This is what the captain of the “Alaska” said to himself, as he walked the deck of his vessel, after giving orders to steer to the westward.  And to these doleful thoughts was added a feeling of remorse that he had permitted his friends to share the dangers and fatigue of his useless expedition.  It was doubly useless, since Tudor Brown had found Nordenskiold before the “Alaska,” and also preceded them to the Island of Ljakow.  They must then return to Stockholm, if they ever succeeded in reaching it, without having accomplished one of the objects of the expedition.  It was indeed a great disappointment.  But at least their returning in a contrary direction to the “Vega” would prove the feasibility of the northeast passage.  At any risk he must reach Cape Tchelynskin, and double it from east to west.  At any risk he must return to Sweden by way of the Sea of Kara.  It was this redoubtable Cape Tchelynskin, formerly considered impassable, that the “Alaska” crowded on steam to reach.  They did not follow the exact route of the “Vega,” for Erik had no occasion to descend the Siberian coast.

Leaving to starboard the islands of Stolbovvi and Semenoffski, which they sighted on the 4th of August, they sailed due west, following closely the 76th degree of latitude, and made such good speed that in eight days they had made 35 degrees of longitude, from the 140th to the 105th degree east of Greenwich.  It is true that they had to burn a great deal of coal to accomplish this, for the “Alaska” had had contrary winds almost all the time.  But Erik thought rightly that everything was subordinate to the necessity of making their way out of these dangerous passes as speedily as possible.  If they could once reach the mouth of the Yenisei, they could always procure the necessary fuel.

On the 14th of August, at midday they were unable to make a solar observation on account of a thick fog, which covered the whole sky.  But they knew that they were approaching a great Asiatic promontory, therefore Erik advanced with extreme caution, while at the same time he had the speed of the vessel slackened.

Toward night he gave orders to have the vessel stopped.  These precautions were not useless.  The following morning at daylight they made soundings and found that they were in only thirty fathoms of water, and an hour afterward they came in sight of land; and the “Alaska” soon reached a bay in which she could cast anchor.  They resolved to wait until the fog dispersed before going on land, but as the 15th and 16th of August passed without bringing about this desired result, Erik determined to start accompanied by Mr. Bredejord, Mr. Malarius, and the doctor.  A short examination showed them that the “Alaska” was at the extreme north of the two points of Cape Tchelynskin; on two sides the land lay low toward the sea, but it rose gradually toward the south, and they perceived that it was about two or three hundred feet in height.  No snow or ice was to be seen