“Yes,” says my companion, “it’s not to be wondered at that they know the way.  They have gone it every day —­ once at least, often two or three times —­ since we came here.  There are three of us who always take our daily walk in this direction —­ Bjaaland, Stubberud, and I. As you saw this morning, those two went out at half-past eight.  They did that so as to be back to work at nine.  We have so much to do that we can’t afford to lose any time.  So they take their walk to the depot and back; at nine I generally do the same.  The others began the winter with the same good resolution; they were all so enthusiastic for a morning walk.  But the enthusiasm didn’t last long, and now we three are the only enthusiasts left.  But, short as the way is —­ about 650 yards —­ we should not venture to go without those marks that you saw, and without our dogs.  I have often hung out a lantern, too; but when it is as cold as this evening, the paraffin freezes and the light goes out.  Losing one’s way here might be a very serious matter, and I don’t want to run the risk of it.

" Here we have the first mark-post; we were lucky to come straight upon it.  The dogs are on ahead, making for the depot.  Another reason for being very careful on the way to the depot is that there is a big hole, 20 feet deep, just by a hummock on that slope where, you remember, the last flag stands.  If one missed one’s way and fell into it, one might get hurt.”  We passed close to the second mark.  “The next two marks are more difficult to hit off —­ they are so low; and I often wait and call the dogs to me to find the way —­ as I am going to do now, for instance.  It is impossible to see anything unless you come right on it, so we must wait and let the dogs help us.  I know exactly the number of paces between each mark, and when I have gone that number, I stop and first examine the ground close by.  If that is no good, I whistle for the dogs, who come at once.  Now you’ll see” —­ a long whistle —­ “it won’t be long before they are here.  I can hear them already.”  He was right; the dogs came running out of the darkness straight towards us.  “To let them see that we want to find the way to the depot, we must begin to walk on.”  We did so.  As soon as the dogs saw this, they went forward again, but this time at a pace that allowed us to keep up with them at a trot, and soon after we were at the last mark.

“As you see, my lantern over at the camp is just going out, so I hope you will excuse my accompanying you farther.  You know your way, anyhow.”

With these words we parted, and my host went back, followed by the faithful trio, whilst I ...

CHAPTER IX

The End of the Winter

After Midwinter Day the time began to pass even more quickly than before.  The darkest period was over, and the sun was daily drawing nearer.  In the middle of the darkest time, Hassel came in one morning and announced that Else had eight puppies.  Six of these were ladies, so their fate was sealed at once; they were killed and given to their elder relations, who appreciated them highly.  It could hardly be seen that they chewed them at all; they went down practically whole.  There could be no doubt of their approval, as the next day the other two had also disappeared.