1852.] EXAMINE CAPE RILEY. 77 



the ice, to meet us at the point where we strike the bay, 

 and direct them to search the intervening beach for drift- 

 wood." On reaching the spot (the north bend of Union 

 Bay), I found two pieces, one Canada, the other English 

 elm. The men had found nothing. 



Proceeding on, we visited the ' Mary,' left by Rear- 

 Admiral Sir J. Ross, and, having taken an inventory of 

 her contents, moved ou to ascend Cape Spencer, hoping 

 from thence to obtain some insight into Wellington 

 Channel ; but in this we were disappointed, the higher 

 land in rear intervening. We examined the notices, re- 

 built the cairn of double dimensions, and returned, some- 

 what fatigued by one day's labour. I had despatched 

 Commander M'Clintock, in the ' Intrepid,' to report 

 upon the state of the ice in Wellington Channel ; but 

 the reports of all the visitors to the leading headlands, 

 which aiforded any views up the channel, were rather 

 adverse to open water ; some even fancied they saw the 

 icy barrier across the straits. 



Today, the 13th, w r e devoted to the examination of 

 Cape Riley and Gascoigne Bay, accompanied by Cap- 

 tains Kellett and Pullen. We first proceeded to Cape 

 Riley : the result of our search afforded no cine. The 

 circles of stones were clearly those of Esquimaux. The 

 huts had not been temporary habitations ; each was per- 

 fectly paved, as in regular settlements, and, as is custom- 

 ary with these peculiar people, the slabs had been brought 

 from some distance, as the fragments under the fallen 

 cliff were abrupt, rhomboidal masses, but these were se- 

 lected tabular slabs, particularly at the graves, misnamed 

 fireplaces. The same loose stones, used by the Esqui- 

 maux to steady their tents, might have been used by 



