204 ERMINE-HUNT. Chap. XI. 



and physical wear and tear, to tlie security and 

 quiet of winter quarters, is an immense relief. 



2nd Oct. — Mr. Petersen lias shot two very 

 fine bucks ; one is a magnificent fellow, weigh- 

 ing 354 lbs. (minus the paunch). Several deer 

 have been seen ; they come from the N. along 

 the slopes of the eastern hills. An ermine 

 came on board a few nights ago and kept 

 the dogs in a violent state of excitement, being 

 much too wary to come out from under the 

 boat to be caught by them ; at length one 

 of the men secured it. This beautiful little 

 animal does not appear to be full grown ; its 

 extreme length is 13 inches. Two others came 

 off to the ship, and to our great amusement 

 eluded the men who gave chase, by darting into 

 the soft snow — which is now a foot deep — and 

 reappearing several yards off. 



The weather is too mild to satisfy us ; we wish 

 for severe frost to seal us up securely, and make 

 the ice strong enough to bear the sledge-loads 

 of provisions, &c., which are to be landed for the 

 purpose of making more room in the ship. 



Qth. — A herd of a dozen reindeer crossed the 

 harbour to-day. Last night Hobson and his 

 companions returned, all well. They were 

 stopped by the sea washing against the cliffs in 

 latitude 71|-°, and to that point they have ad- 



