the boats' heads put for Freiderichsthal on
the south-west coast of Greenland, near Cape Farewell, which was gained
in June, 1870. Schleswig was reached in safety in September _via_
Copenhagen, where they were landed by the _Constance_.

The _Germania_ meantime had continued her voyage, and endeavoured,
though without success, to reach the east coast of Greenland. She
wintered in Sabine Bay. The ordinary incidents of the winter occurred,
and we need not mention the health-drinking and Christmas festivities in
the Arctic Regions. The explorers quite disagreed with Kane's "open
sea" theory after making some sledge expeditions to verify the
suggestion. Ice was everywhere, as far as the eyes could see. Many
surveys were undertaken, and much useful scientific information was
obtained, but no new discoveries of any importance were made by either
the _Hansa_ or the more fortunate _Germania_.

The homeward voyage passed without incidents, and the surviving ship
returned to Bremen on the 11th of September, when the stupendous results
of their countrymen's arms in France were revealed to them in all their
meaning.

Several expeditions other than the above were dispatched in 1869, but
they did little. In 1870 there was no great voyage accomplished, but in
1871 the Arctic Regions were again looked at as the _Ultima Thule_ of
voyagers, and in June of that year Lieutenants Payer and Weyprecht
sailed away to Novaya Zemlya, where they found an open sea with little
ice. In October they returned to Tromsoe, after sighting the island
they sought.

The North-East passage now became the idea. That it could be
accomplished _via_ Siberia, Lieutenant Payer believed, and the
Austro-Hungarian Arctic expedition was soon an accomplished fact.
Doctor Petermann said the work accomplished by the little expedition
were very valuable, and it was decided to supplement it. The steamship
_Tegethoff_ was fitted out: the equipment was most complete, many
well-known Arctic voyagers lending their assistance. Captain Carlsen
was pilot, Captain Weyprecht commanded, and Lieutenant Payer was the
land explorer.

The _Tegethoff_ left Bremen on the 13th of June, 1872, and came in sight
of Novaya Zemlya on the 29th of July. In August the _Jabjorn_ yacht
joined company; but little in the way of exploration was undertaken
until August, when the yacht, with Count Wilczek, left the _Tegethoff_
to her own devices. The gallant vessel pushed on, and was