In the bustle of getting away from our winter-quarters there had been no time for any celebration of the fortunate reunion of the land and sea parties.  As this occasion for festivity had been let slip, we had to look out for another, and we agreed that the day of our passage from the frigid to the temperate zone afforded a very good excuse.  The pre-arranged part of the programme was extremely simple:  an extra cup of coffee, duly accompanied by punch and cigars, and some music on the gramophone.  Our worthy gramophone could not offer anything that had the interest of novelty to us nine who had wintered at Framheim:  we knew the whole repertoire pretty well by heart; but the well-known melodies awakened memories of many a pleasant Saturday evening around the toddy table in our cosy winter home down at the head of the Bay of Whales —­ memories which we need not be ashamed of recalling.  On board the Fram gramophone music had not been heard since Christmas Eve, 1910, and the members of the sea party were glad enough to encore more than one number.

Outside the limits of the programme we were treated to an extra number by a singer, who imitated the gramophone in utilizing a big megaphone, to make up for the deficiencies of his voice —­ according to his own statement.  He hid behind the curtain of Captain Nilsen’s cabin, and through the megaphone came a ditty intended to describe life on the Barrier from its humorous side.  It was completely successful, and we again had a laugh that did us good.  Performances of this kind, of course, only have a value to those who have taken part in or are acquainted with the events to which they refer.  In case any outsider may be interested in seeing what our entertainment was like, a few of the verses are given here.

It must be remarked that the author composed his production in the supposition that we should be able to meet by Christmas, and he therefore proposed that for the moment we should imagine ourselves to be celebrating that festival.  We made no difficulty about acceding to his request: 

Well, here we are assembled to jollity once more,
Some from off the ocean and the rest from off the shore. 
A year has passed since last we met and all are safe and sound,
Then let us banish all our cares and join our hands all round. 
Christmas, happy Christmas! let us pass the flowing bowl,
Fill your glasses all, and let’s make “Sails” a wee bit full. 
For all I’ll say is this —­ that it’s in his country’s cause;
If he staggers just a little, it is in his country’s cause.

Now you sailor boys shall hear about the time we have gone through:  The winter —­ well, it wasn’t long, we had so much to do.  There was digging snow, and sleeping —­ you can bet we’re good at that —­ And eating, too —­ no wonder that we’re all a little fat.  We had hot cakes for our breakfast and “hermetik” each day, Mutton pies, ragouts and curries, for that is Lindstrom’s way.  But all I’ll say is this —­ that ’twas in our country’s cause, If we stuffed ourselves with dainties, it was in our country’s cause.