116 



AKCTIC EE SEARCH EXPEDITION. 



if to ask, Who were we that thus disturbed the usual quietude of 

 the place, and unsettled the peace that had reigned during the 

 world's age ? But no interruption to our progress was made. We 

 went on and on, creating the most joyous emotions in my breast 

 as we proceeded. My heart leaped within me as the vessel 

 bounded forward. 



I had taken my glass in hand and cast my eye to the south- 

 west. There I could see the extent of the bay was limited by a 

 very low coast, but beyond it were the high, bold mountains of 

 Meta Incognita, across the olden " Straits" — so termed — of Martin 

 Frobisher. Though in the blue melting distance, and some fifVy 

 miles off, yet they seemed like giants close by. Then, too, the 

 lofty hills of rock on either side of us, with the sun-glade, like a 

 pathway of dazzling gold, ahead, made the picture beautiful and 

 exciting in the extreme. It was my first visit and approach to 

 the scenes of Frobisher's discoveries, and well might I be excused 

 for the joyousness of my heart on the occasion. 



At length the schooner carried us to the termination of the bay, 

 and in a few moments more we had safely anchored in a good 

 spot, having four and a half fathoms' depth at low water. 



