Viewing page 2 of 6

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

quite certain that our Norwegian allies are the best that could be wished for. All of them are intelligent fellows, strong and willing to work. I like every man in the party - and that is saying a very exceptional thing. 
I was delighted when I saw the dogs yesterday, 83 of them and all in good trim. If the sledges will only hold out I am certain that the dogs will be able to take them somewhere north of Franz-Josef Land. Should the twelve sledges fail, we certainly have other sledges sufficient to take their place. 
The ice is reported by the sealers as being very bad this year, but by this time there has probably been a change -- at any rate we hope to be within sight of Franz-Josef Land by the 22nd.