Fridtiof Nansen, 1861-1893 . an at about the latitude where, in 1883, JSTorden-skiold had succeeded in getting through the drift ice withthe Sophia. The ice belt between the vessel and the coastproved, however, to be still so wide (from nine to ten milesof rough ice) as to render any attempt to reach the land un-advisable for the present. They had to wait about a monthfor a favourable opportunity of leaving the Jason, which wasbound to remain in the region where the seal-hunting waslikely to be good. Meanwhile, Nansen acted as doctor tothe whole fleet of sealers, and had to possess his soul in
Fridtiof Nansen, 1861-1893 . an at about the latitude where, in 1883, JSTorden-skiold had succeeded in getting through the drift ice withthe Sophia. The ice belt between the vessel and the coastproved, however, to be still so wide (from nine to ten milesof rough ice) as to render any attempt to reach the land un-advisable for the present. They had to wait about a monthfor a favourable opportunity of leaving the Jason, which wasbound to remain in the region where the seal-hunting waslikely to be good. Meanwhile, Nansen acted as doctor tothe whole fleet of sealers, and had to possess his soul inpatience until the sealing season was practically over. ACROSS GHEPZNLAND 179 Finally, on the morning of July 17, the Jason was so nearland (about 2^ miles from the coast near Sermilikfiord, at65^ ^. lat.) that Nansen determined to force a passagethrough the comparatively narrow belt of drift ice. The boat belonging to the expedition, and a smaller onewhich the captain of the Jason had placed at their disposal, NANSEN. DIETRICHSON. SVEHDRUP. THE MEMBERS OF THE GREENLAND EXPEDITION were therefore lowered, the baggage packed and stowed inthe boats, and every preparation promptly made. At 7 was ready for a start. Nansen went up into the crows-nest for a last survey of the course, and saw plainly, with theaid of the glass, a belt of open water between the drift iceand the shore. We are taking to our boats with the firmest hope of a N 2 180 LIFE OF FRIDTIOF NANSEN successful issue to our enterprise, JSTansen wrote in a letterto the Morgenhlad, hastily sc^ribbled at the last moment. It was soon apparent that their hopefulness was, at thevery outset, to be put to a severe test. After they hadtried the whole night long, in storm and rain, to get throughthe drift ice - opposite the mouth of the Sermilikfiord, theice became so packed by the current that, in the earlymorning, they had to drag their boats up on the of the boats Avas injured by the pressure
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