Antarctic Ocean.  Going through the tropics this loose deck did double service.  It always afforded a somewhat cool surface, as there was a fresh current of air between the two decks.  The main deck, which was black with tar, would have been unbearably hot for the animals; the false deck was high, and kept fairly white during the whole voyage.  We carried awnings in addition, chiefly on account of the dogs.  These awnings could be stretched over the whole vessel and give the dogs constant protection from the burning sun.

I still cannot help smiling when I think of the compassionate voices that were raised here and there —­ and even made their way into print —­ about the “cruelty to animals” on board the Fram.  Presumably these cries came from tender-hearted individuals who themselves kept watch-dogs tied up.

Besides our four-footed companions, we took with us a two-footed one, not so much on account of the serious work in the Polar regions as for pleasant entertainment on the way.  This was our canary “Fridtjof.”  It was one of the many presents made to the expedition, and not the least welcome of them.  It began to sing as soon as it came on board, and has now kept it going on two circumnavigations through the most inhospitable waters of the earth.  It probably holds the record as a Polar traveller among its kind.

Later on we had a considerable collection of various families:  pigs, fowls, sheep, cats, and —­ rats.  Yes, unfortunately, we knew what it was to have rats on board, the most repulsive of all creatures, and the worst vermin I know of.  But we have declared war against them, and off they shall go before the Fram starts on her next voyage.  We got them in Buenos Aires, and the best thing will be to bury them in their native land.

On account of the rather straitened circumstances the expedition had to contend with, I had to look twice at every shilling before I spent it.  Articles of clothing are an important factor in a Polar expedition, and I consider it necessary that the expedition should provide each of its members with the actual “Polar clothing.”  If one left this part of the equipment to each individual, I am afraid things would look badly before the journey was done.  I must admit that there was some temptation to do this.  It would have been very much cheaper if I had simply given each man a list of what clothes he was required to provide for himself.  But by so doing I should have missed the opportunity of personally supervising the quality of the clothing to the extent I desired.

It was not an outfit that cut a dash by its appearance, but it was warm and strong.  From the commissariat stores at Horten I obtained many excellent articles.  I owe Captain Pedersen, the present chief of the Commissariat Department, my heartiest thanks for the courtesy he always showed me when I came to get things out of him.  Through him I had about 200 blankets served out to me.  Now, the reader must not imagine a