42 VOYAGE TO SPITZBERGEN. 



I took nothing for my trouble in preparing them, 

 or visiting the sick ; knowing, that if God should 

 be pleased to make me an instrument in relieving 

 the distressed, I would be more than amply repaid. 



April 3. Having got eight men at Balti Sound, 

 we weighed anchor at ten A. M. and sailed out of 

 the north entrance with a fine south-west breeze. 



For some days we had fine clear frosty weather, 

 during which time no particular occurrence took 

 place. 



On the 12th, at four P. M. we saw the long nar- 

 row island of Jan Mayen, (so calkd from the name 

 of its discoverer,) bearing north-east, and distant 

 about ten leagues. It lies in about 71° N. Lat. 

 and 8° 15' E. Long, from Ferro. Vid. Foister's 

 Hist. Vay. to the North, p. 422.. 



This island was once, in honour of Prince Mau- 

 rice of Nassau, called Mauritius Island in Green- 

 land, to distinguish it from Mauritius island on the 

 N. W. point of Spitzbergen. It stretches from 

 N. E. to S. W. The north end rises into a high 

 mountain called Beerenberg, from its being haunted 

 by bears ; though its steepness renders it inaccessi- 

 ble to man. A hundred yards from the shore the 

 water is about sixty fathoms deep : but a little far- 

 ther out no soundings have been found. 



The seas neighbouring to this island were former- 



