chap xi FULMAR VALLEY 167 



sledge, both utterly bored, and taking a line like a Roman 

 road, straight over every obstacle. At last the others came 

 up, and we went on together. A new spirit entered into all ; 

 we vowed we would see the whereabouts of the pass before 

 pitching camp. 



Little had we thus far cared what the scenery of the 

 Fulmar Valley might be ; but as we advanced up it we had 

 time for observation, for the way was long. Of all Spits- 

 bergen's dreary dales, it must assuredly be the dreariest. It 

 is the highway for every wind of heaven, so that snow never 

 lies deep in it, and the ground is naked and less wet than 

 usual. Sparse indeed is its vegetation, and late to put forth ; 

 the flowers were fully three weeks behind the Sassendal's, 

 and many were only just blossoming which had already 

 faded elsewhere. But this dryness and bareness of the land 

 only made advance easier. Had it not been for the many 

 side glaciers and the consequent number of streams to be 

 w r aded, the walking would have been almost pleasant. As 

 it was we pegged on doggedly, and even the ponies seemed 

 to share our temper. Garwood larded the lean earth with 

 puns more plentifully than usual, and no one complained 

 even when, after catching and bottling some insect, he de- 

 clared that we were the most agreeable party possible, 

 because we put every living thing we met into good spirits. 



On we went, gleefully watching the shrinkage of the 

 river as stream after stream was crossed, and never a snow- 

 field appeared at the end of the vista. At last some one 

 was even bold enough to suggest that there might be no 

 snow-pass to get over at all, and that we might take the 

 ponies all the way to Agardh Bay. Every one objected 

 that this was impossible for an infinity of reasons, because 

 each hoped it might be true, and feared the disappointment 

 of the rising hope. I alone was in pitiable plight, for the 

 valley twisted all the reference points of my survey so swiftly 



