A Diary and Journal from the Second Grinnell Expedition

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Pages That Mention John Bunyan

Elisha Kent Kane Diary

Page 357
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Page 357

357

Refraction with all its magic is back upon us; the Delectable mountains appear again; and as the sun has now worked his way to the margin of the N western horizon, we can see the blaze streaming streaming out from the black portals of these uplifted hills as if there was truly beyond it a celestial gate. I don't know what preposterous working of brain led me to compare this N. Western ridge to Bunyan's Delectable Mountains, but there was a time only one year ago when I used to gaze upon them with an eye of real longing. Very often when they rose phantom like [they rose] into the sky, I would plan schemes by which to reach them, work over mentally my hard pilgrimage accross the ice and my escape from Doubting Castle to this scene of triumph and reward. Once upon your coasts Oh inaccessible mountains I would reach the Northern ocean and gather together the remnants of poor Franklin's Company. These would be to me the orchards and vineyards and running fountains. The "Lord of the Hill" would see in me a Pilgrim, "Leaning upon our staves, as is common with weary pilgrims when they stand to talk with any by the way." We would look down upon an open Polar Sea refulgent with Northern Sunshine.

I did try to gain these mountains and there is something curious in [thy?] (a closer) likeness which our efforts bore to another scene. When I think of our sufferings, of poor Baker's & Pierre's deaths, of my own almost fatalistic anxiety to cross the frozen sea, and of the terrible phisical trial by which I saved our advance

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