The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-11-21

ment We're prepared and laid upon the
ice, that we might continue to live
on the foe and start for a journey to-
ward home. No man was allowed to
sleep on board except fully dressed.
For the first time heard the timbers
and beams Of the dear ship beginning
to creak. I was forced to give the
order for every man to leave the ship,
but she was even stronger than our
faith in her. She was suddenly broken
out of her bed and slowly raised out of
her Icy berth. 1t was a triumph. After
this experience we were no longer anX-
ious about the Fran. The wonderful
ice pressures that had for a time been
so intensely interesting to us were now
monotonous, and we played cards
while the ice crashed with a thunder
that drowned our voices. 1t was a
fact that sometimes we would go upon
the deck in the morning and find that
the ship had been lifted ten or twelve
feet without our knowing it,
A DANGEROUS VENTURE.
he determined an expedition should
leave the ship and go northward from
the slow line Of the drift. II believed
that that should be done in the furth-
erance of our researches, but I knew
that the party which went on that
journey would have to leave the Fran
never to return to her, inasmuch as
the ship, drifting with the foe, could
never be found. AS there was some
considerable risk for that party, 1
could not take the responsibility of
sending another, and, consequently, I
had to go myself. I chose for my COM
panion Lieut.. Johansen. I trusted in
this big, strong man, but left behind
me Capt. Sverdrup, who was we'll able
to take care of the ship in our abb
sence."
With provisions for only a hundred
days, three sledges and kayaks, and
thirty dogs, Nansen described how he
set off on his perilous journey with
Johansen into the unknown, which was
only diverted when the unbroken ex-
panses Of high ridge ice compelled
them to turn back after reaching, on
April T. Sc degrees 40 minutes. Then
came that terrible journey southwest
toward Franz Joseph Land, which oc-
cupied fifteen months. One after an
other the faithful dogs were sacrificed
for subsistence, and the killing of the
last the lecturer described as the most
touching event of their awful eX-
perience. Then came that strange cpl
sode of long winter, when they lived
in q snow-covered hut, with bear and
walrus meat for subsistence and sleep
twenty hours out of twenty-four. All
of these and the attendant thrilling
experiences, of incredible toll over the
ice pack are described as modest and
matter of fact performances, with a
flow Of genial pleasantly. The spring
refitting when they repaired their rags
and sailed away in their frail boats.
and the dramatic and providential
meeting with Jackson was briefly and
vivid1v Sketched as we'll as the iOYOuS
reunion Of old comrades at the home
coming a few months later He had
hopes for Andree, but ventured no re-
marks upon his theory, and, as a
finale. DR.. hansen made a strong plea
for exploration on the grounds Of
scientific results. We eagerly study
the stars, why should we not with
equal enterprise push on to the utter
most limits of untrodden territory in
this world Of our own.
Shortly after the termination of the
lecture, Dr. Nansen found his way
over to the ArmOry, which was filled
with people who had accepted the In
vitation of the reception committee
to shake hands with the celebrated
visitor. The various Norwegian sing
ing societies were in evidence and
sang national selections, which were
interspersed with numbers by Seibert's
band. The Armory was completely
filled, but, to the disappointment Of
mand of his admirers, Dr. Nansen
was obliged to depart for Minneapolis
after just the shortest visit. The mu-
steal portion of the reception was con-
tinued, however, and the audience was
treated to an excellent programme,
which most appropriately concluded
with "Nansen" march, by Garcia Foss-
Christopherson.