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III

him that there can be no talk of anything like that, but I am afraid, that if I should be in the necessity of chartering his ship, I could not expect to get it much under the sum of 30,000 kr, say 25.000 for going in search of them and 5.000 premium for finding them, and taking them back. 
You must understand, that there are very few ships to choose between. Only strong wooden steamers built expressely for forcing ice can be used. Besides the "Frillyof" there are some such ones at the south ports of Norway. Before chartering the "Sauira" (afterwards exchanged with the "Frillyof") Mr. Wellmans commissioner, Capt. Bonnevie, had applied to the owners of these other ships, but their demands were considerably higher than that of "Sauira's" owner. I am awaiting a decisive answer from the owner of the "Balaena" in February, but if the "Balaena" is not going to Franz Josefs land on catch of walrus, there must be chartered a ship expressely for fetching Mr. Wellmans party back and consequenetly I must ask you as soon as possible to open me a confirmed credit in a bank in Europe for kr. 30.000. ( =£1670) for this purpose. I shall then