"'It is a good thing it was caught by the hair,' said Bentzen, 'I thought it was hanging fast by its tongue, as the other one did.' Only think of being fixed by the tongue to a revolving axle--the mere notion makes one shudder! I took the poor thing down into the saloon and did all I could for it. It soon got all right again, and began playing with its companions as before. A strange life to rummage about on deck in the dark and cold; but whenever one goes up with a lantern they come tearing round, stare at the light, and begin bounding and dancing and gambolling with each other round it, like children round a Christmas-tree. This goes on day after day, and they have never seen anything else than this deck with a tarpaulin over it, not even the clear blue sky; and we men have never seen anything else than this earth! "The last step over the bridge of resolution has now been taken. In the forenoon I explained the whole matter to Johansen in pretty much the same terms as I have used above; and then I expatiated on the difficulties that might occur, and laid strong emphasis on the dangers one must be prepared to encounter. It was a serious matter--a matter of life or death--this one must not conceal from one's self. He must think the thing well over before determining whether he would accompany me or not. If he was willing to come I should be glad to have him with me; but I would rather, I said, he should take a day or two to think it well over before he gave me his answer. He did not need any time for reflection, he said; he was quite willing to go. Sverdrup had long ago mentioned the possibility of such an expedition, and he had thought it well over, and made up his mind that if my choice should fall on him he would take it as a great favor to be permitted to accompany me. 'I don't know whether you'll be satisfied with this answer, or whether you would like me still to think it over; but I should certainly never change my mind.' 'No, if you have already thought it seriously over--thought what risks you expose yourself to--the chance, for instance, that neither of us may ever see the face of man again--and if you have reflected that even if we get through safe and sound you must necessarily face a great deal of hardship on an expedition like this--if you have made up your mind to all this I don't insist on your reflecting any longer about it.' 'Yes, that I have.' 'Well, then, that is settled. To-morrow we shall begin our preparations for the trip. Hansen must see about appointing another meteorological assistant.'