THE NEW SIBERIAN ISLANDS. 741 



elaborate building with a porch ; and being plastered 

 with mud on the roof and sides, was no doubt suffi- 

 ciently wind-proof. No lack of fire-wood. Pine and 

 spruce lay in logs all around, but we had already spoiled 

 it of all relics. Lemmings without number ran around ; 

 owls, white and brown, are as common on this island as 

 ducks, almost, and of a great size. 



At twelve we dined. The regulation fog had come 

 up and hidden everything, and the wind had all died 

 away. Off shore the ice seems somewhat slack, and I 

 made an effort to get the boats through to a lead, with- 

 out success. We were obliged to unload, make a port- 

 age, and embark again five hundred yards below. At 

 1.45 p. M. resumed our journey and tracked and pulled 

 along to the southward, following the coast line. In 

 vain did we hope that each piece of land showing 

 through the fog was Barencap, but at 6.30 Barencap 

 seemed as far as ever, and I ordered the boats in to the 

 beach for supper. From time to time I sent everybody 

 out of the boats, except the pullers, making them walk 

 along the beach. Occasionally we came to a steep cliff 

 without ice-foot or beach, and then I took them in. On 

 one of these walks the doctor found a slate cliff and 

 fossil ivory. 



At 6.30 supper and camp. I climbed the hills and 

 looked for the land's end and the sea, but could see 

 little on account of the fog. The water spaces seemed 

 large, however, and that was one comfort. During the 

 drag overland, I noticed Mr. Dunbar fall out and stag- 

 ger to one side, when he sat down. I found upon in- 

 quiry that he had had another of his fainting spells, and 

 the doctor tells me it is some heart trouble. This is in- 

 deed serious, for in the hourly excitements no one can 

 tell what may occur to affect him. He has been cli- 



