SPITZBERGEX.— EXCURSION ON SHORE. 129 



After a short rest, in whicli we were mucli re- 

 freshed with a gentle breeze of wind that here 

 prevailed ; and after we had surveyed the surround- 

 ing scenery as long as it afforded any thing striking, 

 we commenced the descent. This task, however, 

 which, before the attempt, we had viewed with in- 

 difference, we found really a very hazardous, and 

 in some instances a painful undertaking. The way 

 now seemed precipitous. Every movement was a 

 Work of deliberation. The stones were so sharp 

 that they cut our boots and pained our feet, and so 

 loose that they gave way almost at every step, and 

 frequently threw us backward with force against the 

 hill. Wc were careful to advance abreast of each 

 other, for any individual being below us would 

 have been in danger of being overwhelmed witli 

 the stones, which we unintentionally dislodged in 

 showers. Having by much care, and with some 

 anxiety, made good our descent to tlie top of the 

 secondary hills, to save the fatigue of crawling along 

 the sharji ridge that we had before traversed, we 

 took down one of the steepest banks, the inclina- 

 tion of which was little less than fifty degrees. The 

 stones here being very sm.all and loose, we sat down 

 on the side of the hill, and slid forward with great 

 facility in a sitting posture. Towards the foot of 

 the hill, an expanse of snow stretched across the 

 line of descent. This being loose and soft, we 

 entered upon it without fear, and our progress at 



VOL. I. I 



