—­ and I think, even in the short time I have observed him, he has shown no sign of being stingy —­ when he appeared with the “Napoleon” cakes.  Now I must tell you that these cakes were served after every man had put away a quarter of a plum-pudding.  The cakes were delightful to look at —­ the finest puff-pastry, with layers of vanilla custard and cream.  They made my mouth water.  But the size of them! —­ there could not be one of those mountains of cake to every man?  One among them all, perhaps —­ if they could be expected to eat Napoleon cakes at all after plum-pudding.  But why had he brought in eight —­ two enormous dishes with four on each?  Good heavens! —­ one of the vikings had just started, and was making short work of his mountain.  And one after another they all walked into them, until the whole eight had disappeared.  I should have nothing to say about hunger, misery, and cold, when I came hone.  My head was going round; the temperature must have been as many degrees above zero in here as it was below zero outside.  I looked up at Wisting’s bunk, where a thermometer was hanging:  +95deg.  F. The vikings did not seem to take the slightest notice of this trifle; their work with the “Napoleons” continued undisturbed.

Soon the gorgeous cake was a thing of the past, and cigars came out.  Everyone, without exception, allowed himself this luxury.  Up to now they had not shown much sign of abstinence; I wanted to know what was their attitude with regard to strong drinks.  I had heard, of course, that indulgence in alcohol on Polar expeditions was very harmful, not to say dangerous.  “Poor boys!” I thought to myself; “that must be the reason of your fondness for cake.  A man must have one vice, at least.  Deprived of the pleasure of drinking, they make up for it in gluttony.”  Yes, now I could see it quite plainly, and I was heartily sorry for them.  I wondered how the “Napoleons” felt now; they looked rather depressed.  No doubt the cake took some time to settle down.

Lindstrom, who now seemed unquestionably the most wideawake of them all, came in and began to clear the table.  I expected to see every man roll into his bunk to digest.  But no; that side of the question did not appear to trouble them much.  They remained seated, as though expecting more.  Oh yes, of course; there was coffee to come.  Lindstrom was already in the doorway with cups and jugs.  A cup of coffee would be just the thing after such a meal.

“Stubberud!” —­ this was Lindstrom’s voice, calling from some place in the far distance —­ “hurry up, before they get warm!” I rushed after Stubberud to see what the things were that were not to get warm; I thought it might possibly be something that was to be taken outside.  Great Heaven! there was Lindstrom lying on his stomach up in the loft, and handing down through the trap-door —­ what do you think? —­ a bottle of Benedictine and a bottle of punch, both white with frost!  Now I could see that the fish were to swim