342 HOBSON'S JOURNEY. Chap. XVII. 



day of May, having spent thirty-one days on its 

 desolate shores. During that period one bear 

 and five willow grouse were shot ; one wolf and 

 a few foxes were seen. One poor fox was either 

 so desperately hungry, or so charmed with the 

 rare sight of animated beings, that he played 

 about the party until the dogs snapped him up, 

 although in harness and dragging the sledge at 

 the time. A few gulls were seen, but not until 

 after the first week in June. 



I have already explained how Hobson found 

 the records and the boat : he exercised his dis- 

 cretionary power with sound judgment, and 

 completed his search so well, that, in coming 

 over the same ground after him, I could not 

 discover any trace that had escaped him. 



I quite agree with him that there may be 

 many small articles beneath the snow ; but that 

 cairns, graves, or any conspicuous objects could 

 exist upon so low and uniform a shore, without 

 our having seen them, is almost impossible. 



Sunday evening, 2'dth. — Calm, warm, lovely 

 weather ; and we are thoroughly enjoying it in 

 the quiet security of Lievely harbour, or God- 

 havn. Although Friday night was dark, we ma- 

 naged to find out the harbour's mouth, and slowly 

 steamed into it. The inhabitants were awoke 

 by Petersen demanding our letters, but gre^t 



