110 BAD WEATHER. 



the coast line to inspect its configuration.' This 

 intention was very nearly fruitless ; snow and wind 

 prevented our observations, and, with the exception 

 of discovering a magnificent land-locked harbour, 

 remarking the highly volcanic nature of the moun- 

 tains, upon some of which snow would not lie, and 

 finding a rivulet proceeding from a hot spring, which 

 at the distance of three or four miles from the som^ce 

 showed a temperature of 36° Fahrenheit, we had little 

 success to boast of. The bad weather prevented our 

 reaching the ship this day, and we remained for the 

 night in Mahkatzan's yarang — a measure of disagree- 

 able necessity ; for we had only brought provisions 

 for the day, and Mahkatzan had himself nnluckily 

 little to give us. A scrap of walrus flesh was made 

 into a sort of soup ; but even hunger could not over- 

 come its disagreeable flavoiu"; and we went nearly 

 supperless to bed, and were glad enough to depart 

 next morning, notwithstanding it blew a gale, with 

 fearful snow drift, and a low temperature. We halted 

 for a short time at Woorel, and reached the ship in 

 the evening with great delight. 



