444 THE rtEllMAN AECTIC EXPEDITION. 



fields to the soutli, the sledge following slowly. The 

 snow soon began to lose its hardness, and the nearer we 

 came to land the looser and deeper it became from the 

 drifts. The sight of the well-known walls and capes 

 which had become our home, gave to our wishes and 

 hopes a quiet security. 



But our quarter-master had not accomplished the day's 

 march of forty miles to the rocky coast of Sabine Island, 

 on the south-east shore of which the winter harbour lay, 

 when the dreaded signs of a storm arose. The curtains 

 of snow began to rise from the ground, causing them to 

 regret the furs they had left behind ; and as they could 

 neither reach the sledge nor the ship in time, they were 

 placed in a somewhat serious predicament. 



However the storm subsided, the sun came out and 

 shone brightly over the land as we set foot on the shore 

 of the island, whilst the softening of the snow compelled 

 us to raise the tent earlier than usual, and to take our 

 last disposable meal. We slept at the foot of a cliff 

 in Clavering Straits. Ellinger laid down on the rugged 

 edge of the coast, and Payer sat beside to watch, the gun 

 lying cocked by his side. 



With what delight could one enjoy the bright sunshine 

 in this wild scenery. The strand ice began to whisper 

 and to crack with the tide — the recollection of awakening 

 spring at home lay alluringly near. Hans slept softly : 

 it was a pity to have to wake him in a few minutes, 

 which we must do for fear he should freeze. 



Then a bird's note' sounded from the walls above, the 

 first greeting of the awakening spring ! After Payer 

 had also rested, the journey was continued, avoiding the 

 long road along the shore ; and, though in stockings, ihey 



