With trembling fingers he tore open the paper, and read,—
Fram arrived in good condition. All well on board. Am going to Tromsö. Welcome home.
O. S.
Nansen felt as if he must fall on the floor; and all he could do was to stammer out, “Fram—arrived!”
Sir Baden Powell, who was standing beside him, shouted aloud with joy, while Johansen’s face beamed like the sun, and Christophersen kept walking to and fro; and to complete the tableau, the telegraph director stood between them all, thoroughly enjoying the scene, as he looked from one to the other of the party.
All Hammerfest was en fête, and universal joy was felt the whole world through, when the tidings of the Fram’s home-coming were made known.
The great work was ended—ended in the happiest manner, without the loss of a single human life! The whole thing sounded indeed like a miracle. And a miracle the Nansen lads thought it to be when they met Nansen and Johansen in Tromsö; and when all the brave participators in the expedition were once more assembled, theirs was a joy so overwhelming that words fail to describe it.
Yes, the great work was ended!
The voyage along the coast began in sunshine and fête. At last, on Sept. 9, the Fram steamed up the Christiania Fjord, which literally teemed with vessels and boats of all sorts, sizes, and descriptions. It was as if some old viking had returned home from a successful enterprise abroad. The ships of war fired salutes, the guns of the fortress thundered out their welcome; while the hurrahs and shouts of thousands rent the air, flags and handkerchiefs waving in a flood of joyful acclamation!