118 CHASED BY A WALRUS. [September, 



nearly a mile, and the whole interior of the harbour one 

 sheet of ice. To this harbour I gave the name of 

 Londesborough, and to its point Grimston. 



September 3. During the night the current had for- 

 tunately swept away the ice from our harbour, and left 

 us free to pursue our journey. The morning was fine, 

 beautifully clear, and the sea westerly open to Exmouth 

 Island. Ascending one of the commanding hills, I ob- 

 tained a view of the leading features of this island, as 

 well as a station in connection with some of those erected 

 by Captain Richards. The breeze favouring, about eight 

 A.M. we put to sea, and succeeded in reaching Exmouth 

 Island shortly after noon ; lunched, took up our cache 

 of provision, and, as the wind continued favourable, lost 

 no further time. Winter was now approaching most un- 

 mistakably in earnest, and a few hours might render our 

 work either very laborious or very simple. The change 

 which a few days had made here was impressive ; I could 

 hardly recognize the features of our late encampment, 

 and the beach was only by dint of great labour acces- 

 sible. The main floe was in motion, and continued to 

 press easterly ; but the breeze increasing with heavy 

 snow, and the tide setting strong to windward (west- 

 erly), and driving heavy pieces of ice end on to the floe, 

 forcing the boat also so strongly on it as to damage her, 

 rendered decision necessary. I therefore quitted the floe 

 and made sail, but right glad were we to seek shelter 

 for the night on " Governor Richards' Island." Chased, 

 I believe, by the identical old walrus before alluded to 

 at the commencement of our trip, we felt very queer, 

 and as he muttered some unintelligible warnings, we 

 were excessively civil. 



