1852.] DECEIVED BY MIRAGE. 97 



the water-line ; it had been evidently washed up by the 

 sea; also some few bits of very much decayed wood and 

 a small flaying knife, made of wood, closely resembling, 



in every particular, those of ivory found amongst the 

 Western Esquimaux. It was carefully preserved, with 

 other fragments of wood found on this coast-line.* 



Our operations here being complete, and no signs of 

 the party yet advancing, launching the ' Hamilton,' we 

 moved forward, leaving behind the necessary instructions 

 for their guidance. This journey, being our first sea ex- 

 pedition, and testing the capabilities of our boat, laden 

 with all the sledge and tent equipage, in rough water, 

 was a most critical as well as interesting experiment. 

 She answered well ; was light, and easily handled. 

 Another of the visions dependent on the state of the at- 

 mosphere, and so perplexing to Arctic travellers, bewil- 

 dered us today. This was the impression of a block- 

 house, or square building, on the slope of the north 

 point of Pioneer Island. The nearer we approached the 

 spot, the more we felt convinced that this time there 

 was no illusion. We landed and pushed up the hill, 

 with more anxiety than usual; and scarcely could I 

 credit my senses, when I approached within a few yards 

 of the object, to find it merely a square rock, not exceed- 



* Nothing at this point could be traced of any coal-bearing associ- 

 ations, nor were any traces observable on the adjacent land. Bitu- 

 minous shale was found on a low spit, seven miles to the south-west. 



VOL. i. n 



