EXCURSION TO THE "WOMAN'S HOOD." 



73 



cheering words like those Sir John Eoss was wont to utter when 

 living could be whispered in his ear. Adarn Beck is wretched 

 — poor. He has an old, rickety, leaky boat, that^ some one has 

 abandoned. That is all he has in this world, save the old skins 

 on his back that once warmly covered him. I will strive to show 

 him the respect due as a human being. Though he be an out- 

 cast, I know there is in his breast a chord that will vibrate to 

 kindness and humanity. 



"Saturday, July IMi. This afternoon I started out for the 

 mountains accompanied by Adam Beck. I had with me swing- 

 ing from my shoulders my sextant and my glass, and in my pock- 

 ets tape-line, geological hammer, chisel, and other traps. 



"After some distance we came to a river that it was necessary 

 to cross, but for three miles we could find no practicable ford. 

 At length I determined to strip and wade over, carrying my 

 clothes and effects on my head. The water was intensely cold, 

 and two winds met exactly in my passage, yet the scene was ex- 

 traordinarily beautiful ! The golden sand under my feet — the dia- 

 mond-shaped waves caused by the angular breezes — the arctic sun 

 pouring down its bright, warm rays from just above the peaks of 

 Greenland's mountains, and reflected from the sparkling waters 

 around me, will never be forgotten. 



" On landing, I replaced my clothes and trudged along, gather- 

 ing many beauteous flowers by the way. Up, up the mountain 

 — steep following steep — away we went, leaving piles of stones — 

 three stones in each (I said in my thoughts, 'Faith, Hope, and 

 Charity') — to mark the way on our downward path, for our route 

 was heretofore unknown by the native or the European popula- 

 tion. At length we came to the top of all save the last mountain, 

 which was covered with snow. Here we found the steepness to 

 be such that for a moment I hesitated ; but, determined to try and 

 ascend yet higher, I made the attempt. Adam looked up and 

 shook his head, actually falling to the ground, saying he ' would 

 not, could not accompany me for the whole world!' Therefore I 

 had to go alone. 



"The peak I was about to climb had the name of 'Woman's 

 Hood,' and I started on my way up it with great caution, erecting 

 piles of ' Faith, Hope, and Charity' at intervals, to guide me back. 

 Every now and then I was obliged to desist. The sun in the 

 northwest was pouring on my back compound rays, in addition 

 to the dazzling glare reflected from the sea. The exertion made 



