THE LAST OF TOE JEANNETTE. 



565 



and made as much examination of the island and search 

 for vegetation as their limited stay would permit. The 

 island is a desolate rock, surmounted by a snow-cap, 

 which feeds several discharging glaciers on its east face. 

 Dovekies nesting in the face of the rock are the only 

 signs of game. A little moss, some grass, and a hand- 

 ful of rock were brought back as trophies. The cliffs 

 are inaccessible, because of their steepness. The ice 

 between the ship and the island is something frightful. 



Drifting by Jeannette and Henrietta Islands. 



Road-digging, ferrying, and its attendant loading and 

 unloading, arm-breaking hauls, and panic-stricken dogs 

 made their journey a terribly severe one. Near the 

 island the ice was all alive, and Melville left his boat 

 and supplies, and carrying only a day's provisions and 

 his instruments, at the risk of his life went through the 

 terrible mass, actually dragging the dogs, which from 

 fear refused to follow their human leaders. If this per- 

 sistence in landing upon this island, in spite of the su- 

 perhuman difficulties he encountered, is not reckoned a 

 brave and meritorious action, it will not be from any 



