94 BUCHAN AND FRAtfKIIN. 



distinctly audible at a distance of four miles, the estimate 

 will not appear to be exaggerated. 



At Vogel Sang and Cloven Cliff, between which is 

 Fair Haven, wherein the ships anchored, the surround- 

 ing islands are described as clothed with lichens and 

 other rich pasturage for reindeer, which creatures are 

 here so abundant (upon Vogel Sang in particular), that 

 this island alone supplied the expedition with forty car- 

 casses in high condition, the fat on the loins being from 

 four to six inches thick, and a carcass prepared for 

 dressing weighing two hundred and eighty-five pounds. 

 These fine creatures showed evident marks of affection 

 for each other. " They were at this time in pairs, and 

 when one was shot the other would hang over it, and 

 occasionally lick it, apparently bemoaning its fate ; and, 

 if not immediately killed, would stand three or four 

 shots rather than desert its fallen companion." " This 

 compassionate conduct," continues Beechey, "it is 

 needless to say, doubled our chance of success, though 

 I must confess it was obtained in violation of our better 

 feelings." These animals are said to take to the water 

 freely, and swim from one island to another. The boata 

 of the Trent took four, which they wished to retain 

 alive ; but they were so wild that they broke their 

 slender limbs, and inflicted other serious wounds, so 

 that it became necessary to put an end to their suffer- 

 ings by killing them. 



At one of the islets near Vogel Sang were also the 

 King Eider-ducks, in such numbers that it was impossi- 

 ble, almost, to walk without treading on their nests, 

 which they defended with determined resolution. If 

 driven off by foxes, or other large animals, they hastily 

 draw the down of the nest over the eggs, and glue it 

 with a yellow fluid, not only to preserve the warmth of 

 the eggs, but that, being of BO offensive a nature, the 



