We only advanced very slowly but were quite content 

 that we did advance at all. That we were now able to cross the thin 

 ice covering the fissures where they were narrowest was also a good 

 thing. After about five hours' journey we came to a place where 

 we thought we might reach over to the land and raise the tent there. 

 We then ate a small piece of dog meat on the ice and tried to get some 

 rest by four hours' sleep. 



August 25tk. In the morning Mylius and I went towards the 

 land, which we reached xNathout difficulty, climbed up and roamed 

 about for several hours without observing anything. We knew no 

 way out, if our march that day should also be in vain: Mylius now 

 wanted to go back and I agreed, because he had such bad soles to 

 his boots and was almost walking in bare stockings. We were now 

 obliged to resolve upon shooting another dog the next day. I wanted 

 to go a little further, for I badly wanted just one single ptarmigan. 

 I roamed about for a long time but had at last to return, seeing 

 nothing. 



On my way back I caught sight of a hare on the shore; it was 

 as if I had met with a large reindeer. And when I had shot it I threw 

 myself upon it, ravenous as a bloodthirsty wolf, cut it up and de- 

 voured rapidly heart, liver and kidneys. 



After walking a little further I got three more. With four hares 

 on my back I returned and it seemed to me that my feebleness greлv 

 less as I thought of the meal to come. . . 



When I got back my comrades also showed their great joy; now 

 they would have something better to eat than the poor dog meat. 



As they had killed a dog, we had however nothing but dog meat 

 that evening. 



During these days the weather was very beautiful, quite clear 

 with no wind and it was also now freezing all day long and still more 

 in the night, though the sun did not go down below the horizon. 



August 25th. In the night we broke up. Part of our luggage, 



' Must have been Cape Kronborg or the region round there. 



14* 



