224 SPITSBERGEN chap, xvi 



snow, so that when we awoke (July 27) the outlook 

 would indeed have been gloomy, but for the brilliant 

 appearance, about two miles off, by the De Geer Valley 

 delta, of a sloop riding at anchor, and two white tents 

 pitched near it on the shore. Glad men were we, and 

 sprightly of movement. Breakfast was cooked and eaten 

 at a rare pace, and off we went along the resounding 

 shore, caring neither for bogs above nor rocky impediments 

 below. The sloop seemed asleep. There was no watch on 

 deck. The tents were tightly closed, and a boat was drawn 

 up alongside. But our halloo was answered from within. 

 They were the tiniest and simplest tents imaginable, pathetic- 

 ally home-made. There was just the ridged roof of thin 

 canvas, supported by crossed sticks at both triangular 

 ends, and the whole held in place without a single rope 

 by a row of stones piled all round its edges upon the 

 ground. 



I went down on my knees and pushed my head in at the 

 door. At the far end of the little tent sat a small and kindly- 

 faced man, crouched like an oriental, while a lad, clearly his 

 servant, lay across the opening. They were eating a simple 

 breakfast. Science was written on the worthy man's face. 

 You would know him anywhere for a collector of some- 

 thing. The huge pile of botany paper close at hand showed 

 his particular business. 



After salutations we began asking questions, to which 

 replies were given in very deliberate, but good English. " Is 

 that your sloop ? " " No ; it is a Tromso sloop, and has come 

 here after reindeer." " Would it take us to Advent Bay ? " 

 " I don't think so. The captain does not like Englishmen 

 with guns. There was an Englishman at Advent Bay, who 

 asked to be brought round here, but he would not take him 

 because he had a gun." " But we are not Englishmen with 

 guns : we are scientific students." " Ah ! that is different : 



