They found it from one end to the other lying and floating insensibly upon the polar ocean.  But it was very difficult to form a correct estimate either of its size or shape; for a great number of hummocks intercepted their view on all sides.  They resolved, however, to walk to the extremity of it.  As far as they could judge from the position of the sun, that end of the island which extended toward the west had been detached from the mass of which it had formerly been a part, and was now turning to the north.  They therefore supposed that their ice raft was being carried toward the south by the influence of the tide and breeze, and the fact that they no longer saw any trace of the long barriers of ice, which are very extensive in the 78, fully corroborated this hypothesis.

Their island was entirely covered with snow, and upon this snow they saw distinctly here and there at a distance some black spots, which Mr. Hersebom immediately recognized as “ongionks,” that is to say, a species of walrus of great size.  These walruses doubtless inhabited the caverns and crevasses in the ice, and believing themselves perfectly secure from any attack, were basking in the sunshine.

It took Erik and Mr. Hersebom more than an hour to walk to the extreme end of their island.  They had followed closely the eastern side, because that permitted them to explore at the same time both their raft and the sea.  Suddenly Kaas, who ran ahead of them, put to flight some of the walruses which they had seen in the distance.  They ran toward the border of the field of ice in order to throw themselves into the water.  Nothing would have been more easy than to have killed a number of them.  But what would have been the use of their doing so, since they could not make a fire to roast their delicate flesh?  Erik was occupied about other matters.  He carefully examined the ice-field, and found that it was far from being homogeneous.  Numerous crevasses and fissures, which seemed to extend in many cases for a long distance, made him fear that a slight shock might divide it into several fragments.  It was true that these fragments might in all probability be of considerable size; but the possibility of such an accident made them realize the necessity of keeping as close as possible to their depot of provisions, unless they wished to be deprived of them.  Erik resolved to examine carefully their whole domain, and to make his abode on the most massive portion; the one that seemed capable of offering the greatest resistance.  He also determined to transport to this spot their depot of provisions.

It was with this resolve that Mr. Hersebom and Erik continued their exploration of the western coast, after resting a few minutes at the northerly point.  They were now following that portion of the ice-field where they had attacked the American yacht.

Kaas ran on before them, seeming to enjoy the freshness of the air, and being in his true element on this carpet of snow, which doubtless reminded him of the plains of Greenland.