278 
A VOYAGE TO SPITZBERGEN. 
disposition of vapours in the air. At one time we 
thought we saw three men walking on the strand, hut 
on coming nearer they were found to be hillocks ; yet 
some on board persisted in asserting them to be living 
beings.” Other similar illusions are noticed in this 
voyage.* 
The shore was sandy, but of good elevation, and in 
parts covered with bulrushes. Soundings were found 
at a moderate depth near the land. The sea was rough 
from the northward, “ and the coast extended to the 
north-east, which made us no longer doubt,” says 
Linschoten, “ of there being a free passage. The ice 
had nearly disappeared, and seemed to be already 
melted; but the north-east and north winds which 
‘blew, being contrary to our route, and the season for 
this navigation being already passed away, it was 
unanimously resolved to sail back to our own country. 
Accordingly, in the beginning of the night (of the 11th) 
we made sail to the W. by N. with the wind at N.N.E. 
and fair weather; but the sun had not appeared for us 
to observe our latitude.” 
With so many favourable circumstances, this was; 
certainly closing the campaign too early. The greatest 
evil they had met with in this sea was the fogginess of 
* In Commodore Byron’s voyage, preparation was made for anchoring 
in a port which the Commodore and his people thought they had dis¬ 
covered ; hut which proved to he a fog hank. 
