3 i2 SPITSBERGEN chap, xxii 



was at the moment in Schoonhoven, with an almost full 

 cargo of white whales. The wind had dropped, but a most 

 uncomfortable ground-swell made it difficult to lie on the 

 narrow seats. The Expres rolled intemperately about. All 

 of us were afflicted with violent colds — an epidemic pro- 

 bably caught from the people of the Virgo, for we had 

 been free from such trouble while we remained alone, not- 

 withstanding our constant wettings and chills. The balloon 

 colony were in frequent communication with Europe, and 

 were sufficiently numerous, perhaps, to keep colds going 

 among them. Whatever the cause, sneezing and coughing 

 now raised echoes in our little cabin, and added to the 

 discomfort of our passage. 



Just as we were quitting Schoonhoven (Aug. 12), Gar- 

 wood suggested that we should run south, and visit Horn 

 Sound, for the purpose of climbing the highest measured 

 peak in Spitsbergen. It was originally named Hedgehog 

 Mountain by the English whalers, but the Norwegians have 

 changed this to the commonplace Hornsunds Tind, by 

 which designation it is now generally known. The ascent 

 was part of my original plan, and I would gladly have 

 gone to make it, but duty called me to Advent Point, whose 

 latitude I still needed to observe, as well as the true bearing 

 from it of Bunting Bluff. The date fixed for the departure 

 of the last steamer was August 15, and all my efforts to 

 make arrangements to lengthen our stay proved unsuccess- 

 ful. Northward, therefore, the Expres had to be steered. 



