266 AN IMBEDDED WHALE. [May, 



fallibly leave some sign. The other course was due east, 

 seen, it is true, by myself only, almost as a dream, but so 

 doubtfully and indistinctly to the naked eyes of others as 

 not quite to satisfy them ; but there is no accounting for 

 sight. Now it should be recollected that my sight was 

 assisted by a theodolite and good telescope, through which 

 no one else cared to look. I had seen enough to satisfy 

 my mind. Our cairn was built, the territory duly taken 

 possession of, and, as this sack was to be duly kept until 

 my return, I thought it but prudent that the Chancellor 

 of the Exchequer should seal it ; it was therefore named 

 Cape Disraeli. On our ascent two ptarmigan were fired 

 at, but the gun was bad and I missed killing, but 

 wounded one, which probably was enjoyed by some fox. 



May 14. On our descent we again met with another 

 imbedded whale, and at about the same elevation. Our 

 position at noon placed us in 76 41' N. and about 91 

 30' W., as yet to the west of Cape Hogarth, and only 

 twenty-nine miles north of that position : I could not 

 therefore afford delay here, without anything offering be- 

 yond following up land traces by this channel, nor could 

 I venture to move further southerly ; yet I felt very un- 

 easy at leaving this strait unsearched. 



At noon the sun shone out powerfully, and dispelled 

 some of the snow-charged vapours hanging over the out- 

 line ; and yet the thermometer did not rise above 15, and 

 only 44 in the tent. All were absorbed in deep sleep, 

 when suddenly, in the far east, two resplendent white 

 caps (distant, I found, thirty-six miles) revealed them- 

 selves, marking out the gates of our channel. An inde- 

 scribable sensation pervaded me : I sang out, as C'ulum- 



