48 



ARCTIC RESEARCH EXPEDITION. 



" As we neared the land, how eagerly I sought to catch every 

 view that was within sight. My eyes wandered far back to the 

 most distant mountain ; then I brought them quickly to those 

 which seemed about to shake hands with me, piercing into their 

 nooks and their time-worn rocks, now up to their pinnacles, now 

 down to their broad massive bases. I was happy. 



" We saw the little Danish flag on the hill that stands as sentinel 

 to the rock-ribbed bay. We passed on ; the western ridge, that 

 runs far out into the sea, stole away the winds which were so 

 gracefully carrying us to our chosen port, yet enough favored us 

 to go slowly. Soon Holsteinborg, in all its imperial greatness, 

 met our eye. 'Tis true, Holsteinborg was not gaudily attired, as 

 some kings' palaces are ; but there she was and is, sparkling in 

 diamonds of pure water, radiating rainbows in continual sunlight. 

 There she was and is, surrounded by walls more ancient than 

 Jerusalem, or Thebes, or Babel's Tower — of God's creation — 

 mountains that seem to prop up this arctic sky — mountains 

 whose southern sides are now clothed in green and laughing flow- 

 ers, and whose northern slopes rest beneath a bed of white. 



" As we entered the harbor, our national colors, streamer, and 

 ship's flag were raised, and the Governor of Holsteinborg re- 

 sponded by hoisting the Danish ensign. Then, at 10 A.M. of 

 this day, the 7th of July, 1860, and the fortieth day from the port 

 of New London, United States, we came to an anchor. Had it 

 not been for head winds and calms, we might have made the pas- 

 sage in twenty-five to thirty days. Captain B has made it in 



thirty-four ; he says it generally takes about thirty. As it is, we 

 have reason to thank God for His care and protection over us in 

 this voyage. Oh, may He continue His blessing; may He be 

 near unto me while in the prosecution of the great work before 

 me ! With thee, 0 God, I can accomplish much ; without thee, 

 what am I ? — nothing ! nothing ! !" 



The Rescue schooner — our consort and tender — had not arrived. 

 Her orders were to keep with us if possible ; but on the night of 

 Thursday, 31st, the third day out, during the prevailing fogs and 

 wind, we lost her. The rendezvous, however, was at this place, 

 and we daily expected to see her. 



