chap, xx SEVEN ISLANDS 279 



We were destined not to reach the Table Islands ; on 

 approaching, we found them enveloped in the pack. The 

 report of the Lykkenprove was true. We were hopelessly- 

 cut off from the east. The time had passed in which it 

 would have been possible to advance far towards Giles 

 Land. Accordingly, after again coming as close to the 

 pack as we dared, in lat. 8o° 39', our greatest northing, the 

 boat was put about, and headed for Walden, through a sea 

 clear of ice, and of an incredible peacock-blue colour. This 

 was the island on which the W T ellman expedition took refuge, 

 when their steamer, the Ragnvald Jarl, was nipped in the 

 ice and destroyed close to its shore on May 28, 1894. 

 Bottolfsen had been ice-master to Mr. Wellman, and could 

 tell many details about the adventures of the ill-fated ex- 

 pedition. 



We passed round the north promontory, and came to, 

 off a bay in the east shore. The sea behind the island 

 being very calm, it was possible to land, so we lowered the 

 boats and rowed ashore, glad to feel solid rock beneath 

 our feet. Solid, indeed, are the red and grey rocks of 

 Walden, foundation stones of the earth's first crust. 1 Yet, 

 hard though they be, the violence of Arctic weather avails 

 to crumble their surface into a kind of rough sand, which 

 can readily be scraped off by the boot. There is no soil 

 on the island, save in narrow gullies and chinks protected 

 from wind. In such places snow-beds also permanently 

 linger. The shore is eaten away into little coves, intricately 

 bent. The surface of the rock is scored into deep undula- 

 tions of ridge and gully, and every yard of progress involves 

 a scramble. 



We made our way to the ruined framework of the Well- 



1 Dr. Gregory and Mr. Garwood will describe the geology of the island in 

 another book. 



