366 



ARCTIC RESEARCH EXPEDITION. 



sand and coal, then another layer of two or three inches of sand, 

 overtopped by interlocked roots, whence extended thrifty grass. 

 The roots of the stunted willows, half an inch in diameter at the 

 base of the trunk, pierced down into sand, and thence into coal ! 

 On examination of many pieces of coal, bedded — some in grass, 

 some in sand, and some in moss — the upper side, exposed to the 

 air, I found to be covered with pellicles of black moss, such as 

 one finds upon the rocks of ages. 



"I am convinced, from what I have seen to-day, that this coal 

 has lain there for centuries. If it was placed there by Frobisher 

 (and I have no doubt that it was), then the time of its deposit was 

 but eighty-five years after the discovery of America by Columbus. 



" We continued our search for other relics. I desired very much 

 to find even the smallest fragment of brick ; but the shades of 

 night prevented a thorough search; therefore, filling my pock- 

 ets with the sable relics, which drew a hearty laugh from Koo-ou- 

 le-arng, I reluctantly turned from this deeply interesting place, 

 and led the way across the island to the boat. We found every 

 thing all right, and ready for a quick sail to our third encamp- 

 ment, Oopungnewing. Getting out of our boat harbor, the wind 

 filled our sails (it was still blowing hard), and away we bounded. 

 Now and then a gust came that almost threw our craft on her 

 beam-ends. While Koo-ou-le-arng steered, I held on to the sheets, 

 ready to 'douse,' or let go, on the instant of any sudden violent 

 blast. Several times during our passage free play was given to 

 the sail ; but in good time, and safely, and with a thankful heart, 

 on my part at least, for the discovery I this evening have made, 

 we arrived back. 



"Koojesse, Kooperneung, and Koodloo had an excellent hot 

 supper ready for us on our arrival. There, upon the clean, tide- 

 washed rocks of Oopungnewing, the cerulean dome, pierced with 

 star-points, for our canopy, we made a feast on sweet, juicy fresh 

 'beef — Ninoo. Incomparable is the relish with which I have 

 partaken to-night of the polar-bear meat, with its two-inch coating 

 of fat, white as the driven snow. 



" The fresh meat of Ninoo, with which we have been blessed 

 to-day, exceeds 800 pounds. Every one of my company partici- 

 pates in my joy in making the discovery I have to-day. 



"A heavy sea has been rolling in all day from the south. We 

 have had a hard tug to-night drawing up the boat above the 

 reach of the tide. 



