1853.] DISCOVER A HOLLOW CAIRN. 279 



unpleasantly fast over the rough floe, endangering the 

 sledge : it was very similar to that encountered in the 

 creek in Northumberland Sound, in April, but the ice 

 was less undulatory. In order therefore to avoid this, we 

 hauled close in to the land, ranging the snow line, just 

 within the tidal ridge, or where the land-water would 

 leave level surfaces. 



The 'Dauntless' being yet far astern, we delayed for 

 her coming up, erecting several piles, and examined one 

 on a hill, which had deceived us considerably. Once I 

 became entirely cut off by a snow-storm; and being 

 alone, and fearing the sledge might move forward and 

 miss me, at the rapid rate it travelled, left me not very 

 comfortable. On the 'Dauntless' rejoining and weather 

 thickening, we pitched for the night under shelter. 



At seven P.M. on the 27th, the weather having slightly 

 improved, we moved forward, directing Mr. Grove, of 

 the ' Dauntless,' to erect a beacon on the opposite shore. 

 We steered for the base of a very remarkable hill, which 

 jutted considerably into the channel, on the opposite 

 side, where Mr. Grove had been instructed to rejoin me : 

 having lunched there, we commenced the ascent, merely 

 intending to place a pile on the first level. A brace of 

 ptarmigan led me higher, one of which the gun killed, 

 when I noticed a structure over my head which seemed 

 to offer materials for a cairn : as I n eared it I began to 

 trace the operation of art, and a few moments sufficed to 

 place me beside a cairn, or hollow dome, constructed by 

 man, and evidently of comparatively recent date ! This 

 required attention : the stones were carefully removed, 

 the minutest piece of moss or snow being searched for 



