the crew, as can
be readily believed, and more than one longed to pass latitude 72
degrees, who, a fortnight before, rejoiced to be sailing southward.

The _Forward_ sailed by Cape Alworth June 16th. Mount Rawlinson raised
its white peaks towards the sky; the snow and mist exaggerated its
size so that it appeared colossal; the temperature remained a few
degrees above the freezing-point; cascades and cataracts appeared on
the sides of the mountain; avalanches kept falling with a roar like
that of artillery. The long stretches of glaciers made a loud echo.
The contrast between this wintry scene and the thaw made a wonderful
sight. The brig sailed along very near the coast; they were able to
see on some sheltered rocks a few bushes bearing modest little roses,
some reddish moss, and a budding dwarf willow barely rising above the
ground.

At last, June 19th, in latitude 72 degrees, they doubled Point Minto,
which forms one of the extremities of Ommanney Bay; the brig entered
Melville Bay, called "the Sea of Money" by Bolton; this good-natured
fellow used to be always jesting on this subject, much to Clawbonny's
amusement.

The obstacles to their course were but few, for June 23d, in the teeth
of a strong northeasterly breeze, they passed latitude 74 degrees.
This was at the middle of Melville Bay, one of the largest seas of
this region. It was first crossed by Captain Parry, in his great
expedition of 1819, and there it was that his crew won the 5,000
pounds promised by act of Parliament.

Clifton contented himself with remarking that there were two degrees
between latitude 72 degrees and latitude 74 degrees: that was 125
pounds to his credit. But they told him that a fortune did not amount
to much up there, and that a man could be called rich only when he
could have a chance to drink to his wealth; it seemed better to wait
for the moment when they could meet at some tavern in Liverpool before
rejoicing and rubbing their hands.

CHAPTER XIX.
A WHALE IN SIGHT.

Melville Bay, although perfectly navigable, was not wholly free of
ice; immense ice-fields could be seen stretching to the horizon; here
and there appeared a few icebergs, but they stood motionless as if
anchored in the ice. The _Forward_ went under full steam through broad
passes where she had plenty of sailing-room. The wind shifted
frequently from one point of the compass to another.

The variability of the wind in the arctic seas is a remarkable