The Argosy — page 142: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

About Norway. 127 were both wicked enough to enjoy the scene and to make no sign. But presently, when more porpoises appeared and crossed our path, a young and pretty American girl who had been silently cogitating for some time, delivered herself aloud of this monstrous and seditious reflection : ‘Do you think, sister, that the whale was only a porpoise after all P” Soon after this little diversion, looking out to sea, we espied what at first was taken to be land and rocks. But as we looked the vision changed and shifted, expanded and contracted, and we soon saw that we were looking at a mirage. For a second time all was excitement. Marvellous as the great whale had been, this was still more so, and certainly was more curious and beautiful. Only in the most intensely rarefied air does the mirage show itself. The water everywhere re- flected a white heat and glare; and between us and the mirage the air seemed to waver and vibrate. Rocks and trees were distinctly outlined, now shooting upwards to considerable height, now as_ sud- denly dwarfing. ‘The most curious reflection was that of a vessel in full sail, reversed, so that the masts pointed downwards. Here at last was the phantom ship ready for the dream people: perhaps the vision that the little pale-faced crowd at Throndhjem had seen and bowed to in the weird midnight light. These mirages seldom occur, even up in these latitudes, and whilst some of the men belonging to the vessel declared it to be a sign of fine weather, others affirmed the contrary. The captain, on being consulted, replied with the spirit of a Delphic oracle: ‘After a mirage I have known it fine, and I have known it wet.” Upon which the deputation withdrew with relieved faces, whilst the captain whispered to me: ‘‘ More often wet than fine, but I would not say so.” Perhaps he was right not to cast even the shadow baa a gloom upon that most glorious day. And now in the distance, rising out of the water, we saw the celebrated mountain of Torghatten, which possesses a natural tunnel through the centre, showing, even from the ship, a large square opening with a background of sky. We steered for the mountain, which rises, a gigantic mass of 800 feet, out of the water. The shore at the foot of the mountain is rocky and shallow, and only in fine weather is it possible to land. To-day of all days had been made for the expedition, and towards evening we dropped anchor and went ashore in the ship’s boats. We scrambled on to the rocks jutting out of the water, and so on to land. ‘Terra-firma it could hardly be considered. The chief officer was best acquainted with the bearings of the place, and under his guidance a few of us got safely on to the slopes and began to climb towards the tunnel. Others more self-willed and independent would follow their own course, fell into bogs and marshes, and were finally glad enough to be brought round into a safer pathway. SS (CO) am GOnNIGDOO