316 THE GERMAN ARCTIC EXPEDITION. 



intersected by a Fjord of, as yet, undecided extent to the 

 west of our road. The exploration of this Fjord was our 

 aim. 



We thought from the imposing walls of gneiss at its 

 point of debouche (Cape Hamburg) that we should be able 

 to reach it in a few hours, far under-rating the actual dis- 

 tance, which is often the case in Arctic regions. In the 

 bright clear air, the land looked so near that we fancied 

 we could see every crack in the rocks, and even every 

 stone, distinctly enough to grasp it with the hand ; but 

 the further we walked, the further the land seemed to 

 recede, and as the journey in the not quite frozen snow 

 was trying enough without this, there was a great amount 

 of ill-humour over the constant disappointment. But 

 everything has an end, and at last it was real land, and 

 a real mountain-chain wliich lay before us. In Arctic 

 regions one is so subject to illusions, that you cannot 

 swear to having land before you, until your feet are 

 actually upon it. This happened with us in the evening 

 at dusk, and we pitched our tent on a smooth spot. 

 This second night's rest was better than the first, and 

 after such a trying day's work we slept the sleep of the 

 just. 



On the 16th of September, as we were at breakfast, a 

 : white fox rushed almost into the midst of us, wishing to 

 share it, but he paid for his boldness with his life. 



We also saw a bear in the distance ; he did not venture 

 near, however, but shuffled, first, comfortably along to our 

 encampment, wliich we had long since left. A saucepan 

 cover, whicli we afterwards missed, served him as a ball ; 

 and as Bruin found nothing to oat, he followed on our 

 track, and, as he drew nearer, had to pay for his murderous 



