WANT OF FOOD. 435 



rocky island, which we reached in the evening, consists 

 of very thin layers of hornblende- schist, with distinct 

 traces of glacial detritus. For the first time, in spite of 

 the lowness of the temperature, we saw the snow melt on 

 the rocks, from the now increasing power of the sun. 



On the morning of the 11th of April we had again 27° 

 Fahr. below zero. In an almost northerly direction, and 

 after that, by reconnoitring, we had fully convinced our- 

 selves that any attempt to reach the outer coast edge 

 would be attended with great loss of time, we continued 

 our way along the inner part of Dove Bay, and reached 

 the end of our actual sledge journey in a bay bounded by 

 an easterly-lying plateau, 975 feet high. This we called 

 Storm Bay, and not without a cause. The cape bound- 

 ing Dove Bay, to the east, we named Cape Bismarck 

 {7Q>° 47'). 



On the 12th we climbed to this plateau during a violent 

 snow-storm, which effectually prevented any great geo- 

 graphical acquisition. Returning to the tent, a raging 

 storm broke over us, and a fresh flood of snow feU, last- 

 ing three days. During this time we ate almost nothing, 

 as our store of provisions threatened to disappear alto- 

 gether. Scarcely ever was the fast of Passion week 

 (14th April) more strictly observed than it was by us. 



Not until the 15th could we leave the tent. The three 

 days of inactivity had diminished our strength; faint, 

 hungry, and thirsty, we started upon our last stretch of 

 journey to the north, leaving the tent behind us, and 

 taking only a covering. Want of provisions, which neces- 

 sitated our returning, forbade our extending the journey 

 further. Some musk oxen, which we came upon un- 

 expectedly, were clever enough not to prove the range 



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