ad fallen in; the log sides were decayed and moss-grown; and
the interior was overgrown with long grass and brambles, with a stately
pine springing to a height of some ninety feet from the very centre of
the structure--all of which incontestably proved its antiquity; but that
it was the work of man--most probably those who had left behind them the
rusty spear-head--there could be no possible doubt.

The party minutely inspected this interesting ruin, but without making
any further discovery, and then pressed forward through the heart of a
belt of pine forest which they had by this time reached.

The walking was not difficult and they made tolerably rapid progress.
That the country was not absolutely tenantless they soon had abundant
proof, for they had not advanced more than half a mile before an Arctic
fox was discovered gliding rapidly away before them. A little further
on they came unexpectedly upon a herd of moose-deer. The behaviour of
these animals--naturally extremely shy--conclusively proved that they
had never before met such an enemy as man, for, instead of bounding
rapidly away, as is their wont, they merely ceased feeding for a moment
to stand and gaze curiously upon the new-comers, and then went on
browsing again with the utmost composure. Their fearlessness offered a
strong temptation to such inveterate sportsmen as Sir Reginald and the
colonel; but not being in actual need of their flesh, and being,
moreover, anxious not to disturb them just then, the party passed
quietly on without firing a shot. A huge brown bear was the next animal
encountered, and this time the baronet's love of sport overcame his
humanity, bruin falling an easy victim to the noiseless but deadly
percussion shell of Sir Reginald's large-bore rifle. A solitary
prowling wolf next fell before the equally deadly weapon of the colonel;
and then the explorers emerged on the other side of the forest-belt, and
found themselves on the borders of an extensive tract of tolerably level
country intersected here and there by low hills, with occasional patches
of marshy land, the high flat table-land, which had been the first
object sighted by them when approaching these shores from the southward,
looming up, still misty and grey, at a long distance in the extreme
background of the landscape.

Heading directly for this mountain, as a conspicuous landmark, the party
again pressed forward, and were speedily delighted to observe several
flocks o