The Polynesian., 1840-11-28

harrasslng: but, whilst perpieXcd beyond
measure in finding our way through these
labyrnths, we derived great advantage
from the protection afforded by the ISL
ands from the crushing force of the sea-
ward ice, and the weather was generally
clear. I'm fact, the most serious detention
caused by ice on this part of the voyage,
was from the lst to the 9th of August
on point that iuttcd out beyond the in
sular chain. White Bear Point, as it was
called, lies in lat. GS deg. I min. :}5 sec.
n, long. 1913 deg. 36 min. 45 sec. W.,
variation 81 deg. As min. +. These bays
and masses of islands present distinct
succession of geological features which
can be best illustrated by our series of
specimens of rocks that compose this wild
and barren coast. Vcstigcs of Esqui-
maux, mostly old, were met with whcrev-
or we landed. They appear to subsst in
single families, or very small parties, and
to travel inland for the deer hunt in the
month of June, not returning to their seal
ing islands till the ice sets fast in October.
A river twice the size of the Copperminc,
which falls into the lat. 6S deg. min. n,
long. lO4 deg. / 5 min. w., is much re-
sorted to by rein deer and musk oxen in
the summer season.
Finding the coast, as already remarked,
trending northerly from the bottom of the
great bay. We expected nothing less than
to be carried round Cape Felix of Capt.
James Ross, contrary to the con lecture
hazarded by Mr.. Simpson in his narrative
of last years journey. On the evening
of the 10th August, however, Cat the
point already givcn.) we suddenly OPEN
ed a strait running in to the southward of
east, where the rapid rush of the tide
scarcely left a doubt of the existence of
an open sea leading to the mouth of Backs
Great Fish River. This strait is ten miles
wide at either extremity, but contracts to
three in the centre. Even that narrow
channel is much cncroachcd upon by high
single islands, but there is deep water in
the middle throughout.
The 10Th of August was signalized by
the most terrific thunder storm we have
ever witnessed in these regions. Next
day it blew roughly from the westward.
with very dense cold fog, but we ran
rapidly southeast, passed Point Richard
son and Point Oglc of Sir George Back,
and continued on till the darkness of the
night and the increasing gale drove us
ashore beyond Point PccheII. The storm
shifted to the northeast and lasted till
the 10th, when we directed our course.
with flags flying, to the Montreal Islands.
On It's northern side our people, guided
by Mackay, soon found dcpos1c made
among the rocks by some of Sir George
Backs party, but, as Mackay seemed to
think, without that Officers knowledge.
1t contained two bags of pcmican, and a
quantity of cocoa and chocolate, all per-
) tectIy rotten, besides an old tin vasculum,
! and two or three other trivial articles, of
which we took possession as memorials
of our having breaklasted ON the indenti-
) cal spot where the tent of our gallant
though less successful precursor stood on
: his return from Point Ogle to the Great
Fish River that very day five years before.
The arduous duty we had, in 1896.
undertaken to perform, was thus fully
accomplished ; and the length and difficult
,E al. 1