Serious Obstacles Overcome. 435 



seemed to be insurmountable obstacles. Through the years of strug- 

 gle for an outfit, hope was more than once instantly crushed at the 

 moment when success seemed sure; at the time of his first landing 

 in the Arctic Regions the mistake of his captain cost him a whole 

 year's advance; on his first practicable forward movement his fright- 

 ened party turned back his steps ; when provisions and stores were 

 again ready he could secure no team ; and after a severe journey in 

 mid-winter, on his return could obtain no men ; — and when at last, in 

 the fifth year he stood on King William's Land, it was to be hurried 

 away before the summer's sun could lift the snow-pall from the treas- 

 ures he was seeking. 



Would it not have been the record of many others that, after 

 gi-appling" with some only of such difficulties, they would have found 

 themselves at the close of any one year of disappointment safe on 

 board a hospitable whaler f Would not many have justified them- 

 selves when returning to their country and reporting insuperable 

 obstacles ? Expeditions largely equipped, and led by men of Arctic 

 experience and of brave heart, have more than once so returned to 

 be justified and honored by their countrymen. Hall had an uncon- 

 querable determination to accomplish something, and if this be called 

 a mere enthusiasm, it was an enthusiasm which led him to endure and 

 fight his way and patiently await new issues, and again endure and 

 fight and conquer. Without such an iron will he would never have 

 remained within these desolate reg-ions throuo:h fiive Arctic winters 

 enduring the squalid wretchedness of the snow-huts ; nor have made 

 his sledge journeys to Pelly Bay, to Cape Weynton, to Ig-loo-lik, to 

 Fury and Hecla Straits, to Lyon's Inlet, and to King William's 



