The Great Frozen Sea

e the haven

ne my wearie c

hete and beare u

ore is fayrl

e from stormes

en

ich a small ship is subjected in a heavy sea are never altogether agreeable, and the quiet and repose of a snug well-protected harbour are welcomed even by the "veriest old sea-dog." But, although free from the turmoil of the "angry w

; and if, in consequence, the men were kept longer at work than they otherwise would have been, they felt themselves amply compensated for the

MO W

however, all much too practical to think of appearances, our sole thought was to be provided with enough of everything to guard against all accidents. Between decks was a repetition of the scene above, and it was with the greatest difficulty we could move from one part of the ship to the other. To add to the pleasing state of the

ceforth styled the "king" dog; he rules his subjects with despotic sway, frequently settling a quarrel between a couple of pugilistic disputants, reserving for himself the best of everything in the shape of food, the other dogs yielding their tit

his gun and kayak was duly installed on board in the capacity of dog-driver and interpreter. He rejoiced in the name of Frederic, and had the reputation of being

from the shore, as the dances were kept up with unabated vigour; while shrieks of laughter and merriment would be heard afloat, as the officers, indulging in aquatic tastes, would be seen rowing races in small collaps

be outdone by his mess-mate, also tried his skill in one of these little barks, but he had not paddled many yards before it capsized, leaving him head down in the water, with his legs firmly jammed in the boat. He would undoubtedly have been drowned before assistance could arrive had

ained for the determination of the magnetic force. Photographs were taken, and geological and botanical collections were extensively made, whilst a boat with the first lieutenant and our e

ong was universally felt, and officers and men alike enjoyed a scramble over the l

its summit. Landing in a pretty little bay, in which lay the remains of an old steam whaler, the "Wildfire," that had fallen a victim to the ice some years ago, and emerging from the rather de

action of the frost on the rocks of which the cliffs were composed; for on the slightest touc

the three vessels, resembling miniature toy-ships, lying at anchor in its snug little harbour. The Whale-fish Islands, a group in Disco Bay, lay spread out as it were on a map. Hundreds of icebergs dotted the perfectly placid sea, and beyond them we could plainly discern the great ice fiord of J

re was marred by the attacks of swarms of musquitoes. These irritating insects assa

mbrous gnattes

o infixe their

noyance we now

far in the icy north our imp

ourselves of patches of snow, down which we slid, much to the astonishment and discomfiture of my dog Nellie, wh

the surrounding hills with a golden light, throwing deep dark shadows into the valleys and ravines by which they were intersect

ith each other in their endeavours to render our visit an agreeable one. Nor was it only from the inhabitants that we received so much kindness. The captain, officers, and indeed I may say the ship's company of the "Valorous" were unremitting in th

ich had probably served children as playthings. Notwithstanding the want of means for handing down to posterity and retaining historical events amongst this interesting people, many traditions and legends have been preserved. Among the number is one relating to this island of Disco. It was supposed to ha

child to the island wherewith to tow it by; whilst the other, from the shore, attempted to keep it back by means of a sealskin thong. Desperately did the two kayakers labour at their paddles in their endeavours to move the island, chanting their spells as they tugged at the hair. B

site by a famous angekok, or magician, and that the harbour of Godhav

tlement of Ritenbenk, at which we arrived the following morning. The scenery as we approached the anchorage was truly magnificent. Lofty hills encompassed us on either hand, down whose steep sides the water was pouring in rapid cascades, produced by the thawing of the snow on their summits. How full

of colour, that they resemble regiments of soldiers drawn up in readiness to defend their fortresses from the attacks of ruthless invad

were to bid farewell to the "Valorous" on the following morning

y instrumental in obtaining the sanction of Government for its dispatch, and who, leaving the comforts of a home life, had accompanied us thus far on our jour

d. His departure made a chasm that it was difficult for some time to bridge over, but the

uarries on the north side of the island of Disco, and, two hours after, the "Discovery" and ourselves p

m the number of icebergs of every fantastic form and shape that lay scattered about, and which, although adding materially to the beauty of the scene, made the

h precipitous headlands ending in needle-shaped peaks and separated by glaciers and fiords. Passing the beautiful large discharging glacier of Itivdli

ills in the vicinity of Point Kardluk, which is noted for the large quantity of vegetabl

ng us, we were very reluctantly compelled to relinquish all idea of communicating, and had to be satisfied with reading the signal of "farewell" and "good wishes" that she threw out. It was fortunately distinguished bef

e, obliged to make the ships fast to icebergs to

The boat had been dispatched containing three men with the necessary i

er piece was another of our men, who was observed with his heels in the air, the violent agitation of the berg having precipitated him head foremost into a rent or crevasse. The water alongside was a mass of seething foam and spray; but curious

k, and we were in consequence unable to gratify ourselves with a sight of the truly grand scenery to be fou

vessels came to an anchor off

, smithy, about two other wooden habitations, and some igdlus, or Eskimo huts. Of course it boasts its flagstaff and battery of three guns. The Governor, who, in his endeavour to be civil, had boarded us before anchoring, apologized for not saluting, saying "that th

wered by the dogs in both ships, produced a most unpleasant and discordant concert. The natives have a saying, when t

h survey of the harbour was taken, and a n

re. In the Governor's good wife I recognized an old acquaintance whom I had had the

dog-driver and hunter. This man had been employed in the same capacity in all

ry evening during our stay, da

e he would put her, I was informed that my faithful companion would be converted into food for the man's oily-faced family, whilst her beautiful black curly coat would serve to adorn his wife's person. N

dland called "Sanderson, his hope." It was so named by old John Davis, after his friend and patron,

e considered such rare delicacies on an Arctic table. They are the Uria Brunnichii of naturalists, and are numerous in su

to be disregarded. The ships were hove to, and the boats, crammed wit

bout a thousand feet. Owing, however, to the unsteadiness of the boats, caused by the roughness of the sea, our "bag" did not realize our anticipations. Many of t

he succeeding three or four days we revelled in "loom soup," "loom pie," or "roast loom," and looms cooked in every imaginable form. No matter how they were served up, they were always pronounced to be delicious.

e usual kindness and hospitality were extended to us here, as at all the other Danish settlements visited. We also received important information concerning the state of the ice

sea, this time finally bidding farewell to civilization. From

er was silently offered to Him in his infinite mercy to protect and guide us in

nding the sea all open and forty leagues between land and land. The passage (the N

See Rink, p. 354. It means spring in the Eskimo language. Upernivik is