“At the moment of their departure, the members of the expedition to the North Pole beg Your Majesty to accept their very humble salutations, and the assurance of their deepest gratitude. “ANDRÉE.” Another telegram, addressed to the _Aftonbladet_, Stockholm, said:— “In accordance with our decision previously arrived at, we commenced on Sunday, at 10.45, the preparations for our ascent, and at this moment, 2.30 p.m., we are ready to start. “We shall probably be driven in a north-north-easterly direction. We hope gradually to reach regions where the winds will be more favourable to us. “In the name of all our comrades, I send our warmest regards to our friends, and to our country! “ANDRÉE.” The last farewells are brief and touching; few words are exchanged, but hearty handclasps between those whose hearts are in sympathy say more than words. Suddenly Andrée snatches himself away from the embraces of his friends, and takes his place on the wicker bridge of the car, from whence he calls in a firm voice:— “Strindberg,—Fraenkel,—let us go!” His two companions at once take their places beside him. They are all three armed with a knife for cutting the ropes supporting the groups of ballast bags. This being done, Captain Ehrensvärd and Lieutenants Norselius and Celsing give their sailors orders which are at once put into execution. The equatorial straps fall at one stroke. The balloon, freed from this restraint, moves slightly; it quits the state of torpor in which it seemed to be plunged; it now seems to have come to life, and, notwithstanding its shelter, it rolls greatly on its lower moorings, from which it tries to free itself. We wait a few seconds, in order to seize a moment of calm, before the order is given to start. Three of the most adroit sailors, armed with knives, hold themselves in readiness, at a given signal, to cut the three cables by which alone the balloon is now held captive. The entire crew of the _Svensksund_ are present, and also the crews of the three Norwegian whaling vessels anchored in Virgo Bay. There is profound silence at this minute; we only hear the whistling of the wind through the woodwork of the shed, and the flapping of the canvas, which hangs over the upper part of the south side. Amongst the cordage of the car are seen the three heroes, standing admirably cool and calm. Andrée is always calm, cold, and impassible. Not a trace of emotion is visible on his countenance; nothing but an expression of firm resolution and an indomitable will. He is just the man for such an enterprise; and he is well seconded by his two companions. At length the decisive moment arrives. “One! Two! Cut!” cries Andrée in Swedish.