Page:The frozen North; an account of Arctic exploration for use in schools (IA frozennorthaccou00hort).pdf/122

 Nansen knew that if his party landed on the east coast and traveled west, they would travel toward safety. If this route were reversed, they would leave comfort and safety behind at every step, and move continually toward unknown dangers. The men might become discouraged, give up the expedition, and return to the settlements. So Nansen coolly made his plans to land on the east coast and cross Greenland to the west coast. By this arrangement the men would perceive that they must reach the west coast or die.

The government of Norway would not assist Nansen. His plan was considered that of a madman. Many people said that he was attempting to do an impossible thing. Others said, "Of what use is this exploit, even if he does succeed?" These people did not know that a large portion of our earth was once ice-covered, as Greenland is to-day. If we would know the cause of many curious phenomena that now exist in our own land, we must study Greenland. As Greenland is now, so, probably, was a large part of the earth during the ice age, thousands of years ago.

Though Nansen met with discouragements on every side, he continued to plan for the trip. At length a wealthy Danish gentleman gave him enough money to equip an expedition. It was not easy for Nansen to find