NORTHWARD BOUND 21 



five miles in length, and supports three Danish settle- 

 ments. 



Icebergs were becoming more numerous. Great 

 numbers of them, some of massive proportions and 

 assuming fantastic shapes, dotted the sea, while the 

 coast was lined with stranded ones. As we steamed 

 northward into Melville Bay we passed very close to 

 one of immense size close enough to be impressed 

 by its proportions, and to appreciate the beautiful 

 green and peacock blue colorings of its crystal depths. 

 Upon its top and its sides perched myriads of birds. 



Rain fell heavily on the evening of July 30th, 

 but shortly before midnight the sun came out clear 

 and beautiful, and the following day was one of the 

 most delightful of the trip warm, almost balmy, 

 with the sea as smooth as glass, and thousands of 

 little auks were hovering about or flying in bunches 

 toward the land. 



Early in the afternoon Cape York was sighted, 

 though as yet fifty miles or so distant; and not until 

 eleven o'clock at night did we run close in under her 

 cliffs. The wind had risen now to so stiff a breeze 

 that it was not advisable to attempt to launch a boat. 

 Here we lay until early morning, when long blasts 

 of the whistle were blown in the hope of arousing 

 natives. No life was visible, however, and . after 

 three hours of futile effort, we were under steam 

 again, headed for North Star Bay, the nearest harbor, 

 where it was hoped we should overtake the Roosevelt. 



At North Star Bay we were equally unsuccessful 

 in arousing natives, and as the Roosevelt was not there 



