136 SPITSBERGEN chap, ix 



peak (2130 feet) was gained (July 7), a good summit of large 

 firm rocks of a kind new to us. They formed comfortable 

 and dry seats, where, in shelter from the light cool air, we 

 could bask in the warm sunshine, and, removing wet boots 

 and stockings, could let our cold feet feel the genial 

 warmth. Here lunch was consumed, and two enjoyable 

 hours were passed, valuable also for surveying purposes. A 

 few clouds alternately assembled and dispersed, but they hid 

 no portion of the glorious panorama, which included, from 

 a new standpoint, only peaks, glaciers, and valleys already 

 known to us. The snowy region at the head of the Rabot 

 Glacier, in the remote distance, was better seen than ever 

 before, and we thought we could distinguish Mounts Teist 

 and Krogh and other snowy domes, whose bases are washed 

 by the waters of Wybe Jans Water. 



The descent was without incident. We kept together, 

 and found a better ford over the torrent. Camp was 

 reached about seven a.m. in the waxing daylight. Our last 

 looks whilst preparing supper were towards Temple Mountain, 

 whose rock face was being washed by light from the east, 

 which so outlined its many ribs with bluest shadows as 

 to render it the very semblance of a vast and splendid 

 columnar edifice, rising upon a boldly sloping plinth from 

 the blue surface of the bay. The gently rounded snow 

 dome above completed an architectural suggestion, which 

 genius, with opportunity, might work out into a monument 

 of transcendent magnificence. 



After some hours of tranquil slumber we awoke to find 

 nothing changed save the direction of the w 7 ind, the incidence 

 of the shadows, and the volume of our supplies. Glaucous 

 gulls had been busy with our reindeer carcass. 



" Crammed and gorged, nigh burst with sucked and glutted offal," 

 they jeered at us as we came forth. They had dragged 



