In the next place, Wisting had to make wind-clothing for every man.  That we had brought out proved to be too small, but the things he made were big enough.  There was easily room for two more in my trousers; but they have to be so.  In these regions one soon finds out that everything that is roomy is warm and comfortable, while everything that is tight —­ foot-gear, of course, excepted —­ is warm and uncomfortable.  One quickly gets into a perspiration, and spoils the clothes.  Besides the breeches and anorak of light wind-cloth, he made stockings of the same material.  I assumed that these stockings —­ worn among the other stockings we had on —­ would have an insulating effect.  Opinions were greatly divided on this point; but I must confess —­ in common with my four companions on the Polar journey —­ that I would never make a serious trip without them.  They fulfilled all our expectations.  The rime was deposited on them freely, and was easily brushed off.  If they got wet, it was easy to dry them in almost all weathers; I know of no material that dries so quickly as this windproof stuff.  Another thing was that they protected the other stockings against tears, and made them last much longer than would otherwise have been the case.

As evidence of how pleased we who took part in the long sledge journey were with these stockings, I may mention that when we reached the depot in 80deg.S. —­ on the homeward trip, be it noted; that is, when we looked upon the journey as over —­ we found there some bags with various articles of clothing.  In one of these were two pairs of windproof stockings —­ the bag presumably belonged to an opponent of the idea —­ and it may be imagined that there was some fun.  We all wanted them —­ all, without exception.  The two lucky ones each seized his pair and hid it, as if it was the most costly treasure.  What they wanted with them I cannot guess, as we were at home; but this example shows how we had learnt to appreciate them.

I recommend them most warmly to men who are undertaking similar expeditions.  But —­ I must add —­ they must give themselves the trouble of taking off their foot-gear every evening, and brushing the rime off their stockings; if one does not do this, of course, the rime will thaw in the course of the night, and everything will be soaking wet in the morning.  In that case you must not blame the stockings, but yourself.

After this it was the turn of the underclothing; there was nothing in the tailoring and outfitting department that Wisting could not manage.  Among our medical stores we had two large rolls of the most beautiful fine light flannel, and of this he made underclothing for all of us.  What we had brought out from home was made of extremely thick woollen material, and we were afraid this would be too warm.  Personally, I wore Wisting’s make the whole trip, and have never known anything so perfect.  Then he had covers for the sleeping-bags to sew and patch, and one thing and another.  Some people give one the impression of being able to make anything, and to get it done in no time —­ others not.