EXCURSION WITH SIR JOHN ROSS. 479 



of no use uttering any complaint in presence of such 

 a weather-proof companion, fresh as an iceberg from 

 the polar seas. 



After a rather chilly drive, we arrived at length 

 upon the shores of the bay of Luce, and at once pro- 

 ceeded to knock up the fishermen who were to be our 

 guides ; after some difficulty, this was accomplished, 

 and we then set off in search of the sea-side, the 

 scene, as I thought, of our operations. The air was 

 now beginning to grow clearer, and the mist had 

 become less dense, so that objects were faintly distin- 

 guishable ; at least, the white line of surf proclaimed 

 that we were on the sea-beach, and we were pre- 

 paring, 



" So soon as heaven's window show'd a light," 

 to set to work. 



"There are no muskins here, my good fellow/' 

 exclaimed the thrice-hardy veteran ; " they are over 

 yonder." " Where ?" I inquired. " Why, there," said 

 Captain Ross, pointing right out to sea " on a sand- 

 bank half a mile out you will see it just now, when 

 it gets a little lighter." 



" O ! I suppose, then, we are waiting for a boat ?" 



" Boat ! my dear fellow ; here are no boats WE 

 MUST WADE IT ! It won't reach up to your arm-pits : 

 take that gun upon your shoulder; it will help to 

 steady you." 



" But, Sir John, I shall be catching my death of 

 cold," I expostulated. 



" Cold ! nonsense ; no one ever caught cold in 

 salt water yet. Here, come along ! take hold of me 

 mind you don ; t stumble." 



