ROSS'S SECOND VOYAGE. 189 



conducted to the village, where they had a hospitable 

 reception, with entertainment such as they little ex- 

 pected on those dreary shores. 



They here found a disabled vessel, and from it replen- 

 ished their stores and spars. The provisions were raised 

 to their full complement. Some boots and gloves were 

 obtained from the natives, and the governor made a 

 useful present of six Esquimaux dogs. 



On the 26th the discoverers sailed to the northward ; 

 and on the morning of the 28th the stupendous moun- 

 tains of Disco Island, long enveloped in mist, burst on 

 their view, only a few miles distant. The range nearest 

 the shore was entirely free from snow, and the interior 

 hills were but partially covered. Hare Island was 

 almost equally clear ; and, though forty icebergs were 

 observed, yet, as the navigators approached the latitude 

 of 74, near to where the Ilecla and Fury had been 

 beset in 1824, not a vestige of ice was perceived. They 

 might have fancied themselves sailing on the summer 

 seas of England, or even of the Mediterranean ; the 

 men threw off their jackets, and worked in their shirts, 

 without shoes or stockings. They had several times 

 recourse to the engine, though, from practical defects, 

 it never enabled them to sail above a mile and a half an 

 hour ; and it was subsequently thrown overboard, as a 

 useless encumbrance. 



On the 6th of August, a thick fog having dispersed, 

 the coast was suddenly displayed, with all its highlands, 

 among which Cape Byam Martin was conspicuous, cov- 

 ered with snow. On reaching the entrance of Lancaster 

 Sound, and reverting to the blame imputed to him for 

 not having explored it, the captain observes that, from 

 the deceptive appearances presented by bays and inlets, 

 similar mistakes had been made by Cook, and other 

 navigators of the greatest skill. No opinion differing 



