Page:The journal of the Royal Geographic Society of London. Volume 34, 1864. (IA s572id13663720).pdf/307

Rh their most protected angles and nooks having the same abrupt and still outline that characterises the seaward slope. The view from the summit of a range of mountains—when a mantle of clouds conceals their base and wells up into all the valleys and ravines—has been likened to their partial submergence beneath the sea; and to convey a correct impression of the appearance of this coast, I need only reverse the simile, as the hard outlines and profound valleys, which we are accustomed to see only at considerable elevations, have been here reduced to the sea level.

We remained nearly stationary till 1, when the wind shifted to the north-west, and clouds began to gather on the mountains, warning us to take shelter, so that we put back to Thompson Sound, which was 7 miles to the southward, as it could be most easily entered with the wind from this quarter, and moreover, affords a more secure anchorage than Nancy Sound, to which we were opposite. The wind carried us right into the Sound, but then failed us, so that the boat had to be launched, and the yacht towed up to the anchorage in Deas Cove, a distance of 3 miles. We were hardly anchored when the storm from the north-west broke, and in a few hours acquired great violence—the gusts of wind drawing through the narrow mountain valley having terrific force, and accompanied by torrents of rain. This storm, which continued for 3 days, was the most violent we had had on the coast, the gusts of wind having such strength that though we lay in a land-locked cove, it was found necessary, besides putting down two anchors, to moor the craft to the trees. The rain was incessant and very heavy, as much as 8 inches falling in 48 hours.

On the 28th we took advantage of a moderate breeze to sail up the Sound. The scenery is very remarkable. The mountains have an average height of 2000 feet, and a few peaks rise to 4000 or 5000 feet. For several thousand feet above the waterlevel, and probably far beneath it, the rock has been smoothed and planed down by the ice action.

On the 5th of August we passed into Doubtful Inlet, after several days' detention in the narrow arms of the Sound, and a favourable breeze soon carried us again to Thompson Sound. On the right side of Doubtful Inlet I found a snug little cove, not particularly marked on the chart, where there is a convenient anchorage for vessels not drawing more than 10 feet water. If we had known of this place it would have saved us several days, as we should not have required to take the schooner up to the head of Crooked Arm, from which we had found it difficult to escape again.

We sailed next morning for Milford Sound, which is distant 40 miles to the north. Until nightfall we made but little progress, but by daybreak next morning we were off the entrance. The scene was magnificent as the sun rose and slowly lighted up the