CAPE SUMNER TO DRAGON POINT 



the gusts of wind made progress so difficult on the shiny ice 

 between the big ridges. During a storm one is unmercifully 

 flung down, and the dogs, which had worn down their claws 

 during the last days of fighting for a foothold on the shiny ice, 

 were swept together in bunches which were flung against the 

 sledges ; here they lay until a lull in the heavy squalls gave them 

 a chance to push ahead for another short distance. 



We had the same weather to-day as yesterday, and we 

 pressed on to get out of this awkward neighbourhood ; in the 

 course of the day we reached the strongly folded ground of 

 Cape Sumner, from which point driving was easier, resting us 

 whilst we passed Newman Bay. 



I discovered no young ice in the bay ; everywhere was 

 several years old Polar-ice, hilly and rough, slippery and bare 

 of snow, but nevertheless fairly easy to cross, as it was not 

 necessary for us to use our axes. In the afternoon we camped 

 near Cape Brevoort, a high limestone mountain standing as a 

 counterpart to Cape Sumner. 



These monumental coast mountains are worthy memorials 

 of the two American senators whom Hall wished to honour by 

 this christening. From their summits one has a view not 

 merely over the Polar Sea and the north coast of Grant Land, 

 but also far inland across the country behind Newman Bay, 

 where the land at an even gradient trends inward, ending in a 

 great tableland near the inland-ice. 



The success with which Hall's people met on their various 

 hunting expeditions in this neighbourhood tempted us to try 

 our fortune once more. The musk-oxen had had a close season 

 of many years' duration, ever since the days of 1871, so two 

 men were now sent out. Ajako and Bosun walked for ten 

 hours across the stony land, and then returned tired and foot- 

 sore to the tent, late in the evening, without having seen any 

 sign of game. 



May 4th. — One day succeeds the other in great monotony 

 during this period ; all our attempts to find game for ourselves 

 and the dogs are unsuccessful, but we have yet sufficient stores 

 to continue the journey on full rations. 



85 



