Page:Life with the Esquimaux - 1864 - Volume 1.djvu/295

274 have so generously, so nobly assisted me in my outfit for the voyage I am making here in the North. God giving me health and help in the prosecution of my work, I will do my duty as a geographer and a humanitarian. "April 12th.—This morning is gloriously fine. I must do out-door work to-day. I will off for a trip up Budington Mount, and from its peak take some angles and bearings of prominent places around and about the bay. * * * Just returned, and a fine time I have had of it. It was, however, dangerous business going up the mountain's steep, icy, and hard, snow-covered sides, but it was even worse coming down. Any one who is experienced in mountain excursions, especially in these regions, must know that the latter is far more difficult than the former. "When at the summit it was very interesting. I had an Innuit companion with me, and, while I took my observations, he slept on a bed of snow, and seemed as comfortable as any white man on a bed of down. As we descended, he made steps for us with a long, sharp stone which he had picked up for the purpose; but even then we had to exercise great caution. A mishap might have endangered our lives, and also my instruments. "To-night the aurora is beautiful as usual. Its rays shoot up somewhat more dome-like than before. It extends northwest around to the south, and thence to the east. How many are the times I am blessed with the sight of this phenomenon. Its changes are constantly going on. I never see it twice alike. Every moment the scene changes. In bright disorder, the heavens are almost nightly painted with the blaze of this incomparable, incomprehensible light. As its brightness oft is mirrored by my eyes and soul, I often feel that I am truly "'Arrayed in glory and enthroned in light.'

"Eleven o'clock, night.—A few minutes ago I came from deck. The aurora then spanned the heavens near to the zenith; a few minutes later—I have just been on deck again—all is gone; not a beam anywhere visible. The stars have