246 THE GERMAN ARCTIC EXPEDITION. 



palatable. We lay in Pardleet harbour until the fol- 

 lowing day at noon, when we weighed anchor, in order 

 to continue our voyage at least as far as Hollanderoe. 

 The Constance, however, could not quit the spot, as the 

 wind was contrary, and we were unable to tack owing 

 to the narrowness of the straits between the islands. 

 Nothing, therefore, remained but to bring out the hawser 

 once more; and that evening, about ten p.m., we landed 

 in Peru harbour, on the island of Kingitok. 



On the map of West Greenland, a great many harbours 

 are marked along the coast, the Aurora harbour, Gray's, 

 and others. The uninitiated imagine, although incor- 

 rectly, that these are inhabited by natives. Greenland 

 captains are often compelled to stay against their will 

 close in shore, owing to calms, or contrary winds, or ice. 

 Then nothing remains for them but to have recourse 

 to one of these harbours, where they can at least ride in 

 safety and wait for favourable weather. 



Peru harbour lies in a narrow strait over against 

 Hollanderoe. As we saw no prospect of leaving on the 

 following day, and the weather was fine, we undertook an 

 excursion to this island. On the west it slopes gently 

 down, but towards the east rises into two lofty cliffs, 

 which form a deep ravine, separating them from one 

 another, as well as from the remaining part of the island. 

 As we descended into this defile, in order to reach the 

 steep top on the other side, the stair-shaped bottom of 

 the valley covered with rubbish struck nie at once, as 

 well as the steep walls, which showed pretty distinct 

 furrows along them. This roused the conjecture in my 

 mind, that here had once been a glacier, and that we were 

 now completely in its bed. The top of the rock afforded a 



