A NEW VENTURE 209 



is required in these high latitudes, for the ice is 

 very uncertain and treacherous in the summer 

 season. To me sailing among the ice is very ex- 

 citing, and adds that feeling of dignity which arises 

 from a sense of danger. How shall I describe 

 to you the loud report of the ice when breaking up ? 

 I call it that of Arctic artillery. The snow-clad 

 heights of the distant land, when bathed in the 

 light of an evening sunset, were a sight most lovely, 

 and in their ever-varying shades of colour defy 

 description. 



" On Saturday, August 18, we sighted and wel- 

 comed the gigantic old rocks of Cape Mercy. As 

 seen from off the sea the land here is high, bold and 

 rugged, with much of the iron-rust look about 

 it, while the total absence of trees, so essential to 

 our English eyes, strikes one painfully. Still these 

 have a beauty all their own at daydawn and sunset, 

 besides the glory of their primaeval ruggedness. 



" We dropped anchor off Blacklead Island on 

 August 21. Eskimo boats were soon alongside, 

 and we had an early introduction to the Arctic 

 aristocracy. The island, as its name indicates, 

 contains the mineral blacklead. It is a small, 

 high, barren rock. It is a two hours' walk round 

 it on the frozen sea. Its vegetation is very meagre. 

 I can find no shrub six inches high ; there is a little 

 grass, moss, lichens, and the berry-bearing heath 

 (Andromeda tetragona)." 



14 



