The day we entered the bay for the first time, a small piece of its western cape broke away.  During the spring the drift-ice pressed in an insignificant part of one of the many points on the outer edge of the Barrier.  With these exceptions, we left the Barrier as we found it, entirely unaltered.  The soundings, which showed a rapid rise in the bottom as the Fram changed her position southward along the Barrier, are also a clear sign that land is close at hand.  Finally, the formations of the Barrier appear to be the best proof.  It could not rise to 1,100 feet —­ which we measured as the rise from Framheim to a point about thirty-one miles to the south —­ without subjacent land.

Work now proceeded on the sledging outfit with feverish haste.  We had for a long time been aware that we should have to do our utmost and make the best use of our time if we were to have the general outfit for our common use ready by the middle of August.  For preparing our personal outfit we had to use our leisure time.  By the first half of August we could begin to see the end of our labour.  Bjaaland had now finished the four sledges.  It was a masterly piece of work that he had carried out in the course of the winter; they were extremely lightly constructed, but very strong.  They were of the same length as the original sledges —­ about 12 feet —­ and were not shod.  We should have a couple of the old Fram sledges with us, and these were shod with strong steel plates, so that they could be used if the surface and going rendered it necessary.  The average weight of the new sledges was 53 pounds.  We had thus saved as much as 110 pounds per sledge.

When Bjaaland had finished them, they were taken into the “Clothing Store.”  The way in which Hanssen and Wisting lashed the various parts together was a guarantee of their soundness; in fact, the only way in which one can expect work to be properly and carefully carried out is to have it done by the very men who are to use the things.  They know what is at stake.  They do it so that they may reach their destination; more than that, they do it so that they may come back again.  Every piece of binding is first carefully examined and tested; then it is put on, cautiously and accurately.  Every turn is hauled taut, taking care that it is in its right place.  And, finally, the lashing is pointed in such a way that one would do best to use a knife or an axe if it has to be undone again; there is no danger of jerking it out with the fingers.  A sledge journey of the kind we had before us is a serious undertaking, and the work has to be done seriously.