a couple of large ships were sent up toward the north pole, to discover the boundaries of land and sea and how far it would be possible for the human race to penetrate in that direction.

a year and a day had already passed, and with great difficulty they had traveled high up amid mist and ice. now winter had set in again; the sun was gone, and one long night would last for many, many weeks. all around them was a vast, unbroken plain of ice, and ships were moored fast to the ice itself. the snow was piled high, and huts were made of it in shape of beehives, some as big as our barrows, others just large enough to give shelter for two or four men. however, it wasn't dark, for the northern lights flashed red and blue-it was like everlasting, splendid fireworks-and the snow glittered brightly; here the night was one long, blazing twilight.

at the time when it was brightest, troops of natives came, strange-looking figures, dressed in hairy skins and dragging sleighs made from ice blocks. they brought skins in large bundles, which served as warm rugs for the snow huts and were used as beds and bed blankets, upon which the sailors could rest, while outside the cold was more intense than we ever experience even in our severest winters.

and the sailors remembered that at home it was still autumn, and they thought of the warm sunbeams and the glorious crimson and gold of the leaves still clinging to the trees. the clock showed it was evening and time for going to bed, and in one of the snow huts two sailors had already lain down to rest.

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