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the knowledge and guidance of an Eskimo pilot, we felt at length that we had in reality, seen the last for some time, of

re organized in readiness for cutting a dock, in case such a proceeding should become necessary for the protection of the vessels. Provisions and clothes were so arranged along the upper deck that they could easily and readily be thrown out on the ice at a moment's notice. Knapsacks, each containing two pairs of blanket wrappers, one pair of hose, one pair of stockings, one pair of mitts, one pair of drawers,

was determined to anchor off one of the small islands composing a gr

bark, and probably imagining that where he was able to go in his tiny boat, we also could do the same, he led us close in to the land, which, on account of the thick fog, was hidden from our view, and we soon had the annoyance of f

to the perusal of Arctic literature, that it is needless for me either to explain or dwell upon them at any length. Many a well-equipped ship has been caught in

ships boldly through what is generally termed the "middle ice." This, at such a late season of the year, is undoubtedly a wise course; but woe to the unfortunate ship that at an

ough it one of no difficulty, it may also be presumed that the ice in Melville Bay at the same

ores, and in which it is easy to cut a dock for the preservation of the ship if the heavy pack is forced by wind, or otherwise, towards it, ther

robability, be severely handled, and being beset would drift to the southward with the

vigation, which is strictly followed out b

ly of one year's formation, and only from one to three feet in thickness. The weather being fine and calm, advantage was taken of it to steam full speed, for there was no saying how qu

re steering; but through these obstructions we bored, or charged them at full speed, and thus cleared a way. A walru

ions! It was the first and only bear seen, and therefore the excitement its presence caused was natural. Every one appeared to share in it. Bear-skins were certainly on that day at a premium, for all

es, and he escaped. Many rounds of ammunition, however, were fired at him both from the party on shore and also by those on board the ship, in the faint hope that a lucky shot might bring him down. To this day there are many who seriously believe that he carried away with him a portion of the bullets they so lavishly expended. So keen were some in the ardour and excitement of the chase tha

R BE

North Water, and our troubles were for a time at an end. It was an u

on of their hopes. Large icebergs were around us in every direction; but what cared we then for icebergs? We had continuous day; the North Water had been reached; our way lay northwards. In a few short days the entrance of Smith Sound would be reached, the threshold of the unkn

son being available for us to penetrate the hidden mysteries of Smith Sound, owing to our rapid passage, we could reckon upon a clear month or five weeks before being compelled to se

ives (the Arctic Highlanders of Sir John Ross), in the hope of inducing one of their number, a brother-in-law of Hans, to accompany the exp

es, rolled down to the water's edge in one vast icy sheet. The width of one of these, the Petowik Glacier, is fully seven miles. Fragments from these lay scattered along the coast in every direction, whilst we had to thread our way through clusters of huge bergs of every form and size. Passing the crimson cliffs of Beverley, we were able to distinguish, in a fe

ad not been anticipated. A sudden rise of temperature of the surface water naturally led us to suppose that it must b

to sustain 60 men for two months, or 120 men for one month. The dep?t was placed on the easternmost island, and a large cairn was erected on the highest

a party duly provisioned would have little difficulty in reaching the northern Greenland settlements, or at any rate the simple but hospitable natives of Cape York, who wo

glassy surface of the sea. Passing the mouth of Whale Sound we made rapid progress northwards, steering between Northumberland and Hakluyt Islands, almost under their steep, precipitous, and in some places overhanging cliffs; on past

ny and large glaciers glittering white and radiant in the sunshine, growing, as it were, out of the clouds and ro

pearance, rose in long flights, and circled around us uttering their discordant cries. The glaucous gull and the pretty kittiwake (Larus tridactylus) soared above our heads, whilst occasionally a graceful ivory gull (Larus eburneus) flapped its way leisurely along, its snowy wings contrasting with the background of clear

ips came to an anchor in Hartstene Bay, more commonly known a

and a half miles in diameter downwards. They are composed of syenitic and porphyritic granite, overlaid in places with gneiss. They rise to a height of about 400 fee