376 
APPENDIX NO. Y. 
We started at 11.30 P.M. One of us climbed up the ice-belt, while 
the other handed up the dogs and provisions, making a ladder of tho 
sledge. While here we saw a large flock of geese. 
We then prepared for a journey up the channel, by making a cache 
of half our provisions, which would be enough to take us to the vessel 
on our return. It was very difficult to get around the cape, as the ice¬ 
foot was nearly all worn away, and the cliffs were very steep. This 
caused me to reflect what could be done in case the narrow ice-foot 
should be washed away before my return. I observed a ledge on the 
face of the cliffs about seventy feet above the ice-belt, over which I 
could escape myself, and leave the dogs and sledge behind. 
We put the sledge on one runner, and thus passed around the most 
narrow part of the ice-foot. The water under us was very deep and 
transparent. Its temperature was 36° close alongside the ice-foot, 
but in a rapid tideway. We here lost our thermometer. 
June 22. —At 0.30 a.m. we got around the cape and found good 
travelling; we went freely at the rate of six miles per hour. After 
passing three or four bluffs with small inlets, we got beyond the cliffs, 
where a low country opened on us. Here we saw nine seals in a small 
bay. 
The land-ice across this shallow bay or inlet extended in some places 
two miles from the water’s edge, where piles of gravel were formed; so 
that the sledge was drawn between hummocks of gravel. On account 
of this broad land-ice, we were enabled, in some places, to make a short 
cut, instead of following all the indentations of the coast. About two 
miles in-shore were cliffs which appeared perpendicular, and not unlike 
the broken walls of houses. About midnight I observed pieces of ice 
moving up the channel, toward the north, at the rate of four knots per 
hour; and now when we are encamping they arc moving down the 
channel at the same rate. 
The ice here is entirely broken up, and the channel is navigable for 
vessels of any size. Eider-ducks are so numerous that Hans killed two 
at one shot. Large flocks of geese are flying in-shore and up the 
channel, and the rocks are covered with tern, who are now breeding. 
Dovekies are very numerous, and ivory-gulls and burgomasters have 
made their appearance. 
We have travelled fifty miles to-day, and must be forty-five miles up 
the channel. It has been very cold, and so cloudy that I have not 
been able to see the sun since I entered the channel, which runs north 
(true) and seems to be about thirty-five miles wide. The opposite 
(western) shore runs apparently in a straight line, and is very high; 
