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Fic. 6.—Trwo HUMMOOKS ISLAND. 
ANTARCTIC LANDS. 479 
was particularly attracted by the fine 
mountain summits of the large.island which 
lay to the north of our position. While 
pacing the deck with Lecointe, I pointed 
out to him a place where I thought a land- 
ing might be made, and we discussed the 
possibility of an attempt to climb the 
mountains. In the distance a gentle and 
very regular slope could be seen stretching 
up to one of the peaks, attaining an ele- 
vation of about 7000 feet, and it seemed 
quite possible to ascend in this way and 
from the summit to sketch the outlines of 
the land very easily, and obtain a general 
idea of its configuration. Lecointe was 
prepared to adopt Admiral Mouchez’ method 
of surveying by utilising the height as a 
base, and fixing the distance of points on 
the coast by measuring the angle with the 
vertical. Cook was ready to accompany us, 
and Amundsen did not wish to be left behind. 
On Sunday, January 30, we steered 
north-north-east, in order to land at the 
foot of the mountains of our ambition. 
The commandant decided to accompany the 
land-party, but in that case the Belgica 
would be left without officers, to which 
Racovitza objected. Lecointe consequently 
had to remain on board, and Danco, who 
was to come with us, undertook the theo- 
dolite work; but the preparations which 
had to be made were too elaborate, and the 
projected excursion was doomed to failure 
before it started. In order to succeed, it 
would be necessary to carry supplies on 
our backs and make a great and sustained 
effort, being prepared, if the route was bad, 
to return and choose a better way; for at 
present we could no longer see the gentle 
slope which kad been visible from a dis- 
tance, and it was by no means certain 
that the point at which we were to land 
would turn out a favourable one. We took 
with us two sledges of Nansen’s pattern, 
sleeping-bags, a silk shelter tent, a little 
