We began to work for this journey two years ago. Then, we
wanted to be the first men at the North Pole. But last year,
Peary, an American, found the North Pole. So America was first
to the North Pole, not Norway. We're going there, but we're
too late.'
'I don't understand this,' Bjaaland thought. 'Why is Amundsen
talking about the North Pole, with a map of Antarctica behind
him?'
Amundsen stopped for a minute, and looked at all the men
slowly. No one said anything.
'We have to go a long way south before we get to Alaska,' he
said. 'Very near Antarctica, you know. And Captain Scott, the
Englishman, is going to the South Pole this year. He wants ta+
put his British flag there. An American flag at the North Pole, a
British flag at the South Pole.'
Bjaaland began to understand. He started to smile and
couldn't stop. He was warm and excited.
'Well, boys,' Amundsen said slowly. 'Do we want the British
to put their flag at the South Pole first? How fast can we travel?
We have a lot of dogs, and some of the most wonderful skiers
on earth - Bjaaland here is the best in Norway! So I have an
idea, boys. Let's go to the South Pole, and put the Norwegian
flag there before the British! What do you say?'
For a minute or two it was very quiet. Amundsen waited, and
the men watched him and thought. Then Bjaaland laughed.
'Yes!' he said. 'Why not? It's a ski race, isn't it, and the
English can't ski! It's a wonderful idea, of course! Let's go!'