Page:Life with the Esquimaux - 1864 - Volume 1.djvu/56

Rh "Saturday, July 7th.—After dancing around the harbour of Holsteinborg for many hours, we have at length made anchor within it.

"During the last two or three days a fog of remarkable character has troubled us in making harbour. All at once the whole heavens would be clear and bright; in five minutes a thick fog would encircle us all around, closing from our view sunlight, the long ridge of Greenland mountains, the well-defined sea horizon, islands, and icebergs.

"Before coming to the North, I thought I was prepared to give a fair statement of the true theory of fogs. I now am satisfied that no one can give a satisfactory reason for the appearance and sudden disappearance—their reappearance and final dispersion, as I have witnessed them during the last four days. "At five o'clock this morning a Danish pilot came on board, who understood fully his business, which is more than I can say of the two Esquimaux, Sampson and Ephraim. Though they have shown great faithfulness, far beyond that of white men (as a general statement), yet I cannot award them great praise in navigating large ships in their own and neighbouring waters.

"Last night was a happy night for me. No sunset. The slow descending sun, just dipping its edge in the Northern Sea, then hesitating in its course, then slowly mounting again into high heaven, gladdening my whole soul near to uncontrollable joy!

"The incidents connected are worthy to be recorded. The evening (at least after ten o'clock) was fine; sky as clear as a bell; the air cool and invigorating.

"I found, by a hasty calculation, that we had made the northing, which would allow us to see the sun continually when clear weather; that the sun would gladden our sight day. after day without setting. I announced to all hands that the sun would not go down that night; that on such a moment it would commence to return—to rise again. This was a novelty to many of the ship's crew. I then made my D 2