Then they resumed their journey to the northward.
Numerous indentations were met with along the coast, and a keen lookout was kept for the whaler.
As they proceeded the ice grew rougher.
Mighty cliffs rose here and there, vast glaciers were crossed, valleys were traversed, and they had to skirt the bases of huge rocky ridges and towering mountains.
Everything presented a wild and picturesque appearance, perfectly desolate as far as humanity was concerned, and yet teeming with birds and beasts.
How these creatures subsisted in that barren region was a mystery; but it was clear that they gained a very meager living, as was evidenced by their gaunt, bony forms.
League after league was passed over.
Finally Frank made a calculation, and referring to a chart, he said to his friends in the cabin:
“We must be very close to Nordenskjold bay now.”
“Faix, it’s no soign av a bay have I seen in some toime.”