July, 1859. MONOTONOUS LIFE ON BOARD. 273 



CHAPTER XVII. 



Signs of release — Seal-stalking — Dearth of animal life — Birthdays — 

 Break out of winter quarters — Game lists — Steam out of Port — 

 Escape from Regent's Inlet — In Baffin's Bay — Bears — Captain 

 Allen Young's journey — Hobson's journey — Disco; sad disap- 

 pointment — Part from our Esquimaux friends — Adieu to Green- 

 land — Arrive home. 



During the long absence of Hobson, Young, and myself, 

 the Doctor has had but a dreary time of it on board ; no 

 wonder he felt " very lonely and often thought of home." 



Once a white wolf came very near to the ship, but the 

 rifles would not go off. Another time a bear with her two 

 cubs actually came alongside the ship and went away un- 

 observed ; but another bear was less fortunate, it was shot, 

 and the steaks were eagerly devoured. Gradually the birds 

 arrived from the south; an occasional hare, or perhaps a 

 deer-track, would enliven his solitary ramble over the hills ; 

 at length the thawing commenced, the welcome sound of 

 running water was heard, and the wild plants put forth their 

 tiny flowers. 



Later still, a few insects appeared, and convinced him 

 that the Summer had at length arrived. 



To-day (2nd Jul)') I took a long and delightful walk, but 

 shot only two ducks ; Petersen went in another direction, 

 and got nothing ; Christian, after toiling all day in his kayak, 

 returned with only two divers and a duck. Lately he has 

 obtained for us several king and long-tailed ducks (no eider 

 ducks have been seen), two red-throated divers, and two 

 brent geese, and caught an ermine in its summer coat. 



T 



