of our ship at night, in an unknown bay, would warrant. I therefore took a triangular peak that jutted out from the main rock, about two-thirds of the way up the high, mountain-like cliff, and which stood at a good height from the sea, as the spot on which to erect our cairn and leave the notice; giving up as hopeless, owing to the darkness of the night, the discovery of the place where Captain Austin might have left despatches. Accordingly we set to work, and the cairn was erected upon the edge of the peak on its nearest point to the sea.

It was a curious sight to see us thus engaged, in so wild and lonely a place, at that solemn hour, when the gloomy shades of Erebus seemed to roll in greater density than ever around us. A stranger looking suddenly upon the scene would have found it a novel one. Standing erect upon this rocky projection more than half way up a mountainous cliff unknown to any of us, and not capable of observing aught beyond a stone's throw on either side, I held the square lantern, with the solitary light it contained, shining upon the two men ; who, busily engaged, were loosening the stones for our purpose. All three of us, apparently alone in that dismal place, and as if engaged in some mysterious occupation that would not brook the light of day, might well have given a feeling of surprise to any one that beheld us;

RETURN TO THE SHIP.

359

and I almost smiled to myself as I thought, that if the natives were to come upon us while so engaged, they might be awed and checked in any bad purpose by the fancy that we were occupied in some super

stitious rite.

Directly the task was completed we descended to the beach, and hailing the boat, were speedily pulling away towards the ship. A "long light" was burned as I left the shore, and holding this in my hand we shot across the waters by its glare, like Charon and his boat crossing the Styx in the realms of Tartarus. It was half-past one when we got on board, and having given in my report to Captain Forsyth, I retired to rest.

STEADY FAIR BREEZES.

REMARKABLE RUN

LAST OF THE ICE

ICE.
FROM WELLINGTON CHANNEL.
BERGS. SEND THE CROW'S NEST DOWN, AND PUT
AWAY THE ICE-GEAR.".

USUAL

66

GREENLAND

CAPE FAREWELL ONCE MORE.

AGAIN. SEE A SMACK AND TWO OTHER VESSELS. NEAR THE FAROE ISLANDS.

ANOTHER FURIOUS GALE.

Monday 2d. - THE following morning I found we were in something like a mess. The ship had drifted far up the bay, a very thick fog hid all the land from view, excepting now and then portions which resembled none we had seen last night or on the previous evening, and the breeze had changed right in upon us. All we could do therefore was to tack and tack in short boards, and with an anxious eye look out for any hidden danger. Whether we were on the inland side of that western opening at the end of the bay through which and beyond which it is supposed another sea might be found, or on the eastern side of it, we could not tell. And, truth to say, for myself I would have been as well pleased as not to have found

66

DISCOVER THE NORTH STAR" AGAIN. 361

myself there under any other circumstances than the present, my time not being my own, nor possessing power to attempt anything new or requiring energy in the execution. I had long had a wish to enter upon those unknown inland seas and traverse their length and breadth to their termination; and never could there have been a finer opportunity than the present for it. But now our every effort was needed to get us out of the bay, while we might have the means, before any heavy gale came on, or the current set us too far up. Accordingly the whole day was employed in actively beating to windward; and when, in the afternoon, it cleared up a little, we discovered that we were not far off the south shore of the bay, somewhat in the meridian of Cape Graham Moore. The evening set in with light airs and thick weather. Just before dark we once again discovered the North Star" to the northward of us, at some distance, apparently trying to get into Pond's Bay; and, about ten P. M., we fired two rockets and burned a blue light as a signal to her, Captain Forsyth being most anxious to speak her. Our lights were, probably, not observed, as no return to the signal was made, and we saw the "North Star" no more during the passage.

*

* I believe it was the intention of Mr. Saunders to have given us the advantage of his company for the remainder of

Tuesday 3d. This day is but a repetition of the past one, there being little wind, with gloomy weather and inclined to cold. We made but very poor progress, and that principally to the eastward.

Wednesday 4th. The next twenty-four hours presented no change until about five P. M., when a breeze sprang up from the southward, dispelling the thick gloom, and enabling us to keep the ship steady on a wind easterly.

Thursday 5th. - Throughout this day we had moderate breezes from the southward with cold grey looking weather. There was very little ice in sight except bergs, which were sprinkled about in their usual numbers. We perceived the land to the westward covered with snow, and distant about twentyfive miles, Cape Bowen bearing W. S.

Friday 6th.- Nothing of note occurred on the following day, except that the weather was more mild, and that there was a thick fog. We were standing away to the east, thinking it probable, if the wind continued the same for another day, that we should have to cross Davis's Straits in that latitude. To

the passage through the ice, as we supposed it then to exist: but it will here be seen how this did not take place owing to the fog. It was not, however, owing to any bad sailing or fault of the "Prince Albert;" for we actually got into Pond's Bay twenty-eight hours before the "North Star."