38 



ARCTIC RESEARCH EXPEDITION. 



the points of the compass for some time. It did not seem that 

 the morning sun could thus early be approaching in the east, nor 

 did it seem that the brightening before me was either east or west. 

 But I soon found the cause that so attracted my attention was 

 the northern sun ! I was indeed delighted ; for, though familiar 

 with the theory of our planetary system, yet I had little thought 

 of the beauty and variety of sun scenes presented to the view of 

 man between the latitudes of Cincinnati and that of 58J°, where 

 we then were. 



''Early in the morning the captain came to my berth and call- 

 ed me, saying that a sail was in sight, and that he was holding up 

 for her. I was on deck in an instant with spy -glass in hand. All 

 the men were on the alert, and every eye strained to discover 

 what vessel it was. Our own colors were soon run up, and they 

 were answered by the unknown showing the Danish flag. This 

 immediately enlightened us, and we at once knew that the stran- 

 ger was one of the government vessels of Denmark annually vis- 

 iting Greenland. We laid-to for her, and, when she came near, 

 ascertained her name to be the Mariane, from Copenhagen, bound 

 to Disco. Our captain then sang out, ' What's your longitude ?' 

 Whereupon the lusty old Dane hung over the brig's side a pon- 

 derous ebony board, upon which was chalked in white ' 49° 207 

 Thus holding it a moment, we saw him turn his head broadside 

 to us, and encircle his massive ear by his trumpet-shaped hand, 

 as if to say, ' Now let us have yours.' In stentorian voice, the 

 answer was '53° 307 If a forty -pounder had been shot from 

 the George Henry, the old Scandinavian commander could not 

 have jumped higher than on this announcement. Then giving 

 our ship to the glorious breeze that was dancing to do us service, 

 away she bounded on her course. As long as we could see the 

 Mariane of Copenhagen — a vessel bearing the royal F. E., 

 wreathqd by laurel branches, and crested by the imperial crown 

 — she was still following in our wake." 



It may be as well here to mention that this Mariane was the 

 identical vessel in which Dr. Kane and his party, after their mem- 

 orable escape on the second Grinnell Expedition, took passage 

 from Upernavik, intending to proceed home in her via England. 

 But, on touching at Goodhavn, Captain Hartstene, in the Eelief 

 Squadron, arrived in time to receive them, and thus prevented a 

 longer voyage in the Danish brig. 



"Friday, June 29th. During the night a smart breeze sprung up 



