160 Our North Land. 



bear to the southward, a little out of a direct line from York to the 

 Digges, in order to keep in deep water. 



I have intimated that we did not arrive at the Digges until 

 Tuesday morning. This is correct, only because we had to discover 

 our own anchorage. The Neptune could have reached the desired 

 land by eight o'clock on Monday evening, but was compelled to lay 

 to until the following morning, in order' to have the benefit of day- 

 light in looking for a harbour. At the break of day, on Tuesday 

 morning, we made toward the outer Digges, with full steam ; but at 

 seven o'clock a blinding snow-storm overtook us, and for three- 

 quarters of an hour falling snow was so thick that one could not see 

 fifty yards in any direction. However, it soon passed over, 

 and we steamed along tDward the islands, which were now but a 

 little distance off, with the lofty snow-covered headlands of Cape 

 Wolstenholme a little further to the east, glistening under the rays 

 of the morning sun, breaking through the drifting clouds. 



At eight o'clock, the remarkably good luck which had followed 

 us at every step, was crowned by our steaming into a magnificent 

 little harbour on the south-west side of the outer large Digges 

 Island. The place was called Laperriere Harbour, after Mr. A. La- 

 perriere, the observer to be placed in charge. A very suitable place 

 for the station buildings was at once chosen, and before ten o'clock 

 the men were at work landing lumber and supplies, and the car- 

 penters in getting up the frame of the observatory. 



The island just off Cape Wolstenholme was selected for the 

 station rather than the mainland, because, while affording every 

 opportunity for watching the south portion of the channel between 

 the Cape and Nottingham, it also furnished a position for observing 

 the entrance to Hudson's Bay. 



I had settled myself down for a day's writing on Tuesday, but 

 was disturbed about two o'clock in the afternoon by a rush to the 

 cabin of Messrs. Fox and Laperriere, accompanied by the assistant 

 engineer. They were all out of breath, and most intensely excited, 

 and began to pull down the ship's rifles in the most frantic manner. 



" Steward ! steward ! quick ; get me a couple of packages of 

 express cartridges. Hurry ! " said Mr. Fox, as he examined a " Henry " 

 belonging to the Neptune. 



